Get in the holiday spirit at Franklin Square

Don’t let the temperatures in Philly fool you; the holiday season is just around the corner, while over at Franklin Square, it’s already begun. Yes, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet but everyone could really use a little extra cheer.

This week marks the return of their annual Holiday Festival featuring the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show. Utilizing over 50,000 LED lights, the display which features a 12-foot tall kite along with a 6-foot key symbolizing Ben Franklin’s famous kite experiment comes alive with a soundtrack of seasonal favorites including “The Nutcracker Suite,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Carol of the Bells.” If you listen closely, many of the songs are performed by our beloved Philly Pops.

In addition to the show, visitors to the square can look forward to a variety of holiday-themed events and entertainment perfect for the entire family:

Ben’s Sweets & Treats: A new addition this year, check out their heated tent of luscious desserts such as homemade fudge, fresh donuts, holiday cookies and yes, gingerbread houses.

Winter Beer Garden: Also new to the fest, expect a flurry of outdoor fire pits, cocktails and of course, craft beer from the mixologists at Cooperage.

Santa Saturdays: Saint Nick will be stopping by to offer valuable face time so you and your puppies can explain why there shouldn’t be coal in your stocking.

Seasonal Sounds on Sundays: You’re sure to be humming along to a collection of choirs, bands and sing-a-longs to keep you entertained during select Electrical Spectacle intermissions.

FranklinSquareFridays: Fridays will be home to themed adventure nights that will provide a chance to meet and greet characters from “Frozen,” “The Nutcracker” and “Star Wars.” And new this year will be a Hanukkah celebration with dreidel games and latkes!

Speaking of food, SquareBurger will be open for the first time throughout the Holiday Festival and will serve up their seasonal delights, Candy Cane Shake, Holiday Turkey Burger as well as chicken noodle soup, mac and cheese and fried Oreos. Yum!

It all begins with their opening night event, Taste of the Holiday Season, on Thursday, Nov. 10 starting at 5 p.m. Let there be light!

If you go:

Franklin Square Holiday Festival
Nov. 10 – Dec. 31
700 Race St.
Electrical Spectacle, free; attractions and food, pay as you go
historicphiladelphia.org