(Photo by @barbhmphilly<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Forbes revealed its \u201c30 under 30\u201d class of 2026 this week and plenty of people with Philly-area ties made the list in its various categories. Billy Penn picked through the more than 600 honorees in Forbes\u2019 20 categories (the math is more like 20X30 under 30) and found 22 with local ties. Get ready to read \u201cPenn grad\u201d a lot. Continue reading \u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Philly does holidays and events big \u2013 and the winter holidays are no exception. Whether you\u2019re looking for a Christmas cocktail, a themed play or a tree-lighting festival, Billy Penn has you covered. Check out our comprehensive list of December events. Continue reading \u2026<\/a><\/p>\n RECAP: What else happened?<\/p>\n $ = paywalled<\/p>\n \u2022 William Way LGBT Community Center raises funds,\u00a0will stay in Spruce Street home<\/a>. [WHYY]<\/p>\n \u2022 The city has\u00a0removed more than 20,000 abandoned vehicles from city streets<\/a>\u00a0since Cherelle Parker became mayor. Here\u2019s how to get a deserted vehicle off your block.\u00a0[WHYY]<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0It\u2019ll be the coldest morning since early March<\/a>, and some folks might see some snowflakes. [6ABC]\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 How might\u00a0Trump\u2019s move to ease car efficiency standards<\/a>\u00a0affect Philly\u2019s air? [WHYY]<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Protesters \u2014 and counterprotesters_\u2014 at Philly courthouse spar<\/a>\u00a0over sheriff\u2019s cooperation with ICE. [Inq$$]<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Drake, not Taylor Swift, was the most-streamed artist in Philly<\/a>\u00a0this past year, according to Spotify Wrapped. [PhillyVoice]<\/p>\n MAYOR WATCH<\/p>\n The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.<\/p>\n ON THE CALENDAR<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf84\u00a0Holiday lightings around Philly Friday, Dec. 5: World Cup Draw Watch Party Friday, Dec. 5: One-Night Only play reading: \u201cThe Jury\u201d Saturday, Dec. 6: 7th annual\u00a0Fishtown Freeze & Shopping Spree Saturday, Dec. 6: Philly Record Freak Out: Holiday Edition Saturday, Dec. 6: Christkindlmarkt Saturday, Dec. 6: Deck the Alley + Historic Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 6:\u00a0December First Saturday Open House: Mineral Mania! Saturday, Dec. 6:\u00a0Happy Holidays from Rox 2025 Saturday, Dec. 6:\u00a0Carols by Candlelight Saturday, Dec. 6:\u00a0Forging Our Future Together: AAU\u2019s 40th Anniversary Celebration Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7: SEPTA\u2019s \u201cHoliday Vehicle Decorating Competition\u201d Saturday, Dec. 6:\u00a0Pier Players Prom Sunday, Dec. 7:\u00a0Philly Cookie Fest Sunday, Dec. 7: 4th annual Holiday Bizarre Sunday, Dec. 7: PECO Free First Sunday Family Day:\u00a0Reimagined and Retold\u00a0 Sunday, Dec. 7:\u00a0Laurel Hill Goes to the Movies Sunday, Dec. 7: Book Signing with Historical Society of Frankford \t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jalenhurts-eagles-scaled.jpg\")
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, center, watches warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Derik Hamilton)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/christmasvillage-2022market-35.jpg\")
City Hall\u2019s holiday tree (seen here in 2022) sits amidst the hub of festive fun at Philly\u2019s Christmas Village each year. (File photo\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffd Philly Runners Guide<\/a>
\ud83c\udf9e\ufe0f\u00a0Ongoing: The Declaration\u2019s Journey\u00a0\u2014 Available on\u00a0the WHYY YouTube Channel<\/a>. New episodes will appear every two weeks.<\/p>\n
Want to see which countries will be competing in Philly next summer with a big group of others who are interested? Come down to Stateside Live! in the stadium complex from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Philadelphia Soccer 2026\u2019s Watch Party. There is no cost to attend.<\/p>\n
Obie Award-winners Milo Cramer and Morgan Green return to The Wilma with a bold theatrical exploration of the voir dire process that fuses real transcripts, personal stories, and striking media design to probe justice, bias and civic responsibility in a fragile legal system.\u00a0$35 ticket.<\/a>\u00a0(7 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Custom ice sculptures, the Santa 0.5K charity run, a trolley through the shopping district, tree lighting, and food and drink!\u00a0Free to attend<\/a>. (All afternoon)<\/p>\n
