“Poor Judge”
Hailed by Broad Street Review as a “social commentary/fairy tale mashup that will warm many hearts,” the Wilma takes Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale and reimagines it through a lens of delightful whimsy and profound truth. A young girl named Gerda embarks on an adventure through icy landscapes and mystical forces to confront the complexities of love, loss, and the human spirit, and ultimately to save her brother. The heart-warming story of an enchanting odyssey will leave you believing in the magic of love and the warmth of friendship. The most dangerous evil is the one that seeks to erase our capacity for connection. Don’t miss this unforgettable, transformative story for the children in your life, and just as importantly, the child inside of you!
When: Tuesday, January 13-25
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.
“Arleen Olshan: The Tangle I’ve Gotten Into”
The William Way LGBT Community Center is proud to announce its upcoming art exhibition, Arleen Olshan: The Tangle I’ve Gotten Into, a free exhibition featuring deeply personal drawings, paintings, and photographs by artist, activist, and William Way co-founder Arleen Olshan. The exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work. Dead Dykes & Some Gay Men features drawings, paintings, and photographs that honor LGBTQ+ activists, colleagues, friends, artists, authors, and lovers whom Olshan knew and has since lost. Rooted in a decades-long commitment to memorializing queer lives, the series draws from Olshan’s personal archives alongside materials preserved in the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives at the William Way LGBT Community Center.
When: Friday, Jan. 16-Feb. 21
Where: iMPeRFeCT Gallery, 5539 Germantown Ave.
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Celebration at AAMP
On Saturday, AAMP will host a plant-based brunch and a screening of the 2014 film ”Selma,” which chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches and Dr. King’s leadership during a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Costumes from the film are currently on display at the museum as part of the “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” exhibition. On Sunday, AAMP will host a family-friendly art-making activity. Inspired by the Church of the Advocate’s murals, which connect scriptural themes with the history of Black people in Africa and America, participants will create miniature murals honoring Philadelphia’s radical tradition. On Monday, AAMP, in partnership with Citizens, will offer free admission to the Museum, hands-on activities for families, and Gallery Talks led by AAMP’s curatorial team. There will also be a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic.
When: Saturday, Jan. 17-19
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
Cradles to Crayons hosts weekend of service for MLK Day
Entering 2026, families are being forced to make tough choices on spending on essentials – including clothing, energy, food and healthcare. To combat growing economic pressures, Cradles to Crayons-Philadelphia (C2C) is once again honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with clothing collections starting today and a weekend of volunteer service. The local collections will accept new or gently used clothes, winter gear and shoes of all sizes for local children living in low-income and homeless situations, with an emphasis on winter coats. The initiative is an opportunity for Philadelphians to honor MLK and support their neighbors through acts of service, clothing donations and financial contributions. Visit www.cradlestocrayons.org for collection sites.
When: Saturday, Jan. 17-19
Where: various locations around Philadelphia
“Havana Hop” by Paige Hernandez
Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins her journey to find her roots, get confidence, and be amazing! Travel with Yeila, who visits her grandmother in Cuba to add a salsa flavor to her own hip-hop style! The audience gets to dance along in this dynamic participation play where one actress creates three generations of lively women. Journey with Yeila as she discovers the fun of her multi-cultural heritage.
When: Saturday, Jan. 17-19
Where: Philadelphia Theatre Company, 480 S. Broad St.
”Suffs”
Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award®-winning musical “Suffs” about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.
When: ends Sunday, Jan. 18
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.
Center City District Restaurant Week returns
Philadelphia’s world-class dining scene takes center stage this winter with the return of Center City District (CCD) Restaurant Week. Starting Sunday, dozens of restaurants across Center City will offer exclusive limited-time menus at a discount. Three-course dinners will be available starting at $45 per person, with select locations offering a $60 premium option. For those heading back into the office, some restaurants will also offer two-course lunch menus for $20. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made directly with participating restaurants. Find the full list of participants and their contact information at ccdrestaurantweek.com.
Where: Center City District
Philadelphia’s Commonwealth Youth Choir open auditions
The Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles is thrilled to announce auditions for the Commonwealth Youth Choir. The nationally recognized, all-gender youth choir is made up of children and teens aged 6 through 18 from across the Greater Philadelphia region. After combining the Keystone State Boychoir and the Pennsylvania Girlchoir in 2024, the Commonwealth Youth Choir comprises 160 young singers who, through the program, develop musical skills, confidence, discipline, teamwork, and self-expression. Auditions will take place throughout January with a final deadline of Jan. 31. Parents and guardians can schedule an audition online. All auditions are held in person at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill and last approximately 15–20 minutes.
When: through Saturday, Jan. 6-31
Where: Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave.
