The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Happy Friday! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the Philadelphia area this weekend. We put out new Philly weekend plans for you every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

You can always find our favorite activities of the weekend at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) This holiday tradition combines Broadway style production and contemporary circus arts for a night of thrilling entertainment. Come watch as a cast of holiday characters come to life and defy gravity right before your eyes.

⌚️Dec. 23-28, 📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $53-120

(Community) Need a quick escape from the holiday rush? Explore Philly’s Magic Gardens after hours, under the glow of hundreds of colorful lights. You’ll be able to fully explore the outdoor space and check out the rarely-seen, fully mosaicked basement.

⌚️Dec. 26, 5:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.,📍 1020 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 phillymagicgardens.org, 💵 $10-20

(Community) Plant and People is celebrating Kwanzaa with a free community celebration. Come enjoy story times, a candle lighting ceremony, music, crafts and more.

⌚️Dec. 26, 3-8p.m., 📍3952 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Get ready to get a little crafty. In this instructional class, you’ll learn how to use a power tufting machine to create a rug or wall art. All supplies are included with your ticket, including snacks and drinks.

⌚️Dec. 27, 5-9p.m., 📍800 Mifflin St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 tufttheworld.com, 💵 $100

(Community) Bring the whole family to the Penn Museum to honor the principals of Kwanzaa. You’ll enjoy performances by Karen Smith Drumming and violinist Owen Valentine, hands on workshops and more.

⌚️Dec. 28, 11a.m. - 4p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 universitycity.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Discover over a dozen varieties of sparkling wine at this walk around educational tasting. You’ll taste delicious pours from a variety of suppliers and leave a pro on all things bubbly, just in time for the New Year.

⌚️ Dec. 28, 2-4p.m., 📍12 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 oldcitydistrict.org, 💵$30-75

(Music) A viewing of The Nutcracker is truly a holiday season staple. The ballet follows a young Marie on a night of adventure where she is transported to a magical wonderland filled with enchanted toys, a Mouse King, sugarplum fairies and, of course, a handsome prince.

⌚️through Dec. 29, 📍240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 Varies

(Community) Shady Brook Farm is lighting up for the holiday season. The show features thousands of whimsical light displays highlighting your favorite holiday characters. Snuggle up in a wagon to experience the show up close or take it all in from the comfort of your car.

⌚️Nov. 22 - Jan. 4, 📍931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, Pa, 19067, 🌐 shadybrookfarm.com, 💵 $45-120

(Community) Philly favorite open-air Christmas market is back for another magical year. More than 100 vendors will set up in LOVE Park with stalls offering unique gifts, delicious treats, spiced wine and so much more.

⌚️Through Dec. 24, 📍1500 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 philachristmas.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This holiday tradition dates back to 1956 and is back to keep the holiday magic going. The Light Show features thousands of dancing snowmen, candy canes and the incredible sounds of the Wanamaker Organ. Upstairs, you’ll step into Dicken’s Village which brings the story of A Christmas Carol to life before your eyes.

⌚️Nov. 28 - Dec. 24, 📍100 E. Penn Sq., Philadelphia, Pa, 19107, 🌐 phlvisitorcenter.com, 💵 Free

(Community) The train displays at the Morris Arboretum are officially in holiday mode. Thousands of twinkling lights provide the backdrop as G-scale mini locomotives wind and loop throughout the garden.The daytime experience is free to enjoy with general admission, and the Nighttime Express is ticketed.

⌚️Nov. 22 - Dec. 30, 📍100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19118, 🌐 morrisarboretum.org, 💵 $12-17

Between Christmas and New Year’s, Philly leans into togetherness — with circus spectacle, ice shows, community celebrations, and meaningful cultural traditions that turn winter break into something special for kids and grown-ups alike.

(Theater) At the Miller Theater, this high-energy holiday spectacular packs aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, singers, dancers — and even reindeer — into a 90-minute whirlwind designed to dazzle without overstaying its welcome. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ Dec. 23–28, times vary, 📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $53–$131

(Ice skating) At the Flyers’ home arena in South Philly, Disney’s biggest characters — from Mickey and Moana to the worlds of Toy Story and Inside Out — take to the ice in a fast-moving, crowd-pleasing production that’s a winter-break favorite. Ages 2–10.

⌚ Dec. 26–Jan. 3, times vary, 📍3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 xfinitymobilearena.com, 💵 $46–$250

(Cultural) The African American Museum in Philadelphia marks the first night of Kwanzaa — dedicated to unity — by inviting the community to gather for kinara lighting, drumming, shared food, and reflection. All ages.

⌚ Dec. 26, 5–8 p.m., 📍701 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 aampmuseum.org, 💵 Free

(Cultural) At the Penn Museum, this CultureFest-style Kwanzaa celebration blends museum access with interactive drumming, a violin performance by Owen Valentine, educational workshops, arts and crafts, handmade gifts, and a vendor village — an enriching way to spend a winter-break day. All ages.

⌚ Dec. 28, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 Free with reservation

(Theater / multiday) Curio Theatre Company’s pint-size-friendly retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale invites kids to help tell the story, with pre-show prop-making and in-performance participation like sound effects and shadow puppetry. Ages 3–10.

