Block’s Christmas Lights Display is Best in the State

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Even in my home state of Florida, where daily temperatures are still in the 70s and 80s, it’s undeniable that people are feeling the spirit of the season. There, as in Philadelphia, people are festooning their homes with colorful holiday lights to deck the halls and show off their Yuletide cheer. One particular city block in the City of Brotherly Love puts on such a holiday display of lights that they have received national attention. This year, once again, visitors can marvel at the “Miracle on South 13th Street.”

The Miracle on South 13th Street is a holiday bonanza of lights, decorations, and ornaments.

The 1600 block of South 13th is transformed into a winter wonderland every year by the residents of the neighborhood. The homes are all decked out with not just white and colored lights, but festive ornaments, inflatable Santas and reindeer, and traditional nativity scenes. It’s a holiday bonanza that could inspire joy in even the biggest Grinch. The Miracle on South 13th Street is festive enough that it has attracted national attention: Travel + Leisure magazine named it the best Christmas lights display in the Keystone State in 2015.

The event’s organizer, Alex Du, says that this year the street is utilizing smart technology to make the display more energy efficient. Du reports that Samsung came to him, offering their help in bringing down neighbors’ electric bills while still preserving the fun and festivity of the lights. According to Curbed Philly, “The residents are using Samsung’s SmartThings devices, which allow them to turn their lights on and off using their smartphone. For years, most of the block left their lights on 24/7.” Du says that it has been a change for some of the block’s older residents, but that everyone is game and trying to adapt to the change.

The Miracle on South 13th Street lights display kicked off November 26th this year and will run through January 1st.