The week before Christmas promises music and merriment for this week’s Things To Do! You still have a few chances to catch a performance of The Nutcracker, but there’s also The Muppet Christmas Carol and Hanukkah classic Eight Crazy Nights to see.
Enjoy a Motown Christmas at World Cafe Live, or an epic-metal-fantasy holiday performance with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Even further from the traditional bandwagon is the fabulous Cookie Diorio as the Grinch’s ex-wife. Yeah, it’s as awesome as it sounds.
Santa is spending some time in Franklin Square this week for the kids (those with two and four legs), but also dropping into town is The Crossing and K-pop star Ailee. There’s something for everyone this week, even some last-minute shopping.
For more holiday things to do, check out this guide:
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
Nutcracker(s), The Philadelphia Building’s holiday birthday party, Motown Christmas, Muppet Christmas, and a grown-up Eight Crazy Nights viewing party
SEE THE BALLET! (NO, NOT THE BEAR IN THE LITTLE CAR!) The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s last Nutcracker performances in Philly for the season are December 16 and December 17 at 7pm at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. $49-$89. 480 South Broad 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 29 with afternoon and evening performances available. Experience the holiday classic through the eyes of “the father of American Ballet.” $59-$235+. 240 S. Broad Street
ATTEND A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING. After taking over and making some major renovations and updates, Goldman Properties is hosting a holiday celebration to mark 100 years of The Philadelphia Building on December 18 from 4 to 7pm, featuring a mini holiday market, cocktails, light bites, and live art installations. Free. 1315 Walnut Street
SHOP ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS IN CHESTNUT HILL. On December 18 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, pretty Germantown Avenue lights up and gets festive — an event formerly known as “Stag and Doe,” now “Holidays on the Hill.” Shops stay open late, bars get crowded, a brass quartet roams, and Santa stops by.
HEAR THE VOICES OF MOTOWN CHRISTMAS. More old-school faves come wrapped in a holiday package on December 19 at 8pm, when this tribute band hits the World Cafe Live. $40-$45. 3025 Walnut Street
HAVE A MUPPET CHRISTMAS. The greatest rendition of A Christmas Carol comes to Marian Anderson Hall December 18 and 19 at 7pm with The Philadelphia Orchestra: Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert. $60-$112. 300 S. Broad Street
PUT ON YOUR YARMULKE, HERE COMES HANUKKAH! Khyber Pass Pub hosts Eight Crazy Nights Latkes & Vodkas Movie Night December 19 at 7pm. Celebrate the holiday with a beloved classic comedy, drinks, and latkes. 21 and over only. $15. 56 S. 2nd Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour, Ailee, The Crossing, a new mural dedication, Santa in Franklin Square, a moving Rittenhouse concert experience, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra
SPEND AN EVENING WITH THE GRINCH’S EX-WIFE. Pop diva Mabeline (Cookie Diorio) kicks off her world tour in Philly with holiday classics as you’ve never heard them before. Mabeline: The Greenaissance Tour is at Voyeur Nightclub December 19, 20, and 21 at 8pm nightly. The December 19th show features Grammy-winning countertenor and the new General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia, Anthony Roth Costanzo. Over 21 only. $0-$52. 1221 St. James Street
ENJOY SOME K-POP. On December 20 at 7pm, Live! Casino & Hotel welcomes Korea in Philly Featuring Ailee, the Korean-American singer-songwriter and K-pop sensation. $130-$250. 900 Packer Avenue
CATCH A PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW ALBUM POOR HYMNAL. Three-time Grammy Award-winning chamber choir The Crossing, led by conductor Donald Nally, “The Crossing @ Christmas 2024,” with two Philadelphia performances of David Lang’s poor hymnal (released December 13) at St Mark’s Church December 20 at 7pm and at Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill December 22 at 5pm. $22-$43. St Mark’s Church, 1625 Locust Street, and Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 885 Germantown Avenue
ATTEND A MURAL DEDICATION. The second mural in the Ode to Hip-Hop series by Christian “TAMEARTZ” Rodriguez and Bill Strobel, Knowledge and Method, will be dedicated by Mural Arts Philadelphia December 21 at 11am. The mural “aims to provide viewers with an in-depth visual and auditory description of Hip-Hop culture.” Following the dedication is an evening of festivities at Billy Penn Studios from 6 to 10pm. Free. Mural is located at W. Oxford Street between 9th and 10th Streets; Billy Penn is 1516 N, 5th Street
I SAW MOMMY SPLITTING PARFAIT WITH SANTA. And you can, too, in Franklin Square at Brunch with Santa December 21 from 11am to 1pm. Gather inside the heated tent for silver dollar pancakes, french toast sticks, pork and turkey bacon, home fries, pastries and more, plus photo ops with Santa. $20-$25. 200 N. 6th Street
