Things to do in Philadelphia ~ Holiday Light Show, Ice Skating, Holiday Shows and More!

‘The Holiday Season In Philadelphia Is Upon Us’

The holiday spirit has started to make its way around the city, with Thanksgiving weeks away and Christmas and other various holidays soon to be upon us.

This weekend kicks off with the opening off the ice skating rink at Dilworth Park, the holiday light show at Franklin Park, and a fun event at Peddler’s Village. Also enjoy activities such as Love Your Park Fall Service Day, the Mary Poppins show, magic shows, farmers’ markets, the and much more.

In upcoming weeks, get ready for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Ice Skating at the Penn’s Landing Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, holidat light shows, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies, Deck the Alley 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  ~ November 14 – 20 ~

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

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~

Events & Activities Happening Everyday From November 14 to End of November

• Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square ~ November 14 – 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 ~ 
• Mary Poppins ~ November 14 – 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 ~ November 14, 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 ~
• Colonial for a Day ~ Until November 30: Saturdays, 10 am – 6 pm; Sundays, 11 am – 5 pm – Kids can now rent Colonial-themed costumes and immerse themselves in their Historic Philadelphia adventure with the *Brand New* Colonial for a Day costume program! Costumes are available exclusively at the Historic Philadelphia Center at 6th & Chestnut Streets. ~ Colonial for a Day ~
• 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 ~
• Ride The Ducks ~ Now Open for the 2014 Season ~ The 70 minute amphibious (land and water) sightseeing tour takes you through the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District and then on a relaxing cruise along the Penn’s Landing waterfront. Monday – Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Reservations, made 24 hrs in advance, must be made with Ride Ducks by calling 877-887-8225, or by visiting the Ride the Ducks kiosk inside the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets. ~ Ride The Ducks ~
• 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 ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ November 14 – 20

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of November ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for November 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square ~ November 14 – 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 ~ November 14, 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 ~
• Art After 5 ~ November 14 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Ted Rosenthal Trio: “Rhapsody in Gershwin”  – The Ted Rosenthal Trio presents a fresh, creative take on George Gershwin’s classic composition, “Rhapsody in Blue.” Rosenthal has shared the stage with Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, and James Moody, and is currently a faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Peddler’s Village Kick Off to the Holidays ~ November 14 ~ From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, join Jingles the Elf and special guest Mrs. Claus for festive fun and mini-lightings in a different Village neighborhood each week leading up to the Village-wide Grand Illumination Celebration on November 21.  ~ Peddler’s Village Kick Off to the Holidays ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ November 14 ~ 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 ~
• Mary Poppins ~ November 14 – 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 ~
• Love Your Park Fall Service Day ~ November 15 ~ Help clean up your city parks! For list of participating parks, click here. To register online, click here.  ~ Love Your Park Fall Service Day ~
• Phila Flea Markets ~ November 15 ~ FREE admission    – From 8 am to 4 pm, 75+ vendors will be at the Spring Garden Indoor Antique & Vintage Flea Market. 
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ November 15 ~ 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 ~
• Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ November 15 ~ 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 ~
• PHAIR Open Air Market ~ November 15 ~  From 10 am to 5 pm under The Shambles at the corner of 2nd & Lombard Streets in the South Street Headhouse District. Come enjoy shopping as you find locally-made items such as jewelry, pottery, photography prints, clothing, home decor and much more. There will food as well & some Philly food trucks. ~ PHAIR Open Air Market at the Shambles in Headhouse District ~
• Craft Beer & Irish Whiskey Festival ~ November 15 ~ From 3 pm to 6 pm at Kildare’s in Manayunk, here is your chance to sample more than 40 craft beers & to sample more than 10 Irish Whiskeys. There are both VIP & general admission tix. Sláinte! ~ Craft Beer & Irish Whiskey Festival at Kildare’s in Manayunk ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ November 15 ~ 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 ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ November 15 & 19 ~ 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 ~
• Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ November 16 ~ 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 ~ November 16 ~ 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 ~
• Philadelphia Eagles ~ November 16 ~ Philadelphia Eagles play the Green Bay Packers at 4:25 pm at the Lambeau Field! Not going to the Philadelphia Eagles game in Green Bay? Hang out at the many bars/restaurants at XFinity Live. Go Eagles!!
• Free Parking! ~ November 19 ~ 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 ~ November 19 ~ 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 ~ 
• Fairmount Farmers’ Market ~ November 20 ~ From 3 pm to 7 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 22nd and Fairmount Avenue. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Fairmount Farmers’ Market ~

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 ~ November 21 & beyond

• Art After 5 ~ November 21 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Classic Soul + R&B  – Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble pays tribute to Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and other Stax Records recording artists. Enjoy all your favorite classics with a unique jazz-infused spin! Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• PHAIR Open Air Market ~ November 22 ~  From 10 am to 5 pm at The Shambles in the South Street Headhouse District, come enjoy shopping. Find locally-made items such as jewelry, pottery, photography prints, clothing, home decor and much more. There will food as well & some Philly food trucks. ~ PHAIR Open Air Market at the Shambles in Headhouse District ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ November 16~ 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 ~
• Thanksgiving Day Parade ~ November 27 ~ Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest in the country! Starting at 8:30 am, come enjoy this free parade with friends and family while watching marching bands, floats, special appearances and much more!    ~ Thanksgiving Day Parade ~
• Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest ~ November 28 – 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 ~
• 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 ~
• 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 ~
• 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 ~

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 November 14 – 16

Friday  |  Sunny  |  High 44°  | Low 30°

Saturday  |  Sunny  |  High 43° | Low 35°

Sunday  | Mostly Cloudy  |  High 49°  |  Low 39°

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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