Megan Parry

Philadelphia is a city of rowhomes. So it shouldn’t be any surprise that the best of the city’s Christmas magic happens there, on the sidewalks of our dense, walkable streets. Many blocks in the city carry on elaborate holiday displays. They’re traditions that go back decades, kept alive by neighbors who are in it for nothing more than the holiday cheer. But whether you’re stumbling upon one of the city’s glowing pockets of merriment, huffing it to a nearby farm or garden, or revisiting classics like the light show at Macy’s or Franklin Square, you won’t be disappointed. Our guide lays out 14 of the best places to see Christmas lights in Philadelphia and soak in all of the Christmas spirit that the city has to offer. This guide was updated by Philly-based writer Tim McManus. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in PhiladelphiaThe best cozy bars in Philly

Philadelphia is a magical city in the colder months. The locals are back to their routine, scoping out the museums and checking out their favorite restaurants. And when the sun goes down and the temperatures continue to drop, you can also find the regulars back in Philadelphia's best cozy bars. These are the welcoming, dimly lit watering holes made even warmer by fireplaces and candle-lit tables. The best ones transport you outside the city to another world or another time in history. Whether you’re in the mood for a Hot Toddy, winter fruit-flavored cocktail, Irish coffee, or glass of red wine, these Philly bars are ready to serve up comfort in drink form all season long. Below, we rounded up the coziest bars in Philadelphia to settle in for sweater weather.

Philly is beautiful—but we don't need to tell you that. Between incredible hiking destinations, scenic parks, world-class museums, and restaurants serving outstandingly photogenic food and drink, the city is packed with picturesque spots. It makes choosing the most Instagrammable places in Philadelphia quite a challenge. For those looking to refresh their feeds with some insider flair, we've combed through Instagram feeds to find shots by locals who have managed to capture the moments that make Philly look so damn pretty and—boy oh boy— have we fallen in love with our city all over again. Get ready to swoon.

There are few things more blissful than sipping a cold beer on a warm summer night in the city, and thankfully there are enough beer gardens in Philadelphia to give you nearly endless opportunities to imbibe all season long. These sudsy oases dot the city, in lush Philadelphia parks, sitting in the shadow of Philadelphia museums and, in at least one case, floating on the Delaware River. Follow our guide to find the best beer gardens in Philadelphia, all of which offer their own kind of unique atmosphere, extensive beer, wine and cocktail lists, and menus rife with hearty barbecue-style grub, like pork sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. Swing by for happy hour some nights, or grab a chair and lounge for hours. Nobody’s going to be rushing you here. Note: Keep in mind that some of these beer gardens, like Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Oval and Bok Bar, don’t open till later in the season—usually sometime around Memorial Day. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in Philadelphia

When looking for where to stay in Philadelphia, most folks opt for Center City, which is great, but exploring our neighborhoods is an unbeatable way to not only get to know the city on a deeper level but explore the essential things to do in Philadelphia without being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown. Check out our guide to the hippest neighborhoods, which details some of the best hotels in Philadelphia and the coolest bars and restaurants in Philly that exist outside the regular tourist circuit. Your search for where to stay in Philadelphia just got a whole lot easier.

Philadelphia’s never been one to skimp on the Halloween parties. This city starts celebrating All Hallow’s Eve well before October 31 rolls around, with tons of Halloween events happening the weekend before. This year’s offerings include pub crawls through some of the best bars in Philadelphia, family-friendly block parties, Day of the Dead events at Philadelphia museums and soirees at Philadelphia nightclubs going all night with dancing, boozing and costume contests. Check our guide to the best Halloween events below to start your planning. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

With an Insta-worthy aesthetic (think reclaimed wood, twinkling lights, industrial lamps) and a rotating list of drafts that you can get in a growler to go, the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company and its adjoining beer garden are most definitely worth a trip from Center City. Its Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas pair perfectly with the menu of West Coast-inspired IPAs, and if you’re not a beer drinker, they’ve got a tightly curated wine list to satisfy.

If your idea of a perfect beer garden is more cozy and quaint, less rambling and raucous, this year-round hidden gem in Midtown Village is just for you. Connected to Mediterranean restaurant Opa, with twinkling lights strung over picnic tables, you can actually hear your friends talk while you work your way through the menu, which includes more than two dozen beer options on draft and in bottles and cans, a selection of wines and specialty cocktails, and hearty grub like burgers, salads and desserts. Our suggestion? Go for one of the Victory beers on the menu and down a lamb gyro with extra tzatziki.

