Events for the family
Special Events Philadelphia Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Tree lighting, holiday choral performance by Northeast Oratorio Society, light refreshments. Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave.; 215-632-5330. www.glenfoerd.org. Donations accepted. 12/18 7 pm.
Special Events
Philadelphia
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tree lighting, holiday choral performance by Northeast Oratorio Society, light refreshments. Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave.; 215-632-5330.
» READ MORE: www.glenfoerd.org
. Donations accepted. 12/18 7 pm.
Fred's Magic World: Winter Wonders
Blend of magic & comedy featuring escape artists, "psychic" sisters, dueling magicians, musical numbers & more. Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-568-8077.
» READ MORE: www.interacttheatre.org
. $15; $10 students & seniors. 12/15 2 & 7 pm. 12/16 2 pm.
Pennsylvania suburbs
Brunch With Santa
Meal, pictures with Santa & special gift. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825.
» READ MORE: www.elmwoodparkzoo.org
. 12/15 10-11 am. 12/18 10-11 am.
Gingerbread & Spices
Learn about the history of gingerbread & spices in early America & decorate a gingerbread house to take home. Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High St., West Chester; 610-692-4800.
» READ MORE: www.cchs-pa.org
.
$6; free for adults with children. 12/15 10 am-noon.
Nelson Family Magic Show
Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler; 215-654-0200;
» READ MORE: www.act2.org
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$20; $12 children under 18. 12/14 7 pm. 12/15-12/16 11 am & 1:30 pm.
*FREE*
One Winter Night
Family-friendly Christmas celebration includes music, storytelling, Living Nativity, hayrides, bonfire & refreshments. Grace Point Church, 592 Washington Crossing Rd., Newtown; 215-968-2354.
» READ MORE: www.gracepointpa.org
. 12/14 6:45-10 pm.
Valley Forge Gun Show
Firearms, rifles, military surplus, hunting & fishing knives, gun parts, accessories & more. Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia; 610-354-8212.
» READ MORE: www.valleyforgegunshow.com
. $8-$15. 12/14 4-8 pm. 12/15 9 am-5 pm. 12/16 9 am-4 pm.
New Jersey
*FREE*
Christmas at the Farm
Jingle bell wagon rides, craft vendors, food & more. WoodsEdge Wools Farm, 78 Bowne Station Road, Stockton; 609-397-2212.
» READ MORE: www.alpacasllamaswoodsedge.com
. $5 for Jingle Bell Wagon rides. 12/14-12/16 10 am-5 pm.
Christmas Train
Train ride to check out the Village's holiday decor. Towne of Historic Smithville, 1 N. New York Rd., Smithville; 609-748-7160. historicsmithvillenj.com. $2. 12/15-12/16 10 am.
Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides
Trolley ride through the historic district featuring holiday-themed ghost tales. Closes 12/31. Downtown Cape May; 609-463-6415.
» READ MORE: www.capemay.com
. $10; $5 children. 12/14 8 & 8:45 pm. 12/16 7:45 & 8:45 pm. 12/17-12/20 8:45 pm.
*FREE*
Kwanzaa Celebration
Featuring a performance by the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble. Atlantic City Free Public Library, One N. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City; 609-345-2269. 12/15 2:30-3:30 pm.
*FREE*
Patcong Valley Society of Model Railroaders Open House
Model railroad displays. Patcong Valley Model Railroaders, Rte. 40 & 1st Ave., Richland;
» READ MORE: www.patcongvalley.com
. 12/15 10 am-4 pm.
Winter Holiday Open House
Interpretive walk, games, crafts & campfire. Fernbrook Farms, Rte. 545, Bordentown; 609-298-4028.
» READ MORE: www.fernbrookfarms.com
. $15; $10 children under 12. 12/16 2 pm.
Delaware
Spiced Punch: A Victorian Musical Performance
Sponsored by First State Heritage Park. Old fashioned Yuletide with Dickens-era tunes, tales & toasts. Reservations required: 302-739-9194. Christ Church, State & Water Sts., Dover; Reservations required: 302-739-9194.
» READ MORE: www.christchurchdover.org
. $5. 12/18 7 pm.
Sports Card, Comic Book, NASCAR & Collectible Show
Presented by A2Z Promotions. Aetna Fire Hall, 400 Ogletown Road, Newark; 302-559-7962;
» READ MORE: www.a2zshows1.com
. $2; free for children under 12. 12/16 10 am-3 pm.
Kids' Stuff
Children's performances
Ed Stivender
Storyteller Ed Stivender's performances are a mixture of humor, music, song, dance & more. Thomas Mansion, 6245 Wissahickon Ave.; 610-259-8825.
» READ MORE: www.fairmountpark.org/ThomasMansion.asp
. Donation suggested: $5; $2 children under 12. 12/16 1:30 pm.
*FREE*
Eric Dasher: Holiday Magic
Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton; 609-267-9660.
