Top Weekend Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Chinese New Year’s Even Lion Dance, Lunar New Year Celebrations, Colonial Tavern Night At Fort Mifflin, Ice Skating and More!

‘Celebrate The Chinese New Year – Year of the Rat’

The weekend kicks off with the last day of Center City District Restaurant Week, Dinos After Dark, The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music, Chinese New Year’s Eve Lion Dance, ice skating at Dilworth Park, ice skating at Blue Cross RiverRink, Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens and more. 

During the weekend enjoy Lunar New Year at Independence Seaport Museum, Family Fest at National Liberty Museum, The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music, Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park, Colonial Tavern Night at Fort Mifflin, The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade, ice skating at Dilworth Park, ice skating at Blue Cross RiverRink, Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens, FREE tours of Yards Brewing Co, free Irish Session at Plough & the Stars, farmers’ markets, free yoga and much more.

During the week enjoy Quizzo at Plough and the Stars, ice skating at Dilworth Park, ice skating a Blue Cross RiverRink, Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens, Pay-What-You-Wish and much more.

In upcoming weeks get ready for First Friday, First Sunday, Dinos After Dark, 4th Fridays in Headhouse District 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. Tip: If you haven’t done so in recent months or years, visit the many wonderful museums in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Museums

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: 

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 or Seasonal

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelpha Museums ~   
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of January ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for January 2020 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Our guide to the many fireplaces located in Philadelphia bars & restaurants ~ January 24 – February 28 ~ Check out the 39 restaurants & bars with fireplaces in Philly! Are we missing one? Please tell us. thx  ~ Our guide to the many fireplaces located in Philadelphia bars & restaurants ~ 
• Our Guide to Chinese New Year Celebrations Throughout Philadelphia ~ January 24 – February 8 ~  Enjoy lion dances, Chinese food, crafts and more! ~ Our Guide to Chinese New Year Celebrations Throughout Philadelphia ~
• Ice Skating at Rothman Ice Rink ~ January 24 – February 23 ~ Enjoy ice skating, food, drinks, special events and more! ~ Ice Skating at Rothman Ice Rink ~ 
• Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest ~ January 24 – March 8 ~ Held at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy ice skating, food, beverages, a heated log cabin with a fireplace, games and more! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest ~ 
• Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens ~ January 24 – March 22 ~ Held at Longwood Gardens at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square. Free with general admission (timed tickets required). This special attraction creates an absolutely transcendent experience for orchid lovers, perching and planting the rarest and most beautiful of flora from conservatories to outdoors. ~ Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens ~
• City Winery Philadelphia ~ Now Open ~ Thanks to Founder & CEO Michael Dorf and his team, they have brought you a venue that offers excellent tasting wine, food and music, all in one place. For those music lovers, you’ll enjoy great shows in either their loft, that holds approximately 150 people or their main room, which holds approximately 350 people, to listen to some of the best performers around the country! The shows will begin September 27. Tickets for many shows are going quickly, so get them now! Get Tickets! ~ City Winery Philadelphia ~
• CandyTopia ~ Now Open ~ Located at 901 Market Street. Candytopia is an outrageously interactive candy wonderland that transports guests to an imaginative confectionery world with a one-of-a-kind full sensory experiences—you can expect larger-than-life installations inspired by pure, sugary bliss throughout Candytopia’s dozen unique rooms, along with candy samples and lots of fun surprises. ~ CandyTopia ~ 

Date Specific Events & Activities: 

