Month guide · Philadelphia · United States
Philadelphia in January
What January is really like in Philadelphia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy pavements; museums are quiet and hotel rates are at their lowest.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Philadelphia: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with December (7°C (45°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:20
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:59
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold with occasional snow, but holiday markets, the Mummers Parade and quiet museums at the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in May). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Mummers Parade — costumed string bands and brigades on Broad Street (New Year's Day)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Old City
Museum of the American Revolution
Time your visit to catch the tent presentation early, before it fills with school groups.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Fairmount
Philadelphia Art Museum and the Rocky Steps
The Greek Revival temple at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (long known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art) holds Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Cézanne's The Large Bathers and the world's leading collection of Marcel Duchamp, plus period rooms and armour.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
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Market · Center City
Reading Terminal Market
Arrive before noon on weekdays; at weekend lunchtime the aisles and the DiNic's queue get very crowded.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
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Gallery · Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Barnes Foundation
Albert C.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near -3°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Philadelphia?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Philadelphia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Philadelphia?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy pavements; museums are quiet and hotel rates are at their lowest.
+How warm is Philadelphia in January?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in January?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.