Northern Liberties Christmas Tree Lighting Party
Northern Liberties Business Improvement District and Amazon Fresh present the lighting of the Northern Liberties Christmas Tree. The giant Christmas tree will arrive on N. 2nd Street and light up the Northern Liberties Restaurant Row. Join Amazon Fresh for ornament decorating at 5 p.m., with festivities beginning at 5:30 p.m. The family-friendly ceremony and program will include photo ops with Santa, special dance performance from Living Arts Dance Studio, music, invited guests and more. Representatives from North Liberties Neighborhood Association will be on hand collecting toys, items and donations for Operation Santa. Amazon Fresh will provide complimentary hot cocoa and other seasonal treats. Other merchants will be on hand with surprises and giveaways.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.
Opera Philadelphia presents “Home for the Holidays” concert
Opera Philadelphia has been breathing new life into the Wanamaker Building this fall, filling the iconic Grand Court with music, dance, art and more via its popular PIPE UP! performance series. This celebration of Philadelphia’s vibrant performing arts community culminates in a one-night-only concert, “Home for the Holidays,” highlighting what the Wanamaker does best ̶ ̶ the holiday season. Produced in partnership with WHYY, Opera Philadelphia will present an evening showcasing Philly’s arts community at its most festive, to be recorded for a special holiday broadcast on Tuesday, December 23 at 8:00 p.m. The holiday spectacular stars Opera Philadelphia’s Orchestra and Chorus, led by conductor Geoffrey McDonald, performing an evening of familiar favorites and unexpected delights. They will be joined by the company’s General Director and President, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, and renowned soprano and Philly native Leah Hawkins, 2024 recipient of the Beverly Sills Artist Award from the Metropolitan Opera. The performance, including an exciting dance interlude, will be held in the Grand Court for a live audience.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: Wanamaker Building, 100 E. Penn Sq.
”Hadestown”
Welcome to “Hadestown,” where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always.
Where: Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.
Historic Holidays Tree Lighting
The annual Tree Lighting returns to the Betsy Ross House courtyard featuring live musical performances, special guest speakers, and a visit from Santa Claus. The festive evening kicks off the holiday season with a spectacular illumination ceremony beneath the stars on the same streets where American independence was born.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 6-6:30 p.m.
Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.
”A Wrinkle in Time”
Arden Children’s Theatre invites families to journey across time and space with an exciting adaptation of Madeline L’Engle’s beloved book, “A Wrinkle in Time.” Adapted by John Glore, winner of the Newbery Medal, “A Wrinkle in Time” has inspired generations of readers, and even a major motion picture, since its publication. Now, the Arden brings this timeless classic to its stage for the first time. Philadelphia-based director Rebecca Wright returns to lead the imaginative production for audiences ages six and up. The fantastical production features Meg Murry, who feels more out of place than ever, until a mysterious visitor appears at her door and sweeps her, her brilliant brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin on an adventure through time and space. Guided by three celestial beings, the trio must face unimaginable forces of darkness to rescue Meg’s missing father and restore light to the universe.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3-Jan. 25, 2026
Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.
Jagged Edge comes to Philly
Just in time for the fall, Live Nation Urban is bringing the vibes this season with the Cuffing Season Tour 2025, headlined by Grammy Award-winning R&B icons Jagged Edge. Special guests Lloyd and Eric Bellinger will be joining the run, making this a stacked lineup of R&B heavy hitters you won’t want to miss when it makes a stop in Philadelphia. The tour will set the mood with timeless slow jams and party anthems alike. Fans can expect to sing along to J.E. classics from J.E. Heartbreak like “I Gotta Be” and “Walked Outta Heaven”, while also turning up to hits like “He Can’t Love U” and “Put A Little Umph In It.”
When: Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St.
“Slay Bells Ring” with the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus is decking the halls like never before! From classic carols and sacred stunners to pop anthems and campy comedy, this concert is packed with heart, harmony, and holiday sparkle. Come slay with us and don’t forget the dancers! This year we will perform three shows at the beautiful theater located inside the Independence Seaport Museum, along the waterfront, to accommodate our growing chorus and ever growing audience.
When: Thursday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 6
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Meek Mill & Friends in concert
Grammy-nominated rapper Meek Mill will perform a one-of-a-kind hometown show in Philly with special guests for an unforgettable night of music and homegrown energy exclusively at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Promoted by Live Nation, this one-night-only performance will celebrate Meek Mill’s monumental career and Philadelphia roots. He last performed in his hometown at Xfinity Mobile Arena (then Wells Fargo Center) when he celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Dreams and Nightmares on Nov. 26, 2022.