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of January ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for January 2020 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Our guide to the many fireplaces located in Philadelphia bars & restaurants ~ January 24 – February 28 ~ Check out the 39 restaurants & bars with fireplaces in Philly! Are we missing one? Please tell us. thx  ~ Our guide to the many fireplaces located in Philadelphia bars & restaurants ~ 
• Center City District Restaurant Week ~ January 24 ~ Enjoy 3 course meals for lunch or dinner set at prix fixe prices throughout restaurants in Philadelphia! ~ Center City District Restaurant Week ~ 
• Dinos After Dark ~ January 24 ~ Pay-What-You-Wish (suggested donation $10)  From 4 pm – 8 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin parkway. On the fourth Friday evening of every month this fall, the Academy of Natural Sciences is offering pay-what-you-wish admission, family activities, and an indoor beer garden in our famous Dinosaur Hall. ~ Dinos After Dark ~ 
• Friday Nights Art ~ January 24 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Dawn Landes – Full of vivid storytelling, classic country themes, and eternal questions, the songwriting of this Nashville artist is as fresh as it is timeless. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 
• Chinese New Year’s Eve Lion Dance ~ January 24 ~ FREE – Starts at 11:30 pm in Chinatown at 10th and Race Streets. Enjoy dancers, drums, firecrackers and the Lion Dance! ~ Chinese New Years Eve Lion Dance ~ 
• The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music ~ January 24 & 26 ~ Held at Academy of Music at 240 S. Broad Street. The Philadelphia Orchestra marks Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with pianists Yefim Bronfman, Daniil Trifonov and Emanuel Ax performing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos. Bronfman kicks off the concert series with a program featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. ~ The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music ~
• Filter Square farmers’ Market ~ January 25 ~ 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 ~
• Liberty Lands Market ~ January 25 ~ From 9 am until 3 pm at 926 N. American St in Northern Liberties. One can find everything from fresh org8nic produce to hand crafted wears and lotions. Hand made soaps, Ice Creams, sauces, organic teas and coffees and more. Part of the market, you will find animal rescues with adoptables & pet products. ~ Liberty Lands Market ~ 
• Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ January 25 ~ From 9 am to 3 pm from 18th & Walnut Streets, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, fresh seafood, fresh bread and much more! ~ Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ 
• Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ January 25 ~ 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 ~ 
• Luna New Year at Independence Seaport Museum ~ January 25 ~ 1 pm – 3 pm. Held at Independence Seaport Museum. Guests will create your own rotating calendar to explore the differences — and similarities — between calendars used across the seas. Try your hand at calligraphy with Robert Hsu, cleanse your spirit and usher in good luck with water-based New Year’s traditions from around the world. and more. The celebration is included with regular Museum admission. For more details, Click Here. 
• Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park ~ January 25 ~  FREE – 5 pm – 9 pm at Dilworth Park at 1 S. 15th Street. Master Matt Zhang, a local martial arts instructor, will kick off the evening’s live entertainment at 5:30 pm with an immersive Kung Fu and Tai Chi performance. At 7 pm, Chinatown’s own Philadelphia Suns will put on a traditional lion dance show, complete with a prancing dragon. Sparkler effects, an Asian-inspired menu and other surprises are planned throughout the evening. Guests are encouraged to ice skate on the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink. Lucky red envelopes containing secret prizes will be given to the first 50 guests. ~ Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park ~ 
• Colonial Tavern Night at Fort Mifflin ~ January 25 ~ Starts at 6 pm at Fort Mifflin at 6400 Hog Island Road. General Admission $35. Fort Mifflin turns its soldiers’ barracks into a colonial-era tavern, the Cannonball Tavern, complete with drinks and food from that time period! Enjoy tavern games, the warm glow of a cozy fire and the company of civilians and soldiers of the era. Outdoor fire pit and cannon demonstrations complete the scene. Profits from the event go toward educational programming. ~ Colonial Tavern Night at Fort Mifflin ~
• Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ January 25 & 26 ~ FREE – Saturday & Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm at Yards Brewery, enjoy a wonderful tour of the brewery! All tour-goers must be 21+ unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bus tours, private tours and guided tastings are offered by appointment only. Please contact events@yardsbrewing.com for booking information. ~ Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ 
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ January 25 & 29 ~ 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 ~ January 26 ~ Established in 2007, this market is located in the historic Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Featuring more than 40 vendors, Headhouse is one of The Food Trust’s largest farmers markets. ~ Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ 
• The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade ~ January 26 ~ FREE – From 11 am – 3 pm at 10th, Race and Spring Streets, the festivities will continue throughout Chinatown with firecrackers, martial arts performances, the Philadelphia Suns’ lion dance, and so much more to welcome in the Chinese New Year. For details, click here.
• Family Fest at National Liberty Museum ~ January 26 ~ 11 am – 3 pm at the National Liberty Museum at 321 Chestnut St. Visitors young or old can enjoy a scavenger hunt, a Give Back workshop, true stories, trivia and more! The event is free with general museum admission. ~ Family Fest at National Liberty Museum ~
• The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music ~ January 26 ~ Held at Academy of Music at 240 S. Broad Street. The Philadelphia Orchestra marks Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with pianists Yefim Bronfman, Daniil Trifonov and Emanuel Ax performing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos. Bronfman kicks off the concert series with a program featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. ~ The Philadelphia Orchestra Presents BeethovenNOW at the Academy of Music ~
• Irish Sessions ~ January 26 ~ FREE – Every Sunday from 5 pm – 9 pm at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Enjoy musicians playing Irish music while enjoying drinks and or your dinner. 
• Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ January 27 ~ FREE – Starting at 9 pm enjoy Quizzo at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Big Money!! Win $100! ~ Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ 
• Pay-What-You-Wish ~ January 29 ~ 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 ~ 
• The Rail Park Opening ~ Now Open ~ This awesome new public space is FREE to the public.  This space allows visitors to enjoy seating, public art, greenery and elevated city views! The area stretches from Broad and Noble streets, jumps up to the Reading Viaduct overhead and ends above the 1100 block of Callowhill Street. ~ The Rail Park Opening ~
• Franklin Square ~ Open Now ~ Enjoy mini-golf, a carousel, food and drink options and an outdoor space for kids or to simply hang out at Franklin Square. ~ Franklin Square ~
• 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 ~
• Museum of the American Revolution – The Museum of the American Revolution tells the full story of the American Revolution and explores its ongoing legacy, showcasing a vast collection. There are over 3,000 artifacts that have been collected to include General George Washington’s marquee and much more. The museum anchors the eastern end of Independence National Historical Park. ~ Museum of the American Revolution ~
• 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:

