Things to do in Philadelphia ~ First Friday’s, Holiday Fun, Tree Lighting’s and More!

‘Embracing the Holidays with Family & Friends’

The City of Philadelphia looks so beautiful with the many holiday light displays and lit trees.

This weekend kicks off with First Fridays, many tree lighting ceremonies, ice skating at the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park and at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, the holiday light show at Franklin Park, and holiday shopping at different venues. Also enjoy activities such as the Mary Poppins show, magic shows, farmers’ markets and much more. End your weekend with either the Philadelphia Eagles game and or the South Street Headhouse District winter extravaganza and tree lighting event.

In upcoming weeks, get ready for the Seaport Parade of Lights at the Independence Seaport Museum, fireworks on New Years Eve and the Mummers Parade.

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.

Photo of Rothman Ice Rink Courtesy of Peter Tobia

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ December 5 – 11 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”. Also, check back daily for updates!

Informational Posts For Things To Do Year Round & Holidays

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~
• Guide to Philadelphia Tree Lighting Ceremonies ~ December 1 – 12 ~ Enjoy special tree lighting ceremonies in different neighborhoods of Philadelphia. At many of the tree lighting ceremonies, enjoy live entertainment, food, beverages & an appearance by Santa Clause. ~ Guide to Philadelphia Tree Lighting Ceremonies ~
• Cut Your Own Tree at Linvilla Orchards ~ December 5 – December 23; Closed Thanksgiving, November 27 ~ Choose from 40,000 + different kinds of Christmas trees for just $59.99. There are also pre-cut trees as well. ~ Cut Your Own Tree at Linvilla Orchards ~
• Christmas Village ~ December 5 – December 28 ~ Shop at 60+ vendor booths, enjoy holiday foods, live music, live entertainment & much more. ~ Christmas Village ~
• Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square ~ December 5 – December 31 ~  Held at Franklin Square, enjoy a holiday light show that features a dazzling display of more than 50,000 lights that have been designed specifically for this popular public space. There will be rides, food, beer & more. ~ Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square ~ 
• Ice Skating at Dilworth Park ~ December 5, 2014 – February 22, 2015 ~ Enjoy ice skating at the new Dilworth Park! Bring your skates or rent them, as you skate with City Hall in the background. ~ Ice Skating at Dilworth Park ~
• Mary Poppins ~ December 5 – January 4 ~ Enjoy Mary Poppins at the Walnut Street Theater heading into the holidays. Kids will love this show! ~ Mary Poppins at Walnut Street Theater ~
• Ice Skating at Dilworth Park ~ December 5, 2014 – February 22, 2015 ~ Enjoy ice skating at the new Dilworth Park! Bring your skates or rent them, as you skate with City Hall in the background. ~ Ice Skating at Dilworth Park ~
• Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest ~ December 5, 2014 – March 1, 2015 ~ Held at Penn’s Landing, this will be a winter wonderland for all ages to explore. Enjoy ice skating, live music, warm fire pits, food, craft beers, shopping and much more.  ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ December 5 – 11

