Events for the family

*FREE*

6ABC/IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade

Oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country. Benjamin Franklin Parkway; 215-636-3300.

» READ MORE: www.6abc.com

. 11/27 8:30 am-noon.

*FREE*

Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Medieval-style village feat. craft vendors, holiday lights, Santa, live music & more. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.; 215-636-1666. 11/27 11 am-5 pm.

City Food Tours: Center City Food Lovers' Adventure

Tastings of imported cheeses, decadent chocolates & either exotic teas or estate coffees. Center City District, 1700 Market St.; RSVP: 800-979-3370.

» READ MORE: www.cityfoodtours.com

. $29. 11/21-11/22 10 am-12:30 pm. 11/23 3-5:30 pm.

*FREE*

Deck the Halls Christmas Fair

Mother of Divine Grace Church, 2900 Thompson St.; 215-739-0353.

» READ MORE: www.motherdivinegrace.net

. 11/22 11 am-6 pm.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia

Tour Independence Park & Society Hill while hearing tales of the city's haunted history. Signers Garden, 5th St.; 215-413-1997.

» READ MORE: www.ghosttour.com

. $17; $8 children 4-12. 11/21-11/22 7:30 pm.

*FREE*

Grand Opening of Pennypack on the Delaware Nature Trail

Celebrate the grand opening of this newly-built, nearly mile-long nature trail...the 1st section of an 11-mile planned greenway. Pennypack on the Delaware Park, Rhawn St.

» READ MORE: www.pennypackpark.org

. 11/22 10 am-noon.

*FREE*

Green Friday in Chestnut Hill

Mummers strut, tree lighting ceremony, warm cookies, hot chocolate, candies, caroling, Christmas Brass & more. Chestnut Hill, Historic Germantown Ave.; 215-247-6696.

» READ MORE: www.chestnuthillpa.com

. 11/21 5 pm.

Holiday Fair

6th annual event featuring handmade artisan items, craft demos, live music, children's activities, homemade meals, grand prize raffle & more. The Waldorf School of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave.; 215-248-1662.

» READ MORE: www.philadelphiawaldorf.org

. Free on Fri.; $5; free for children 13 & under with paying adult on Sat. 11/21 6-9:30 pm. 11/22 10 am-5 pm.

Philadelphia Marathon

15th anniversary celebration of this USA Track & Field-sanctioned, 26.2-mile course past many of the city's historic areas. Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Sold out.

» READ MORE: www.philadelphiamarathon.com

. 11/23 7 am.

*FREE*

Philadelphia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

Running-related apparel & products at this Philadelphia Marathon home base. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.; 215-418-4700.

» READ MORE: www.paconvention.com

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11/21 noon-7 pm. 11/22 10 am-7 pm.

*FREE*

PSPCA Mobile Adoption Unit

Travelling RV with adoptable cats & dogs on hand. Historic Headhouse Square, Second & Pine Sts.; 215-413-3713.

» READ MORE: www.pspca.org

. 11/23 10 am-1:45 pm.

Spirits of '76 Ghost Tour

Fri. & Sat. 7:30 pm. Visit more than 20 scary sites to hear Philadelphia's haunted facts & folklore during this 75-minute outdoor walking tour. Closes 11/29. Meets at COSI Restaurant, 325 Chestnut St.; RSVP: 215-525-1776.

» READ MORE: www.spiritsof76.com

. $17.50; $12.50 children 3-12.

*FREE*

Bucks County Holiday TreeFest

Display of themed holiday trees. Closes 1/10. Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, 3207 Street Rd., Bensalem; 215-639-0300.

» READ MORE: www.buckscountycvb.org

. 11/24-11/26 9 am-5 pm.

*FREE*

Gingerbread House Competition & Display

A visual delight of entries displayed throughout the holiday season in the Village Gazebo. Closes 1/3. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000.

» READ MORE: www.peddlersvillage.com

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*FREE*

Grand Illumination Celebration

Outdoor lighting ceremony w/Santa Claus. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000.

» READ MORE: www.peddlersvillage.com

. 11/21 6-10 pm.

*FREE*

Lansdowne Tree Lighting

Holiday music, carol sing-a-long, dancing by Don's Dance World dancers, visit with Santa, toys, hot cocoa, cider & more. Downtown Lansdowne, Lansdowne & Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne; 610-574-3449.

» READ MORE: www.lansdowneborough.com

. 11/21 7 pm.

*FREE*

Oakmont Village Holiday Festival

Live music, farmers market, sidewalk sales, children activities & lighting of the trees. Oakmont Village, 2411 W. Darby Rd., Havertown. 11/26 4-8 pm.

Red Devil Turkey Trot

5K run to benefit the Avon Grove cross-country, winter & spring track teams. Avon Grove High School, 257 E. State Rd., West Grove.

» READ MORE: www.avongrove.org/aghs

. $20 5K/Pump & Run Registration; $10 Kids Fun Run. 11/22 7 am.

Run for Your Health Thanksgiving Day 5 Mile Race

Proceeds to benefit Bethanna agency. One Summit Square, Rte 332 & 413 Bypass, Langhorne; 215-530-6047.