• Friday Nights Art ~ January 31 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Dawn Landes – Full of vivid storytelling, classic country themes, and eternal questions, the songwriting of this Nashville artist is as fresh as it is timeless. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 
• Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ January 27 ~ Starting at 9 pm enjoy quizzo at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Big Money!! Win $100! ~ Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ 
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ February 2 ~ 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 ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ February 2 ~ 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 ~ 
• First Friday in Old City~ February 7 ~ Starts at 5 pm. 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 in Manayunk ~ February 7 ~ Starts at 5 pm. 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 ~ 
• Dinos After Dark ~ February 28 ~ Pay-What-You-Wish (suggested donation $10)  From 4 pm – 8 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin parkway. On the fourth Friday evening of every month this fall, the Academy of Natural Sciences is offering pay-what-you-wish admission, family activities, and an indoor beer garden in our famous Dinosaur Hall. ~ Dinos After Dark ~ 
• 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ February 28 ~ Starting at 5 pm in the South Street Headhouse District, Experience the creativity and energy of the fabulous Fourth Street and South Street business communities with an evening of extended hours, art, music, food and shopping along Historic Fabric Row (and beyond). ~ 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ 

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 24 – 26

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 54°  |  Low 40°
Saturday  |  100% Rain  |  High 55°  |  Low 35° 
Sunday |  Partly Cloudy  | High 47° | Low 32°

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 ~

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Hughe Dillon of Philly Chit Chat for MyPhillyAlive

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