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of December ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for December 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Go Mt Airy Tree Lighting ~ December 5 ~ Tree lighting at the Lutheran Seminary at 4:45 pm with music from the Salvation Army Brass Band, followed by a community run Caroling session down the Avenue. That same evening, take pictures with Santa at Rothe Florists from 6-8pm.  The event is free and includes warm cider, cookies and candy canes for all.  There will be a store-wide sale on all holiday trimmings.
• Art After 5 ~ December 5 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Nutcracker Holiday Party  –  Journey through Toyland in our Nutcracker-themed winter program, featuring classical holiday compositions, chamber music, and beloved old carols performed by The Divine Hand, led by renowned concert thereminist Mano Divina. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• First Friday’s in Old City~ December 5 ~ 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 5 ~ 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 ~  
• Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest tree Lighting ~ December 5 ~ Starting at 6:30 pm, head on over to the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest on the Delaware River Waterfront and be dazzled by the tree lighting of a 43-foot-tall tree. Enjoy performances from the Philadelphia Youth Ballet and Philadelphia Symmetry Synchronized Skating as well as Santa Clause on ice skates. ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest tree Lighting ~
• Sunshine Arts Fundraiser for Kids ~ December 5 ~ From 7 pm to 12 am at Ethical Society of Philadelphia in Rittenhouse Square. Join Sunshine Arts on the anniversary of prohibition’s repeal for themed food, drink and entertainment. Plus silent auctions.  ~ Sunshine Arts Fundraiser for Kids ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ December 5 ~ At 8:00 pm, enjoy magic with Dan Hauss! Dan brings us the new, unusual, and wildly amazing impossibilities that he’s been working on for the past few years. If ticket sales have ended, call South Street Magic at 215-450-7193. ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
• Phila Flea Markets ~ December 6 ~ FREE admission – From 8 am to 4 pm, 125+ vendors will be at the Spring Garden Indoor Antique & Vintage Flea Market. They’ll be selling everything from antique furniture, jewelry, clothing, and more! ~ Phila Flea Markets ~
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ December 6 ~ From 9 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 23rd and Pine Streets. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~
• Franklin Flea Holiday Market ~ December 6, 13, 20 ~ Held every Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm at 8th & Market Streets in the old Strawbridge & Clothier, enjoy holiday shopping with many different kinds of vendors. ~ Franklin Flea Holiday Market ~
• Citizens Bank Park tree Lighting ~ December 6 ~ Starts at 10 am and with Phanta Claus from 11 am to 2 pm & of course, the tree lighting which will take place at 5 pm. ~ Citizens Bank Park tree Lighting ~
• Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ December 6 ~ From 10 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 43rd St and Baltimore Ave. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ 
• Deck the Alley ~ December 6 ~ From 3 pm to 7 pm at Elfreth’s Alley, visitors not only get to enter a dozen private historic homes, but enjoy carolers, refreshments, and possibly Ben Franklin and other historic guests. ~ Deck the Alley at Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ December 6 ~ At 7:30 pm, enjoy Saturday Night Wonders of Magic as South Street Magic will feature different local and visiting magicians as they provide a fun and amazing show of magic, mind reading and variety skills. ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
• Christmas Festival at Peddler’s Village ~ December 6 & 7 ~ From 10 am – 8 pm on Saturday, december 6 and from 10 am – 6 pm on Sunday, December 7. Santa arrives in a parade on Saturday to kick off weekend visits with the children. Hot cider, toasted marshmallows are seasonal favorites. The Village is beautifully decorated, Victorian-style, with fruit wreaths and greenery. Live entertainment. Free admission.enjoy  ~ Christmas Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ December 6 & 10 ~ 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 ~
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ December 7 ~ FREE – On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Barnes Foundation will enjoy free admission, family entertainment and informative seminars from 10 am to 6 pm. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation beginning at 9 am. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays. ~ First Sunday’s at Barnes Foundation ~
• Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ December 7 ~ From 10 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds the city’s largest outdoor market at 2nd and Lombard streets. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ December 7 ~ At 1:30 pm, enjoy Family Fun Magic Show. Music, dancing, laughing and amazement. Tons of audience participation… you’re gonna love it. The show stars the one and only Mr. Messado!! ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
• South Street Headhouse Winter Extravaganza & Tree Lighting ~ December 7 ~ The event will take place from 4 pm to 7 pm, with dance performances by the Society Hill Dance Academy and the Philadelphia Dance Academy, free horse-drawn carriage rides and much more. Santa visits at 5 pm and the tree lighting will begin at 6:30 pm. Don’t forget to visit the shops and restaurants afterwards. ~ South Street Headhouse Winter Extravaganza & Tree Lighting ~
• Philadelphia Eagles ~ December 7 ~ Philadelphia Eagles play the Seattle Seahawks at 4:30 pm at the Linc! Come tailgate early. Want to see how a real tailgate party takes place, come stop by One Crazy Fan which is located in Lot D-6 in the Wells Fargo lots. Like what you see, sign up for future tailgating games at the Linc. Not going to the Philadelphia Eagles game? Hang out at the many bars/restaurants at XFinity Live. Go Eagles!! 
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 7~ 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 ~
• Free Parking! ~ December 10 ~ Philadelphia Parking Authority offers FREE meter parking Center City at 5 pm; rush-hour zones at 6:30 pm. The boundaries are from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River and from Bainbridge to Spring Garden Streets. ~ Free Parking ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 10 ~ 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 ~ 
• Dilworth Park ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy seating areas for relaxation, food & live music. ~ Dilworth Park ~
• Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy this 2,000 foot new extension bridging the South Street Bridge & the Locust Street bike trail. ~ Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~
• “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ Now Open ~ A permanent exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Travel through a two-story tall neural network climbing structure with dynamic lighting and sound effects that are triggered by your footsteps. Kids can act as a Doctor by scanning the brain with an MRI machine, explore your brain, challenge your brain & much more.   ~ “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ 
• Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~ Now Open ~ Stop over at Penn Museum in University City and learn about contemporary issues in Native America. Uncover the rich history and identity of the Native American people through 200 plus objects on display & much more. ~ Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~
• 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 ~

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 ~ December 12 & beyond

• Art After 5 ~ December 12 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Philadelphia Holiday Groove  – Can you dig it? Art After 5 takes audiences back to the golden age of disco, soul, and Motown with a special holiday program featuring The Elements, from Élan Artists. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Seaport Parade of Lights ~ December 13 ~ Festivities start at 11 am. Head on over to the Delaware River waterfront for the 5th annual Seaport Parade of Lights. Guest will enjoy both pleasure boats and working vessels decked out in fabulous decorations and lights. Before the parade, head to the Independence Seaport Museum, which is hosting the parade for lots of holiday activities and festivities. The light parade will begin at 5 pm. Tip: For the best view for the parade, go to the second floor balcony of the museum that overlooks the Delaware River. ~ Click here for more details ~  ~ Seaport Parade of Lights ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ December 17 ~ 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 ~
• New Years Eve Fireworks ~ December 31 ~ Stay tuned for info & details ~ New Years Eve Fireworks ~
• Mummers Parade – January 1 ~ Enjoy an old Philadelphia tradition as you watch the Mummers strut in Philadelphia. ~ Mummers Parade ~

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 December 5 – 7

Friday  |  60% Periods of Showers  |  High 46°  | Low 44°

Saturday  |  100% PM Rain |  High 55° | Low 38°

Sunday  | Partly Cloudy  |  High 44°  |  Low 28°

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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