Weekend Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ First Friday, David Bowie Birthday Bash, Ice Skating and More!

‘The Beginning Of 2017 In Philadelphia’

As many of you woke up this morning, there wasn’t much snow, but it will be getting colder out this weekend. The photo above is from a snowstorm on January 23, 2016.

The weekend kicks off ice skating at Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park and Blue Cross RiveRink Winterfest, First Friday and the continuation of Jurassic World: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute.

During the weekend enjoy David Bowie’s Birthday Bash at The TLA, Hair O’ The Dog, farmers’ markets and much more. The weekend ends with FREE Admission to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Art on Sunday.

During the week enjoy Pay What You Wish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and much more.

In upcoming weeks get ready for Philadelphia Restaurant Week, 4th Friday in the South Street 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

Did you hear that Philadelphia was named best place to visit in the U.S. by Lonely Planet. Read more, click here.

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 ~ January 6 – 12 ~

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. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~
• Our Guide to Fireplaces at Philly Bars & Restaurants ~ January 6 – February 15 ~  We have listed 33 bars & restaurants located in Philadelphia that have a fireplace to cozy up to!  ~ Our Guide to Fireplaces at Philly Bars & Restaurants ~
• Longwood Gardens Christmas ~ January 6 – 8 ~ Enjoy a towering 18-foot Fraser Fir exquisitely decorated with a garland of musical instruments takes center stage in our elegant Music Room. Organ sing-alongs, strolling carolers, and performances fill the Gardens with festive cheer. Delight in the gardens holiday horticulture showcasing more than 6,000 seasonal plants. Outside, the sounds of oohs and aahs fill the air as illuminated stars twinkle above, colorful fountains dance to holiday music, and a half-million lights brighten the night. ~ Longwood Gardens Christmas ~
• Rothman Ice Rink ~ January 6 – February 26 ~ Enjoy ice skating at Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park! Bring your skates or rent them, as you skate with City Hall in the background. ~ Ice Skating at Dilworth Park ~ ~ More Details ~
• Blue Cross RiveRink Winterfest ~ January 6 – March 5 ~ The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn’s Landing 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 RiveRink Winterfest ~
• Jurassic World: The Exhibition ~ January 6 – April 23, 2017 ~ Held at The Franklin Institute, this huge exhibition, thanks to the blockbuster movie franchise, allows visitors to come face-to-face with large life-like dinosaurs with thousands of square feet of dinosaur-inhabited galleries and incredibly life-like animatronic creatures! ~ Jurassic World: The Exhibition ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ January 6 – 12 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~  Month of January ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for January 2017 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Our Guide to Fireplaces at Philly Bars & Restaurants ~ January 6 – February 15 ~  We have listed 33 bars & restaurants located in Philadelphia that have a fireplace to cozy up to!  ~ Our Guide to Fireplaces at Philly Bars & Restaurants ~
• Art After 5 ~ January 6 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Eva Cortés – ​Jazz standards and spirited originals by this Honduran-born composer and vocalist. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~ . Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~ 
• First Friday’s in Old City~ January 6 ~ 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’s in Manayunk ~ January 6 ~ 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 ~
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ January 7 ~ 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 ~
• Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ January 7 ~ 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 7  ~ 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 ~
• Hair O’ The Dog ~ January 7 ~ Welcome to Hair O’ The Dog held at The Fillmore in Fishtown! The party of all parties that kicks off the new year! Enjoy live music from some well known artists, hors d’oeuvres & more! Also people watch as some guest dress to kill!  ~ Hair O’ The Dog ~
• David Bowie Birthday Bash ~ January 7 ~ Held at the TLA on South Street, Celebrate David Bowie with the 70’s Glam Rock tribute band, Candy Volcano! This amazing group of musicians and 12+ singers/independent artists re-imagine the glitter, glam and glitz of Bowie’s early years. Featured singers in this show include Martha Graham Cracker, Pete Donnelly, Eric13, Kevin Monko, Shannon Vasile, Shawn Kilroy, Peg Talbott-Lane, Joseph Boneparte, Matt Skoufalos, Pamela Downes, Michele Herron, Rosalba Gallo and John Shaughnessy. ~ David Bowie Birthday Bash ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ January 7 & 11 ~ 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 ~
• FREE Admission to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts aka PAFA ~ January 8 ~ PAFA is FREE every Sunday during the World War I and American Art exhibits! This allows you to explore all other exhibits as well! ~ PAFA FREE Sundays ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ January 11 ~ 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~
• Museum of  the American Revolution ~ Opens April 2017 ~ 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. Anchoring the eastern end of Independence National Historical Park, The Museum is going to be an exciting and important project. ~ Museum of the American Revolution ~
• 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 ~ January 13 & beyond

• Art After 5 ~ January 13 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Eva Cortés – ​Jazz standards and spirited originals by this Honduran-born composer and vocalist. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~ 
• Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~ January 22 – 27 & January 29 – February 3 ~ Philadelphia Restaurant Week is here again. Come out and get discounted prices at your favorite participating restaurants, enjoying delicious foods both during lunch and dinner. ~ Philadelphia Restaurant Week ~
• 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ January 27 ~ 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 ~  
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~  Month of February ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for February 2017 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• First Friday’s in Old City~ February 3 ~ 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’s in Manayunk ~ February 3 ~ 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 ~
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ February 5 ~ 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 5 ~ 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 ~

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 6 – 8

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 34°  |  Low 23°

Saturday  |  Cloudy  |  High 26°  |  Low 18°

Sunday  |  Mostly Sunny  |  High 27°  |  Low 14°

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 by Jeff Belonger for MyPhillyAlive

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