It’s the first full week of 2025, and you have things to do, Philadelphia! There’s live theater with the music of Michael Jackson and the classic Driving Miss Daisy, live music with a rock supergroup and Grammy-winning R&B performer, and a Wicked drag brunch.

Bring your talents to World Cafe Live for open mic night, then learn a new talent with Chef Jezabel Careaga’s empanada class. Join Mural Arts for an opportunity to participate in a public art installation! And don’t miss the Philadelphia Auto Show, in town starting this week through January 20.

Enjoy the winter weather, everyone!

• • • 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

Driving Miss Daisy, open mic night, MJ The Musical, Close Enemies at City Winery, Chevalier film screening.

SEE THE PLAY OF THE MOVIE OF THE PLAY. Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy opens at the Walnut Street Theater January 7 and runs through February 2 with matinee and evening shows available. $25-$97. 825 Walnut Street

SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT! 2025’S Philly Rising Open Mic Nights kick off at The Lounge at World Cafe Live January 7 with doors opening at 6pm and the show starting at 8pm. Hosted by Rae.Dianz, performers of all ages and genres are welcome to submit their names for lottery selection throughout the evening. Admission is free, but if you want seating, you must make a table reservation. There is plenty of standing room! Free. 3025 Walnut Street

START WITH THE MAN IN THE MIRROR. From January 8 through January 19, see MJ The Musical at the Academy of Music with matinee and evening shows available. This Tony Award®-winning musical is centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. $69-$199. 240 S. Broad Street

CATCH A SUPERGROUP AT CITY WINERY. On January 8 at 6pm Close Enemies are live at City Winery. Session and touring musicians Tony Brock, Peter Stroud, and Trace Foster join singer and actor Chasen Hampton and Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton on a new album releasing this year. $35-$60. 990 Filbert Street

SEE THE BIOPIC OF THE FIRST BLACK CLASSICAL COMPOSER KNOWN TO HISTORY. Prepare for the upcoming premiere of The Anonymous Lover with a screening of the film Chevalier on January 9 at 7pm at the Philadelphia Film Center. The 2022 feature details the life story of Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), composer of The Anonymous Lover and the first known Black classical composer. $11.50-$15.50. 1412 Chestnut Street

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

R&B artist Chrisette Michele, empanada class with Chef Jezabel Careaga, Mural Arts Philadelphia for a community paint day, Wicked World of Oz drag brunch, Philadelphia Auto Show.

BE MORE THAN OK WITH A NIGHT OF JAZZ, SOUL, AND R&B. Grammy Award Winning recording artist and R&B and soul singer Chrisette Michele is coming to City Winery on January 10 at 6pm. $48-$85. 990 Filbert Street

LEARN TO MAKE EMPANADAS WITH A WORLD-CLASS CHEF. On January 10 at 6pm, come to Empanada Making Class at Jezabel’s. Chef Jezabel Careaga guides you through exploring the flavors of Northwest Argentina as you learn about how to make empanadas. After class you get to eat them served with sides and complimentary beverages. BYOB is optional. $125. 206 S. 45th Street

BE PART OF A PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION. Join artist James Burns and Mural Arts Philadelphia for a community paint day on January 11 starting at 10am for Embracing the Light Community Paint Days. It’s an opportunity to help make public artwork for all ages at the St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children’s new mural. Free. 160 E. Erie Avenue

GO TO A WICKED DRAG BRUNCH. On January 11 at 11am, come to City Winery for Buzz Gworls Presents: Wicked World of Oz Drag Brunch at City Winery. Featuring music from Wicked the musical, Wicked the movie, The Wizard of Oz and the Wiz and hosted by ButtaKup with performances by Calliope, Jo Steel and Ronnie Marie. $20-$25. 990 Filbert Street

PIMP THAT RIDE. Or, just pick out a nice hatchback. The Philadelphia Auto Show rolls into town for two weekends at the PA Convention Center from January 11 through January 20. Show opens 10am to 9pm Saturdays and until 7pm Sundays. Mondays are noon to 9pm and 10am to 5pm MLK Day. If you want to show up early, on January 10 from 7 to 11:30pm, there’s a Black Tie Tailgate event to benefit Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. $15-$20 per day. $325+ Black Tie Tailgate. 1101 Arch Street

GO CLUBBING — EARLY BIRD STYLE. Vinyl’s popular Matinee Dance Party re-ups in 2025, following its sold-out debut in 2024. Aimed at the slightly more mature set, the early-night event take place January 11 from a very reasonable 6 to 10pm, features throwback tunes from DJ Eddie Tully and, in case you’re doing dry January, a full lineup of mocktails. $20. 215 S. 15th Street

ONGOING EVENTS

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

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

SPEND A LATE NIGHT WITH JASON KELCE. Through January 31, They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce begins taping on Fridays at 3:30pm at Union Transfer, and you can be in the live audience. The show promises to be “an immersive experience” showcasing Kelce’s personality and featuring celebrity guests from football and beyond. Free; tickets by request only. 1026 Spring Garden 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

DO IMPROV. JUST DO IT. Kid-centric Philly band Ants on a Log gives musical improv classes for adults Mondays at 6pm, January 6 through February 10 at The Arts League in West Philly. Through improv exercises and games, learn to create songs and scenes on the fly, common song structures, and the art of spontaneity within a supportive community. No previous training in improv or music is required, ages 18+ only. $300 registration. 4226 Spruce Street

SEE THE WINTER SPECTACLE IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Winter in Franklin Square runs nightly from 5 to 9pm through February 23. 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

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 have been extended and are now Sundays to Saturdays, from noon to 5pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street

CELEBRATE WINTER AT PENN’S LANDING.  Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest opens at Penn’s Landing 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

MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY