Things To Do In Philadelphia – Best of the Best In Philly

‘Family Fun In Philly During The Holidays’

It certainly feels like December now with the cold temps. The only thing missing is the snow. Have you gotten into the holiday spirit. There are so many holiday attractions and events in Philadelphia and we wanted to highlight them for you below.

Don’t forget to support your local small businesses during these holidays by stopping at the Christmas Village in Love Park,  the Reading Terminal Market, the stores in Manayunk, and so many other places. Start or continue family holiday traditions by going to the Macy’s Holiday Light Show, the Comcast Spectacular Holiday Show, and even the Ice Skating rink at the Blue Cross RiverRink in Penn’s Landing.

Did you know : Philadelphia was just name 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 these events and attractions with you. Here are a few highlighted events or attractions for this weekend in Philly and some upcoming attractions or events to put on your calendar. Please don’t hesitate to stop by here tomorrow for any new updates of what is going on this weekend or during the week.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ December 14 – 20 ~

• Christmas Trees in Philly~ Looking for fresh cut Christmas trees. We have listed many locations throughout the city and the neighboring suburbs. ~ Christmas Trees in Philadelphia ~
• Old City Winter Wonderland ~ December 14 to 23 ~ Stop by the Trust, which will feature day long activities all weekend, including:
  music, arts & crafts, gift wrapping stations, festive food, warm drinks and much more. And don’t miss out on pictures with Santa in their Winter Wonderland Workshop. ~ Old City Winter Wonderland ~
• Art After 5 ~ December 14 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Festival of Lights with West Philadelphia Orchestra – Celebrate Hanukkah with the drums and big brass sounds of West Philadelphia Orchestra! Dancing and singing along are encouraged. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall, starting at 5 pm. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Winterfest at Sister Cities Park ~ December 15 ~ From 11 am to 2 pm, Holiday Treasure Hunt, Karaoke sing-a-long with Frosty the Snowman, plus seasonal arts and crafts…. and yes, Santa will be there & much more. ~ Winterfest at Sister Cities Park ~ ~ Info on Sister Cities Park ~
• Third Annual Seaport Parade of Lights ~ December 15 ~ Festivities start at 3 pm at the Independence Seaport Museum. Watch boats doused in lights parade along the river that starts at 5 pm and hear some carolers sing, meet Santa and enjoy some light refreshments. ~ Seaport Parade of Lights ~
• Celebrate the Holidays at Citizens Bank Park ~ December 15 & 16 ~ Come to the stadium for a tree lighting, food drive, meet and greets with broadcast personalities, pictures with the Phillie Phanatic as Phanta Claus and more. ~ Full Holiday schedule at Citizens Bank Park ~
• Visit Santa at Franklin Square ~ December 15 & 16 ~ Visit Santa in Franklin Square from 12-3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays this month and on Christmas Eve. For more information, visit historicphiladelphia.org or call (215) 629-4026. ~ Info about Franklin Square ~
• Holiday Open House at Chaddsford Winery ~December 15 & 16 ~ From 12 pm to 6 pm. Enjoy 1/2 off tastings, holiday inspired drinks, and cookies. ~ Holiday Open House at Chaddsford Winery ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ December 15 & 19 ~ 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 ~
• 15th Annual Reindeer Romp in Fairmount ~ December 20 ~ From 6pm to 2 am. $10 and a small toy  gets you antlers and great drink specials while you ROMP around Fairmount for the Season’s Favorite Bar Crawl to Support Charity Feel The Warmth ~ Reindeer Romp in Fairmount PA ~
• The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts ~ December 20-22. Enjoy from four different holiday concerts.  ~ Philadelphia Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of December ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Christmas Village at the Love Park ~ Now until to December 22 ~ Come out to Love Park and get into the holiday spirit. Shopping galore, with lots of food, music, live entertainment, and activities for the kids. Check out the daily calendar. ~ Christmas Village at Love Park ~
• Macy’s Holiday Light Show ~ Now until December 22 ~ This spectacular light show is a wonderful family tradition. Come check it out.~ Macy’s Light Show ~
• Freud’s Last Session at the Arden Theatre ~ Now until December 23 ~ Sigmund Freud invites a young C.S. Lewis to his London flat. These two formidable thinkers have an intellectual debate about God, love, science and man’s place in the universe. ~ Freud’s Last Session ~ ~ Info on Arden Theatre Company ~
• The Nutcracker ~ Now until December 30 ~ George Balanchine’s  the Nutcraker at the Academy of Music. Come experience a great time with the family, making at family tradition,  ~ The Nutcracker~
• 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 ~
• Comcast Holiday Spectacular Show ~ Now until 4 pm New Years Day 2013 ~ Come out to the Comcast building to watch this fun 15 minute holiday show, with mini holiday stories. ~ Comcast Holiday Spectacular Show ~
• Ice Skating at Blue Cross River Rink ~ Now until February 2013 ~ Come on out with the family, significant other, or friends and enjoy ice skating down at Penn’s Landing. ~ Ice Skating at the Blue Cross River Rink ~
• Walnut Street Theatre presents The Music Man ~ Now until January 6 ~ A musical, with an early 1900′s story of a Professor coming to town, promising to keep the kids out of trouble. There are some memorable tunes in this show. ~ The Music Man ~ ~ Info on Walnut Street Theatre ~
• 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 ~
• Barnes Foundation ~ Now Open ~  The new building finally opened May 19th. You get to explore the world’s largest collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings–including tons of works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, van Gogh and Renoir—inside this new 12,000 square-foot gallery. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• Maya 2012 – Lords of Time Exhibit at Penn’s Museum ~ Now until January 13, 2013 ~ Learn more about that superstition and the culture behind the Mayan prophecy. This exhibit will showcase the fascinating and mysterious Mayan people.~ Maya 2012 Exhibit ~
• The Swedish American Line Exhibition ~ Now until February 24 ~ From the early days as a passenger fleet for immigrants to its lavish cruises, visitors will get a look into the fleet’s history, exquisite style and personal stories and anecdotes from former passengers. Taking place at The American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philly. ~ The Swedish American Line Exhibit ~
• Titanic Exhibit ~ Now until April 7, 2013 ~ The Titanic exhibit arrives at The Franklin Institute. Get a glimpse of 300 + artifacts from after the Titanic was sunk. This is the 100th anniversary of the tragic story of 1,502 people that lost their lives. ~ Titanic Exhibit ~
• 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!

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.

Are you Visiting Philadelphia and need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more. Try the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours Company~ Philly Sightseeing Company ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Shakespeare in the World comes to the Barnes Foundation ~ December 21 ~ From 6:30 pm to 8 pm, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre partner with the Barnes Foundation with a critical discussion around Shakespeare with guest speakers, live performances and plenty of audience participation. Tickets are $30 General Admission & $20 members and can be reserved online or via phone at (866) 849-7056. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts ~ December 20-22, 23, & 31. Enjoy from four different holiday concerts.  ~ Philadelphia Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts ~
• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve ~ December 31 ~ Come enjoy two different fireworks shows at the Penn’s Landing area. ~ 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 ~

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 Weekend Weather for the weekend of December 14 – 16

 

Friday  |  Sunny |  High 51°  | Low 32°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 48° | Low 38°

Sunday  |  60% Showers  |  High 49° |  Low 47°

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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