They call it Philadelphia’s  “Miracle on South 13th Street”  and – when you see our website photo tour – we know you’ll agree….

(The view up South 13th Street, looking north between Morris and Tasker Streets.)

Every year –  from the Saturday after Thanksgiving,  until the first week of January –  the 1600 block of South 13th Street is transformed into a holiday wonderland that’s touted as one of the best places in town for Christmas lights. 

(Talk about teamwork and good will:  The houses on both sides of the block are outlined in lights.)

Led by a merry band of residents that this year included Alex Du,  Perry Cavalieri and Christopher Cappello,  neighbors come together to help each other decorate inside and out.

(Perry Cavalieri and Alex Du get into the holiday spirit.)

Even Local 98 of the electrical workers’ union gets into the act,  rolling in a bucket truck and volunteer electricians to wire up the overhead lights…

    (IBEW Local 98 adds to the holiday cheer.  Photos by Perry Cavalieri)

LOOK  UP!  IT’S  A  BIRD,  IT’S  A  PLANE,  IT’S….

The real Philadelphia miracle?  For six weeks every holiday season,  cars inch down 13th Street at one mile an hour,  and no one complains.  But for the best experience,  stash your car,  grab your camera,  and walk the block.

(You never know who you’ll see on S. 13th Street – but you can probably guess.)

And don’t forget to wave at Santa himself, pacing behind this third-floor window,  preparing for his big day…

(To find that bearded man in the top right window,  just listen for the ho-ho-ho’s echoing down the street.)

KICKING  OFF  THE  SEASON

This year,  we were invited to the neighborhood kick-off block party,  complete with an inflatable slide,  kiddie train,  face-painting,  DJ,  and – of course – plenty of food and Santa.

(Going incognito with Santa.)

TAKE  THE  ARMCHAIR  TOUR

So,  click here to take our  Unexpected Philadelphia  tour of the “Miracle on S. 13th Street”.   Then hop on over to the block between Morris and Tasker to join the fun.

(Kate discovers the perks of blogging.)

And,  while you’re in the neighborhood,  walk two blocks up Tasker to E. Passyunk Avenue and check out our neighborhood holiday windows.

Have a happy South Philly holiday season, wherever you are….!