Destination

Midtown Village & The Gayborhood

Over the years, the rectangular section of Center City between 11th & Broad Streets, and Market & Spruce Streets has been divvied up and called different things by developers and realtors. But the current appellation - Midtown Village - serves it well: It resides in the dead-center middle of Center City, between the history-heavy mainstays of Old City and Independence National Historical Park, and the upscale cosmopolitan majesty of Rittenhouse Square.

As part of the larger umbrella known as Washington Square West, Midtown Village also contains the LGBTQ-centric Gayborhood, with its restaurants, galleries and hot spots; the popular dining destinations of the famed 13th Street corridor; and some of the biggest and best hotels and theaters in the city. The term “Gayborhood” was first used to describe OutFest by the City Paper, when David Warner described it as a “beautiful day in the gayborhood.” Philly Pride immediately began to use to the term the following year to describe the area of our gay pride parade formation. It has now become a universally recognized term.

How to get there

Ride the Market-Frankford Line to 13th Street, Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust, Trolley Routes to 13th Street, and any Regional Rail Line to Jefferson Station. There are also several Bus Routes that serve the Gayborhood including Routes 9, 12, 21, 23, 42, and 45. Plan your trip here.

Fare

There are many ways to get here on SEPTA, there are also many ways to pay. Click here to learn which fare is best for you.

Upcoming Local Happenings

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Academy of Music

See The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music from 12/9 thru 12/30! Get there on SEPTA. Take Regional Rail to Suburban Station, the Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust, the Market-Frankford Line to 15th Street, or Routes 4, 9, 12, 21, 27, 32 or 42.

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The No Name POPS: A Very Philly Christmas

Kimmel Center

Several Philadelphia choirs join musicians from The No Name Pops for a very festive (and very Philly) Christmas concert. Expect an upbeat program of holiday classics and pop favorites. Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañe leads the instrumental action, which is complemented by Broadway singers and dancers. Shows from 12/1 thru 12/23. Hop Routes 4, 12, 27, 32 or the Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust.

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Company

The Forrest Theatre

The Forrest Theatre stage welcomes Company 11/28 thru 12/10. Get there on SEPTA. Take the Market-Frankford Line to 11th Street or hop Routes 42, 21, or 12.

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Macy’s Christmas Light Show

Macy's Center City

The Grand Court in the National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building has hosted the brilliant Christmas Light Show since 1956. Macy’s keeps the free holiday tradition going this year with thousands of twinkling lights (accompanied by tunes from the famed Wanamaker Organ), animated holiday windows and the fully immersive Dickens Village, which captures scenes from the age-old tale A Christmas Carol. Free light show performances occur daily and advanced registration is required for Dickens Village. Take the Market-Frankford Line to 13th, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Regional Rail to Jefferson, Trolley Routes to 13th, or Bus Routes 17, 23, 33, 28, 44, 45, 47, 61, 78, 124, or 125.

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Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

Dilworth Park

Shop local and support more than 40 small businesses selling handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, treats and so much more - open from 11/10 thru 1/1. So easy to get here on SEPTA. Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.

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Wintergarden

Dilworth Park

This open-air wonderland brings a festive touch of greenery, featuring holiday lights, reindeer topiaries, rustic woodland décor and an on-site Chaddsford Winery kiosk selling warm mulled wine. Open now thru 3/17. Get here on SEPTA! Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.

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Beauty and the Beast

Walnut Street Theater

See Beauty and the Beast at the Walnut Street Theater now thru 12/31. Get there on SEPTA. Take Regional Rail to Jefferson Station or Bus Routes 9, 12, 21, 38, 42, 47, 47M, or 61.

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The Gardens After Dark

Magic Gardens

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens adorns its glittery corridors with hundreds of colorful lights for its weekly Gardens After Dark series - every Friday. Tickets are required, which get you special nighttime admission to the Gardens and entry to the attraction’s mosaicked basement, featuring folk art and other rarely seen displays. Get there on SEPTA! Short walk from the Lombard-South stop on the Broad Street Line or hop Routes 40, 45, or 47.

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Christmas Village

Love Park

Visit Philly’s most beloved holiday attraction as gorgeous LOVE Park transforms into an open-air European marketplace during the annual Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Over 100 vendors set up shop in wooden stalls offering local and international gifts, ornaments, accessories, and wintry apparel. After shopping up an appetite, indulge in tasty treats like raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, apple cider, strudels and more. Across the street on the north apron of City Hall and in the courtyard, a double-decker Christmas Village carousel, Ferris wheel and the kids train where you can enjoy $1 off and a hot cocoa if you show your SEPTA Key Card M-F. As a special treat for SEPTA seniors enjoy a cup of hot cocoa during the shopping experience during the week when you flash your Senior Fare Card at the welcome center booth. Stay a bit longer and visit the Festival of Trees located in LOVE Park Welcome Center where you can view over 17 custom-decorated trees from local Philadelphia companies! Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.