⌚ Dec. 17–31, times vary, 📍815 S. 48th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19143, 🌐 curiotheatre.org, 💵 $10–$20

(Theater / multiday) At Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, Louisa May Alcott’s beloved March sisters get a vibrant reinterpretation by director Kate Hamill, keeping the heart of family, growth, and friendship front and center. Ages 8 and up.

⌚ Through Dec. 28, dates & times vary, 📍64 Rose Valley Rd., Rose Valley, Pa. 19063, 🌐 hedgerowtheatre.org, 💵 $20–$35

(Musical / multiday) Bristol Riverside Theatre debuts a world-premiere holiday musical in which Santa steps away from the North Pole — leaving the all-important list in the hands of his elfin helpers. Chaos, comedy, and cheerful songs follow in a show aiming to become a new seasonal staple. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ Dec. 9–28, times vary, 📍120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, Pa. 19007, 🌐 brtstage.org, 💵 $20–$74

(Theater / multiday) At Old City’s Arden Theatre, Madeleine L’Engle’s sci-fi classic comes to life as Meg Murry and her brother Charles Wallace journey across time and space on a female-forward, family-friendly adventure. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ Dec. 3–Jan. 25, times vary, 📍40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 ardentheatre.org, 💵 $30–$51

(Ballet / multiday) At the Academy of Music, Philadelphia Ballet’s lavish staging returns with Balanchine’s iconic choreography, Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, ornate costumes, and intermission photo ops with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mouse King. Dress up — it’s part of the fun. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ Dec. 5–31, times vary, 📍240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 philadelphiaballet.org, 💵 $28–$271

(Seasonal / multiday / free) Even without Macy’s, the Wanamaker Building keeps its iconic traditions alive. The Grand Court Light Show — set to the famous Wanamaker Organ — runs throughout the season, while upstairs, Dickens Village brings back its vintage animatronic retelling of A Christmas Carol. Free timed tickets required for Dickens Village. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 28–Dec. 24, times vary, 📍1 E. Penn Sq., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 phlvisitorcenter.com, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / multiday) Penn’s Landing becomes a full-on winter playground with its outdoor skating rink, a cozy warming lodge, carnival rides, arcade games, fire pits, and plenty of food and drink. Skating is ticketed; entry to the waterfront space is free. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ Nov. 28–Mar. 1, times vary, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free entry; $5 to skate, $12 rental

(Musical / multiday) The Walnut Street Theatre turns the delightfully offbeat holiday movie into a full-fledged musical — frozen tongues, flying turkeys, leg lamps and all. Bonus: for the Tuesday, Dec. 2 performance at 7:30 p.m., every adult ticket comes with a free child ticket (under age 17). Ages 6 and up.

⌚ Nov. 18–Jan. 4, times vary, 📍825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 walnutstreettheatre.org, 💵 $31–$108

(Seasonal / multiday) Just north of Independence Mall, Franklin Square rings in the season with its music-and-light fountain shows, Nutcracker previews from Philadelphia Dance Academy (Nov. 23), holiday mini golf, occasional Santa sightings, and a warming tent serving cocoa and treats. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 20–Jan. 4, 5–7 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org, 💵 Free; pay-as-you-go

(Seasonal / multiday) At the Philadelphia Zoo, the animals sleep but the lights come alive. Millions of bulbs illuminate giant animal sculptures — including a 40-foot dancing penguin and a flamingo “tree” — plus entertainment and snacks throughout the walk-through experience. Timed tickets required. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 20–Jan. 3, 5–7:30 p.m., 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 $29

(Seasonal / multiday) Longwood Gardens goes all out with its winter spectacle: soaring trees, glittering fountains, a towering Wildlife Tree outdoors, and meticulously designed displays throughout the Conservatory. Timed admission required — and it sells out fast. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 21–Jan. 11, 10 a.m.–11 p.m., 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, Pa. 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $25–$45

(Seasonal / multiday) Elmwood Park Zoo transforms its 16 acres into a holiday playground with lights, roaming performers, and animal demos. Mini Highland cow visits, carousel rides, and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus cost extra. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 20–Jan. 3, 5–7:30 p.m.; closed Nov. 27, Dec. 24–25, 📍1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, Pa. 19401, 🌐 elmwoodparkzoo.org, 💵 $12.50–$33

(Seasonal / multiday) Morris Arboretum’s beloved outdoor railway winds through miniature landscapes and Philly landmarks, now with a new 60-foot illuminated tunnel. Daytime viewing runs daily; the “Nighttime Express” events tend to sell out early. Ages 1+.

⌚ Nov. 22–Dec. 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; select evenings, closed Dec. 24–25, 31 & Jan. 1, 📍100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 morrisarboretum.org, 💵 $12–$22

(Seasonal / multiday) The season’s early arrival brings the reopening of Dilworth Park’s ice rink, Wintergarden, and holiday market. Sip cocoa in the cozy cabin or skate beneath the lights — proof that Philly doesn’t wait for snow to get festive. All ages.

⌚ Nov. 14–Feb. 22, hours vary, 📍1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Free to enter; skating $7–$10, rentals $10

(Educational / multiday) The Please Touch Museum debuts its latest bilingual (Spanish and English) visiting exhibition, focused on brain development through play. Kids can test a light-up tilt table, dance in a mini studio, or dive into creative storytelling games, while parents learn about early childhood growth. Visit Saturday for a superhero theme. Ages 0–4.

⌚Sept. 20–Jan. 4, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays, 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $24, $2 ACCESS cardholder