Any time of the year, Philadelphia is a great place to visit. The history, culture, and attractions make it a city with a little something for anyone. But during the holiday season, downtown Philadelphia turns from a bustling city to a must-visit winter wonderland. If you’re going to be in Philly for the holidays, you owe it to yourself to visit and take part in these wonderful, seasonal activities.

Take a Stroll Through Christmas Village

For an example of Philadelphia’s dedication to the holiday season, look no further than Christmas Village. The holiday market, which is open downtown from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, is modeled after traditional German Christmas markets. Here, you’ll find numerous stalls offering food, gifts, and arts and crafts. Of course, the whole market is done up in lights, providing the perfect atmosphere to lift your holiday spirits, whether you’re looking to buy a gift or you’re just window shopping.

Visit the Philly Holiday Tree (and More) at Dilworth Park

If you’re going to be visiting the Christmas Village, you also owe it to yourself to head around the corner to Dilworth Park, where there are tons of Christmassy activities being held. For one, this is where the Philly Holiday Tree is set up, which is an obligatory stop on your Philadelphia trip. The tree, which stands 30 feet tall, is adorned with tons of twinkling lights – the perfect photo opportunity. While you’re there, you can also strap on some skates and have a whirl around the Rothman Ice, or keep warm with some hot cocoa rink-side as you watch the skaters pass by.

Catch the Comcast Holiday Spectacular

The Comcast HD video wall, in the lobby of the Comcast Center, is truly something that’s one-of-a-kind. At more than 2000 square feet, the screen’s 10 million pixels offer a viewing experience you’re simply not going to get at home. While the video wall is almost constantly streaming content throughout the year, groups of merrymakers flock to the center each Christmas season to view the Holiday Spectacular, which many say is a must-see. The 15-minute performance is free and occurs each hour throughout most of the day.

Walk Through Macy’s at the Wanamaker Building

The historic Wanamaker Building, now one hundred years old, is a feat of architectural design, and during the holiday season, it’s even more impressive. The home of Macy’s, there are many impressive things to see here. First, there’s the Christmas Light Show and Wanamaker Organ Concert, which pairs a huge LED light display with live music from the Wanamaker Grand Organ, the largest playable organ in the world. And, if you take a trip to the third floor, you’ll stumble upon Dickens Village, a 6000-square foot reenactment of Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

You could certainly do worse than spending Christmas in Philadelphia, but paying a visit to these attractions will make it even better. Perhaps best of all, you don’t even need to spend any money to take in the holiday festivities you take in during your visit – that is, unless you find yourself tempted by the goods at Christmas Village.