Save the Dates:
November 20th -December 20th
To welcome the holidays, Manayunk will transform into a magical Christmas dreamland with festivities for the whole family. Enjoy dazzling light displays, festive markets, cheerful rides, and exclusive shopping experiences that bring warmth and excitement to every corner of the community.
Discover one-of-a-kind gifts at Manayunk’s locally owned shops and boutiques, then unwind with festive bites and drinks from the neighborhood’s inviting restaurants and cafes.
Step into the magic of the season with this ultimate guide to all the festive fun happening during “Holidays in Manayunk.”
Tree Lighting
Manayunk lights up for the holidays on November 20th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Canal View Park (4418 Main Street). The night will host special guests and live performances by The City Belles, John Viscardi, Emily Drinker, & Santa Claus! There will be tons of family fun with letters to Santa, ornament decorating, hot cocoa, glow giveaways, and a Santa meet & greet and photo-op in front of the tree. There’s a good chance Santa will be bringing some magical North Pole snow too, so get ready for a Manayunk winter wonderland!
5:30 pm – The City Belles
5:45 pm – Santa Arrives
6:00 pm – John Viscardi
6:20 pm – Emily Drinker
7:00 pm – Tree Lighting & Manayunk Gets Lit Kick Off!
Manayunk Gets Lit Competition
Get in the holiday spirit with Manayunk Gets Lit, as lights illuminate Main Street while you stroll or ride the Jolly Trolley. Celebrate all of December with Get Lit Weekends, featuring festive food, drinks, shopping, and live entertainment for all ages!
Over 40 local businesses along Main Street will deck out their storefronts, windows, roofs, and more with dazzling lights (80,000+ in past years) and festive décor. Manayunk will need your help deciding who will win Most Creative, Most Lit, and Best Overall. All voters will be entered for their chance to win a $200 MNYK Shopping Spree. Voting will run from November 20th through December 17th with winners being announced on December 19th. VOTE HERE
Competing businesses include:
- Blondie
- Cactus Cantina
- Cupid’s Bookshop
- Main Street Music
- Mia Ragazza
- Philadelphia Runner
- Taqueria Amor
- The Little Apple
- … and so many more!
Jolly Trolley Rides
Bring the family out to Main Street Manayunk all season long for Jolly Trolley Days + Nights, featuring festive food and drink deals, shopping specials, live entertainment, and more holiday fun for everyone!
Hop aboard the festively decorated Jolly Trolley as it travels up and down Main Street, stopping at your favorite local businesses. Decked out with lights, decorations, and holiday movies and music, it’s the perfect way to experience all the twinkling Manayunk Gets Lit displays!
Get Lit Weekends:
December 4th through December 20th
Thursdays & Fridays: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturdays: 1:00pm to 9:00pm
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Entertainment & Special Guests (Subject to Change):
Dec. 4 – Elf Character (5-8 PM)
Dec. 5 – Holiday Mickey Mouse (5-8 PM)
Dec. 6 – Philly Accents (1-3PM)
Dec. 11 – Santa Claus (5-8 PM)
Dec. 12 – The Grinch (5-8 PM)
Dec. 13 – Philadelphia Freedom Band (1-3PM)
Dec. 18 – Santa Claus (5-8PM)
Dec. 19 – Rudolph/Magical Events NJ (5-8 PM)
Dec. 20 – Santa Claus (1-4PM)
Entertainers will both ride the trolley and be strolling on Main Street during each entertainment block. If visitors don’t see them on the Trolley, then look out along Main Street!
Small Business Saturday: Manayunk Shop Small Passport
Shop small and shop local at over 50 small businesses in Manayunk! Find something for everyone on your list as the neighborhood kicks off the holiday season with Small Business Saturday happening all day on November 29th. Many businesses will host events, promotions, exclusive experiences, and in-store specials.
Leading up to November 29th and day-of, shoppers will be able to pick up a passport from participating businesses and in the Manayunk Welcome Center (106 Grape Street). Then, on Small Business Saturday, shoppers can earn stickers from different stores, restaurants, studios, cafes, and businesses with purchase. With six stickers, shoppers will be able to redeem prizes from the Manayunk Welcome Center, and all completed passport holders will be entered into a larger giveaway!
*No minimum purchase necessary
See website for participating businesses & specials: https://manayunk.com/mnyk-events/small-business-saturday/
Operation Santa Claus
Launching on November 21st is Operation Santa Claus, a collaborative program between the Manayunk Development Corporation and North Light Community Center that will support local families in need this holiday season. Residents and visitors can stop by the Welcome Center at 106 Grape Street to pick a gift item from the holiday tree to donate to a North Light Family.
Señor Christmas Pop-Up Bar
Taqueria Amor – Señor Grinch Pop-Up
4410 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Señor Grinch is back for its 6th festive season starting Thursday, November 20th (with previews starting November 13th) at Taqueria Amor! Cheers to the start of the jolliest time of year with themed cocktails and Grinch-inspired dishes! Christmas lights adorn the outside and inside of the cozy space. Once you are settled into your seat, enjoy classic holiday movie clips on the projector show. Spend the season eating and drinking with those you bring your holiday amor!
For menu and more information: www.taqueriaamor.com
Rudolph Run
Philadelphia Runner will host their annual Rudolph Run on Saturday, December 13th with check-in starting at 8:30 am and the run at 9:00 am. Dress to impress for this three-mile fun run along the towpath. Special treats include Brooks footwear testing, red noses, jingle bells, post-run goodies, hot chocolate, and more! The only cost to join the run is a canned or non-perishable food item to be donated to North Light Community Center’s food cupboard.
Register: https://runsignup.com/phillyrudolphrun
8:30 am: Donation Drop, Gear Check & Runner Check In at Philadelphia Runner Manayunk (4358 Main Street)
9:00 am: Run Start at Canal View Park
Lincoln Mill Haunted House’s Twisted Christmas
Bring fear into your holiday cheer with Lincoln Mill Haunted House’s Twisted Christmas on Friday, December 12th & Saturday, December 13th. Make your way through the haunted holiday attraction decked out with lights, tinsel, ornaments, and plenty of scare actors.
Pre-sale tickets on sale now:
Hanukkah On Main – Celebrations
Hanukkah Candle Lighting: Manayunk Shines bright for the Festival of Lights. On Thursday, December 18 at 6pm join in for a magical Hanukkah candle lighting in Canal View park with Mt Airy Chabad. Candles, delicious latkes, and so much more.
Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah Giveaway: Back again this year is Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah kicking off on Wednesday, December 14th and running through December 22nd. In celebration of the Festival of Lights, Manayunk will be hosting ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ of Instagram giveaways with prizes from Manayunk restaurants, stores, and specialty businesses.
Hanukkah Giveaways: During the Festival of Lights, stop by The Manayunk Welcome Center at 106 Grape Street for tasty treats, giveaways, and gelt!
For more details, including maps, parking info, and updates, head to Manayunk.com and follow us on social media. Happy Holidays!