BY Lauren McCutcheon and Christina Griffith
Nov. 25, 2024
It’s official: The holiday season is here, and we have plenty of things to do this week to celebrate and prepare for the big days of feasting, giving and being with our loved ones.
Holidays on the Hill (formerly Stag & Doe) kicks off in Chestnut Hill, Winterfest comes to Penn’s Landing, and the Christmas Village opens in LOVE Park. The Philadelphia Zoo’s LumiNature holiday light spectacular is also beginning its run this week, as is Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Miller Theater.
If you haven’t entirely decided what your Thanksgiving plans are, we have plenty of ways you can make it a day for good citizenship here. When you’re done with that, you can party at Johnny Brenda’s, donate to the annual MGK Turkey Drop, hit up the parade, and this weekend, go enjoy the Dope Show Fall Classic.
Things to do this weekend
Ongoing things to do
Things to do this weekend
Ongoing things to do
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
LumiNature opens at the Zoo, the MGK Turkey Drop, Thanksgiving Eve, Day, annual parade, and associated festivities, The Grinch, LOVE Park’s Christmas Village.
SEE THE ZOO ALL LIT UP AND LOVELY! The Philadelphia Zoo’s holiday multimedia spectacular LumiNature is back for the season. More than a million twinkling lights include a 22-foot tall butterfly tree, 40-foot tall glowing penguin, a new sparkling waterfall and loads more bright attractions that will light up the venue — while the animals slumber out of sight. Seasonal fare, live performers, hot chocolate and adult beverages will also be on hand. LumiNature is open from 5 to 9pm select nights through January 4. $18-$29. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
Figure: Chestnut Hill’s Holiday Garden Railway
SPEND YOUR HOLIDAYS ON THE HILL. That’s Chestnut Hill, to be precise. From now to December 25, Holidays on the Hill brings the spirit of the season to one of Philly’s most historic neighborhoods. Take a picture with Santa, listen to the brass quartet play holiday tunes as you shop, view the outdoor holiday train display and enjoy refreshments at participating shops all under the glow of twinkling lights and festive garlands. There’s pop-ups, parking specials and extended shopping hours all season long. Free. Germantown Avenue
Figure: Photo by James Schultz
GRINCH UP THEM HOLIDAYS. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical opens November 26 and runs through December 1 at the Miller Theater. Max the Dog narrates the record-setting Broadway musical featuring the hit songs You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch and Welcome Christmas from the original animated special. 11am, 3pm, 7 and 7:30pm performances available. $125-$135. 250 S. Broad Street
Figure: Last year’s MGK Turkey Drop crew
AS GOD AS YOUR WITNESS, FIND OUT IF TURKEYS CAN FLY. OK, no, not really; this is just the largest one-day food gathering event in Philadelphia. The Annual MGK Turkey Drop is happening November 26 from 6 to 11am at the Kimmel Center and from 7 to 11am at select ACMEs. You can donate frozen turkeys, cash, checks, and “free turkey” coupons at any of the collection locations. Or, donate online at any time. 300 S. Broad Street and various ACMEs
Figure: Photo of Johnny Brenda’s by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia
CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING EVE. The longstanding tradition of going out to dance and get hammered the night before the big feast continues November 27 at 9pm with the Thanksgiving Eve It’s the Decade 2000’s Party at Johnny Brenda’s with host Reef The Lost Cauze and DJs Emynd and Bo Bliz. $10 before 11pm, $15 after. 1201 Frankford Avenue
Figure: Photo by Ana Maltez on Unsplash
Figure: Photo by J Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Figure: Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
Winterfest at Penn’s Landing, Small Business Saturday, Dope Show Fall Classic, the Rocky Bus Tour, Humans of Judaism opens, and the Weitzman’s Hannukah Market.
