To us, there’s something about the first week of December that makes “Friendmas” feel officially in season. Calendars are filling up and suddenly everyone is scrambling to schedule that one night where your friend group pretends to exchange gifts.

For a good Friendmas, the location matters. You need somewhere cozy enough to linger, yet festive enough to feel intentional.

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.

There’s something about Philadelphia in December that just feels magical. The city swaps its usual hustle for twinkly lights, glowing skylines, and festive corners that feel like they were designed specifically for your camera roll. Here’s the roundup of spots delivering maximum holiday magic:

Deck the halls and stash the tinsel—this holiday season, Philadelphia's pop-up bars are turning the city into a veritable winter wonderland for those thirsty for festive cheer. The glittering lights, a few thematic cocktails, a cozy atmosphere where even Scrooge would feel merry – I think they call this “The Most Wonderful Time of Year”? You wouldn’t be too hard-pressed to see why in a city that loves this holiday as much as Philadelphia does.