» READ MORE: www.bcls.lib.nj.us
. 12/14 7 pm.
Gustafer Yellowgold's Wide Wild World
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400;
» READ MORE: www.gustaferyellowgold.com
. $10; $7 children 1-12; free for children under 1. 12/15 11:30 am.
Children's Events
Breakfast With Santa
Continental breakfast, visit with Santa, crafts, cookie decorating & more. Lower Bucks County YMCA, 555 S. Oxford Rd., Fairless Hills; Reservations required: 215-949-3400. $5. 12/15 9:30-11:30 am.
*FREE*
Celebrate Nicki, American Girl 2007
Activities & games. Harleysville Books LLC, 674 Main St., Harleysville; Registration required: 215-256-9311.
» READ MORE: www.harleysvillebooks.com
. 12/15 1 pm.
Downingtown Log House Santa
Sponsored by Downingtown Historical Parks Commission. Photos with Santa, books on history of Downingtown, Log House Hearth prints. 610-269-0344 x200. $5 pictures with Santa (proceeds benefit Log House). 12/15 noon-4 pm.
Ferret Fun
Children's program about ferrets. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747.
» READ MORE: www.brandywinezoo.org
. $8. 12/18-12/19 9:30-10:15 am, 10:30-11:15 am. 12/20 10:30-11:15 am.
A Kid's Guide to Reindeer
Green Lane Nature Center, 1492 Gravel Pike, Green Lane; 215-234-8497. $1 materials fee. 12/16 2 pm.
*FREE*
Meet Hannah Montana's Mitchel Musso
From the hit Disney Channel show. Sponsored by Radio Disney. The Crayola Factory, 30 Centre Square, Easton; 610-515-8000.
» READ MORE: www.radiodisney.com/philadelphia
. 12/14 6-8 pm.
Santa Claus Arrives by Train
Children will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with Santa at the Brass Lantern. 215-598-7165. Carousel Village, 591 Durham Rd. (Rte. 413), Wrightstown; 215-598-0707.
» READ MORE: www.carouselvillage.com
. 12/15-12/16 11 am-5 pm.
Children's museums & attractions
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733.
» READ MORE: www.camdenchildrensgarden.org
. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. Holiday Festival of Lights - 4.5 acres of gardens with 100,000 holiday lights & animated light sculptures. $3.50; free for children 2 & under (additional fee for train ride). Fri.-Sat. 5:30-8 pm thru Dec. $6; $4 ages 3-11; free for children 2 & under Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-1233.
» READ MORE: www.discoverymuseum.com
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Hands-on children's museum featuring an activity wonderland for infants through age 10. Pancake Breakfast With Santa. $15. 12/15 9:30, 10:15, 11 & 11:45 am. $9.95; $8.95 seniors; free for children under 1. Sun.-Fri. 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sat. 9:30 am-8:30 pm.
Insectarium
8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500.
» READ MORE: www.insectarium.com
. Ongoing: Arachnid Alley, Cockroach Kitchen, Working Beehive & more. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.
Kix & Giggles Children's Playground
9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140.
» READ MORE: www.kixandgiggles.com
. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more details. Visit With Santa - Kids can visit & have pictures taken with Santa. Reg. adm. plus $10 per picture. 12/15-12/16 noon-4 pm. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.
The Please Touch Museum
210 N. 21st St.; 215-963-0667.
» READ MORE: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
. Arts & crafts, stories, theater, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities & more. Enchanted Colonial Village - Designed by Lit Brothers display designer, Thomas Comerford, & built by German toy firm Christian Hofman, this is a 3/4 life-size display depicting scenes of workshops in a small colonial hamlet preparing for the holidays. Closes 12/31. $10.95; free for children under 1. Daily 9 am-4:30 pm.
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070.
» READ MORE: www.sesameplace.com
. Holiday Shopping & Character Photo. 12/14-12/16 10 am-3 pm. Sesame Place's Holiday Shop & Dine Breakfast With Big Bird & Friends. $16.95; $14.95 children 2-11; free for children under 2. 12/15 9-11 am, 1-2 pm. 12/16 9-11 am. $44.50; $39.50 seniors; free for children under 2. Weekends only.
*FREE*
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325.
» READ MORE: www.smithplayhouse.org
. Three-story "play mansion" for children 0-5 yrs. old & huge outdoor play park for children 0-10 featuring the Giant Wooden Slide, the giant net climber, the Apollo spinner climber, the Biggo Duo swing & much more. Victorian Holiday Open House - Featuring magic from the Amazing Taddo, singer Jackie Pack & the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels. 12/15 10 am-1 pm. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Children must be accompanied by adult.
Literary Calendar
Book signings & readings
Barnes & Noble
150 W. Swedesford Rd., Devon; 610-695-6600.
» READ MORE: www.bn.com
. Dave Brown:
Philly Jocks: The Best Philadelphia Pro Athletes of Our Time
. 12/16 noon.
Barnes & Noble
2300 Chemical Rd., Plymouth Meeting; 610-567-2900. Dave Brown:
Philly Jocks: The Best Philadelphia Pro Athletes of Our Time
. 12/19 7-9 pm.
Barnes & Noble, Rittenhouse Square
1805 Walnut St.; 215-665-0716.
» READ MORE: www.bn.com
. John McGrail:
Pennsylvania Impressions
. 12/15 1 pm.
Barnes & Noble
4801 Concord Pike, Wilmington; 302-487-9677.
» READ MORE: www.barnesandnoble.com
. Phil Martelli:
Don't Call Me Coach
. 12/14 7:30 pm. Dave Brown:
Philly Jocks: The Best Philadelphia Pro Athletes of Our Time
. 12/15 11 am.
Borders Books & Music
4010 Dearborn Circle, Mount Laurel; 856-866-9090.
» READ MORE: www.borders.com
. Sal Paolantonio & Ruben Frank:
The Paolantonio Report
. 12/19 7 pm.
Borders Express
217 Neshaminy Mall, Cornwell Heights; 215-355-1850. Dave Brown:
Philly Jocks: The Best Philadelphia Pro Athletes of Our Time
. 12/15 3-5 pm.
Borders Express
205 Upper Level, Media; 610-566-3361.
» READ MORE: www.borders.com
. Dave Brown:
Philly Jocks: The Best Philadelphia Pro Athletes of Our Time
. 12/14 noon-3 pm. Jonathan McGoran:
Blood Poison
. 12/15 2-4 pm.
Borders Express
268 Montgomery Mall, North Wales; 215-362-2772.
» READ MORE: www.bordersstores.com
. Marie Lamba:
What I Meant
. 12/15 1-3 pm.
Gloucester County Library
389 Wolfert Station Rd., Mullica Hill; 856-223-6000.
» READ MORE: www.gcls.org
. Paul Stankard:
No Green Berries or Leaves
. 12/19 7 pm.
Ocean County Library
101 Washington St., Toms River; 732-349-6200. oceancountylibrary.org.
Jonathan Bresman:
MAD About Star Wars
. Call 732-349-6200 to register. 12/16 2 pm.
Soulutions for Daily Living
126 N. State St., Newtown; 215-295-5444.
» READ MORE: www.soulutionsfordailyliving.com
. Yanni Maniates:
Magical Keys to Self-Mastery
. 12/15 1-4 pm.
Poetry & lectures
*FREE*
Annenberg Center - Studio Theatre
3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-6701.
» READ MORE: www.annenbergcenter.org
.
Rumi in the 21st Century - Blend of music, theatre, readings & spiritual discussion of Rumi & his writings. 12/15 2:30-5:30 pm.
*FREE*
Belmont Hills Public Library
120 Mary Watersford Rd., Bala Cynwyd; 610-664-8427.
» READ MORE: www.lmls.org/belmonthills.html
. Annual Winter Solstice Celebration - Hosted by Arlene Bernstein & Friends, featuring poetry/performances by Arlene, Adam Coben, Ken Pobo & music by Joe Fanning, Joe Fasy, Matt Lamar & Ray Duffy. 12/19 7-10 pm.
*FREE*
Fergie's Pub
1214 Samson St.; 215-928-8118.
» READ MORE: www.fergies.com
. HATG Monologue Slam - Participants perform three-minute monologues for a chance to win prizes. 12/19 7 pm.
*FREE*
Haverford College
370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford; 610-896-1333. Rumi in the 21st Century - Blend of music, theatre, readings & spiritual discussion of Rumi & his writings. 12/14 2:30-5:30 pm.
Jardel Recreation Center
1400 Cottman St.; 215-329-4793. Philadelphia Poetry & Literary Forum - Guest poet followed by an open reading for those who love poetry, prose, short stories, etc. Donation suggested: $1. 12/15 1:30 pm.
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914.
» READ MORE: www.paintedbride.org
. Rock The Pen! - Poetry reading by local high school students. $5. 12/18 10:30 am-noon.
*FREE*
Robin's Bookstore
108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600.
» READ MORE: www.robinsbookstore.com
. Leonard Gontarek & Barbara DeCesare - Readings by two PA-based poets. 12/18 6 pm.
The Rotunda
4014 Walnut St.; 215-573-3234. foundationarts.org.
The Philly Youth Poetry Slam - Workshops, support, instruction & supervision by recognized local talent. Youth 13-19. $5-$7. 12/15 6:30 pm.
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
» READ MORE: www.worldcafelive.com
. Soul Aquatics - Open mic, jam session, art displays, poetry readings, spoken word, networking party & more.
» READ MORE: Rashid@SoulAquatics.com
. $5. 12/15 9 pm.