Figure: Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
CELEBRATE WINTER AT PENN’S LANDING. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest opens at Penn’s Landing November 29 and runs through March 2. Enjoy ice skating, cabin, lounge, and fire pit rentals, and festive food and drink now until practically spring break. Hours vary. Pay as you go. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
Figure: Photo by Daryl Moran for Chestnut Hill Business District
SHOP SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN PHILLY. We’ve got some of the best urban main streets — although few go by that name — in the country. Small Business Saturday falls on November 30, so choose one. Or more. Buy stuff there. Pay as you go. Various locations
SEE PHILLY THROUGH ROCKY BALBOA’S EYES. The Philadelphia Visitor Center is partnering with the Philly PHLASH tourism bus to run the first-ever publicly available Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tour starting November 30 and running through December 8 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with morning and midday trips. Fans can visit several “must-see” spots from the Rocky films, including Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mighty Mick’s Gym, and the Italian Market. $42-49. 2501 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Once, he was Young Jeezy. CZR-E for The Come Up Show via Wikimedia Commons
DO YOUR HANUKKAH SHOPPING WHILE YOU EAT. The Weitzman proudly presents the Nosh & Shop: Hanukkah Market on December 1 from 11am to 4pm in the museum store. This year brings specialty treats from some of the city’s best Jewish chefs to fill you up as you peruse jewelry, dreidels, menorahs, and more. Pay as you go. 101 S. Independence Mall East
SEE THE UNVEILING OF HUMANS OF JUDAISM. The newest gallery installation at The Weitzman, Humans of Judaism: Portraits of a People, takes photos from Nikki Shreiber’s Humans of Judaism book and celebrates Jewish identities, culture, and resilience from around the world. The book release, signing, and gallery opening is December 1 starting at 1pm. Registration required; donations suggested. Free-$18. 101 S. Independence Mall East
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street
SEE A PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT’S LATEST WORK. The Arden Theatre presents Intimate Apparel, based on the life of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s great-grandmother, an African American seamstress at the turn of the 20th century on the Lower East Side. Now through December 8 with evening and afternoon performances. $38-$68. 40 N. 2nd Street
VIEW A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION. Wherever There is Light features photography by four formerly incarcerated artists sharing their experiences in the U.S. penal system. The exhibition runs through December 21. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1400 N. American Street, Suite #103
Figure: The original cast and creators of Fellowship! The Musical
ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO THE ADRIENNE THEATER. You must purchase tickets to see SideQuest Theater’s Fellowship! The Musical, a comedic musical parody of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings adaptation. Recommended for those 13 and older, the show runs from to December 22, with performances Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. $40. 2030 Sansom Street
Figure: Woodmere Circle of Trees Nov 18th 2023 in Chestnut Hill
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN CHESTNUT HILL. Through December 25, Holidays on the Hill brings lights, hot chocolate, shopping, music and festivities to Chestnut Hill. Homes and businesses will be decked out, free parking specials are available, and local businesses offer unique gifts. Also, Santa will totally be there. Various locations around Germantown Avenue
ADULTS ARE ALLOWED TO LOVE CARTOONS TOO. The Philadelphia Film Society handpicked selections for its Lost in Animation Curated Anime film Series featuring director Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue, Paprika, Tokyo Godfather, and Millennium Actress. Dates and showtimes vary through December 26. $14. 1412 Chestnut Street
CELEBRATE THE WINTER AT DILWORTH PARK. It’s that time of year already! The ice skating rink, Wintergarden and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market open for the season at Dilworth Park. Holiday shopping is Friday and Saturday from noon to 9pm and Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 8pm. The rink is open 7 days a week with special events scheduled throughout the season. Advanced tickets are recommended! Free-$19. 1 S. 15th Street
Figure: Work by Jolie Ngo, featured in The Future of Clay
EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLAY. The Clay Studio’s yearlong, 50th anniversary celebration concludes with the opening of The Future of Clay, an exhibition of multiple artists showcasing the future of ceramics art, running through December 31. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street
EXPERIENCE SOUL SHOTS PORTRAIT PROJECT. The fourth edition of this amazing original art exhibition that memorializes victims of gun violence in Philadelphia opens at Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill through December 2024 (open Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to noon). Read more about the project here. Free. 8855 Germantown Avenue
Figure: Photo by Jeff Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
SEE THE WINTER SPECTACLE IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Winter in Franklin Square runs nightly through the New Year (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day). Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dancing fountains choreographed to holiday tunes strike up every 30 minutes throughout the evening while you ride the carousel, play mini golf, or warm up with some hot cocoa and/or adult beverages at Ben On the Rocks. Oh and this year, they’ve added street curling. Pay as you go. 200 N. 6th Street
Figure: Afro Goddess Looking Forward by Mickalene Thomas
CATCH MICKALENE THOMAS ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR. The iconic creator of large-scale tableaux of Black women in glamorous repose shows more than 50 of her stunning works at the Barnes. Mickalene Thomas: All About Love is the artist’s first international tour, a show New York wishes it had, through January 12, 2025. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Figure: Works by Mark Sfirri from his La Famiglia exhibition
THINK ABOUT FAMILY IN A NEW WAY AT A NEW ART EXHIBITION. The Museum for Art in Wood hosts Mark Sfirri: La Famiglia through February 26, 2025. This new solo exhibition of new and never-before-seen work by the artist and woodturner “presents a way of thinking about the definition of family and its meanings through different lenses.” Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
Ideas We Should Steal Festival
Real Estate Development for Good
Civic Health with Connor Barwin
Criminal Justice with Malcolm Jenkins