When: Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St.
Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees will return to the LOVE Park Welcome Center. This beloved holiday tradition aims to raise funds for children’s health in the community. The enchanting collection of Christmas trees will be crafted with the support of local artists, makers, designers, and dedicated community volunteers. Each twinkling masterpiece will shine with holiday lights and showcase an array of original art pieces, themed ornaments, whimsical keepsakes, stunning stars, and much more. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree design by making a donation to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Festivities will also feature photo opportunities with Santa every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the festival.
Where: LOVE Park Welcome Center, 569 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
First Friday at Tacony LAB: Holiday Maker Market
Start your holiday shopping season at the 4th annual First Friday Holiday Maker Market at Tacony LAB! Browse the handmade wares of local craft artists and take a free photo with our artsy Santa. Tacony LAB Community Arts Center, a program of Mural Arts Philadelphia, is a community art center funded by the City of Philadelphia, located in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. At the Tacony LAB, providing accessible and free art is a priority. There are free classes for adults and children, ranging from fiber arts to drawing, painting, crafting, and more. The LAB also provides a safe and inclusive space to work on your projects while receiving support from attending artists and staff. Visit during open studio hours for a tour of all this incredible art center has to offer.
When: Friday, Dec. 5 from 6–8:30 p.m.
Where: Tacony LAB Community Arts Center, 6918 Torresdale Ave.
PHILADANCO! Then & Now
Donald Byrd’s “Everybody” (1996), a propulsive, rhythm-driven work from a Tony Award® nominated and Bessie Award–winning choreographer known for redefining contemporary dance. Crafted by Guggenheim Fellow Tommie-Waheed Evans, whose work merges Blackness and raw physicality, “WITH(IN)VERSE” (2018), offers a searing emotional portrait of vulnerability and spiritual transformation through movement. Audiences can experience the continual growth of PHILADANCO! as a living archive where legacy and reinvention move side by side. Two new commissions further emphasize the company’s national influence and artistic reach: a PHILADANCO! premiere by world-renowned choreographer Ronald K. Brown, whose signature fusion of West African forms and modern dance once again finds new depth within the PHILADANCO! ensemble; and introducing a world premiere by rising choreographic force Juel D. Lane, whose kinetic style brings a youthful, urgent edge to the stage.
Where: Perelman Theater, inside the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.
Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair”
Presented on 35mm, Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated revenge epic, screened exactly as the director intended, complete with a never-before-seen anime sequence. Uma Thurman delivers one of cinema’s most iconic performances as The Bride, a former assassin left for dead after her ex-lover and mentor, Bill, leads a brutal massacre at her wedding rehearsal. Her path to vengeance spans continents, genres, and blood-soaked showdowns as she confronts the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before facing Bill himself. Sprawling, visceral, and rarely shown in its entirety, “The Whole Bloody Affair” showcases Tarantino at his boldest, presented here with a classic intermission that elevates the experience.
When: Thursday, Dec. 5-18
Where: Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut St.
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”
Philadelphia Ballet’s dazzling presentation of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker returns to the Academy of Music December 5–31, 2025. Brought to life by more than 50 professional dancers and the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra, this world-class production is a timeless tradition for families. Balanchine’s iconic staging captures the magic of the season like no other.
When: Friday, Dec. 5–31
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.
Holiday Shopping Sip & Stroll
Where your holiday shopping list meets seasonal drinks and open street entertainment. Old City District’s signature open street celebration returns with Third Street from Market to Arch temporarily closed to vehicles, allowing visitors and locals alike to fill the street for walkable holiday shopping, sipping seasonal beverages, and enjoying live entertainment. From artisan boutiques and contemporary galleries to historic storefronts and award-winning restaurants, nearly 30 Old City businesses will offer special holiday programming throughout the afternoon.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: Throughout Old City District
The Academy at Christmas Village
The Academy is bringing prehistoric excitement to Philadelphia’s iconic Christmas Village for a one-day-only adventure! Join some of your favorite Academy educators right in the heart of the holiday market for hands-on fun: touch real fossils, watch fossil preparation demonstrations, dig for specimens and discover what it takes to be a paleontologist. Explore whether dinosaurs could survive Philly winters, learn about modern dinosaurs (birds!) and even meet an extinct relative from Germany. Celebrate the season with science — don’t miss this festive fusion of dinosaurs and holiday cheer at Christmas Village in LOVE Park!
When: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 12–9 p.m.
Where: LOVE Park, 1501 JFK Blvd.
