Philadelphia Franklin Square Light Show | Free Times & Tips

Franklin Square’s winter light show is free, runs in season after 5 p.m., and pairs well with carousel or mini-golf tickets.

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A free winter night stop in Old City is the Philadelphia Franklin Square Light Show, a seasonal display at 200 N. 6th Street that pairs with paid mini golf, carousel rides, street curling, and snacks. The light show itself costs $0, but the schedule is not year-round, and the paid add-ons can fill up or close by weather.

Plan around the first 5 p.m. show if you have kids, limited daylight, or a dinner reservation nearby. Arrive later if you want a calmer loop around the fountain after the early family rush.

What The Light Show Is And When It Runs

Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO is Franklin Square’s free winter display, with LED lights around the fountain set to seasonal music. The show is seasonal, so do not mix it up with the spring-to-fall Franklin Square Fountain Show or the summer Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival.

The display centers on Franklin Square’s fountain and a large illuminated kite inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s lightning experiment. During the published winter run, performances usually repeat every 30 minutes after 5 p.m., which makes the show easy to fit into a short Old City evening.

Franklin Square admission and the light show are free; paid extras are what you compare if you want to build a fuller night around it:

Franklin Square Light Show Hours: What The Current Season Lists

Franklin Square’s latest published official winter page lists the light show from 5 p.m. to closing, every 30 minutes, during the posted winter run. Use the official Franklin Square winter page before you build a trip around a specific night.

For the most recent posted winter schedule, Winter in Franklin Square ran January 8 through February 28, 2026, on Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The evening lights ran from 5 p.m. to closing, with extra holiday openings listed for January 19 and February 16.

Late-November and December holiday dates are posted seasonally. If you are planning the next holiday season, treat the previous run as a pattern, not a guarantee, and verify the new dates before you book a hotel or dinner around the show.

Timing tip: Check weather before leaving. Franklin Square says hours can change with weather, and the outdoor add-ons are the first parts of the night to feel cold, rain, or wind.

How Much Does The Franklin Square Light Show Cost?

The light show and Franklin Square park admission cost $0. A real budget only changes if you add mini golf, carousel rides, street curling, food, drinks, or a paid seasonal event.

For most visitors, the cheapest plan is simple: see the free light show, take photos around the fountain, and spend only on snacks. Families and groups usually get more value by choosing one paid add-on instead of trying to stack several in the same cold evening.

When Should You Go?

The easiest arrival window is 4:45 to 5:15 p.m., because the lights start early enough for families and the park has not hit its late-evening peak. Date-night visitors may prefer the 7 to 8 p.m. run after dinner in Old City or Chinatown.

Cold weather changes the rhythm of the visit. A light-show-only stop can take 20 to 35 minutes, while a fuller night with mini golf, carousel rides, food, and photos can take 90 minutes or more.

Getting There And Pairing It With Old City

Franklin Square sits at 200 N. 6th Street, two blocks from the Liberty Bell Center, so the light show works well after Independence Mall. Walking or transit usually beats driving during holiday weekends.

The square is bordered by Old City and Chinatown, which gives you two easy dinner directions. For a history-heavy day, start around Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, and the Betsy Ross House area, then reach Franklin Square near dusk. For a food-first night, eat in Chinatown and walk east to the square.

• By foot: Franklin Square is an easy walk from Independence Mall, Old City hotels, and Chinatown restaurants.
• By transit: Look at SEPTA routes serving Chinatown and the Market-Frankford Line before leaving, especially on holiday weekends.
• By car: Pick a garage before arrival; circling near 6th and Race wastes the short winter window.
• With kids: Bring gloves and a stroller-friendly plan, since most of the visit is outdoors.

Where To Stay Near Franklin Square

Old City, Center City, and the Convention Center area are the easiest hotel bases for Franklin Square, especially if you want to walk back after the show. A hotel near 5th through 8th streets keeps Independence Hall, Chinatown, and the Delaware River waterfront close.

Old City is the most convenient base for a short history trip. Center City gives you more restaurants and transit. The Convention Center area often works better for families who want room choice, indoor food options, and a short ride or walk to the square.

For an overnight holiday trip, compare hotels near Franklin Square and Old City on a map before you choose a room:

What Else To Do Before Or After The Lights

A short plan works better than a packed night: pair one paid Franklin Square activity with one nearby historic stop, then leave room for food. Mini golf and the carousel are the easiest add-ons when the weather cooperates.

Before the lights, visit Independence Mall, the Liberty Bell Center area, or the Betsy Ross House neighborhood. After the lights, head to Chinatown for dinner, Old City for drinks, or the Delaware River waterfront if the weather is mild enough for a longer walk.

If you want the Old City history side handled before the lights, compare guided walks and evening activities in Philadelphia here:

Ticket Plan By Traveler Type

The right ticket choice is simple: pay for add-ons only if they fit your group, because the core light show is already free. Most visitors need no advance spend unless they want street curling or a timed seasonal activity.

• Budget visitor: Choose the free light show, fountain photos, and a walk through Old City. Spend $0 unless you buy food.
• Family with small kids: Pair the free show with the $4 carousel. Add mini golf only if the kids can handle cold outdoor time.
• Family with older kids: Use mini golf as the main paid activity, then catch the next light cycle without rushing.
• Couple on a date: Eat first in Chinatown or Old City, see a 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. light cycle, then decide on mini golf or a seasonal drink.
• Group of friends: Book street curling if it is operating; one $40 session covers up to 8 players and gives the group a set plan.
• Off-season visitor: The winter light show is not the same as the spring-to-fall fountain show or the summer lantern festival, so choose the event that matches your travel dates.

For most travelers, the cleanest plan is free light show first, one paid add-on second, dinner third. That order protects the main reason you came, keeps the night flexible, and avoids paying for activities your group may skip once the temperature drops.