Walking through the underpass at City Hall filled me with a feeling of nostalgia at the sight of Philly’s giant Christmas tree, illuminated with hundreds of lights. This year, the tree stands on a custom-made base decorated with images of the Philadelphia skyline and messages of “joy” and “love” depicted in various languages to represent Philly’s diverse community.
Travelling down to the city was a beloved holiday tradition for me and my family. We would spend the entire day downtown, doing all sorts of “Christmassy” activities. We would get hot chocolate from the Christmas Village, see the Wanamaker light show, ride the Ferris wheel, skate in Dilworth, and finish the day by driving down South 13th Street to see the spectacle of homes decorated with elaborate Christmas lights and decorations, all while playing Christmas tunes on the radio.
My mom grew up much closer to the heart of the city than I did, but she has always made an effort to share with me her favorite aspects of Philly. While these beloved traditions became less frequent as I grew older, the atmosphere of Philly around the holidays still feels like the epitome of Christmas to me.
I took a trip into the city recently with my mom to revisit these childhood memories and also to see what had changed. The drive took us past Boathouse Row, which was not yet illuminated with festive lights since it was only noon. My mom, having learned to drive in the city, seamlessly parallel parked her minivan on Chestnut Street.
The wind immediately attacked us as we got out of the car, and I was reminded of just how cold this city can feel. But the massive crowd of people–coupled with the festive music, lighting, and seemingly endless rows of pop-up shops–helped curb the feelings of biting cold.
One of the newer traditions that caught my attention was all of the SEPTA buses being decorated for the holidays. I saw multiple parked around Love Park; some were festive like the one pictured, but the themes varied immensely. I saw ones decorated in the theme of Smurfs, Alice in Wonderland, Sesame Street, etc… I didn’t participate, but there was a way to vote for your favorite bus.
The different districts competed against each other in a friendly competition. Even the inside of the buses were decorated, and some of the drivers dressed up too.
The statue of the 30 foot Weihnachtspyramide, or “German Christmas pyramid,” reminded me of a miniature version my mom displays each year around the holidays. The heat from the lit candles propels the wooden blades of the large fan around in circles.
The Philly version has rotating platforms with Santa, elves, reindeer, and, of course, Gritty and the Phanatic. No Philly scene would be complete without Eagles gear, and I feel that is especially true around this time of year.
The Christmas Village was always one of our “go-to” spots for Christmas shopping. Just like I remembered, it was bustling with hundreds of people buying presents and food. My mom tries to buy an ornament any chance she can get, so I had to steer her away from this stall of glass-blown ornaments.
The line to take pictures under the Love statue in Love Park was shocking to me; I didn’t remember the statue being so popular. Typically, the statue is just a tourist attraction, but it seemed that even locals decked out in their Eagles gear wanted to get their pictures taken.
The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink is a beloved tradition for many families around the holidays. People line up around the walls of the rink to watch
as little kids learn to skate for the first time and share gasps of surprise and excitement when a seasoned pro shows off their moves.
I was never very good at skating, especially as a little kid, so we hardly ever stepped into the rink. But I do remember standing against the wall and watching everyone else skate; my dad would have to lift me up so I could see over the barricade.
Revisiting these places of childhood memories was really special, and definitely put me in a festive mood for the holidays
Alana Jones • Mar 5, 2026 at 7:15 pm
I don’t resonate with this article because my family likes to stay cozy and surround ourselves with each other. Holidays have definitely changed since I was younger. It feels less magical due to the lack of imagination after finding out some things you grew up on weren’t true. I do revisit memories often.
Anthony Fountain • Feb 25, 2026 at 1:44 pm
What I feel about this article is how the author talked about the feelings and memories of going into the city during the holidays. I really liked how even simple stuff like seeing a giant Christmas tree or hot chocolate can make holidays feel special. My holiday celebrations have changed a little, too. When I was younger i remember being way more excited about gifts and opening presents, but now I think I care more about the experiences. I do revisit memories from earlier in my childhood sometimes, especially around Christmas. When I think about old holiday traditions, it makes me feel happy.
Eden • Feb 19, 2026 at 8:24 pm
I had no idea that all this was going on in the city during Christmastime, but now that I do know I’m pulled to take a visit next year. The way it was described in this article made it sound so festive and communal, and brought some feelings from slightly different memories of mine; having grown up in New York, I remember seeing the giant Christmas trees everywhere, ice skating, and the same kind of joy painted in this article, so it reminds me of that. The SEPTA buses sound like a very fun tradition as well, especially the ones decorated inside too.