If you want to feel like you’re having drinks at home but want your cocktails expertly crafted and your surroundings elegantly eclectic, 1 Tippling Place is the place to be. The atmosphere here is warm, the furniture mismatched and the drinks strong. Their seasonal offerings are quirky but approachable, so you don’t have to be a cocktail connoisseur to feel comfortable. And if you’re interested in an end-of-weekend nightcap, check out their Sunday happy hour specials from 10pm to midnight.

Cruise down the 1600 block of 13th Street where every house, tree and telephone pole is strung up with lights in a dazzling display of community spirit. This is a beloved local tradition that’s as South Philly as an Angelo’s cheesesteak, but decidedly much better for you. Eager residents begin decking their halls months in advance of the light show’s late-November start date, and switch on the displays every evening until New Year’s. It’s a heart-warming, only-in-Philly kind of experience—and it’s extra AF.

Hipsters do homey with this Kensington restaurant/bar. A concrete fireplace, grade school chairs, a long bar and large front windows make Martha a welcoming neighborhood bar for the local discerning set. The inventive hoagies pair well with the mile-long beer list and the draft list includes cocktails, wine and kombucha. Hit up Martha on a Monday night, when happy hour often includes complimentary booze from local businesses.

Whether you prefer your scotch straight or have a hankering for an old-fashioned, the brown liquor selection at the Library Bar is top-notch. Nestled within the Rittenhouse Hotel, the Library Bar exudes the kind of quiet sexiness that you want in a luxe hotel bar experience. And yes, bibliophiles can browse the bar’s small library, so don’t be scared to show up alone for a stiff nightcap and a leisurely read by the front-room fire.

When you’ve reached the linen closet and can’t go any further—go just a little further. It’s there you’ll finally find Elbow Lane, Harp & Crown’s hidden basement bar and bowling alley, in all its funky, vintage-inspired glory. The bar boasts a wide selection of seating (bar stools, tables, booths, couches and arm chairs) and a curated selection of charcuterie, cocktails and pizza all in a warm, relaxing atmosphere that’s only interrupted by the occasional sound of falling pins.

Ever wish you could throw back a few beers with Ernest Hemingway at a glamorously bohemian bar back in the roaring twenties? While you can’t bring Bumby back from the dead, you can get the next best thing at Sassafrass, a charming little drinking hole right in the heart of historic Old City. Chat up the handsome Irish bartenders while they mix you a classic cocktail, Instagram yourself in the bathroom (which is equipped with a couch) and cuddle up with your sweetheart—or a budding literary hero—at the lamplit bar.

Pronounced “hoo-guh,” hygge is the Danish concept of simply enjoying life‘s pleasures. So what does that mean for drinking at this industrial-style Fairmount brewpub? Lots of plush, mismatched seating options to cozy up with your crew, and an excess of exposed brick, textured wood walls, original art and worn rugs. While the cocktail and wine menus are a bit on the standard side, the adventurous, house-brewed beer offerings more than make up for it.

Vegetarian cocktail snobs, welcome home. This Center City spot, with its carmelized eggplant bao buns and (almost) too-pretty-to-drink cocktails, is perfect when you’re feeling indulgent (or want to impress your favorite vegan). It’s got an intimate, sexy vibe with glittering chandeliers, knickknacks galore, cozy seating and the coolest name we’ve ever heard. Hot tip: Happy hour (Mon–Thu 4–7pm, Fri 4–6pm) here is generous, with a housemade punch and zucchini “crab cake” sliders that can easily make for an early-bird meal.

If the lush urban jungle flanking the wooden doors of the Dandelion don’t immediately make you feel at home, there’s no doubt the crackling fireplace, long beer list and soul-warming hamburgers will. Drinking at Stephen Starr’s gastropub is like drinking in your English grandma’s cottage, if she were hip in that effortlessly haphazard way that the Dandelion’s perfected with its red-leather banquettes, floral curtains and rugged wooden tables. Stop by for afternoon tea for an elegant spread of boozy tea-based cocktails and tiers of sweets and sandwiches.

You don’t have to be a discerning Francophile to fall in love with this Bella Vista creperie and its delightfully old-school bar. From the decadent crepes and classic cocktails to the tin ceiling and roaring fireplace, Beau Monde is a date night dream spot. Be sure to check out the sparkling wine selection if you’re looking to celebrate—it’s short but bursting with some of the best bubbly in town—and it’s well-priced, too.