PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia released the road closures and parking restrictions associated with the 2022 6abc presents: City of Philadelphia Tree Lighting Celebration in partnership with Bank of America, held on Thursday, December 1, and the VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade taking place Saturday, December 3.

Event Activities & Information

The Philadelphia Holiday Experience culminates with the show-stopping holiday tree lighting celebration on Thursday, December 1 at 7 p.m. on the Wawa Holiday Plaza located at the northside of City Hall. Guests are encouraged to come as early as 6 p.m. for free giveaways. The celebration will also be broadcast live exclusively on 6abc. More details on the tree lighting ceremony can be found online.

The holiday programming continues Saturday, December 3 with the VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade celebrating all winter holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year. The parade will kick off at 5 p.m. at 2nd and Market Streets and end at City Hall. Parade-goers are encouraged to enjoy the parade all along the Market Street route. More details on the parade programming can be found online.

 

Road Closures & Parking Restrictions by Date

Thursday, December 1

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday, December 1:

  • JFK Blvd. north parking lane from Juniper St. to Broad St. 
  • Broad St. from JFK Blvd. Arch St.  

Additional road closures and parking restrictions may be necessary in the vicinity of the event venue as dictated by conditions. Residents and visitors should always obey posted signs and instructions from the Philadelphia Police Department.

Parking Restrictions

The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, December 1—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:

  • Broad St. from JFK Blvd. to Arch St.
  • JFK Blvd. (northside) from Broad St. to 15th St.
  • JFK Blvd. (northside) from Broad St. to Juniper St.
  • JFK Blvd. (southside) from 15th St. to Filbert St.
  • 15th St. (westside) from Arch St. to JFK Blvd.
  • Ach St. (northside) from Broad St. to 13th St.  

The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones on Thursday, December 1. Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.

 

Saturday, December 3

Parade Route

  • Starts at 2nd and Market Sts.
  • Westbound on Market St. towards City Hall
  • Right turn onto Juniper St.
  • Left turn onto JFK Blvd.
  • Right turn onto N. Broad St.
  • Disperses at N. Broad St. and Arch St.

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed from 10 a.m. until the parade steps off on Saturday, December 3:

  • 2nd St. from Chestnut St. to Arch St.
  • Chestnut St./Market St. Viaduct from Front St. to Market St.
  • Market St. from 3rd St. to Front St. 

The following streets will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 3:

  • Front St. from Walnut St. to Market St. 

The following streets will be closed from 4:30 p.m. to the conclusion of the parade on Saturday, December 3:

  • Market St. from Front St. to City Hall
  • 3rd St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 4th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 5th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 6th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 7th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 8th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 9th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 10th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 11th St. from Arch St. to Chestnut St.
  • 12th St. from Vine St. to Chestnut St.
  • 13th St. from Vine St. to Market St. 
  • Arch St. from 13th St. to Broad St.
  • Race St. from Broad St. to 13th St.
  • JFK Blvd. from Market St. to 15th St.
  • N. Broad St. from JFK Blvd. to Vine St.
  • City Hall area from S. Broad St. to E. Market St.
  • S. Broad St. (eastside) from Chestnut St. to City Hall

Roads will be opened as they are serviced and cleaned. All event-related road closures will be lifted no later than 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 3.

Traffic delays can be expected during the event. Motorists and cyclists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and to allow for extra driving time in areas near the event.

Parking Restrictions

The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 3—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:

  • 2nd St. from Chestnut St. to Arch St.
  • Chestnut St./Market St. Viaduct from Front St. to Market St.
  • Front St. from Dock St. to Market St.

The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 3—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:

  • N. Broad St. from JFK Blvd. to Vine St.
  • JFK Blvd. from Juniper St. to N. Broad St.
  • Arch St. from N. Broad St. to 13th St. 
  • Race St. from N. Broad St. to 13th St.
  • Market St. from Front St. to Juniper St.
  • Juniper St. from Market St. to JFK Blvd.
  • East Penn Square from S. Broad St. to Market St.
  • Broad St. from Chestnut St. to City Hall (east side)

The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones on Saturday, December 3. Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs. Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.

 

Public Transportation Detours by Date

SEPTA detour information and updates or changes to service will be published on SEPTA’s System Status page. Customers can also use TransitView on the SEPTA app. Riders should check System Status regularly or follow @SEPTA and @SEPTA_BUS on Twitter for updates. Detour times are subject to change.

Below is a summary of SEPTA detours (from the SEPTA website) that will be in effect during the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade. Check the SEPTA website for additional information.

 

Thursday, December 1

SEPTA Bus Routes 4 and 16 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 through approximately 12 a.m. on Friday, December 2.

SEPTA Bus Routes 17, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, and 124/125  will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 through approximately 9 p.m.

Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.

 

Saturday, December 3

SEPTA Bus Routes 5, 17, 21, 33, 42, and 48 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 3 through approximately 7:30 p.m. 

SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 23, 27, 31, 32, 38, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 57, 61, and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 through approximately 7:30 p.m. 

Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.

 

Official Parade Viewing Areas

  • 5th & Market Streets | Bleacher seating will be available and fun giveaways courtesy of Sesame Place
  • 8th & Market Streets | Bleacher seating will be available and don’t forget to stop in the GIANT Heirloom Market for snacks, beverages and fun giveaways to light up the night
  • 11th & Market Streets | East Market – Bleacher seating will be available
  • City Hall | Wawa – Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee will be available courtesy of The Wawa Community Care Vehicle.

 

Stay Informed

Stay connected to weather and other information from the City for this event, and information year-round, by signing up for the City’s mass notification system, ReadyPhiladelphia. Text READYPHILA to 888-777 or visit phila.gov/ready to customize your free text and email alerts.

 

About the Philly Holiday Experience:

The Philly Holiday Experience is the home of new and traditional holiday experiences throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. From dazzling light shows and a show-stopping tree lighting celebration to a diverse nighttime holiday parade, waterfront fireworks, menorah lightings, and more – Philadelphia has something for everyone during the holiday season, no matter what holidays you observe. The Philly Holiday Experience’s mission is to promote Philadelphia as a must-visit destination during the holiday season – for area residents and visitors alike – with no shortage of holiday fun happening throughout the city. For more information visit phillyholidayexperience.com.

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