Philly\u2019s regular vinyl fair\u00a0returns to PhilaMOCA<\/a>! with 25,000+ records for sale, plus CDs, tapes and more, from a range of genres. ($10 early bird at 10 a.m.; $5 regular admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)<\/p>\n
The German Society of Philadelphia\u00a0hosts a carol sing-along, festive booths, Santa visit, and hot meals<\/a>, and Kaffee & Kuchen are available for purchase. (12 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elfreth\u2019s Alley hosts Deck the Alley, and Old City District welcomes shoppers for a Holiday Shopping Sip & Stroll. The Betsy Ross House is joining the party, opening the House and courtyard for candlelit tours, chocolate-making demos, crafts and photos until 6 p.m.\u00a0$12 self-guided tour includes complimentary cider with a spiked option available<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Head to the Wagner Institute to learn all about what makes different minerals special and how humans utilize them in our daily lives. Microscopes, lantern slides, children\u2019s activities, demonstrations, talks and more. Minerals for sale, for $1 to $20.\u00a0Free<\/a>. (12 to 4 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n
A one-day neighborhood celebration filled with festive fun, local shopping, and community cheer! Highlights include an artisan market, Snowflake Scavenger Hunt, Wishing Tree, ugly holiday sweater contest (1:30 p.m.), Santa on a fire truck (3 p.m.), and tree lighting and carols (5:30 p.m.).\u00a0At Roxborough Pocket Park<\/a>. (12 to 6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Take a break from the hustle and bustle with the beauty of carols, ancient and modern, in the glow of warm candlelight. Courtesy of Choral Arts Philadelphia. At the Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse.\u00a0$42 general, $17 students<\/a>. (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Join Asian Americans United at Franklin Music Hall with the AAPI community celebrating community leaders who have shaped their work over the past four decades, and growing the next generation of youth leaders.\u00a0$50-150 tickets<\/a>. (6 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Eight SEPTA buses that have been decorated for the holidays by SEPTA employees will be displayed at LOVE Park, where the public can come and vote on the People\u2019s Choice winner. The buses will be on display Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voting ends at 2 p.m. Sunday. Keep an eye out, too. They\u2019ll be on regular routes.<\/p>\n
Join the community theater group for a night of singing, dancing, and\u00a0all-you-can-eat food from local restaurant partners, plus an open dance floor and raffle baskets. Cash bar and punch bowl.\u00a0Tickets start at $36.70<\/a>. (7 to 10 p.m.)<\/p>\n
The Bok Building hosts this day of treats with\u00a0cookies from local vendors and bakers. The Juvenile Law Center is the festival\u2019s non-profit partner this year.\u00a0$12.51 tickets<\/a>. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Stop by the Rotunda for holiday gifts and decorations<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 and help animals! Krampus will also be on site, alongside free vegan snacks, hot cocoa, holiday music, bargains and\u00a0free gifts. All funds raised go to a sanctuary for animals rescued from the food industry. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Free admission at the Barnes<\/a>\u00a0includes art activities, performances, gallery access, performances by the Philadelphia Youth Concert Band of works by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)<\/p>\n
Thrill to the story of the stunt man who adopted Roy Rogers\u2019 horse! Be amazed by the founding fathers who sang and danced their way through Independence Hall in living technicolor! Celebrate the industrial film pioneer who broke down gender barriers and discover some of the great tales of the movie age. Plus learn about and visit the locations of contemporary movies filmed at Laurel Hill East.\u00a0$0-17 tickets<\/a>. (1 to 3 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n
A meet-and-greet and author signing for two just-published local books on our local teams: \u201cFrankford Yellow Jackets: Philadelphia\u2019s First NFL Team\u201d by Brian Michael of Shibe Vintage Sports and Andrew Weicker, and \u201cThe Eagles Encyclopedia: Champions II\u201d by Ray Didinger.\u00a0Free<\/a>. (1 to 3 p.m.)<\/p>\n