JINGLE AND MINGLE WITH SANTA! Santa is spending time in Franklin Square for the holidays. On December 14 between 5 and 7pm bring your furry loved ones to Santa Paws, where they can have their picture taken with Santa! On December 21 from 5 to 7pm, Santa is back for photo ops with two-legged people. Free. 200 N. 6th Street
TAKE PART IN AN UNSILENT NIGHT. Composer Phil Kline’s annual interactive holiday concert experience asks its audience to download one of four digital electronica tracks to play while strolling around Rittenhouse. Local organizer Relâche asks participants to meet up at the Guard House in Rittenhouse Square on December 22 at 6pm. Free. 18th and Locust streets
ALL ABOARD THE HOLIDAY RIFF TRAIN! Known for the most epic Carol of the Bells ever performed, the legendary Trans-Siberian Orchestra is live at Wells Fargo Center for two shows on December 22 at 3pm and 7pm. $49-$129+. 3601 S. Broad 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
VIEW A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION. Wherever There is Light features photography by four formerly incarcerated artists sharing their experiences in the U.S. penal system. The exhibition runs through December 21. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1400 N. American Street, Suite #103
ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO THE ADRIENNE THEATER. You must purchase tickets to see SideQuest Theater’s Fellowship! The Musical, a comedic musical parody of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings adaptation. Recommended for those 13 and older, the show runs until December 22, with performances Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. $40. 2030 Sansom Street
VISIT CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. LOVE Park’s annual transformation into an open-air Bavarian holiday marketplace happens through December 24. Over 100 vendors peddling gifts, ornaments, winter apparel and seasonal treats, including spiced wine, apple cider, and strudels set up throughout the park, are joined by the Festival of Trees at the LOVE Park Visitor Center (aka the “flying saucer”). Vendors stretch all the way to City Hall and its 65-foot Ferris wheel and Kids Express train. Open noon to 8pm Sunday through Thursday; until 9pm Friday and Saturday. Free to enter. 1500 Arch Street
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN CHESTNUT HILL. Through December 25, Holidays on the Hill brings lights, hot chocolate, shopping, music and festivities to Chestnut Hill. Homes and businesses will be decked out, free parking specials are available, and local businesses offer unique gifts. Also, Santa will totally be there. Various locations around Germantown Avenue
ADULTS ARE ALLOWED TO LOVE CARTOONS TOO. The Philadelphia Film Society handpicked selections for its Lost in Animation Curated Anime film Series featuring director Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue, Paprika, Tokyo Godfather, and Millennium Actress. Dates and showtimes vary through December 26. $14. 1412 Chestnut 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
RELATE IN THE BIGGEST WAY. Amanda Schoonover stars in the one-woman show The Complete Works of Christmas: Abridged from writer-director Brenna Geffers about coming home for Christmas without a romantic partner, but with plenty of eggnog, at The Drake December 12 through 29 for 7pm and 2pm shows. $20, 302 S. Hicks Street
EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLAY. The Clay Studio’s yearlong, 50th anniversary celebration concludes with the opening of The Future of Clay, an exhibition of multiple artists showcasing the future of ceramics art, running through December 31. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street
EXPERIENCE SOUL SHOTS PORTRAIT PROJECT. The fourth edition of this amazing original art exhibition that memorializes victims of gun violence in Philadelphia opens at Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill through December 2024 (open Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to noon). Read more about the project here. Free. 8855 Germantown Avenue
SEE THE ZOO ALL LIT UP AND LOVELY! The Philadelphia Zoo’s holiday multimedia spectacular LumiNature is back for the season. More than a million twinkling lights include a 22-foot tall butterfly tree, 40-foot tall glowing penguin, a new sparkling waterfall and loads more bright attractions that will light up the venue — 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 January 4. $18-$29. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
SEE THE WINTER SPECTACLE IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Winter in Franklin Square runs nightly through the New Year (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day). 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
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
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. Don’t miss the Hot Cider and Hands-On Holiday Craft Table on December 7, 14, and 21. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
CELEBRATE WINTER AT PENN’S LANDING. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest opens at Penn’s Landing November 29 and 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