Fall Festivals Open
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
3.5(120)3.5 out of 5 stars, 120 reviews Philadelphia, PA
About Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular offers a large and varied display of holiday lights, uniquely featuring Philly-themed sections (sports, history, and iconic landmarks like the LOVE sign and Liberty Bell). It provides a cozy Christmas atmosphere with numerous photo opportunities and interactive elements such as a music and lights dance floor and Mrs. Claus story time, alongside activities like ice skating and an ice slide.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with small children seeking a traditional and interactive holiday light experience.Couples on a date looking for a festive atmosphere where they can take their time and enjoy warm beverages.Individuals or families eager for numerous holiday-themed and Philly-themed photo opportunities.Anyone desiring a cozy Christmas vibe with engaging, low-key activities.Perfect for: Families with small children who will enjoy the lights, interactive elements, and photo opportunities.
Why families love it
- Very well-done and spread out light arrangements, including giant illuminating structures.
- Unique Philly-themed light sections with figures of the LOVE sign, Liberty Bell, and sports team logos.
- Ample photo opportunities suitable for the whole family.
- Interactive music and lights dance floor.
- Mrs. Claus reads stories (check schedule for specific times).
- Fire pits are available to help keep visitors warm.
Insider tips
- Eat a full meal before arriving to save money and avoid long lines for pricey food.
- Dress in layers and bring very warm clothing for evening visits, as it gets very cold.
- Visit on a weekday evening, ideally around 8 pm on a Wednesday, to experience fewer crowds and shorter lines.
- If attending on a weekend, plan to arrive early to minimize wait times for entry and attractions.
- Be prepared for additional costs beyond admission for activities like ice skating, ice tubing/slide, and parking.
- Manage expectations for the ice skating rink, as it's described as small and a short loop, not an expansive trail.
Good to know before you go
- Bringing teenagers, as they are likely to find the experience boring and not worth the cost.
- Visiting during peak times (late evenings, weekends) if you prioritize avoiding long lines and crowds.
- If you are expecting an elaborate or extensive ice skating trail, as the rink is small and a short loop.
- If you anticipate highly unique or cutting-edge light displays, as some found the sculptures basic.
- If you are on a strict budget, as costs for admission, food, extra attractions, and parking add up quickly.
- Crowds
- Quiet on weekday evenings, specifically noted as 'not very busy at all' around 8 pm on a Wednesday.
- Value
- Admission is around $20 (one reviewer found it worth it on a quiet night). However, the overall experience is often described as overpriced due to additional fees for attractions (e.g., skating, ice slide) and consistently expensive food and drinks. Parking incurs an extra $12 fee. Many reviewers felt it was not worth the combined cost, especially for the perceived value of the light displays, and one described it as a 'cash grab.'
- Food
- On-site food and drink options are available, ranging from basic snacks (pretzels, potato chips) to some more varied choices (ricotta soup, grilled cheese).
- Accessibility
- Bathrooms are available throughout the park, which may imply general accessibility, but no specific ADA accommodations like wheelchair accessible pathways or sensory-friendly hours were mentioned.
- Safety
- Fire pits are present to keep warm (no explicit safety measures mentioned for their use).
What parents say
"Beautiful, but overpriced! The place itself is beautiful. However, keep in mind that for any additional attractions like skating you need to pay extra. Prices are very high and lines are huge. I recommend eat somewhere else before you go the place. They don't have much options, and the one they have is very basic (pretzels, potato chips, etc). The lines for food are big. The price is high. It's very cold at night and evening. Make sure you have appropriate clothes."
a year ago
"Went at around 8 pm on a Wednesday, not very busy at all. I think it's worth the $20 admission, but would advise against the skating, as the rink is a bit small compared to the one at Dilworth Park. Food/drinks are also a bit pricey-- save money by eating at home. Although they do have a nice variety of options, including ricotta soup and grilled cheese. The lights arrangements are very well-done, and spread out nicely throughout the park. Giant structures illuminate the park and usher in a cozy Christmas vibe. They also have figures of the LOVE sign, Liberty Bell, and sports teams logos-- all"
a year ago
"This is the best Philly holiday lights and music show we've visited so far. We were amazed at how large and varied the displays were at FDR Park. There are Philly-themed sections for sports and history, and endless photo opportunities. Mrs Claus read a story, there's a music and lights dance floor and fire pits to keep warm. For an extra fee, you can ice skate or tube down a tall ice slide. Note that parking is an extra $12 fee per car at NovaCare across the street. There are several food and drink options and Christmas village-type booths selling holiday gifts."
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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