Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Army Navy Game, Holiday Attractions and More!

‘The Joy of Family Fun in the City of Brotherly Love!’

How can one not get excited during this time of year. We have had some snow and this time of year brings many wonderful holiday events and attractions that’ll take place around this wonderful city. So much excitement, family fun and much more.

How about the many holiday light attractions such as the Comcast Spectacular, Macy’s Holiday light show, the Franklin Square Electrical Spectacular, the Waterfront Winterfest at Penn’s Landing, or such fun family activities as the the pop up rink at the Piazza at Schmidt’s, shopping at the Christmas Village, the Blue Cross RiverRink and much more.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Did you know : Philadelphia was named 1 of the top 10 US travel destinations for 2013. Also named for having the best sandwich in America, #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure and in the last 8 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, and #1 in Culture. We can feel that the list will be growing in 2013.

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ December 13 – 19 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”.

• Christmas Trees in Philly ~ Looking for fresh cut Christmas trees. We have listed many locations throughout the city and the neighboring suburbs. ~ Christmas Trees in Philadelphia ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of December ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for December 2013 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Art After 5 ~ December 13 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Christmas in Mexican – Join Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Mexican Christmas posada, a colorful celebration featuring artisans making traditional Mexican decorations. Experience for the first time in Philadelphia the music of an estudiantina (traditional student music group), and sing traditional Christmas carols with them Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Zoo Noel ~ December 14 & 15 ~ For three weekends, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland as Santa Claus travels to exotic places around the globe.  Encounter festive scenes showcasing life-size replicas of Mr. Claus and ring in the season enjoying the red pandas exploring, the tigers pouncing, and the polar bears frolicking in the season’s crisp December air. ~ Zoo Noel at the Philadelphia Zoo ~
• Holiday Open House at Chaddsford Winery ~ December 14 & 15, 21 & 22 ~ From 12 pm to 7 pm at Chaddsford Winery, sit out by the fire pits and warm up with some blankets while enjoying holiday inspired drinks, and complementary selection of holiday treats and cookies.  There will be karaoke from 5 pm to 7 pm. ~ Holiday Open House at Chaddsford Winery ~
• Winterfest at Sister Cities Park ~ December 14, 21 ~ From 11 am to 2 pm at Sister Cities Park, enjoy kid-friendly activities, hot chocolate, decorations for sale from Urban Jungle and a visit from the big man himself – Santa! ~ Winterfest at Sister Cities Park ~ ~ Info on Sister Cities Park ~
• Christmas Village at Shambles at Headhouse Square ~ December 14 ~ From 11 am to 9 pm, the Christmas Village will be under the Shambles at 2nd and Pine streets. The Village will feature 30 handmade artisans next to local district businesses selling food, drinks, art, handmade gifts, wreaths, jewelry, decorations, ornaments, chocolate, crafts, clothing and much more. ~ Christmas Village at Headhouse Square Shambles ~
• Visit Swoop – Eagles Mascot ~ December 14 ~ Come take your picture with the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop, and the Eagles Cheerleaders. From 12 pm to 2 pm at Eagles Pro Shop at Market Place in Cherry Hill, NJ. ~ Visit Swoop and the Eagles Cheerleaders ~
• Army Navy Game ~ December 14 ~ This awesome rivalry continues! Kick-off is at 3 pm at Lincoln Financial Field. ~ Army Navy Game ~
• 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl ~ December 14 ~ Need to unwind and have some fun. Maybe meet some new people. Check out this fun event that starts at 4 pm with the first bar being Tir Na Nog, followed by Cavanuagh’s Rittenhouse, then O’Shea’s and possibly a few more. ~ 4th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~  December 14 & 18 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~
• Philadelphia Eagles Week 15 ~ December 15 ~ The Philadelphia Eagles play at the Minnesota Vikings at 1 pm. If not going to Minnesota for the game, then head on over to XFinityLive, Philadelphia’s main sports entertainment complex to watch the game. ~ Info about XFinity Live ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 18 ~ (Wednesdays) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
• Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol ~ Now until December 22 ~ A heartwarming tale of Ebenezer Scrooge that takes place at the Walnut Street Theater. ~ Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol ~
• Holiday Keep Sake Photos with Santa at Peddler’s Village ~ Now thru December 24 ~ Come explore Santa’s Workshop and take pictures with Santa. ~ Christmas Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
• The Nutcracker ~ Now thru December 29 ~ Held at the Academy of Music, this two-act ballet should be a family tradition during the holidays. ~ The Nutcracker ~
• Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle ~ Now thru December 31 ~ Check out this wonderful holiday light show at Franklin Square. Lights will create two alternating shows every 30 minutes, from 4:30 pm to 8 pm. ~ Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square ~
• Macy’s Holiday Light Show ~ Now thru December 31 ~ This spectacular light show is a wonderful family tradition. Come check it out & click on the link for the new hours during the week. ~ Macy’s Holiday Light Show ~
• Ice Skating at the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~ Now thru February 23 ~ The pop-up ice skating rink at the Piazza at Schmidt’s is very affordable for the family. Enjoy music while you ice skate and hot chocolate from Gunners Run. There will be special events at the pop-up rink, so check it out. ~ Ice skating at the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~
• Christmas Village at LOVE Park ~ Now thru January 1, 2014 ~ Shop at LOVE Park during the holiday season. Explore many hand crafts, food, special events and pictures with Santa. Even get your fresh cut Christmas trees here. ~ Christmas Village at LOVE Park ~
• Comcast Spectacular ~ Now thru January 1, 2014 ~ Come out to the Comcast building to watch this fun & exciting 15 minute holiday show, with mini holiday stories. ~ Comcast Spectacular ~
• Peddler’s Village Annual Gingerbread Competition ~ Now until January 4, 2014 ~ Come check out this awesome display of the entries and winners in the Village Gazebo at Peddler’s Village, showcasing their gingerbread houses with detailed craftsmanship. Over $3,400 in cash prizes were awarded to the winners in six different categories. ~ Peddler’s Village Annual Gingerbread Competition ~
• Waterfront Winterferst at Penn’s Landing ~ Now thru January 5, 2014 ~ Come experience holiday food, craft beers, holiday shopping, amazing light shows and more right outside the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. ~ Waterfront Winterferst at Penn’s Landing ~
• Elf Boradway Musical ~ Now until January 5, 2014 ~ It’s up to Buddy, the Elf, to save Christmas! Come experience the Broadway Musical of Elf at the Walnut Street Theater. ~ Elf Musical at Walnut Street Theater ~
• Ice Skating at the Blue Cross RiverRink ~ Now thru March 2, 2014 ~ The Olympic-sized public ice rink offers skating sessions, skating lessons, parties, private functions, pond hockey, season-long special events, as well as skate rentals and sharpening. So stop down at Penn’s Landing for some fun ice skating at the rink.  ~ Ice Skating at the Blue Cross RiverRink ~
• Dinosaurs Unearthed ~ Now until March 30, 2014 ~ At The Academy Of Natural Sciences, come experience life-size, roaring, moving, animatronic, state-of-the-art and scientifically accurate dinosaurs, explore a dig site for young paleontologists as they find dinosaur bones and fossils and much more. ~ Dinosaurs Unearthed at The Academy Of Natural Sciences ~
• Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~ Now until April 6, 2014 ~ The Mural Arts Program will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in 2014 and this exhibit showcases the cumulative work of 30 years of community engaged art-making in Philadelphia. Beyond the Paint will present archival and documentary material, including timeline-based information, interactive material, and images that are enlivened by the creation of new murals within the gallery space. FREE admission on Sunday’s. ~ Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~
• One Day in Pompeii ~ Now – April 27, 2014 ~  Here is your chance to experience Pompeii held at The Franklin Institute. Explore 150 plus archaeological treasures, feel the floors shake and the walls rumble as you relive the volcano’s catastrophic eruption and witness the devastation left in its path. ~ One Day in Pompeii at The Franklin Institute ~
• The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~
• Special Information! – Do you know that Philadelphia has its own slide? Yes, the Philly Slide. With Jaye Moore & Tony Luke Jr, to help support Little Kids Rock. Check it out. ~ The Philly Slide ~

