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Holiday cheer lights up Franklin Square

    By
  • Emily Cohen
    • November 14, 2016
  • Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31.

    Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • The Franklin Square Electrical Light Spectacle is presented by PECO. More than 50,000 lights dance to holiday music performed by The Philly Pops.

    The Franklin Square Electrical Light Spectacle in 2016. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31.

    Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31.

    Families gaze upon the first light show of the season at Franklin Square Park during its annual holiday festival, running November 10 through December 31. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • The Philly Pops provide the night's soundtrack of holiday music as Franklin Square rounds out its 10th aniversary with its annual Holiday and Light Festivals in Philadelphia.

    The Philly Pops provide the night's soundtrack of holiday music as Franklin Square rounds out its 10th aniversary with its annual Holiday and Light Festivals in Philadelphia. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • The Franklin Square Electrical Light Spectacle and Holiday Fesitval is a free outdoor getaway right next to Independence Mall, featuring burgers, hot coco, mini golf, a beer garden, and more.

    The Franklin Square Electrical Light Spectacle and Holiday Fesitval is a free outdoor getaway right next to Independence Mall, featuring burgers, hot coco, mini golf, a beer garden, and more. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel.

    All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Fire pits dot the yard outside the beer garden providing ample warmth for revelers during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival.

    Fire pits dot the yard outside the beer garden providing ample warmth for revelers during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • The night's signiture cocktail, a cranberry fizz, is poured at the beer garden inside The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival tent. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public.

    The night's signiture cocktail, a cranberry fizz, is poured at the beer garden inside The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival tent. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Two year old Malaya Mulligan works on her cookie creation inside the Ben's Sweets and Treats tent.

    Two year old Malaya Mulligan works on her cookie creation inside the Ben's Sweets and Treats tent. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Inside Ben's Sweets and Treats kids can decorate cookies and cakes.

    Inside Ben's Sweets and Treats kids can decorate cookies and cakes. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Eight-year-old Jael Barefield finds the gingerbread house inside Ben's Sweets and Treats, where kids can create their own candy bags.

    Eight-year-old Jael Barefield finds the gingerbread house inside Ben's Sweets and Treats, where kids can create their own candy bags. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Familes wait in line for fresh donuts at The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public.

    Familes wait in line for fresh donuts at The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Visitors watch intently as a man makes and fries donuts at The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public.

    Visitors watch intently as a man makes and fries donuts at The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. The festival runs November 10 through December 31 and is free to the public. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel.

    All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel.

    All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Families can take a small train ride around the sqaure during the Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival.

    Families can take a small train ride around the sqaure during the Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel.

    All of Franklin Square's regular attractions are open until 8 p.m. during The Franklin Square Holiday and Light Festival, including Square Burger, mini golf, and the carousel. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Inside the Ben's Sweets and Treats tent, homemade fudge is made nightly.

    Inside the Ben's Sweets and Treats tent, homemade fudge is made nightly. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Inside Ben's Sweets and Treats kids can make their own candy bag inside the gingerbread house.

    Inside Ben's Sweets and Treats kids can make their own candy bag inside the gingerbread house. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

If you’re in need of an escape from the real world, an outdoor getaway awaits not far from Independence Mall. It features a free light show, burgers, hot cocoa, mini golf and a beer garden.

The Franklin Square Electrical Light Spectacle and Holiday Festival has returned to the park at Sixth and Race streets.

The light show, which dances every 30 minutes to a soundtrack of holiday tunes including some by the Philly Pops, is put on by PECO Energy. It’s made up of more than 50,000 LED lights with a kite centerpiece, a nod to the legacy of Benjamin Franklin.

The square houses a burger joint called Square Burger along with a mini golf course and carousel, which are open with night hours in coordination with the festival.

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This year’s bigger beer garden features more fire pits where visitors can sit, chat, and stay toasty with friends and family. Inside Ben’s Sweets and Treats, kids can make their own candy bag inside the gingerbread house or decorate their  cookies and cakes. For adults, the beer garden offers local brews and house-made cocktails.

The festival, running through Dec. 31, features activities for families throughout the week. The festival is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m. The beer garden is open Friday through Sunday.

 

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