Elfreth's Alley Holiday Lights
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Where: 124-126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: December; Deck the Alley event December 6
Hours: typically dusk – 10 PM
Cost: free
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The nation's oldest continuously inhabited residential street trades mega-wattage for subdued, colonial-style charm, with wreaths and candlelit windows along its 18th-century homes. The annual ticketed Deck the Alley celebration opens the museum and several private houses to visitors.
Best time to arrive. Sunset in Philadelphia is around 4:36 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:07 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 32°F, so dress for standing around outside.
Other displays nearby
There are 9 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 12 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.
- Wanamaker Light Show at the Wanamaker Building
- Electrical Spectacle at Winter in Franklin Square
- Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum
- Mayfair Residential Decoration Competition
- Miracle on South 13th Street
- Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular
- South Colorado Street
- Holidays at the Comcast Center
Make a night of it. This is stop 9 on our 12-stop Philadelphia lights loop — about 26.7 miles and 112 minutes of driving in total.