We hope those lists are getting crossed off as the holidays approach, because you have so many things to do this week, Philly!

If your list is getting longer, not shorter, you can hit up the GayBINGO! & Holiday Toy Drive so spread that holiday cheer to the less fortunate, and support local makers and businesses at West Philly Bizarre’s inaugural Holiday Market. If animals in need are on your mind, like those at Morris Animal Refuge, come to The Shops at Liberty Place for selfies with The Grinch to raise money for them.

For the traditionalists, the Philly Pops Holiday Spectacular is happening this week, the Philadelphia Ballet proudly returns for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, and Old City hosts its Menorah Lighting ceremony at the Betsy Ross House.

If it’s nontraditional you want, you’re in luck. Chris Davis’s One-Man Nutcracker is at The Proscenium at The Drake, The Bearded Ladies are bringing holiday cabaret to the Wanamaker, and Philadelphia Brewing Company is hosting a Haunted Xmas. Coming back for their third year, The Roddenberries holiday event Gingerbread & Circuses will be at City Winery.

For the lovers of science and history, Science on Tap has an event at National Mechanics this week, the historical film  Tête-à-Tête is screening at Carpenter’s Hall, and The Friends of Washington Crossing Park will host The Crossing Reenactment this week. And live at Union Transfer, Philly’s own Well There’s Your Problem podcast will be performing live.

• • • Things to do this week
    • 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.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY

Science on Tap, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, a one-man Nutcracker, Bearded Ladies cabaret at The Wannamaker, Tête-à-Tête screening at Carpenter’s Hall, The Roddenberries at City Winery

MIX SCIENCE AND DRINKING. Trust me, it’s safe here. Come to National Mechanics December 8 from 6 to 7pm for Science on Tap’s Rebel with a Rulebook: What to Do with the 300-Year-Old Rules for Biological Names, featuring Dr. Jason Downs. Free admission, pay as you eat/drink. 22 South 3rd Street

SEE THOSE SUITE DANCE NUMBERS LIVE. The Philadelphia Ballet proudly presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at the Academy of Music, now through December 31 with afternoon and evening performances available. Experience the holiday classic through the eyes of “the father of American Ballet.” $29-$270+. 240 S. Broad Street

OR, SEE A DIFFERENT KIND OF NUTCRACKER. Live at The Proscenium at The Drake from December 9 to January 5 with evening and afternoon performances, One-Man Nutcracker by Chris Davis is a unique interpretation of the classic Christmas story and it is indeed performed entirely by one man. $17.85-$39.19. 302 S. Hicks Street

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO CLOSE OUT 2025? Opera Philadelphia’s Pipe Up! Series continues with It’s Giving Cabaret! December 10 through December 14 from 9 to 11pm at The Wannamaker. The Bearded Ladies bring drag, sing-alongs, acrobatics, jazz, and the resurrection of Philadelphia’s favorite long-dead French chanteuse to this end-of-a-dumpster-fire-year holiday celebration. $11.20-$52. 1301 Chestnut Street

CATCH A HISTORICAL FILM SCREENING IN A HISTORIC PLACE. Regional Emmy-nominated Tête-à-Tête, a historical reenactment of Benjamin Franklin’s meetings with a French Spy, is screening at Carpenter’s Hall where the real events took place and part of the film was shot, on December 11 at 5pm. Filmmaker Charles Cook, a member of the Carpenters’ Company of the County and City of Philadelphia, will be delivering a short talk about the making of the film and the significance of the events it depicts. $5. 320 Chestnut Street

BOLDLY GO SEE A SCI-FI ROCK HOLIDAY CABARET. That seems like a lot, right? Well it is. On December 12 at 7:30pm City Winery welcomes back The Roddenberries: Gingerbread & Circuses, their 3rd Annual Holiday Spectacular! If you’ve never seen The Roddenberries before, peep this. $25-$40. 990 Filbert Street

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

GayBINGO! & Holiday Toy Drive, West Philly Bizarre’s inaugural Holiday Market, Haunted Xmas, Philly Pops Holiday Spectacular, selfies with The Grinch, Old City Menorah Lighting, Delaware Crossing reenactment

