PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia released the road closures and parking restrictions associated with the 2023 6abc presents: City of Philadelphia Tree Lighting Celebration in partnership with Bank of America, held on Thursday, November 30, and the Philly Holiday Parade taking place Saturday, December 2.
Event Activities & Information
The Philly Holiday Experience culminates with the show-stopping holiday tree lighting celebration featuring a performance from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and actress Jordin Sparks on Thursday, November 30 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 from sponsors including Bank of America, Wawa, NRG, Sharing Excess, and Haribo. Entertainment will include DJ Diamond Kuts and a performance from Disney’s FROZEN. 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 2 with the Philly 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, November 30
Road Closures
The following streets will be closed from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 30:
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard north parking lane from Juniper Street to Broad Street
- Broad Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard Arch Street
- Broad Street (east and west parking lanes) between John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Cherry Street
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, November 30—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:
- Broad Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Arch Street
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard (northside) from Broad Street to 15th Street
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard (northside) from Broad Street to Juniper Street
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard (southside) from 15th Street to Filbert Street
- 15th Street (westside) from Arch Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- Arch Street (northside) from Broad Street to 13th Street
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 2
Parade Route
- Starts at 2nd and Market Streets
- Westbound on Market Street towards City Hall
- Right turn onto Juniper Street
- Left turn onto JFK Boulevard
- Right turn onto N. Broad Street
- Disperses at N. Broad Street and Arch Street
Road Closures
The following streets will be closed from 10 a.m. until the parade steps off on Saturday, December 2:
- 2nd Street from Chestnut Street to Arch Street
- Chestnut Street/Market Street Viaduct from Front Street to Market Street
- Market Street from 3rd Street to Front Street
The following streets will be closed beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 2:
- Front Street from Walnut Street to Market Street
The following streets will be closed from 4:30 p.m. to the conclusion of the parade on Saturday, December 2:
- Market Street from Front Street to City Hall
- 3rd Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 4th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 5th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 6th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 7th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 8th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 9th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 10th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 11th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- 12th Street from Vine Street to Chestnut Street
- 13th Street from Vine Street to Market Street
- Arch Street from 13th Street to Broad Street
- Race Street from Broad Street to 13th Street
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Market Street to 15th Street
- N. Broad Street from JFK Boulevard to Vine Street
- City Hall area from S. Broad Street to E. Market Street
- S. Broad Street (eastside) from Chestnut Street 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 2.
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 2—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:
- 2nd Street from Chestnut Street to Arch Street
- Chestnut Street/Market Street Viaduct from Front Street to Market Street
- Front Street from Dock Street to Market Street
The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 2—both sides of the street unless otherwise noted:
- N. Broad Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Vine Street
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Juniper Street to N. Broad Street
- Arch Street from N. Broad Street to 13th Street
- Race Street from N. Broad Street to 13th Street
- Market Street from Front Street to Juniper Street
- Juniper Street from Market Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- East Penn Square from S. Broad Street to Market Street
- Broad Street from Chestnut Street to City Hall (east side)
The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones on Saturday, December 2. 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
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 X 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.
Detours by Date
Thursday, November 30
SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 30 through approximately 10 a.m.
Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.
Saturday, December 2
SEPTA Bus Routes 5, 12, 17, 21, 33, 42, and 48 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 2 through approximately 8 p.m.
SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 23, 27, 31, 32, 38, 45, 47, 47M, 57, 61, and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 2 through approximately 8 p.m.
Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.
Official Parade Cheer Zones
- 5th & Market Streets | Faith and Liberty Discover Center Cheer Zone – Bleacher seating will be available
- 11th & Market Streets | East Market Cheer Zone – Bleacher seating will be available
- City Hall | Wawa Cheer Zone – 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 phillyholidays.com.