Philadelphia Holiday Lights Private Driving Tour

See Philadelphia's holiday lights from your own warm van, not a crowded bus

A private driving tour of Philadelphia's holiday displays takes you through Center City, past the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Christmas tree, City Hall's Big Tree, Love Park's German Christmas Market, and neighborhood light displays in a warm, spacious van with a local guide. You hop out at several stops to walk, photograph and soak in the festive energy without the crowds of a shared tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Philadelphia Old City Hall30m
2. Love Park30m
3. Philadelphia Museum of Art15m

Philadelphia holiday lights tour

• Visit Philadelphia Museum of Art Christmas tree
• See Big Tree display at City Hall
• Explore German-inspired Christmas Market and LOVE statue
• Drive through South Philly neighborhood light displays
• Visit Franklin Square light display
• Run up Rocky steps at Philadelphia Museum of Art

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup and moves through downtown Philadelphia's brightest holiday sights. Your guide takes the van past the Philadelphia Museum of Art's towering Christmas tree, then to City Hall where the Big Tree display stands lit and decorated at the heart of the city. Love Park comes next, where the iconic LOVE statue sits among handmade craft shops and seasonal treats from the German-inspired Christmas Market. The van weaves through smaller neighborhood light displays too: one in South Philly stretches lights across entire streets and homes, a display locals call a "Miracle" for how densely the trees and houses glow.

Franklin Square, one of Philadelphia's oldest parks, dazzles with a massive synchronized light display set to holiday music. The tour ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, where you climb up for a view of the city now lit for the season. Throughout the 2.5-hour route, the van stops at several sites so you can step out, walk around and take pictures without being rushed. A local English-speaking guide drives and narrates the whole route, and because it's a private van, there's no waiting for other groups or dealing with packed trolleys.

What’s included

• See all the holiday lights Philadelphia has to offer.
• local English-speaking guide.
• private van or car for your group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WeVenture

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour drive means you cover multiple neighborhoods and parks without the walking fatigue of a walking tour, and the private van keeps the experience to just your group instead of a crowded trolley or bus full of strangers.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What neighborhoods and landmarks does the Philadelphia holiday lights tour actually visit?

The tour covers Center City's main holiday displays: the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Christmas tree, City Hall's Big Tree, Love Park with its German Christmas Market, a South Philly neighborhood display known for lights spanning entire streets and homes, Franklin Square's synchronized light show, and ends at the Museum of Art steps for a lit-up city view.

Can we get out of the van and walk around at the stops?

Yes. The van stops at several sites so you and your group can hop out, walk around, take photographs and spend time at each spot soaking in the holiday atmosphere without being rushed back to the vehicle.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 2.5 hours from pickup through the final stop at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.

Is this tour just for families, or can a group of friends book it?

The private van works for families and small groups of friends alike. You get the whole vehicle to yourselves, so there's no mixing with other parties.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the private van, a local English-speaking guide, and all the holiday light stops and walking time. Food, drinks, souvenirs and tips for the guide are not included.