DO BINGO, BE GAY, BRING TOYS! T’was the Night Before Christmas GayBINGO! & Holiday Toy Drive happens at Congregation Rodeph Shalom on December 13 at 6pm. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child affected by HIV. Tickets include 9 lap games. $50. 615 N. Broad Street

SHOP AT A BIZARRE HOLIDAY MARKET. West Philly Bizarre’s inaugural Holiday Market is being held at the Calvary Center December 13 from noon to 6pm. Over 30 local vendors for gifts will be on hand plus food and beverage and seating. Pay as you go. 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue

HAVE A HAUNTED CHRISTMAS IN KENSINGTON. On December 13 from noon to 7pm, Philadelphia Brewing Company hosts Haunted Xmas with makers, music, Krampus, and spooky short films on the big screen. Pay as you go. 244O Frankford Avenue

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH A TRADITIONAL STAGE SPECTACULAR. Philly Pops: A Philly Holiday Spectacular comes to Marian Anderson Hall December 13 at 3pm and December 14 at 7:30pm. The Philly Pops Chorus, the St. Thomas Gospel Choir, The Philadelphia Boys’ Choir, and a rumored special guest from the North Pole will deck the halls for the holidays. $50-$136. 300 S. Broad Street

HANG OUT WITH THE GRINCH FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Selfies for a Cause with Santa and the Grinch comes to the Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place on December 13 from noon to 5:00pm for pictures with Santa Claus and the Grinch, with all proceeds benefiting Morris Animal Refuge. This is a dog-friendly event, but no other pets, please. Bring smartphones or cameras for Selfie Elfies to take pictures. Event is first come, first served.The Shops at Liberty Place are matching up to $1,500 per day. $10. 1625 Chestnut Street

ATTEND OLD CITY’S MENORAH LIGHTING. On December 14 at 4:30pm, the Betsy Ross House joins the Old City Jewish Arts Center for the Community Menorah Lighting Ceremony. Free. 239 Arch Street

SEE WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE (This is a reenactment, there will be no actual time travel). On December 14 from 10am to 3pm, The Friends of Washington Crossing Park will host The Crossing Reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park, featuring hundreds of reenactors in full Continental Army dress performing military drills, fife and drum music, and the dramatic river crossing in replica Durham boats. $5-$25. 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA

WELL, THERE’S YOUR PROBLEM. It’s a podcast about engineering disasters…with slides. Local podcast heroes Justin and Liam are joined by their cohost November all the way from the UK for a live taping of Well There’s Your Problem at Union Transfer December 14 and December 15 at 8pm. 21 and over only! $52.07. 1026 Spring Garden Street

ONGOING EVENTS

Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.

SEE A MILESTONE ART EXHIBITION. The William Way LGBT Community Center’s 20th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, featuring 46 emerging and established LGBTQ+ artists, is on view until December 11. Free.1315 Spruce Street

SEE AN ART EXHIBIT ABOUT BECOMING AMERICA. The Germantown Historical Society presents American Mythologies by acclaimed Philadelphia-based artists Tom Judd and Mark Stockton, an exploration of American myths throughout the decades through large-scale paintings, drawings, mixed media, sound, and immersive installations. On view through December 20 on Thursdays from noon to 4pm and on Friday and Saturdays 10am to 4pm. Free. 5501 Germantown Avenue

WITNESS MLK’S LAST NIGHT ON EARTH. Arden Theatre presents The Mountaintop, an intimate reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last evening in his room at the Lorraine Motel after delivering his legendary “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. Live on the Arcadia Stage and extended through December 21 with performances at 2pm and 7pm. $55-$70. 40 N. 2nd Street

SHOP AT CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Open through Christmas Eve noon to 8pm Sunday through Thursday and noon to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays, Christmas Village in Philadelphia features over 120 mostly local vendors, food and drink, traditional music and dance, and of course, Santa. Pay as you go. LOVE Park & City Hall

ENJOY LIGHTS AND DECORATED TREES TO RAISE MONEY FOR SICK KIDS. LOVE Park’s Welcome Center is home to the annual Philadelphia Festival of Trees to benefit the Children’s Fund at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The festival is open through December 24. Free. 569 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