» READ MORE: www.bccr.info

. $20 5-mile registration; $10 1-mile registration. 11/27 9 am.

*FREE*

St. Aloysuis Christmas Bazaar

Bazaar features a silent auction, baked goods, food, children's games & Santa. St. Aloysuis Church, W. Haddon Ave., Oaklyn; 856-854-2352. 11/22 10 am-3 pm.

*FREE*

Silent Hunters of the Night

Learn about owls through a slide show, mounts & pellets. Hear & see a Pennsylvania's Eastern Screech Owl. Warwick County Park, 382 County Park Rd., Pottstown; RSVP required: 610-469-1916.

» READ MORE: www.chesco.org/ccparks

. 11/22 6-7:30 pm.

*FREE*

Waterfowl Watch

Nature program focusing on water birds. Green Lane Park, 2144 Snyder Rd., Green Lane; RSVP required: 215-234-8497.

» READ MORE: www2.montcopa.org/parks

. 11/22 1 pm.

Breakfast With Santa

Family-friendly menu & visit from Santa. Aleathea's Restaurant, 7 Ocean St., Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. $15; $10 children 3-12. 11/22 10 am.

Cape May's Christmas Carol Tour

Trolley ride through Cape May, followed by a living history holiday presentation. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. $15; $7.50 children 3-12. 11/21 6:30 & 8:15 pm.

Chocolate Fantasy Buffet

Wide selection of chocolate treats. Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. $35. 11/22 2 pm.

Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride

Trolley ride & Victorian holiday ghost stories. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. $10; $7 children 3-12. 11/21 7 & 7:45 pm. 11/22 8:15 & 9 pm.

Golda Meir Comes to Tea

Living history program with celebrity impersonator Rene Goodwin. Lakewood Heritage Museum, 655 Princeton Ave., Lakewood; 732-276-7944.

» READ MORE: www.twp.lakewood.nj.us

. $20. 11/23 noon.

Holiday House 2008

Annual holiday event & fundraiser. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay La., Cherry Hill; 856-795-6225.

» READ MORE: www.barclayfarmstead.org

. Donation suggested: $2. 11/21 10 am-9 pm. 11/22 10 am-5 pm. 11/23 noon-5 pm.

Holiday Lights Trolley Ride

Trolley ride through the historic district. Discussion of Victorian Christmas traditions, sing-alongs & holiday music. Downtown Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. $8. 11/21 6 & 7:15 pm. 11/22 6, 7:15 & 8 pm.

It's Play Time

Learn why enrichment is so important to the animals & help make an enrichment toy for them. Jenkinson's Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; RSVP required: 732-899-1659.

» READ MORE: www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium

. $14 adults; $11 children. 11/22 2-3 pm.

*FREE*

Tree-Lighting Ceremony

Christmas tree lighting w/Santa Claus. Caroling & warm beverages. Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, 1048 Washington St., Cape May; 609-884-5404.

» READ MORE: www.capemaymac.org

. 11/22 7 pm.

Keeper Watching

Program on the zoo's conservation efforts. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747.

» READ MORE: www.brandywinezoo.org

. Included in admission. 11/22-11/23 11:30 am & 1:30 pm.

*FREE*

Delaware County Youth Orchestra

Works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky & Mozart. Radnor High School, 130 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor; 610-293-0855.

» READ MORE: www.dcyo.org

. 11/23 7:30 pm.

John Flynn

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, 457 Shirley Rd., Elmer; 609-358-2472.

» READ MORE: www.appelfarm.org

. $7. 11/22 2 pm.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Sounds of the New World

Native American-influenced music w/flutist R. Carlos Nakai & the Intercultural Journeys ensemble. Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts.; 215-893-1999.

» READ MORE: www.philorch.org

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$6-$46. 11/22 11:30 am.

Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour

Wachovia Spectrum, 3601 S. Broad St.; 800-298-4200.

» READ MORE: www.playhousedisneylive.com

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$17-$53. 11/22 noon, 3 & 6:30 pm.

*FREE*

Family Fun Night

Thu. 6-8 pm. Prize drawings & balloon entertainers. Coastline, 1240 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-795-1773.

» READ MORE: www.coastlinerestaurantbar.com

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Fantasy With Lights

Outdoor holiday light display. Closes 12/30. Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike, Cardiff; 609-641-7847.

» READ MORE: www.storybookland.com

. Included in admission.

*FREE*

Giggleberry Fair: Santa

Children can share their secret wish lists with Santa. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000.

» READ MORE: www.peddlersvillage.com

. 11/21 4-9:30 pm. 11/22 noon-7 pm. 11/23 noon-5 pm.

*FREE*

Kennett Symphony Young Artists Instrumental Competition

Competition for instrumentalists in grades 9-12. Public is invited. Kendal-at-Longwood Auditorium, 1109 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square; 610-388-7001.

» READ MORE: www.kennettsymphony.org

. 11/22 1 pm.

Nature for the Very Young

Nature-themed activities for young kids & their parents. The Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy's Mill Rd.; RSVP required: 215-482-7300 x110.

