InTown's Guide to the Holidays in Philadelphia

InTown's Guide to the Holidays

Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or enjoying the season as a local, we’ve rounded up our favorite festive things to do in Philly this holiday season.

Aqimero at the Ritz Carlton

For an elegant holiday vibe, the lobby transforms into a festive scene with decorations. Enjoy a chocolate martini. (The best in the city!)

Dilworth Park Ice Skating & Holiday Market

Grab a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate, ice skate and pick up some unique local art and goods.

Wanamaker Light Show & Dickens Village

The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village return through December 24th with a vintage "A Christmas Carol" walkthrough, Santa photos, a 30-vendor holiday market, and the Holly & Humbug pop-up restaurant!

Grab a Bite on 13th Street

13th Street is known for its restaurant scene and a conveniently located next stop. We recommend enjoying dinner at classics like El Vez for the nachos and tortillas soup or Barbuzzo for the pizza and budino dessert!

Kimmel Center

Grab tickets for The Nutcracker by the Philadelphia Ballet or listen to the tunes of Elf from the Orchestra at the Kimmel Center!

Miracle on 13th Street

In South Philly, neighbors of the 1600 block of 13th Street come together to create amazing displays of Christmas lights, garlands, inflatable snowmen, and other fun decorations.

Our Favorite Recent Philly Stories

Philly Named a Top 50 Destination in the World for 2026

Travel + Leisure named our city one of the Top 50 places in the world to visit in 2026! The editors spotlighted Philly’s rising food scene, shouting out spots like Mawn and La Jefa, and our growing list of Michelin-recognized restaurants!

A Fairmount Entrepreneur Scores Big on Shark Tank

Maya Nazareth, founder of Alchemize Fightwear, made a huge splash on a recent episode of Shark Tank. She secured a $300,000 investment, to grow her women-focused fightwear brand and help close a major gap in the combat sports gear industry.

The Clay Studio’s “Claymobile”

Entering its third decade of existence, The Clay Studio’s “Claymobile” program rolls into schools, libraries and senior centers all around Philly, bringing ceramics classes to city residents wherever they are.

2026 Housing Market Outlook

As your Philly Real Estate resource, I track national trends closely to understand how they impact our local market. Early forecasts show 2026 moving toward more stability and improved affordability.

National Outlook

• Improved Affordability: Mortgage rates are expected to ease gradually while incomes rise.

• Slow, Steady Price Growth: Home prices are projected to rise about 2–3%, avoiding major swings.

• More Inventory, More Activity: New construction + more resales should boost sales volume.

• Key Variables: Rates, inflation, and construction costs continue to shape the market.

What This Means for Philadelphia

Philly remains better-positioned than many coastal markets:

• Stable price growth expected: moderate, not volatile.

• High-demand neighborhoods continue attracting buyers seeking value vs larger cities.

• More inventory should give buyers more choice, but turnkey homes in strong neighborhoods will still perform best.

• A potential renter-to-buyer shift may boost demand in Center City.

   

Considering a 2025 move?

With spring historically being Philly’s strongest selling season, January-March is the ideal window to prep and position your home for the strongest results. Even if you’re simply curious about your home’s value or the best timing, I’m always here to talk through what these trends mean for your specific block and neighborhood. Reach out anytime!

End-of-Year Homeowner Checklist

Winter Home Checklist:

5 Things To Do Before January

• Change your HVAC filter

• Clean your dryer vent

• Check smoke & CO detectors

• Protect exterior pipes and outdoor spigots

• Clear gutters and downspouts

PA Year-End Tax Tips for Homeowners

• Homestead Exemption: Make sure you’re enrolled for reduced property taxes

• Form 1098: Watch for your mortgage interest statement

• PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate: For seniors, widowed homeowners, those with disabilities

Our Most Notable Sales of 2025

Fitler Square- OFF MARKET

2307 Delancey Pl, 19103

5 BD 4 BA $3,200,000

FAIRMOUNT

532 N 22nd St, 19130

4 BD 3 BA 2520 SF $1,075,000

Washington Square West

1114 Cypress St, 19107

4 BD 6 BA 4502 SF $1,945,000

Lindsey Hardy

Director of Marketing & Listing

Licensed Realtor

M: 717.215.0002

[email protected]