”Faces of Resilience” at City Hall
Recognizing November as Restorative Justice Month, Creative Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall program, in partnership with Councilmember Jim Harrity, presents Faces of Resilience, an exhibition organized by the Barnes Foundation and Mural Arts Philadelphia that was first presented at the Barnes Foundation in 2022. This new iteration features artwork by currently and formerly incarcerated artists from SCI Phoenix, southeast Pennsylvania’s maximum-security for men. This display is complemented by contemporary masks and works of mixed-media printmaking created by emerging artists from Mural Art Philadelphia’s Guild and Rec Crew, paid apprenticeship programs for justice-impacted or formerly incarcerated young adults, which explore themes of identity and place. Overall, this presentation features the work of 46 artists ranging in age from 18 to 80 years old.
When: through Friday, Jan. 23
Where: Room 116, Creative Philadelphia Art Gallery at City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink
Visit the city’s premier wintertime destination, open seven days a week. Reservations are encouraged for timed, 90-minute skating sessions. Visit centercityphila.org to view the full schedule and purchase tickets.
When: through Sunday, Feb. 22
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
”Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets” at the Barnes
This fall, the Barnes Foundation will present Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets, a landmark exhibition of paintings by the self-taught artist Henri Rousseau (1844–1910), featuring works from the Barnes collection and museums around the world. With 18 paintings by Rousseau, the Barnes is home to the world’s largest collection of works by the artist, and the Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, with 11, is home to the second largest collection. This exhibition brings together these important collections, providing an unprecedented opportunity to see works that the French art dealer Paul Guillaume either owned — now in the Orangerie’s collection — or sold to Dr. Barnes. Some of these paintings will be reunited for the first time in more than 100 years, while others have never been exhibited together.
When: through Sunday, Feb. 22
Where: The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin
The Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin has been reimagined to add a full bar, banquet seating, and new décor. In partnership with Centre Square Hospitality, powered by Aramark Sports + Entertainment, an elevated new menu includes winter dishes like tomato soup and grilled cheese, jumbo pretzel charcuterie and chicken & waffle nachos, while the bar will feature craft cocktails made with Basil Hayden® bourbon, as well as beer, wine and ready-to-drink -196 Vodka Seltzer canned cocktails.
When: through Monday, Feb. 23
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Historic Philadelphia, Inc. begins 2026 with winter-themed fun at Winter in Franklin Square presented by Fulton Bank, featuring the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO. The centerpiece of the festivities is the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to winter music throughout the Square every night. Guests can cozy up around fire pits with hot beverages, including spiked options for adults, and enjoy Street Curling and Chilly Philly Mini Golf (themed to LOVE for the month of February), adorned with lights and decorations. Visitors can indulge in hand-crafted cocktails and seasonal treats in the pop-up winter bar, Frosty’s Fireside Lodge.
When: through Sunday, Feb. 28
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St.
“Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade” at Brandywine
“Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade” will survey the first decade of the career of Baltimore artist Jerrell Gibbs (b. 1988). His dynamic, large-scale figurative paintings of family, friends and community focus on everyday scenes of Black life, transforming them into monumental moments that highlight the universal themes of identity, reflection and belonging. Organized by the Brandywine, this project will mark the artist’s first solo museum exhibition and first monographic publication — and is also the Museum’s first solo presentation of an emerging contemporary artist. The exhibition will feature 30 paintings drawn from both museum and private collections throughout the United States and Europe.
When: through Sunday, March 1
Where: Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd., Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Wintergarden on the Albert M. Greenfield Lawn
An open-air oasis featuring hundreds of twinkling and colored lights, illuminated overhead sculptures and seasonal foliage, with warm mulled wine available from the Chaddsford Winery kiosk for adults 21 and older.
When: through Sunday, March 15
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest invites guests to cozy up on the Delaware River Waterfront with amazing views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The beloved seasonal tradition features an NHL-sized ice rink, outdoor firepits, warming cabins, and festive food and drink for all ages to enjoy. Open seven days a week, including holidays (unless otherwise noted), admission is free with pay-as-you-go amenities that let visitors create their own winter adventure. Classic amusements like the Ferris wheel, indoor arcade, and the giant holiday tree return in December. For the best experience, guests are encouraged to reserve skating tickets, cabins, firepits, or Rinkside Lounge packages in advance at RiverRink.com.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” at AAMP
The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) presents a cultural milestone exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” The acclaimed exhibition, celebrating the power of art, identity, and imagination, marks its Philadelphia debut with nearly 80 original costumes from films that have shaped global culture — including “Black Panther,” “Selma,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Amistad,” “Dolomite is My Name,” “Coming 2 America,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and, for the first time ever, “Sinners.” As the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards, Ruth E. Carter has transformed costume design into a form of cultural storytelling, honoring the past while envisioning what’s possible for the future. Her journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hollywood’s most celebrated stages resonates deeply with Philadelphians.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 6
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here