The Eagles are on their way to the NFC Championship Game, it’s the Martin Luther King Day of Service, and winter weather has arrived. You still have things to do, Philly, it’s gonna be a busy week!

Center City Restaurant Week is in full swing, Holy Grail of Memphis has been extended, and early Lunar New Year celebrations are happening. Hyatt Centric Center City is hosting its second annual Black History Month Showcase featuring local Black artists, and The National Liberty Museum continues its Year of Free Speech with an enlightened panel discussion of the current challenges. 

This weekend, don’t miss the annual Villain Arts Tattoo Convention, Disney princesses at Franklin Square, and your chance to strut your stuff for Fashion Style Elite and a chance at a career in modeling.

• • • 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

MLK Day of Service, a free speech panel at The National Liberty Museum, the opening reception for a Black History Month art showcase. 

CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. The activist, Baptist minister and philosopher was a force for civil rights, the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and was assassinated for his efforts. His birthday is January 15, but we celebrate a national holiday in his honor on the third Monday in January — January 20. This year, the King Center encourages the world to continue Dr. King’s legacy through nonviolent resistance to protect freedom and democracy.

UNDERSTAND FREE SPEECH AND THE THREATS WE FACE. On January 23 from 5:30 to 7:30pm, The National Liberty Museum hosts Voices and Votes: The State of Free Speech After the Election, a panel of free speech experts discussing the most pressing challenges and emerging threats around free speech in the U.S. Mike Pesca, radio journalist and host of the daily news podcast The Gist, moderates the panel, which features Summer Lopez, interim Co-CEO and chief program officer of Free Expression at PEN America; Aaron Terr, director of public advocacy at FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression); and Ben Wizner, director of the Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). $5-$25. 321 Chestnut Street

ATTEND AN OPENING RECEPTION FOR A BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE. Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia launches its second annual Black History Month Showcase with a Meet the Makers opening reception on January 23 from 6 to 8pm. Through mid-March, the showcase features a mix of artwork by local Black artists. The reception is open to the public and includes light fare and refreshments. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Tattoo convention, Lunar New Year at the Penn Museum and Main Line Art Center, modeling agency auditions, Ice Princesses at Franklin Square.

CELEBRATE BODY ART. The 27th annual Villain Arts Tattoo Festival comes to the PA Convention Center January 24 through 26 for three days of artists showing their best merch, plus panels, entertainment and industry celebrities. Showtimes are 2 to 11pm Friday, 11am to 11pm Saturday, and 11am to 8pm Sunday. Day passes and 3-day passes available. $25-$50. 131 N. Broad Street

CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT THE PENN MUSEUM. Ring in the Year of the Snake at CultureFest! Lunar New Year, the Penn Museum’s 44th annual Lunar New Year celebration happening January 25 from 10am to 4pm. The family-friendly day of festivities includes art-making, live music and dance performances, and a traditional Lion Dance finale. Admission is free for Penn students and museum members. $13-$18. 3260 South Street

CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT THE MAIN LINE ART CENTER. On January 25 from noon to 2pm, the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Main Line Art Center features hands-on art activities for all ages, an outdoor performance of the iconic Lion Dance by the Philadelphia Suns, and a martial arts demonstration by Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy of Philadelphia. Free. 746 Panmure Road, Haverford

BE AN ICE PRINCESS AT FRANKLIN SQUARE. Historic Franklin Square is treating families to a weekend of ice carving, children’s activities, crafts and games, giant bubbles, and special appearances by Frozen princesses Elsa and Anna, plus their friends Tiana and Mirabelle. Ice Princess Weekend is January 25 and 26 from 5 to 7pm. There’s also an Ice Princess Brunch on January 25 from 11am to 1pm inside the Ben on the Rocks heated tent. Free, $20-$25 for brunch. 200 N. 6th Street

ONGOING EVENTS

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

STUFF YOUR FACE IN CENTER CITY.  Center City Restaurant Week returns through February 1 with dozens of participating eateries. Feast on three-course, prix-fixe dinners for just $40 or $60, and two-course lunches for $20, plus takeout options. Drink and parking specials are available. Try not to mix those. $20-$60+. Various locations

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

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

DO IMPROV. JUST DO IT. Kid-centric Philly band Ants on a Log gives musical improv classes for adults Mondays at 6pm, 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

SEE THE PREMIERE OF A PHILADELPHIA PLAYWRIGHT’S NEW STAGE COMEDY. The Arden Theatre Company presents Holy Grail of Memphis, a new comedy by Philadelphia playwright Michael Hollinger now open through March 2 with shows at 7pm. $32-$52. 40 N. 2nd 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

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

SEE NEW EXHIBITS AT THE CLAY STUDIO. January 15 through March 30, The Clay Studio premieres three new exhibitions highlighting the work of its Resident Artists, hosting Doesn’t It Feel Warmer Just Knowing the Sun Will Be Out by Danish-American ceramicist Josephine Mette Larson, Dreams by ceramic artist Liisa Nelson, and Palimpsest by South Korean ceramic sculptor Jinsik Yoo. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Second Thursday hours of each month are 5 to 8pm. Free. 1425 N. American Street

VISIT LONGWOOD GARDENS. Through March 23, Longwood Gardens presents its Winter Wonder exhibit, showcasing the beauty of its new West Conservatory with lush, colorful gardens and soothing water effects. Timed admission tickets are required starting at 10am, evening times vary. $2-$25. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square

MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY