Live performance seems to be a running theme in our list of things to do in Philadelphia this weekend.

There’s a whole weekend of solo dance work happening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art that’s a must-see for local dance fans. The Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus present their first live show on the Kimmel Cultural Campus since January 2020. And the Kimmel Center presents a slew of upbeat shows, including a hilarious, mom-focused web series turned nationally touring stage show, and a musical revue led by the one and only Jerry Blavat.

In between all that, you could catch a big-screen presentation of The Wizard of Oz; take part in the last few days of Center City Restaurant Week; tour a new wintery exhibition at Longwood Gardens; or let a herd of goats recycle your Christmas tree for you.

Find all that and tons more—including options for outdoor dining and other winter activities in Philly—below in our list of the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend.

THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY THIS WEEKEND

SEE DANCE @ PMA: At various times from January 21 to 23, renowned dancer Melissa Toogood will utilize myriad spaces within the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a special Museum-commissioned performance by choreographer Pam Tanowitz. The production, called Finally Unfinished (Solo for Melissa for Jasper), complements PMA’s current special exhibition on painter Jasper Johns. It’s inspired by a 1968 dance paying homage to Marcel Duchamp in which Johns designed the set for.

OPERA RETURNS TO VERIZON HALL: The Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus come together for their first live show on the Kimmel Cultural Campus since January 2020. Taking place on January 21 and 23, the program features singers William Burden and Rehanna Thelwell performing Russian composter Igor Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex. As an extra treat, the concert opens with a 15-minute performance of George Walker’s Lilacs, starring soprano Tiffany Townsend. To reach the widest possible audience, Opera Philadelphia is live-streaming the Friday night show for free, beginning at 8pm on the Opera Philadelphia Channel

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WHAT’S ON @ KIMMEL: The Kimmel Cultural Campus is keeping us all entertained during Covid. This weekend, you’ll find two shows: First up, the  IMOMSOHARD Getaway Tour on Friday, January 21, welcomes two moms—and real-life besties—to the Merriam Theater to regale audiences with funny tidbits “about all things woman and mother.” Philly legend Jerry Blavat comes to Verizon Hall on Saturday, January 22, with an evening of golden oldies featuring performances by soul greats like Darlene Love, Frankie Avalon, The Chi-Lites and more.

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WINTER EXHIBIT @ LONGWOOD GARDENS: On the heels of its dazzling holiday light show, Longwood Gardens opens its gates on a brand new exhibition that spotlights the beauty in wintertime flora and fauna—and it just may be more colorful than you imagine. “Although subdued colors reign,” the Longwood website reads, “the occasional burst of bright yellow and orange of blooming witch-hazel dots the landscape, while winter grasses add a textural element.” The show opens this weekend, on January 22, and runs through March 27.

TAKE A WRITING CLASS ✏️: Looking up up your writing skills this winter? Blue Stoop is accepting applications now for its upcoming lineup of writing workshops, which include Intermediate Fiction with Camille Acker, Novels for Young Readers with Eric Bell and—for all you sci-fi scribes out there—Fantasy Writing with Joseph Earl Thomas.

FEED YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE TO GOATS: Wondering what to do with your tree now that the holidays are kaput? Let goats eat it! Philly Goat Project is hosting its annual Christmas Tree-Cycle and Farm Festival, where locals can bring their trees, fork over a suggested $20 donation, and let the goats have at it. (Whatever’s left over will be turned into wood chips for the farm.) From there, guests—whether they bring a tree or not—can spend the rest of the day on the grounds, sipping on hot cocoa around a fire pit and enjoying some petting time with the goats. Some people even come in costume. The event happens from noon to 3pm on Saturday, January 22.

JURASSIC QUEST: More than 100 animatronic dinosaurs take up residence at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for this nine-day exhibition that recreates prehistoric life during the the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods. The run also includes rides, play areas, workshops and more. Catch it now through January 23.

RELATED: Live performances, ice skating, theater and more fun things happening later this winter in Philadelphia

CENTER CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: More than 60 local restaurants are participating in Center City Restaurant Week this winter, running through January 21. The deal? You can grab $40 prix-fixe dinners and $25 lunches at spots like Alice Pizza, Barbuzzo, Kinme, Lou Bird’s and more. Feel uncomfortable eating inside? Find a spot on our list of best places to eat outside in Philly this winter.

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ONGOING THINGS TO DO IN PHILADELPHIA

FIND SOMEWHERE GREAT TO EAT: We’ve updated our guide to the best outdoor dining in Philadelphia, concentrating on the al fresco setups where you’ll stay warm in heated greenhouses and igloos, and next to heat lamps and fire pits.

WINTER @ DILWORTH PARK: Christmas Village may be gone, but City Hall’s Dilworth Park keeps the wintertime fun going all the way through through February 27. You can twirl around the ice skating rink, gaze at pretty twinkling lights and seasonal décor at the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, or head inside the cozy ski chalet for brews, snacks and cozy vibes.

BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK WINTERFEST: The vibrant winter attraction along the Delaware River draws thousands of revelers throughout the season for ice skating on its open air, NHL-sized rink. Make a night of a visit here by renting a cozy warming cabin that you can enjoy with your sweetie or a gaggle of friends. Or just toast-up in The Lodge or by a fire pit before heading off to play carnival games. A 700-pound smoker manned by Craft Hall’s Black Iron BBQ will make sure you’re well-fed for all the shenanigans.

FRANKLIN SQUARE: The historic green space in Old City is holly jolly for the holidays, with the Electrical Spectacle Light Show and fountain shows, which run every 30 minutes, daily starting at 5pm through February 27. That happens alongside a host of other wintertime activities at the Square, including Chilly Philly Mini Golf and Franklin’s Winter View, a seasonal pop-up bar with fire pits, a heated tent and bone-warming food and cocktails galore.