The holidays are here Philly! With so much to do this time of year, there’s no shortage of fun and adventure to be had. Here are the top 10 things to do in Philadelphia this weekend!
1. Take an enchanting night walk through the cosmos
Astra Lumina has landed in Philly! Now on offer at the Abington Art Center, walk through dazzling illuminated trails and captivating visual displays that transform the already-stunning center into a celestial wonderland. Get lost in the lights and visuals that transport you into an enchanting galaxy. You’ll forget you’re still on planet earth. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit here.
✨ Where: 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046
2. Shop unique gifts at this pop-up holiday market in Olde Kensington
Miracle on American Street is an annual holiday pop-up marketplace featuring over 80+ vendors. Enjoy the spirit of Philadelphia by finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. This one-day marketplace extravaganza takes place Saturday November 23rd, 2024 from 11am -5pm. Not only can you shop for the holidays, but also you’ll enjoy live demonstrations, hands-on activities, as well as food and drink options. Read more about this lively, family-friendly holiday market in Philly here.
Where: 1800 N. American St.
3. Enjoy A Delicious Dinner In Philly Completely Blindfolded
Studies show that 80 percent of people eat with their eyes. But when you take the sense of sight away, your other senses become even stronger. Interested in testing this theory? Then grab your tickets for the ultimate tasting experience combining fine dining and suspense: Dining In The Dark, a blindfolded dinner experience unlike anything you (haven’t) seen before.
Tickets are going quickly –get yours here!
Where: The Twisted Tail, 509 S 2nd St.
4. Immerse yourself in the arts at ‘The ‘Gath(e)rinG’
Get ready for an epic weekend before Thanksgiving! This is one event you won’t want to miss! Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 from 6pm-11pm at the new Billy Penn Studios, immerse yourself in the arts at ‘The ‘Gath(e)rinG’. Enjoy a unique showcase featuring over 40 jaw-dropping paintings by some of the area’s finest artists. Indeed, a full sensory experience, groove to the sounds of an exclusive DJ set by Bwc Sounds that’ll have you vibing all night long! 🎶 Plus, the fabulously talented singer-songwriter Suzanne Sheer will light up the stage with her live performance! But wait, there’s more—Ty Mathis and his crew are bringing their musical magic too! 🎤✨
Next, allow your mind to be mesmerized by mentalist, Improper Reality, ready to astound guests throughout the night, including a 25-minute spotlight that you won’t want to blink through! 🌟 And to top it all off, the incredible Laura Rennegade , a Philly-based aerialist, will be setting up her rig and dazzling us from above!
🎪 Get your tickets to The ‘Gath(e)rinG right here.
🎨 Where: 1516 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
5. Magical Christmas Village returns to City Hall
Get ready to jingle all the way through a dazzling wonderland of twinkling lights and festive cheer! With live tunes, eye-catching decorations, and a smorgasbord of fun activities for the kiddos, Christmas Village is back and better than ever for its 16th season! The magic runs from November 23 to December 24, 2024, for a holly jolly good time!
Where: City Hall’s Courtyard and LOVE Park (JFK Plaza, 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102)
6. See over 1 million dazzling lights at Luminature
Get ready to sparkle and shine! From November 21st, 2024, to January 5th, 2025, LumiNature is set to turn the Philadelphia Zoo into a glimmering wonderland! Imagine over a million twinkling lights creating a holiday spectacle that’ll make your jaw drop.
Stroll through 16 fantastically lit zones, each bursting with dazzling sights, sounds, and delightful surprises! Be amazed by magical moments like thousands of butterflies flocking to a colossal tree, giant cat eyes giving you the side-eye in the dark, and a waddle of penguins throwing their very own outdoor bash! It’s a winter extravaganza you won’t want to miss! For tickets and more information, visit here.
Where: 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
7. See the new Body Odyssey exhibit at The Franklin Institute
From the mind of artist Nathan Sawaya, marvel at over 100 awe-inspiring works of art created from millions of LEGO bricks.Visitors will get an up-close, in-person view of original works of art as well as re-imagined ones. See famous masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa designed exclusively with LEGO bricks.
For more details and to purchase tickets, read more here.
Where: 222 N. 20th St.
8. Dance the night away at this local club with a hidden ice bar
Ice Ice Baby! Not only did Concourse Dance Bar get a total new, trippy revamp, it’s still is home to Philly’s only ice bar! Located in center city it’s the perfect pick for cool cocktails, selfies, photos, and anytime fun. This Philly-centric ice bar features 20 Peter Slavin sculptures by award-winning artist Peter Slavin including the Liberty Bell, the LOVE sculpture and a whimsical, butterfly-wing wall that makes for a totally awesome photo-op.
Where: 1635, Back Entrance, Market St.
9. Try Something New In Philly For Date Night
Every weekend is a great time to go on a spontaneous date night. If you’re looking for romantic things to do in the city that aren’t just your typical, mundane dinner -we’ve got you covered. From date night in a bookstore to an intimate candle-making session, these seven date night ideas are sure to be a winner.
Where: see list here
10. Chase The Spirit Of Philly
We’ve come up with a list of essential things to do any day of the week in Philadelphia. Whether you’re a native or newcomer, there’s always something to do off the beaten trail in Philadelphia. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend that always amusing, begin by reading our list here.
Where: wherever the city takes you