A Day to Night Celebration at The Gas Lamp
On Saturday, the hotel welcomes guests into a magical, bustling holiday scene with Sip, Shop & Santa. Families can enjoy complimentary photos with Santa while browsing through a curated marketplace of seasonal goods. The hotel will serve festive treats, including hot chocolate for little ones and a boozy version for adults. The afternoon includes a Golden Candy Cane Giveaway where one lucky visitor will draw the golden candy cane from Santa’s sleigh and win a complimentary overnight stay for two.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: The Gas Lamp Hotel, 140 N. 2nd St.
Fishtown Freeze
Fishtown District is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Fishtown Freeze, an annual celebration of art, community, and holiday cheer. Now in its seventh year, this signature event will transform the streets of Fishtown into a winter wonderland featuring dozens of custom-designed ice sculptures, festive shopping experiences, and more. Highlights of the one-day Fishtown Freeze include interactive live ice sculpture carvings by internationally renowned ice sculpture artists Ice Sculpture Philly, outdoor food and beverages, and a complimentary trolley traveling up and down Frankford Avenue, plus progressive holiday shopping deals at the area’s independent boutiques, photos with Santa, outdoor holiday markets, Christmas gingerbread theme pop-up bar, Santa beer, Fishtown’s first official Christmas tree, food and drink specials at all your favorite restaurants, and more holiday fun. Free and open to the public, pay as you go.
Where: Fishtown District including Frankford Avenue
Roxborough Tree Lighting Ceremony and Happy Holidays
Join us for a day packed with festive fun and community spirit! Get ready to celebrate the season as the Roxborough Development Corporation presents Happy Holidays from ROX! New this year will be our winter market on Krams Ave featuring 20 local artisans and crafters. The schedule features continuous fun, culminating in the cherished Annual Roxborough Tree Lighting Ceremony. Guests will enjoy live musical performances by Huston West and spirited caroling with the Roxborough Men’s Choir. A major highlight will be Santa Claus;s grand arrival, making a entrance on a Philadelphia Fire Department truck. Families are invited to take part in the beloved tradition of crafting and hanging ornaments on the special Wishing Trees, adding their hopes and dreams to the community display. With a full afternoon of festivities, including an Ugly Sweater Contest and seasonal treats, this event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season right here in Roxborough.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Roxborough Pocket Park, 6170 Ridge Ave.
PECO Free First Sunday: Reimagined and Retold
It’s the first Sunday of the month, which means free admission at the Barnes. Enjoy fun art activities, performances, and free access to the collection and Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets. Experience the extraordinary talents of the Philadelphia Youth Concert Band PYCB, presented by the PYO Music Institute. Since 1939, the institute has been providing nationally recognized music education and performance experiences to young instrumentalists, while engaging audiences and communities throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond. Join us as these rising artists bring the vibrant sound of a full concert band into the heart of the Barnes with their program “American Musical Masters: Reimagined and Retold,” which features works by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more. Free to attend, registration required.
When: Sunday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Tindley Temple presents 68th annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah”
A beloved Philadelphia tradition returns as Tindley Temple United Methodist Church presents its 68th Annual Messiah Festival. The afternoon opens with an organ recital by Dylan Shaw, followed by the Messiah performance featuring the 100-Voice citywide community Mass Choir under the direction of Dr. Jay Fluellen, celebrated composer, conductor, and Philadelphia native. This year’s festival features outstanding, Grammy-winning soloists, including Organ Recitalist Dylan Shaw, Conductor Dr. Jay Fluellen, and Organist Luke Staisiunas, joined by Soprano Tessica McClendon, Alto Kaitlyn Tierney, Tenor Perry Brisbon, and Bass Shango Lewis. Together, these exceptional artists will bring to life one of the most enduring sacred masterpieces of all time.
When: Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.
Where: Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, 750 S. Broad St.
Dianne Reeves — Christmas Time is Here
Jazz diva Dianne Reeves brings the Christmas spirit, melding her timeless grace, spellbinding vocals and radiant charisma into an unforgettable evening of holiday favorites including “Let It Snow,” “Carol of the Bells,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and more. Ring in the season with this five-time Grammy® Award-winner and NEA Jazz Master, “a vocal stylist of extraordinary skill and vivacity.”
When: Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
Where: Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.
