Plan the Cutest Philadelphia Holiday Date Night
If you’re trying to pull off a date night that feels a little extra magical, Philadelphia is begging you to do it right now. The whole city is lit up, from the restaurants feeling like warm hideaway to the theaters completely decked out. It’s the perfect time to plan a night that looks incredibly thoughtful without actually being a ton of work.
Start the evening somewhere cozy for dinner. Winter dates thrive on atmosphere, so opt for somewhere with that little pocket of calm when you first sit down and shake the cold off your coat, like Harp and Crown. Order something shareable and settle into the vibe, as this is the warm-up to the rest of the night.
Via Harp and Crown’s Instagram
From there, head to a holiday show. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “show person,” the season kind of turns everyone into one. The Academy of Music is glowing whilst playing “The Nutcracker,” the Kimmel Center is putting on “A Soulful Christmas” with festive feelings hitting you as soon as you step inside, and the team at the Walnut Street Theatre is putting on the incredibly charming holiday performance, “A Christmas Carol.”
When the show lets out, walk straight into Philadelphia’s nighttime glow. The city is a giant holiday backdrop right now, and wandering through it feels like stepping into a movie scene. You can drift through City Hall and Dilworth Park, where the ice rink, the tree, and the light show make everything feel instantly magical. Or stroll through LOVE Park and Christmas Village for warm drinks and holiday shopping. If you want something quieter and a little more romantic, Rittenhouse Square looks like a winter postcard, and Franklin Square is perfect if you want a calmer, more intimate moment under the lights.
By the time you’ve had dinner and caught a show, you’ll be itching to stretch your legs and wander through the city with a hot chocolate in hand. By this point, you’ll realize you accidentally created the most put together date night of the season.
And if you’re the “pics or it didn’t happen” type, a bunch of these stops are also featured in our guide to Philadelphia’s Most Instagrammable Holiday Spots Right Now. So yes, your camera roll is about to be stacked.
