Back for another year is one of Chestnut Hill’s brightest events.
Night of Lights returns next month for its 9th celebration, with illuminated fun scheduled from Oct. 2 to 5. Throughout its run, the streetscape exhibition will transform Chestnut Hill’s Germantown Avenue into a vibrant four-night visual experience, shining a light on local history, architecture, and landscapes from 7 to 9 p.m.
Each evening, storefront windows will project videos and archival images from the Conservancy and other historical catalogues between Willow Grove Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, bringing more than 250 years of local history into view.
The fun all begins Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill Conservancy (8708 Germantown Ave.), with the annual “Flip the Switch” ceremony. This year’s lighting design will illuminate the Conservancy’s historic headquarters, and from there, visitors can make their way down Germantown Avenue, where projected video exhibitions will stretch from the 8600 block to the 8100 block. Along the route, live music, local storytellers, interactive activities, vendors, giveaways, and additional First Friday programming from the District will also be in full swing.
The 2026 edition of Night of Lights is also part of Philadelphia’s official PHL250 programming. So, the exhibitions themselves take “a distinctly local approach to Philadelphia’s 250-plus-year history, focusing on the places and landscapes that have shaped Chestnut Hill, Northwest Philadelphia and the Wissahickon watershed.”
One series explores the evolution of the architecture, while another traces the history of the natural environment from the Wissahickon’s Lenape history. Other projections turn the spotlight on Awbury Arboretum, Northwest Philadelphia’s public gardens, plus, stories of farms, markets, taverns, restaurants, recipes and food businesses developed with Historic Foodways of the Delaware Valley.
This year will also once again feature an exhibition following George Washington and the Continental Army through Northwest Philadelphia in the hours before the Battle of Germantown on Oct. 4, 1777. Presented by Liz and Andrew Jarvis, the exhibition traces the army’s route along present-day Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue, connecting events from the Revolutionary era to the present day.
After the projections wind down around the 8100 block, guests can also explore different bars and restaurants (some of which will extend hours). Additionally, on Sunday, Oct. 4 (at 10 a.m.), the Conservancy will host its first free, family-friendly book reading at Hilltop Books (84 Bethlehem Pike). There, local children’s author and photographer Doug Wechsler will host a reading alongside Q&A, stickers, and a scavenger hunt. No registration is required.
If you can’t make it out during Night of Lights this year, on Oct. 15, the Conservancy will also launch its first annual 10x10 History Jam, extending the illuminated exhibition’s focus on local stories beyond the four-night block. The event will invite speakers from across Northwest Philadelphia to share 10-minute stories connected to the area’s history, arts, architecture and preservation.
"What I love about Night of Lights is that it celebrates not only history, but the people, buildings, and businesses that continue to shape this community," says Chrissy Clawson, Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s director of programs and communications.
"We use light and color to draw attention to details that can easily go unnoticed. Night of Lights brings together partners and stories from across Northwest Philadelphia because we're all part of the same larger ecosystem. This year, I'm especially excited about our new children's program and the 10x10 History Jam. Bringing people together to discover the stories around them is a big part of why Night of Lights has become so beloved by so many.”
For more information on Chestnut Hill’s Night of Lights, visit chconservancy.org
MORE: Fall for the Arts celebrates Chestnut Hill’s century-old creative spirit
The 2026 Night of Lights takes place from Friday, Oct. 2 to Monday, Oct. 5.
This year’s lighting design will illuminate the Conservancy’s historic headquarters, where projected video exhibitions will stretch from the 8600 block to the 8100 block of Germantown Avenue.
No, the festivities are free to attend and open to the public.
Chestnut has a wide variety of shopping and dining options, in addition to art museums, parks and the Morris Arboretum.