”WE ARE ALL FADING” at Morton Contemporary
From slam dunks to master strokes — former NBA basketball player Neil Anthony Edwards traded a basketball for a paintbrush, transforming his drive on the court into a powerful meditation on life’s fleeting moments and the legacies we leave behind. After being drafted to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and competing internationally in China, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Italy, Edwards shifted his focus to his first passion — art. Edwards brings the same discipline, focus, and kinetic energy to painting that once defined his basketball game. The result is work that feels immediate and lived-in: portraits that pulse with presence even as they contemplate the quiet fade of time. In “WE ARE ALL FADING,” Edwards turns style into storytelling. Fashion isn’t decoration — it’s autobiography — telegraphing who we are, how we move through the world, and what we hope will endure. His luminous, larger-than-life figures inhabit a charged space between glamour and vulnerability, their surfaces layered with translucent color and unorthodox mark-making. Each canvas holds the now while acknowledging the inevitable: memory softens, edges blur, yet essence remains.
When: ends Sunday, Dec. 7
Where: Morton Contemporary Art Gallery, 115 S. 13th St.
20th Annual Juried Art Exhibition
The 20th Juried Art Exhibition is the center’s largest exhibition of the year, featuring the work of 46 emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists. This year’s exhibition is particularly special as it marks the 20th anniversary of the Philadelphia region’s longest-running annual LGBTQ+ art exhibition and serves as a kick-off to the center’s approaching 50th Anniversary in 2026. Works featured in the Juried Art Exhibition are displayed in the Center’s expansive first-floor lobby and include a wide variety of styles, mediums, and subject matter that will be available for purchase. Profits made from the exhibit support both local LGBTQ+ artists and the Center’s Art and Culture programs.
When: through Thursday, Dec. 11
Where: William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
”The Mountaintop”
Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company is proud to announce its second production of the 2025/26 season with “The Mountaintop,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, and directed by Barrymore Award-winning director Brett Ashley Robinson. The 90-minute reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final night invites audiences into a deeply intimate and human portrait of one of the most iconic leaders of the 20th century. Set on April 3, 1968, “The Mountaintop” opens with Dr. King, played by Akeem Davis, returning to his room at the Lorraine Motel after delivering his historic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. What begins as a quiet evening takes a turn when he encounters Camae, a mysterious maid played by Kishia Nixon. Over the course of the night, their conversations reveal the man beneath the iconic figure: the humor, doubts, and humanity of someone wrestling with the weight of his calling and the legacy he will leave behind.
When: through Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.
CBS Philadelphia Joy of Sharing Holiday Toy Drive
Partner with CBS Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts to make the holidays brighter for area children. Benefiting the Salvation Army and Mothers In Charge, visitors are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to donation boxes in the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, and Miller Theater.
When: through Thursday, Dec. 18
Where: The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St.
The Shops at Wanamaker Light Show
The magic of the holidays in Philadelphia will sparkle even brighter this season with the debut of Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show. This brand-new indoor holiday market will transform the Wanamaker Building Grand Court into a warm and festive shopping destination featuring 30 curated local vendors — all set against the backdrop of one of the city’s most treasured holiday spectacles. Shoppers can browse a curated selection of artisan gifts, seasonal treats, handmade goods, and festive finds, while surrounded by the glow and music of the iconic Wanamaker Light Show, a Philadelphia tradition that has captivated audiences since 1956. Now, with the addition of Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show, guests can do more than just experience the magic — they can take a piece of it home.
When: through Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 12-8 p.m.
Where: Wanamaker Building, 100 E Penn Sq.
”Little Women”
Hedgerow Theatre Company ushers in the holiday season with Kate Hamill’s celebrated adaptation of “Little Women,” a vibrant and heartfelt retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s classic story about family, identity, and the ties that hold communities together. In “Little Women,” audiences follow the March sisters as they come of age during the American Civil War, each navigating her own dreams while confronting the expectations of a changing world. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy discover the power of resilience, imagination, and sisterhood as they face moments of joy, loss, and transformation that shape who they hope to become.
When: through Friday, Dec. 26
Where: Hedgegrow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media, PA 19063
Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum
The Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum & Gardens returns to Chestnut Hill, delighting visitors. The beloved attraction features rail cars traveling along more than a third of a mile track, set within a landscape of twinkling lights and delightful sounds.
When: through Tuesday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.
”Clay as Care” at the Clay Studio
The relationship between ceramic art and health is examined through an exhibition, scientific research, a publication, and public programs. The project considers ways in which care manifests in ceramic art and how viewing art and working with clay can promote personal and communal health. The exhibition features artists whose practices address healing, rest, and resilience, including Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Pew Fellow Adebunmi Gbadebo, Ehren Tool, and Maia Chao. Co-Curators Jennifer Zwilling and Nicole Pollard will work closely with The Clay Studio Exhibition Council, partners in the health research field, and the four lead artists to create an exhibition and space that reflects the values of care that we see as inherent in the act of making art with clay.
