For more than 15 years, the Comcast Center Campus has brought the magic of the holidays to life in Philadelphia. For the 2024 season, beloved traditions like “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular” will be offered alongside a new, free cinematic experience at The Universal Sphere starring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek.
Holidays at the Comcast Center Campus free programming was announced at the Philly Holiday Tree Arrival & Press Conference with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Welcome America, Inc. President & CEO Michael DelBene on Nov. 13, 2024. Stephanie Kosta, Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs of Comcast’s Freedom Region, pictured below, second from left, was in attendance representing Comcast.
“Comcast is proud to be part of what makes Philadelphia so special during the holiday season for residents and visitors who come from near and far,” said Stephanie L. Kosta, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs and Community Impact, Comcast Freedom Region. “We love connecting families to the moments that matter most, and creating holiday memories is at the top of that list.”
The public is invited to celebrate on campus with free events and holiday experiences available from Thanksgiving Day through Jan. 3, 2025. Additional information and hours of operation are below.
“DreamWorks Shrek’s Festive Flight” at The Universal Sphere™
In this new cinematic experience, guests are invited to join Shrek, Donkey, Gingy, and friends on a magical journey from Philadelphia to the North Pole. After arriving at the North Pole Bakery, guests are invited to decorate their own gingerbread cookies in an interactive digital experience, and watch their creations come to life on screen.
From Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and Comcast Labs, The Universal Sphere presents inspiring content free in a public theater in the Comcast Technology Center upper lobby. The Universal Sphere is wheelchair-accessible and service animal friendly, offers closed captioning and Audio Description (AD), has full translations available in Spanish and Mandarin, and is designated a Certified Autism Center™.
Location: Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Open year-round with extended holiday hours, Nov. 28, 2024 — Jan. 3, 2025. Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day & Jan. 2-3, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Christmas Day & New Year’s Day, Noon – 5 p.m., last show 15 minutes before closing. Sensory-friendly shows multiple times daily, including 9:30 & 9:45 a.m. shows on Saturdays. Due to anticipated high demand for this debut experience, advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. Reserve complimentary tickets at theuniversalsphere.com.
“Shrek’s Festive Flight” at The Universal Sphere is free for all to attend, Nov. 28 – Jan. 3, 2025.
“The Comcast Holiday Spectacular”
Since its 2008 debut, “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular” has become a Philadelphia holiday tradition for millions of visitors. The free, 15-minute show presented on “The Comcast Experience” video wall in the Comcast Center lobby features holiday singalongs, performances by the Philadelphia Ballet, and an enchanted sleigh ride around the world. A sensory-friendly experience produced in partnership with The Arc of the United States is offered daily, and Audio Description (AD) is available through the Listen EVERYWHERE app. And, new for 2024: holiday-themed shorts featuring characters from Shrek will play on “The Comcast Experience” video wall throughout the day between shows.
Location: Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 28, 2024 — Jan. 1, 2025. Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., at the top of every hour. Sensory-friendly shows daily at 2:30 p.m. Last show on New Year’s Day at 4 p.m.
Visits with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to the Comcast Center Campus in December. Guests can pose for free photos and bring their wish lists — the holiday magic continues throughout the month.
Location: The Concourse at Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 6 – 21, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
“Spread Cheer”
The community is invited to create holiday decorations and warm messages of hope at this pop-up workshop supporting local nonprofit MANNA, which provides medically tailored meals for people with serious illnesses. Select holiday messages created throughout the season will be delivered with MANNA meals.
Location: The Concourse at Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 28, 2024 — Jan. 3, 2025. Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day & Jan. 2-3, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Christmas Day & New Year’s Day, Noon – 5 p.m.
Unique Dining Experiences
The Comcast Center Campus offers expanded dining options for the holiday season. For the first time, warm-weather favorite Café Click is open daily with grab-and-go menu options and hot drinks perfect for the wintertime. Modern coffee bar and café Vernick Coffee Bar is open daily for the season and The Concourse at Comcast Center offers casual dining with extended hours of operation. Guests can show the “Holidays at Comcast Center Campus” brochure at Chef Mark Vetri’s Pizzeria Salvy to receive a special BOGO slice offer!
Location: Café Click, Comcast Plaza, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 29, 2024 — Jan. 3, 2025. Daily, Noon – 8 p.m. Christmas Eve & New Year’s Day, Noon – 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.
Location: The Concourse at Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 29 — Dec. 31, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Limited hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Location: Vernick Coffee Bar, Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 29, 2024 — Jan. 3, 2025, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Weekends, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Location: Pizzeria Salvy, Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 29 – Dec. 28, Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday & Friday, 4:30 – 9 p.m., Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day.
Holiday Passport Activity
This free passport activity encourages guests to visit holiday experiences across campus, collecting stamps along the way. Guests can present their completed passport at “Spread Cheer” to receive a Shrek-themed surprise!
Location: Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103; and Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 28, 2024 — Jan. 3, 2025. Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day & Jan. 2-3, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Christmas Day & New Year’s Day, Noon – 5 p.m.
Philly PHLASH® Downtown Loop
Guests can ride the Philly PHLASH, a convenient and affordable bus loop, to access the Comcast Center Campus and other top holiday destinations.
Location: The Comcast Center Campus PHLASH Stop, 18th St. & John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours: Nov. 29 – Dec. 15: Friday – Sunday, Noon – 8 p.m. Dec. 20 – 30: Daily, Noon – 8 p.m. No service Christmas Day.
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating accessible, inclusive experiences for the widest audience possible, the Comcast Center Campus recently opened a Sensory-Friendly Room, located in The Concourse at Comcast Center. With extended hours during the holiday season, this room is open to the public and guests can ask a security ambassador for access. Learn more about accessibility at the Comcast Center Campus here.
