A free outdoor public history, architecture, and design exhibition celebrating more than 250 years of history, landscapes, and architecture in Northwest Philadelphia.

Saturday, October 3 through Monday, October 5, 6:30-9:00 pm
Chestnut Hill Conservancy
8708 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Free
In-Person
More info:
– https://www.facebook.com/chconservancy/
– @chconservancy on IG
– https://chconservancy.org/programs/night-of-lights/

Explore the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s annual streetscape exhibition for three evenings following Opening Night and celebrate over 250 years of Northwest Philadelphia’s history.

Enjoy six projected video exhibitions in storefront windows from the 8600 through 8100 blocks of Germantown Avenue, showcasing more than 250 years of architecture, landscapes, and social history in Chestnut Hill, Northwest Philadelphia, and the lower Wissahickon watershed:

– The Built Environment, exploring 250+ years of architecture, planning, preservation, and community development in Chestnut Hill and Northwest Philadelphia
– The Natural Environment, produced in collaboration with Friends of the Wissahickon, tracing the evolution and stewardship of the Wissahickon landscape from its Lenape history through modern conservation efforts.
– The History and Landscape of Awbury Arboretum
– The public gardens of Northwest Philadelphia, including Wyck
– Historic foodways: from farms, markets, and taverns to restaurants, recipes, and food businesses, produced with Historic Foodways of the Delaware Valley.
– George Washington and the Continental Army’s march through Northwest Philadelphia along present-day Bethlehem Pike and Germantown Avenue in the hours leading up to the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777, presented by Liz and Andrew Jarvis

Admire illuminated historic buildings and architectural details extending farther along Germantown Avenue, using light and color to highlight the built environment throughout the commercial corridor.

Fill out a Night of Lights Pastport, featuring an event map, projected video locations, a guide to historic foods and drinks available along the Avenue, and the Chestnut Hill raffle, with four prize packages typically valued at more than $250 each. One winner will be selected each night.

Night of Lights is presented in partnership with DesignPhiladelphia and Archives Month Philly. Night of Lights 2026 programming is supported in part by The Philadelphia City Fund. The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s public programming is made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and members.