When: through Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
The largest outdoor holiday market celebrating local vendors, local made products and local gifts returns to Dilworth Park! The market brings with it 40+ vendors with all the holiday vibes including the new white huts, twinkling lights and illuminated stars. The holiday vibes will be elite! Look for dozens of vendors that read like a who’s who from the tri-state region with everything from fashion, décor, home goods, dog treats, candles, jewelry, foodie gifts and so much more.
When: through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
Philadelphia Zoo’s LumiNature
Philadelphia’s most celebrated and award-winning holiday light show is back — and ready to reach new heights 110 feet above the city skyline! Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to announce the return of LumiNature and over one million dazzling holiday lights. New this year, look for the debut of the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel a new observation wheel ferris wheel with breathtaking scenes of the lights and overlooking the city where the former Zoo balloon was. This will instantly become one of the most Instagram-ready new attractions for the 2025 holiday season.
When: through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”
Launch your holidays by celebrating a beloved model of a modern major comedic opera with Quintessence Theatre’s presentation of “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert & Sullivan! On his 21st birthday, a dashing young pirate apprentice prepares to finally be freed from servitude. Arriving back on land for the first time, he plans to live a dutiful and honorable adulthood. But there’s a snag — check his birth certificate! A bevy of local beauties, conscientious pirates and their King, a wily and witty old waiting-woman, an incompetent madcap Major General, a troop of troglodyte policemen, and a parade of ingenious paradoxes all portend to make Quintessence a delightful winter destination!
When: through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
Where: Quintessence at Sedgwick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave.
Holidays in Franklin Square
Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit responsible for renovating, operating, and maintaining Franklin Square, opens Holidays in Franklin Square, featuring the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, inviting the community to celebrate traditions old and new. Holidays in Franklin Square will enchant visitors with holiday magic and jolly memories. The centerpiece of the festivities is the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to seasonal 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, adorned with lights and seasonal decorations. Visitors can indulge in hand-crafted cocktails and seasonal treats in the pop-up winter bar, Frosty’s Fireside Lodge. The Square will also host various family holiday events, such as Wicked Night (New for 2025!), Jingle and Mingle with Santa, Santa Paws, and Brunch with Santa. Other festivities include Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations, along with a gift-making night with The Clay Studio and fun for everyone with the Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown. Franklin Square, along with the Parx Liberty Carousel, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, SquareBurger operated by Cescaphe, and the two playgrounds will be open during the day.
When: through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St.
”A Christmas Story: The Musical”
PA: Walnut Street Theatre continues their 217th season by inviting audiences to experience the holidays with Ralphie Parker and his family! Travel back to 1940’s Indiana with the Parkers in “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” The show is Broadway’s musical comedy gift! A boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, the dogs stealing the turkey, a cranky department store Santa and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. This beloved musical captures holiday wonder with funny and heartfelt songs, show-stopping dancing, a pair of mischievous dogs, delicious wit and a heart of gold!
When: through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
”Stories My Father Told Me” at Al-Bustan
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery presents “Stories My Father Told Me,” a solo exhibition by renowned artist Helen Zughaib. Through 25 paintings, Zughaib brings a vivid world alive—a world derived from the stories that her father would relay to her and her siblings while growing up in Lebanon. Though rooted in her specific familial experience, the exhibition speaks to something universal: the enduring power of storytelling to bridge generations and preserve identity. Each painting invites viewers to recall their own storytellers, to hear echoes of familiar voices, and to find themselves within a shared fabric of belonging.
When: through Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
Where: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery, 310 W. Master St.
”To Provide a Naval Armament: U.S. Navy & Marine Corps History, 1775 – 1958”
Philadelphia gave birth to the U.S. Navy twice — first in 1775 and again in 1794. The later Navy reflected the young nation: ships designed by Quakers, built in shipyards along the East Coast with wood harvested by enslaved people, led by white officers, and crewed by a diverse mix of nationalities, ethnicities, and religions. The Marines of both eras laid the foundation for one of the world’s elite fighting forces. While prominent Philadelphians appear in naval history, the story also lives in the letters and journals of sailors, surgeons, and shipyard workers. In partnership with Homecoming 250, “To Provide a Naval Armament:” U.S. Navy & Marine Corps History, 1775–1958 explores the Navy and Marine Corps through the Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s collections, tracing their evolution from the American Revolution to the early Cold War, all while remaining anchored in Philadelphia.
When: through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.
”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, 2026
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, 2026
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, 2026
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, 2026
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th 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, 2026
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, 2026
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
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