Gia • Feb 19, 2026 at 11:37 am
This article is relatable to me because I also feel nostalgia, especially around the holidays. My family’s traditions also became less frequent as I got older. There are even some years we don’t put up the Christmas tree! Despite this I still am incredibly grateful for my parents and the effort they put into making every Christmas special for me, no matter the situation. This article also has definitely made me reflect on all the good moments I have had during past holiday seasons such as when I also walked through the Christmas village with my family and I would always spend so much time just staring at the pretty lights all around me which my mom would sometimes use against me when I was being too loud to make me quiet down.
Brian Jackson • Feb 19, 2026 at 11:08 am
My family doesn’t go to city hall for Christmas; we went once, and it was fun. We got hot chocolate and looked at the tree, but my family would go to lightshows whith my little cousin for Christmas. We go to a diffrent on every year. They would run around, I would chase them, our parents would talk, and we would have a fun time.
Gary L • Feb 19, 2026 at 10:58 am
philly is a rough place and there is a lot of crime and violence , so the times and holidays need to make it better. And the fact that were able to celebrate and come together as a community through holidays with joy.During the holiday season, streets light up with decorations, churches hold services, and families gather to share meals and exchange gifts, reminding everyone of the importance of love and togetherness. when we celebrate Christmas its really like were not strangers and everyone comes together as friends or family and all the problems In the world are gone and makes u feel in a safe place.
May • Feb 19, 2026 at 10:47 am
The thing that resonates with me the most is about most people seeing the tree as a thing of joy. It is so beautiful that something as simple as a tree with lights on it can be something so beautiful and gorgeous. When I was younger we would all put on Christmas music and decorate the tree together and we would all participate. Now we buy a tree and decorate it over time, not really as a family. As me and my brother get older now we are falling more out of the Christmas family spirit. I always think about when we did things together as a family when I was younger.
Max • Feb 18, 2026 at 6:25 pm
My favorite part about this article is about the vibe Philly brings around Christmas time. Everyone is a little nicer and in a better mood. It just makes you want to do something good. I remember being a kid and still do today, walking around the streets in Philly on a cold winter night. Me and my parents would go to see food trucks and vendors. The food would be so hot and warm me up, but I remember staying away from the smelly cheese vendor. I have still never gone close to that thing. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year and holiday. It will never change and because Thanksgiving and Christmas are right by each other, I have always loved winter more than summer. It’s just had something for me that summer doesn’t and I can’t explain it. When I was a kid I always new to be grateful for what I have and get for Christmas. I used to forget that and on Christmas day I always used to think about gifts and candy and stuff like that. As I get older and every year, Christmas always feels different to me and it speaks to me differently than years before. As I have gotten older I have looked at Christmas differently. Before Christmas and Thanksgiving these past years, I haven’t even thought about presents. I have just been excited to spend time with family and it has been getting more exciting every year. As I’ve gotten older I have come to realize that Christmas isn’t about gifts and wishing for things to happen. It’s to share memories and spend as much time with your loved ones as possible because to me Christmas is a reminder that loved ones won’t be there forever, so spend as much time as possible with them. This previous Christmas, it has changed a lot on how I view Christmas and Thanksgiving. It has brought me a lot of maturity and wisdom that I will never forget, and I will never forget to cherish that. For me and my family celebrations haven’t changed a lot. We do the same things like get our tree right after Thanksgiving, go to see light shows, going shopping at the big mall in Philly. Celebrations haven’t changed, they just have felt different. Many childhood memories flood my mind from Christmas, there’s just too many. Sledding down the Abington Golf Course, making a snowman, going to eat pizza in the city and then going ice skating, making tons of cookies, and going over to my grand-pop’s and grand-mom’s with the whole family to have dinner and watch, “The Night They Saved Christmas.” Christmas will always be my favorite holiday and that will never change.