» READ MORE: www.schuylkillcenter.org

. $8. 11/21-11/22 1:30-3 pm.

Santa's House 2008

Opens 11/27 - Kids can meet & have their photos taken with Santa Claus. Closes 12/24. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.; 215-636-1666.

» READ MORE: www.cityhallsanta.com

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Tremendous Teeth

Children's program about animal teeth. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; RSVP: 610-277-3825.

» READ MORE: www.elmwoodparkzoo.org

. $14. 11/25-11/26 2-3 pm.

Verizon Kids Fun Run

Series of non-competitive races for children 4-12 that is part of the 3-day Philadelphia Marathon weekend. Meets outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Sts.;

» READ MORE: www.philadelphiamarathon.com

. $15. 11/22 10:30 am.

Camden Children's Garden

3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733.

» READ MORE: www.camdenchildrensgarden.org

. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. $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. Seuss on Stage - Performance of several favorite Dr. Seuss stories. Closes 11/30. $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

. Thousands of mounted & live specimens, interactive exhibits, movie room, children's activities & 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 info. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.

Please Touch Museum

Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic; 215-581-3181.

» READ MORE: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

. Hands-on museum featuring 6 interactive exhibit zones: Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures & Centennial Exploration. Tom McDonnell - Interactive magic show in the Please Touch Playhouse. 11/21-11/22 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Pinch Bear - Highly interactive show runs approx. 20 minutes. Closes 11/28. $15; free for children under 1. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 11 am-5 pm.

*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. Playground closed until April. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm.

Barnes & Noble-Rittenhouse Square

1805 Walnut St.; 215-665-0716.

» READ MORE: www.barnesandnoble.com

. Artie Lange:

Too Fat To Fish

. 11/25 7 pm.

Barnes & Noble

2300 Chemical Rd., Plymouth Meeting; 610-567-2900. David Sheward:

Rage & Glory

. 11/22 1 pm.

Big Blue Marble Bookstore

551 Carpenter Ln.; 215-844-1870.

» READ MORE: www.bigbluemarblebooks.com

. Christine Weiser:

Broad Street

. 11/23 3:30 pm.

Borders Books & Music

1 S. Broad St.; 215-568-7400. Michael Medved:

The 10 Big Lies About America

. 11/25 7-8 pm.

Fleur de Lys Flower Studio

2241 Aspen St.; 215-287-7291.

» READ MORE: www.mysticalpublishing.com

. K.F. Zuzulo:

A Genie in the House of Sand: Zubis Rises

. 11/22 11 am-5 pm.

Madrigal

16 N. High St., Millville. Rick Sanger:

No Eat Not Food

. 11/23 10 am.

National Constitution Center

525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600.

» READ MORE: www.constitutioncenter.org

. Jon Meacham:

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

. 11/24 6:30 pm.

Robin's Bookstore

108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600.

» READ MORE: www.robinsbookstore.com

. David Sheward:

Rage & Glory

. 11/23 2 pm.

Sam's Club

2000 Clements Bridge Rd., Ste. 116, Deptford.

» READ MORE: www.triumphbooks.com

. Keith Primeau & Adam Kimelman:

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Philadelphia Flyers

. 11/25 7 pm.

Union League

140 S. Broad St.; 215-563-6500.

» READ MORE: www.unionleague.org

. Michael Medved:

The 10 Big Lies About America

. 11/25 noon-2 pm.

Ellen Powell Tiberino Memorial Museum

3819 Hamilton St.; 215-386-3784.

» READ MORE: www.tiberinomuseum.com

. The Beards - Presented by The Underground Literacy Alliance & West Philth Film Productions. Donation suggested: $5. 11/22 3:30 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia

1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.

» READ MORE: www.library.phila.gov

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Thomas Keller: Under Pressure, Cooking Sous Vide - Interview w/acclaimed chef & owner of the legendary French Laundry restaurant. $14; $7 students. 11/24 7:30 pm. Mary Oliver - An evening of poetry w/Pulitzer Prize winner. $14; $7 students. 11/25 7:30 pm.

Harvest Book Outlet

9 E. State St., Media; 610-566-3191.

» READ MORE: www.harvestbooks.com

. Poets & Prophets - Featuring author Rosalie Grant. Donation requested: $2. 11/25 7 pm.

Jardel Recreation Center

1400 Cottman Ave.; 215-329-4793. Philadelphia Poetry & Literary Forum - Guest poet followed by an open reading. Donation suggested: $1. 11/22 1:30 pm.

Kelly Writer's House

3805 Locust Walk; 215-573-9748.

» READ MORE: www.writing.upenn.edu/wh

. M. NourbeSe Philip - Tobago-born poet, writer & lawyer. 11/21 noon.

Mitten Hall

1913 N. Broad St.; 215-204-7000.

» READ MORE: www.temple.edu

. Women & Influence 2008 - Half-day conference focusing on violence & how community members can reduce its impact. RSVP required: 215-985-3322. 11/22 8:30 am-2:30 pm.

Robin's Bookstore

108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600.

» READ MORE: www.robinsbookstore.com

. The Beards - Reading by radically independent underground poets. 11/21 6 pm.