Five holiday activities for the family

1. Franklin Square

holiday kickoff

Ben Franklin hosts, and Santa takes a whirl on the carousel, Tuesday at 5 p.m. Free cider, cookies and snowflake ornament craft project. Carousel rides, $2.50 (free for 2 and under). Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets, Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Santa and the crafts return (minus free snacks) from noon-3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23 and Christmas Eve.

2. Cinderella onstage

Theatrical adaptation of the classic story, with magic and Mozart music. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St., Wednesdays through Jan. 27, $16-$36, ardentheatre.org.

3. Orchestra Holiday Show

The Philadelphia Orchestra plays holiday songs. A storyteller narrates, and Santa will drop in. Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Saturday, 11:30 a.m.,$15-$40. philorch.org.

4. Outdoorsy winter craft

Make an animal-themed ornament using materials like pine cones, seed pods and nuts. Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media. Saturday, 10 a.m., $8. Registration required: 610-566-9134, Ext. 215.

5. Nutcracker 1776

The acclaimed Rock School for Dance Education does a Philly twist on "The Nutcracker," setting it in revolutionary Philadelphia. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., $8-$40, kimmelcenter.org.

- Becky Batcha