Fia • Feb 18, 2026 at 11:51 am
One of my favorite parts of Philly is when its decorated for the holidays. I love seeing all the SEPTA buses in ”costumes” and all the festivities like the ice skating rink. When I was little I used to live in New York and during the holidays it was so pretty. I loved seeing the giant christmas tree decorated and all the people gathered around admiring it. When I moved to Philly my family would take me to see all the houses on boat house row and then we would drive into the city. I loved looking at all of the pretty lights on them and sometimes we would drive by right as they would light up.
Emmett Kubersky • Feb 18, 2026 at 11:33 am
What resonates with me is the seemed shared experience of going down the city to visit the Christmas village. There is a shared experience of going into Christmas village during the holidays, and buying all sorts of German fair. My traditions have not really changed much as I got older. Every other year we go to my grandparents house in Pittsburg, and every year we decorate the house. It definitely brings back old memoires, but I remember everything being lighter, however that may be chalked up to shotty weather. I think its nice that Philadelphians all have some sort of collective experience, that creates a very tightknit community
Leo Gest • Feb 18, 2026 at 8:30 am
The thing that resonates with me the most from this article is the feeling that old traditions and feelings don’t die. It is nice to hear that although many things have changed since they were younger, they still get that same feeling of joy and festivity from Christmas time in Philly. Similarly, I enjoy revisiting memories from my youth as well. I know that many people like to go up to the Poconos to celebrate Christmas and this year I did the same. This time, I went with just me and my dad and it was super fun and the entire time my dad would bring up pictures of me when I was younger and we would laugh every time.
gabriel • Feb 18, 2026 at 8:29 am
This article really hits home because it captures how traditions naturally start to fade as we get older, whether we’re ready for it or not. It makes you realize just how important it is to soak up the moments we’re living through right now. I still have such clear memories of going to City Hall with my mom to see the Christmas Village. We’d grab hot chocolate and go stroll around Christmas village , and those are the kinds of days I never want to forget. There’s also something special about going back to a place you haven’t visited in years. Stepping back into a spot that used to be a huge part of your life is honestly one of the best feelings there is. I felt that same way about seeing the Christmas tree in city hall 5 years in a row. We really have to hold onto these memories and appreciate them while they’re happening, because you never know if a certain visit will be your last time there
Divya • Feb 18, 2026 at 8:18 am
I loved the feeling of nostalgia you gave me when reading this, and I can definitely relate to all the holiday feelings you talked about. Every Christmas, I go to my aunts house with my family and we spend time playing white elephant and sitting together at a “kids only table.” One thing that this article reminded me of is when I went with some of my cousins to a Christmas village downtown a couple of years ago, and it was so cool seeing all of the lights hung up, sipping hot chocolate under the massive Christmas tree.
[email protected] • Feb 3, 2026 at 9:10 pm
I loved this article’s use of pictures; they really helped spark my own memories of Philly during the holidays. Every year, my family makes a point to make it down to The Christmas Village, and we have the decorative mugs to prove it. We would navigate the busy streets with hot chocolate in hand. We would wait in line for the fancy German Christmas store. This article brought back so many of those fond memories of childhood wonder. Now that I have grown, things seem a little less grand as they did when I was younger, but not less magical. I still marvel at all of the families just like mine, who take to Center City to celebrate one of the most joyous times of the year.
Natalia • Feb 3, 2026 at 8:48 pm
As a child growing up in the city, these traditions are held closely to my heart! I remember all of the times venturing into Love Park, seeing the light show, or getting a warm drink in the Reading Terminal with my family. I definitely don’t venture into the city, or celebrate as much as I did when I was younger, but it doesn’t stop me or my family from creating new traditions in my older years. In the past few years, my family and I have started attending the opening night of the Nutcracker that the Philadelphia Ballet puts on. The tickets originally started as a Christmas gift, and ever since then, we’ve kept the tradition alive. Philadelphia has so much spirit, even when there isn’t necessarily a holiday coming up. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Precilla • Feb 2, 2026 at 6:29 pm
What resonates with me in this article is that as we grow older, traditions start to slow down, whether we like it or not. Cherishing the memories that we now make is very important. Growing up, i would also go down to city hall to visit the Christmas village and ride the carriage horse while drinking hot chocolate with my mom. The feeling of revisiting a place that was once visited a lot for traditions after having not visited for a while has to be one of the best feelings for me as well. I remember when I had also watched the Wanamaker light show for a couple of consecutive years straight. Those memories we have to cherish, because we never know if it’s going to be our last time visiting.
Lauren Washington • Feb 2, 2026 at 4:15 pm
Hi Oonagh, this article is great! I love the imaginary and pictures to -accompany it as-well. I can tell that you put time and effort into crafting this. What resonated with me most in this article is that feeling of nostalgia that you talked about in the beginning. I think a lot of people can relate to it because we find comfort in nostalgia and in the past often. I tend to revisit memories from earlier in my childhood by going through scrapbooks and looking at old toys such as stuffed animals sometimes. It’s fun to do because it reminds me of my growth and how far I’ve come. Once again great article!
Dillan • Feb 1, 2026 at 9:28 pm
What resonates with me most about this article is the fact that, even though we may no longer carry out our traditions as much as we did previously, it feels just as magical when we do revisit them. I have family who lives in the Poconos, and my parents and I (along with other out-of-town extended family) have always gone up to celebrate Christmas with them. As I’ve gotten older and my family and the world have changed, the magic I felt as a kid is no longer fully present when I visit for Christmas. But this year, one moment stood out to me as reminiscent of my childhood – on Christmas Eve, my cousins and I spent a good few minutes together sorting all of the gifts from under the tree, setting each family member’s pile of gifts in a specific spot for gift opening. Revisiting that tradition made me feel some of the holiday spirit I felt when I was little.
Jenny • Feb 1, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Reading this piece made me reflect on how much of holiday tradition is tied not just to specific activities, but to atmosphere and memory. What I appreciate most about this article is the way it captures Philadelphia as both a physical place and an emotional one. The descriptions of wind, crowds, lights, and music make it clear that the city itself is an active participant in these memories, not just a backdrop. Even small details—like SEPTA buses decorated in unexpected themes or a parent expertly parallel parking—ground the nostalgia in real, lived moments. I also find the comparison between past and present especially effective. Rather than arguing that things were “better before,” the piece acknowledges change while still honoring continuity. Some traditions have faded, others have evolved, but the sense of warmth and connection remains. That balance makes the reflection feel honest rather than idealized. It suggests that nostalgia doesn’t require freezing time; it can coexist with growth and novelty.
Solomon • Jan 31, 2026 at 6:14 pm
I think what resonates most with me about this article is the ways in which joy can be shared by communities during the winter. I think for me the winter can feel challenging because the days are shorter, the sun goes down much earlier, and it is quite cold. Exploring different traditions in a time that feels challenging is something that really speaks to me about exploring holiday traditions. Each year my family celebrates hanukkah in the winter and I think as I have gotten older I have really appreciated the consistency of getting to celebrate each year. Over the years I think being able to celebrate holidays and learn about other traditions and customs people have has brought me a lot of joy.
Nia • Jan 30, 2026 at 5:31 pm
I think what resonates with me most from this article is just how much the holidays, especially visiting places I always go to during the holidays, brings me back and make me feel nostalgic. I too have fond memories of going to Christmas village with my family during that time of the year. When I was younger, my sister and I would always want to take pictures, get hot chocolate and funnel cake from the food stalls, and beg our parents to stay as long as possible because going into center city was rare for us at the time. For the first time in years, I went back to Christmas village with my friend and it felt very different. The layout of Christmas village was the same and they had relatively the same vendors. Young children still ran around and had fun with their families, and the landmarks were the same too. The only difference was that I was older and it made me sad but also happy that I get to experience the holidays again with new eyes.
Molly M Taylor • Jan 30, 2026 at 4:16 pm
I definitly resonate with the feeling of nostalgia you mentioned when alluding to walking into Christmas Village. I have lived in Philly for almost my whole life, and always look forward to visiting Christmas Village during winter break. As soon as I step foot into the little seller stalls I am instantly sent back to the many years walking through the magical lights with a warm cup of hot cocoa in my hand. My family are not big Christmas decorators, so I wouldn’t consider myself to get into the spirit of the holidays until the days lading up to Christmas, and for me, part of that spirit comes from the Christmas Village. I also love to go skating on the rink, and feel it is such a fun way to connect with the community. My siblings and I love to race each other across the ice, skating for as long as we are able to. I feel so lucky to get to live in Philly, but feel my luckiest when I am able to experience joys like the Christmas Village that Philly has to offer!
Christine • Jan 12, 2026 at 4:04 pm
What fun memories. I hope you continue to do them as you get older.