EXPERIENCE A HALF-CENTURY LONG RUNNING HOLIDAY TRADITION. The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village returns for the 2025 holiday season through December 24 with more than 100,000 LED lights accompanied by the Wanamaker Grand Organ. Above is the Dickens Village 6,000-square-foot walk-through experience, transporting visitors to 1840s London with scenes from A Christmas Carol. Show schedule varies and tickets are timed, check availability here. Free, donations accepted. 100 E. Penn Square 

SHOP AFFORDABLE ART. Hyatt Centric’s Makers Series Holiday Showcase with a variety of artworks starting at $20, ranging from prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures and more will be on view and available for purchase through December 30. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street 

EXAMINE CERAMIC ART AND WELLBEING. Clay as Care combines an exhibition, scientific research, a publication, and public programs on the relationship between ceramic art and health. The Clay Studio will host several special events during the exhibition from through December 31. Free. 1425 N. American Street

CELEBRATE AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY WITH ITS OFFICIAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE. On October 18, the Museum of the American Revolution unveils a new exhibit: The Declaration’s Journey: 250 Years of America’s Founding Document, showcasing how the American Declaration of Independence has become one of the most influential political documents in modern history. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and the exhibit is on view through January 3, 2026. $14-$64. 101 South Third Street

EXPERIENCE THE ZOO LIT AND LOVELY! The Philadelphia Zoo’s holiday multimedia spectacular LumiNature is back for the season. More than a million twinkling lights include the iconic pink flamingo tree, 40-foot tall glowing penguin, a sparkling waterfall, and loads more bright attractions that will light up the night — 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 through January 3. $22-$32. 3400 W. Girard Avenue

ARE YOU THE VERY MODEL OF A MODERN MAJOR GENERAL? Then get to the Sedgwick Theater for Quintessence Theatre’s production of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Pirates of Penzance, open through January 4 with afternoon and evening performances. $25-$75. 7137 Germantown Avenue

I TRIPLE-DOG DARE YOU TO MISS THIS SHOW. Live at the Walnut Street Theatre through January 4 with evening and afternoon performances, A Christmas Story The Musical is the hilarious adaptation of the holiday classic film (and book) you grew up with. $45-$198+. 825 Walnut Street

LEARN NAVY & MARINE CORPS HISTORY. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Homecoming 250, presents To Provide a Naval Armament: U.S. Navy & Marine Corps History, 1775–1958, an exhibit exploring Philadelphia’s place in the birth and evolution of the Navy and the Marine Corps. On view until January 9, 2026; viewing hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 4pm and Wednesday 1 to 7pm. Free. 1300 Locust Street

TAKE THE FAMILY TO SEE A CLASSIC FANTASY STAGE ADAPTATION. Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time comes to Arden Theatre December 3 through January 25 with select morning, afternoon, and evening performances. Remember, “A straight line is not the shortest distance between two points.”$45-$61. 40 N. 2nd Street

CELEBRATE THE SEASON ON THE WATERFRONT. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest runs through March 1 with ice skating, games, rides, food and drink, The Lodge Bar, and more. Pay as you go. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard

SEE THE EXHIBIT AT THE MÜTTER. Through February 2, 2026, The Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia present Trusted Messengers: Community, Confidence, and COVID-19, a special exhibition that marks five years since the onset of the pandemic and considers how to build trust in public health. Initially developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Museum in Atlanta, the Philadelphia version features materials used in the development of the mRNA vaccine at Penn and spotlights local healthcare workers and organizations. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $15-20. 19 S. 22nd Street

EXPLORE A NEW ROUSSEAU EXHIBITION AT THE BARNES. Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets reveals hidden layers in the visionary painter’s work and brings together for the first time the works at The Barnes and the collection from the Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris. Open through February 22, 2026, Thursday through Monday, 11am to 5pm. $5-$30. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

ENJOY WINTER FUN IN DILWORTH PARK. Winter in Dilworth Park returns through March 14 with activities and attractions taking advantage of the cold and cozy season, including The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin, the Wintergarden, and coming soon, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Free/pay as you go. 1 S. 15th St (West Side of City Hall)

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

TAKE A FOOD JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHWEST PHILLY. Stuff your face with Jamaican, West African, and Southern African American cuisines while walking it off on Woodland Avenue during your Africatown Food Tour, scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 10:30am and 1:30pm. $56. 5741 Woodland Avenue

MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY