Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ First Friday’s, Holiday Attractions and Light Shows and More!

‘The Holiday Season Brings Family Excitement!’

We love this time of year because of the many wonderful holiday events and attractions that’ll take place around this wonderful city. So much excitement, family fun and much more.

There already have been a few tree lighting ceremonies this week with several more to go which can be found in our guide to Tree Lighting Celebrations. If you have missed any of this weeks tree lighting celebrations, you can go to our Facebook fan page for pictures. Click Here. Specific tree lighting ceremonies: Rittenhouse Square – City Hall at LOVE Park – East Passyunk Ave at Singing Fountain

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 6 – 12 ~

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 ~
• Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrations ~ December 3 – December 8 ~ Check out the many places throughout Philadelphia to watch tree lighting events.~ Our Guide to Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrations ~
• 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 ~
• Waterfront Winterfest Tree Lighting at Penn’s Landing ~ December 6 ~ This event has been cancelled tonight. Check back for updates later. ~ Waterfront Winterferst at Penn’s Landing ~
• First Friday’s in Old City~ December 6 ~ 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 ~ December 6 ~ 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 ~
• Art After 5 ~ December 6 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. La Vie Parisienne  – The Museum transforms into a lively Parisian cabaret hall with live French chanson, gypsy jazz, and swing by the Avalon Jazz Band as well as special dancing guests in a romantic tribute to Josephine Baker. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• 2013 Nutcracker Market ~ December 6 – 8 ~ This festive holiday market is a fundraiser for Pennsylvania Ballet and The School of Pennsylvania Ballet. It will feature 50 select exhibitors offering a variety of gifts and hand crafted works such as ornaments, jewelry, photography, and dance-inspired pieces. The Market will include daily activities like origami lessons, raffles, visits from the characters of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ & much more. Garces Catering will be serving food & drinks. ~ The Nutcracker Market ~
• The Nutcracker ~ December 7 – December 29 ~ Held at the Academy of Music.  ~ The Nutcracker ~
• Deck the Alley ~ December 7 ~ From 3 – 7 pm. Come out with the family for some fun, while eating some fantastic foods, singing holiday carols, and possibly a surprise visit from some historical figures from the past. ~ Deck the Alley at Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Santa On Ice & Tree Lighting in Manayunk ~ December 7 ~ From 3 pm to 8 pm on Main Street in Manayunk, there will be ice sculpting at 3 pm, Santa at 4 pm, music and the tree lighting at 6 pm. ~ Santa on ice & Tree lighting ~
• Christmas Festival at Peddler’s Village ~ December 7 & 8 ~ Free at Peddler’s Village from 10 am – 8 pm at on Saturday & 10 am – 6 pm on Sunday. Come watch the Christmas parade on Saturday at 1:30 pm with Santa and many activities for the family & especially the kids. There will be hot cider and toasted marshmallows with live entertainment both days. The shops will be opened for your shopping pleasure. ~ Christmas Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
• Zoo Noel ~ December 7, 8, 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 7 & 8, 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 7, 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 ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~  December 7 & 11 ~ 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 13 ~ December 8 ~ The Philadelphia Eagles play the Detroit Lions at 1 pm at Lincoln Financial Field. If not going to the game, then head on over to XFinityLive, Philadelphia’s main sports entertainment complex to watch the game. ~ Info about XFinity Live ~
• Tailgating Philly Style ~ December 8 ~ Come tailgate at One Crazy Fan prior to the Philadelphia Eagles game vs the Detroit Lions with Butz & Butz doing a live sports broadcast, a live DJ – Mike Rossi of East Coast Group, and those crazy Eagles fans. For ticket info, go to the main site. In the Wells Fargo lot, Lot D6. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, 12/5, prior to game. ~ One Crazy Fan Tailgating ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 8 ~ (1st Sunday of each month) 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 ~
• South Street Headhouse District Winter Wonderland Extravaganza ~ December 8 ~ FREE – From 4 pm to 7 pm,  an appearance by Santa, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and the Philadelphia Dance Academy & the Society Hill Dance Academy will perform.  Kids of all ages will be able to make their own ornaments and there will be store-front windows decorated for voting. The tree will be lit around 6:30 pm. ~ South Street Headhouse District Winter Wonderland Extravaganza ~
• Cocktail Wars Philadelphia ~ December 10 – CANCELLED ~ Cocktail Wars is a North American spirits championship where hundreds of mixologists go for the gold. Held at Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe from 7 pm to 10 pm. There are 5 competitors left in Philly and there will be a tasty cocktails menu for all to try out. Use code “ThanksPhilly” for $10 off! ~ Cocktail Wars Philadelphia ~
• “Phanatic Love for the Arts” Viewing Party ~ December 10 ~ Held at Lucky Strikes Bowling Alley, Lucky Strike is showing its support of local artists that utilize the city’s architecture to beautify and create an enduring cultural legacy through art. The 160 square foot wall mural will be unveiled at this viewing party, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 11 ~ (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 ~
• 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 ~
• 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 – 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

• Army Navy Game ~ December 14 ~ Info coming soon.

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 6 – 8

 

Friday  |  90% Rain  |  High 52°  | Low 39°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 42° | Low 31°

Sunday  | 30% Snow  |  High 34° |  Low 34°

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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