Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Chinese New Year, Philly Art, History & More!

‘Watch Out For Those Scary Dragons – Chinese New Year Lion Dance’

Exploring Philadelphia can be exciting in so many ways. We have fabulous museums and theatres, wonderful restaurants, relaxing open space such as our parks, a fascinating art scene, passionate sports fans and some of the most thrilling historical figures and sites around.

There are many exciting events taking place now, such as the Chinese New Year events and tours of Philly art throughout the city.  In up coming weeks, get ready for the Philadelphia Car Show, East Passyunk Restaurant Week, the Philadelphia Flower Show; followed by many food festivals 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 –

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  ~ January 31 – February 6 ~

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

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~
• Philadelphia Bars & Restaurants with Fireplaces ~ Keep warm at these 36 bars & restaurants. ~ Philly Bars & Restaurants with Fireplaces ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of January ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for January 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Art After 5 ~ January 31 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Improvisations – Michael Snow & Thollem McDonas – Artist Michael Snow, whose work is featured in the exhibition Michael Snow: Photo-Centric, has been active as a professional musician since the 1950s, often performing in free improvisation with the CCMC in Toronto. For this Art After 5 program, Snow and composer Thollem McDonas will present an improvisational, dual-piano concert. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of February ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for February 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Lunar New Year at the Independence Seaport Museum ~  February 1 ~ From 11 am to 3 pm, check out the Lunar New Year festivities at the Independence Seaport Museum that will not only showcase Chinese cultural activities, but which will incorporate Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures through dance performances and crafts. This is free with admission to the museum. For more info, Click Here. ~ Chinese New Year Events ~
• Wagner’s Winter Wonderland ~ February 1 ~ Activities from 12 pm to 4 pm at Wagner Free Institute of Science.  Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling, activities, and arts & crafts. Explore Wagner’s natural history museum with a winter-themed scavenger hunt and to examine and touch real specimens from their teaching collection. ~ Wagner’s Winter Wonderland ~
• Tattoo Arts Convention ~ February 1 & 2 ~ Meet tattoo artists from all over and many from the show Ink Master. Also, enjoy tattoo contests, seminars and much more. ~ Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention ~
• The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia ~ February 1 & 2 ~ FREE – From 4 pm to 4:30 pm, join a Park Ranger from the National Park Service in a 30-minute slideshow and experience the time in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Philadelphia was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Enjoy hearing the stories to this famous “network to freedom.” This takes place at 2nd Bank Portrait Gallery, Chestnut St., between 4th and 5th Sts. ~ The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~  February 1 & 5 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 115-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 Sun’s Lion Dance ~ February 2 ~ From 11 am -2 pm, taking place at 10th and Spring Streets, the streets of Chinatown will come alive with a Lion Dance by the Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Troupe. There will also be martial arts performances, firecrackers and much more. ~ Chinese New Year Events ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ February 2 ~ (1st Sunday’s Only) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 1st Sunday of the month from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ February 5 ~ (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 ~
• Chinese New Year Celebration Events ~ Now until February 12 ~ Check out the many events, activities and places to enjoy special Chinese meal events throughout the city during the Chinese New Year. ~ Chinese New Year Celebration Events ~
• 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 ~
• 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 until 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

• Art After 5 ~ February 7 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Mood Indigo: A Harlem Renaissance Retrospective – Celebrate the music and culture of the Harlem Renaissance with Dandy Wellington and His Band, whose passion for the sounds of the 1920s and 1930s captures the spirit of this important cultural movement. The group will perform compositions by Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and more. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Lunar New Year Celebration at International House ~ February 7 ~ Starting at 6 pm at the International House Philadelphia, enjoy their annual Lunar New Year party. The event will allow you the sampling of traditional Chinese food, several cultural performances and will end with a traditional performance with a Lion Dance. Click Here for tickets, which are $8 to $12.
• First Friday’s in Old City~ February  7 ~ Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~
• First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ February 7 ~ Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~
• The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia ~ February 8 & 9 ~ FREE – From 4 pm to 4:30 pm, join a Park Ranger from the National Park Service in a 30-minute slideshow and experience the time in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Philadelphia was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Enjoy hearing the stories to this famous “network to freedom.” This takes place at 2nd Bank Portrait Gallery, Chestnut St., between 4th and 5th Sts.  ~ The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia ~
• Philadelphia Auto Show ~ February 8 – 16 ~ The Auto Show will feature more than 700 concept, classic, luxury and exotic cars on display.  Get up close and personal to new cars and test drive some. ~ Philadelphia Auto Show ~
• Chinese New Year at the Free Library of Philadelphia Independence Branch ~ February 12 ~ Starting at 12:30 pm at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Independence Branch, students from Holy Redeemer Elementary School will perform exquisite traditional Chinese folk-dances and a lion dance. Also, enjoy Chinese folk tales. For more details, Click Here.
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Presents Legends ~ February 12 – 16 ~ Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and the mysterious: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! 20% OFF Tix – Password is TIGERS ~ Click Here. 
• Paleopalooza at The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ February 15 & 16 ~ From 10 am to 5 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences. It will be an exciting weekend packed with activities, shows, and more—all featuring your favorite animals—dinosaurs!  ~ Paleopalooza at The Academy of Natural Sciences ~
• East Passyunk Restaurant Week ~ February 23 – March 1 ~ Enjoy discounted meal prices at 24 different kinds of restaurants in East Passyunk. ~ East Passyunk Restaurant Week ~
• Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party ~ February 28 ~ The 2014 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party is an exclusive, first look at the fanciful flowers, luscious landscapes, and dare-to-dream designs of “ARTiculture” before it opens to the public. ~ Philadelphia Flower Show Preview Party ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of March ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for March 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Philadelphia Flower Show ~ March 1 – 9 ~ The shows 2014 theme is ARTIculture, closely aligning Art & Horticulture. Check out the many events during the show as well. ~ Philadelphia Flower Show ~
• Harlem Globetrotters ~ March 9 ~ 2 shows – The world famous Harlem Globetrotters travel to Philly. Great excitement for the family. ~ Harlem Globetrotters ~
• St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia ~ March 17 ~  Get your Erin Go Bragh on at Philly’s Best Irish Bars! ~ St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia ~

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. MyPhillyAlive

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 January 31 – February 2

 

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 41°  | Low 26°

Saturday  |  Mostly Cloudy  |  High 46° | Low 36°

Sunday  | Cloudy  |  High 49°  |  Low 31°

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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