The presents have been opened and toys have been played with and every parent fears the words "I'm bored" over Christmas break. Don't fret Fun Things has you covered with events to keep your family busy over break.
Catch a Show
December 7th - 31st
What would the holidays be without George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®? Whether it’s your first or thirty-first time seeing Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of the classic, watching the timeless story brought to life is always a delight. From a festive family party to the exciting battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and the delectable journey through the Land of Sweets, Marie’s magical story is thrilling for the young – and young at heart.
Jack Frost at the Media Theater
Sundays at Noon from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30
The rollicking, merry, and heartfelt musical is all about a boy who is unique because everything he touches turns to ice. Jack Frost appears out of a snow bank and meets four humorous animals: a rabbit, a polar bear, a penguin, and a raccoon. He then escapes from the North Pole and finds himself in a ‘mistaken identity’ situation.
December 24th - December 31st
Join Mickey Mouse and his friends at Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party, a brand-new adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts! Help them follow Captain Hook’s treasure map and look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell in immersive, fantastic worlds. Explore the colorful spirit realm of Coco in Miguel’s Disney On Ice debut, sail away with Moana as she bravely saves her island, see Belle in the sky above you as the enchanted chandelier comes to life, and sing-along with Elsa in the icy world of Frozen. Make memories with your whole family during Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out magical celebration on the ice, in the air, and all around!
Celebrate 15 years (yowzah!) of People’s Light tradition with our most popular holiday panto! As “the nation’s primary creator of such specialized tomfoolery” (Newsworks), we invite you to cheer our heroes, “boo” the bad guys, and sing along as we transport the magical tale of fairy godmothers and glass slippers to the roaring 1920s.
Watch the Twinkling Lights
The Festival of Lights runs 5:30-9:30 pm nightly November 30th through Jan. 1st in Rose Tree Park, Route 252, in Upper Providence. Free admission. For information contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 610-891-4455
Half a million outdoor lights and holiday magic await you during Longwood's incomparable Christmas display. Enjoy dazzling trees and seasonal concerts. The Music Room hosts a special, themed holiday display. Kids of all ages will delight in a miniature Garden Railway decked out for the holidays. Thousands of poinsettias accented with amaryllis, artemisia, begonias, cyclamen, hybrid lilies, kalanchoes, paperwhites, red-berried plants and many other flowers flourish inside acres of heated glass conservatories. Living wreaths, swags, and live floral trees adorn rooms throughout the Conservatory. Included in Gardens admission.
Holiday Light Show and Dickens Village Macy's Center City
THE 2018 CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW runs hourly from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve day check website for times. The DICKENS VILLAGE (Floor 3) is open continuously during the same period from 10am to 7pm.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular 2018
November 22nd – January 1st
Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
15-minute shows at the top of each hour
(Shows are not presented on weekdays at 5:00 p.m.)
The magic of the holidays come alive in “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular,” a must-see holiday tradition in Philadelphia, entertaining people of all ages and spreading holiday cheer.
Herr's Christmas Snacktacular
Take a ride in the comfort of your car and drive through the beautiful light displays on the Herr's property.
Visit a local Museum
The Academy of Natural Science
We are switching up our winter programming to bring you some slimy, spicy and out of this world science extremes! You can make super slime to take home, collect wild specimens on an enormous scale and taste the hottest hot sauce and the crunchiest bugs.
Delaware Museum of Natural History
Bring family and friends to the Museum for a much-needed post-holiday break and four days of discovery! The Museum’s annual four day event features live animals, games, crafts, activities, science stops, learning stations, and so much more! Food trucks will be available for food, snack, and beverage purchases. We’ll wrap up the celebration on Sunday, December 30 at 3 p.m. with an early New Year’s countdown at a family-friendly time. Discovery Days is presented by Bank of America.
Franklin Institute
Holiday week is bustling with extra programs and activities! Visitors can see live shows including The Science of Fireworks Show and the Holiday Spectacular Show, plus Random Acts of Science and more expanded daily programming to supplement the general museum experience.
Back by popular demand, Creation Station is a pop-up family-focused design, build and play construction area where young scientists can let their creativity run wild. Featuring giant Tinker Toys® and large Imagination Playground blocks, plus an area for building with KEVA planks and Rig Ama Jigs® —budding engineers will put their science skills to the test in this limited-time space.
Constitution Center
‘Tis the season to visit the National Constitution Center. Visitors can enjoy a variety of special family-friendly programs celebrating Constitution signer, Father of American Banking, not to mention the inspiration behind the smash Broadway musical, Alexander Hamilton. The week will feature a riveting, interactive show about Hamilton’s early life; our ultimate Hamilton trivia game; 18th Century games; make and take craft projects; colonial dress up stations, and more!
Go Ice Skating
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is proud to continue to present a wintertime tradition in Philadelphia, as the Blue Cross River Rink will re-open for the 25th season on November 23rd.
The Blue Cross River Rink at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia’s only outdoor public ice rink, is located on Columbus Boulevard at Market Street.
Call 215-925-RINK for current rink and weather conditions
Ice Line Skate indoors at Ice Line in West Chester
Ice Works - Skate indoors at Ice Works in Aston. Winterfest is on December 27th.
Ice Rink at Dilworth Park
The Dilworth Park Winter season kicked off November 9 with the opening of the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, and Wintergarden. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is now also open daily. Plus 6abc and CCD teamed up to bring back the Deck the Hall Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross now through January 1.
Ride some Rides
Sesame Place A Very Furry Christmas
November 17th - January 1st
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place! For a one-of-a-kind family-friendly celebration with everyone's favorite furry friends. The fun starts with 3 special Christmas shows, awesome music and twinkling lights all around. Plus, you'll find more than 300 Christmas trees, including a huge celebratory tree decorated Sesame Street-style. The street will glow with festivities and come to life at night with our illuminated Street Party Parade. And the fun continues with a special Christmas menu, super holiday shopping and, of course, a visit with Santa.
Dutch Winter Wonderland
November 17th - December 30th
Dutch Winter Wonderland offers themed rides, games, and holiday entertainment under thousands of twinkling lights! Indoor activities include cookie decorating, voting for your favorite gingerbread house, and sharing holiday wishes with Santa.
Hershey Park Christmas Candyland
November 16th - January 1st
The magic of the holidays comes to life at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. With two million twinkling lights, rides for all ages, festive decorations, and Hershey's Product Characters decked out in their holiday best, there is something for all to enjoy!
Looking for a holiday event? Click here to check out our holiday event guide.
