‘Leaving 2013 with a Bang! Hello 2014!’
Who is ready to leave 2013 behind and start off 2014 with a bang, on a positive note. We couldn’t think of two better events to help you to accomplish this.
You can go out with a bang with the fireworks shows in Philadelphia, known to be one of the better fireworks shows along the east coast. After you recover from ringing in the new year, head over to Broad Street for the Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s Day, a long standing Philly tradition dating back to the 1800′s, with the first official parade in 1901.
- Fireworks on New Year’s Eve ~ December 31 ~ Come enjoy two different fireworks shows at the Penn’s Landing area. Our guide to Fireworks in Philly. ~ Fireworks in Philadelphia ~
- Mummers Parade ~ January 1 ~ Come and join a Philly tradition with family and friends and watch the Mummers march up Broad Street. ~ Mummers Parade ~
Don’t forget about the many light attractions that end at the end of the year. Such attractions 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 27 – January 2 ~
FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”.
- 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 27 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Mistletoe Hop – Ring in the new year with Matthew Piazzi and the Debonairs, who will celebrate the great R & B and doo-wop artists of the 1950s and 1960s with an evening of live holiday doo-wop, rock ‘n’ roll, and soul music. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
- Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ December 28 & January 1 ~ 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 17 ~ December 29 ~ The Philadelphia Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys at 8:30 pm in Dallas. 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 ~
- 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 ~
- Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad ~ Now until December 31 ~ At the Reading Terminal Market, stop in with your kids to see the 500 square foot model railroad display. ~ Reading Terminal Holiday Market ~
- Fireworks ~ December 31 ~ There will be 2 fireworks shows in Philly. At 6 pm & at midnight. Check out our list of places to watch the fireworks. ~ Fireworks in Philadelphia ~
- 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 ~
- 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 ~
- Pay As You Wish ~ January 1 ~ (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 ~
- 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 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
- First Friday’s in Old City~ January 3 ~ 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 ~ January 3 ~ 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 ~
- Pay As You Wish ~ January 5 ~ (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 ~
- Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~ More info to come. ~ Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~
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 27 – 29
Friday | Sunny | High 44° | Low 27°
Saturday | Mostly Cloudy| High 51° | Low 32°
Sunday | 70% Rain | High 43° | Low 44°
New Year’s Eve | Sunny | High 35° | Low 23°
New Year’s Day | Partly Cloudy | High 32° | Low 21°
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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