Spending winter in
Philadelphia doesn't sound all that enticing, does it? The city is a beautiful place, sure, and with all that snow, it becomes even more enchanting. But the season also lowers the temperature to an almost unbearable degree, so much so that you no longer enjoy your time here. Still, you can always work around it all. There's a lot you may not know about winter in Philadelphia. You didn't know that there are days in the season that are warm and sunny, did you? Or that snowstorms are fairly common here. If you know more about winter in Philadelphia, the more you'll find it bearable, perhaps even enjoyable here.
There are Some Sunny & Warm Days
East Coast states are notorious for its cold winters. From
New York and Massachusetts to the District of Columbia and Vermont, it's safe to say that they have the harshest winters. Of course, this includes Pennsylvania. In its biggest city, Philadelphia, winters are as icy as ever. But not a lot of people know that you can still expect a few sunny days in between! They are far and few in between, sure, but when one comes, you better enjoy it as best you can. These rare warm days are the only times you can go out with fewer layers of clothing on!
Expect Some Snowstorms
What's actually more common in winter in Philadelphia is a snowstorm. There are often more than a handful each year, some more intense than the last. On these days, it's best to just stay at home. Schools will likely close down anyway and offices will probably let you work from home instead. Don't underestimate just how cold these snowstorms can get. Even in the mildest of them, you'll still need to stay by the fireplace all day long. Or keep wearing layers of clothing even when you're not going outside.
Go Grocery Shopping Early
Now that you know that snowstorms are common in winter in Philadelphia, it's best you prepare as soon as possible. Don't wait for the weather forecast to announce that a snowstorm is coming. If you do, you'll be adding to the hordes of crowds in the stores. Since you're already aware that such storms will occur, go shopping weeks in advance. Sure, this may put a dent in your
living costs in Philadelphia, but it's better than not preparing beforehand! As soon as the early months of winter, just when the temperature is starting to drop, stock up your supplies already!
Watch The New Year’s Day Mummers Parade
With some of the basic facts about winter in Philadelphia out of the way, let's focus on the exciting events and traditions the city has for the season. One such is the colorful New Year’s Day Mummers Parade. A tradition that's been around for more than 120 years, locals parade on the streets of the city wearing elaborate costumes, dancing, playing music, and having a ball. Many have compared it to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans or the iconic
Carnival in Venice. The Mummers Parade is certainly just as vibrant and fun as those famous events!
Source: rawpixel.com / Carol M Highsmith
See The Peddler's Village Light Up
Let's not forget that winter also marks the start of the holiday season. Although a
white Christmas is arguably rare in Philadelphia, it still happens. And when it does, you need to absorb as much of the holiday spirit as you can. One thing you can do is to check out the Peddler's Village and see its spectacular lights display. Twinkling lights dazzle in all sorts of colors, shapes, and more. The best part is that they don't take it down even after New Year's Eve. The display stays up well into January, which is often the peak of winter in Philadelphia.
Ice Skating is a Must!
When you spend winter in Philadelphia, trust that you'll be skating a lot. Even if you're not the skater type, there's a good chance that you'll get roped into it! Part of it is because Philadelphia's many ice skating rinks are just so darn magical. The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, for example, has an idyllic quality to it even when surrounded by tall skyscrapers. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, on the other hand, is overlooked by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. It's one of the best spots to go skating in the entire East Coast!
Get Ready for American Football!
And finally, get ready for some American Football. The fervor around the sport starts around the holiday season, namely Thanksgiving Day, which is also the start of winter. These holidays often have games for families to watch as they spend time with each other. Then around January to February, it's the Superbowl, an
American holiday in its own right. As the championship game of the National Football League, it's a must-see for any American, even those in Philadelphia. The game itself may not be held in the city, but rest assured that everyone is tuned in for the occasion!
There's more to spending winter in Philadelphia than just the snow and cold weather. The season also has a colorful parade, beautiful lights displays, and surprisingly, a few sunny and warm days too!