Come Back later this afternoon or evening for more things added to the Philly to do list!

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Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

• The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
• Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
• Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell ~
• Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall~
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
• Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House ~
• Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
• National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
• Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Winter Solstice in Manayunk ~ December 21 ~ Held at Canal View Park from 3 pm to 5 pm, come celebrate the 1st day of winter and the shortest day of the year. There will be a birds of prey show, a drum circle and lighting of the torches. ~ Winter Solstice in Manayunk ~
• Santa Paws Adoption Event ~ December 21 & 22 ~ The Animal Care and Control Team hosts its third annual Santa Paws event. It will feature discounted adoptions and pet photos with Santa for only $5. You can even bring your pet for pictures with Santa. Adoption hours are 10 am to 5 pm, and photos are from 11 am to 3 pm. ~ Santa Paws Adoption Event ~
• Fireworks ~ December 31 ~ More info to follow.
• Mummers Parade ~ January 1 ~ A long standing Philadelphia Tradition, come out to watch the Mummers march down Broad Street on New Year’s Day. ~ Mummers Parade ~ ~ Behind the scenes of a Mummers String Band, Hegeman String Band ~

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out.

If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyAlivePhilly

If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of December 13 – 15

 

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 35°  | Low 25°

Saturday  |  100% Snow Day & Wintry Mix at Night|  High 31° | Low 30°

Sunday  | AM Clouds & PM Sun  |  High 37° |  Low 17°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

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