Best Family-Friendly Holiday Events In Philadelphia
With the holidays right around the corner, it's time to think about festive events you can take the entire family to. Here in the City of Brotherly Love, there are quite a few, including Santa visits, train rides and light shows. If you're looking for family-friendly holiday events in Philadelphia, read on.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 365-3300
www.adventureaquarium.com
Date: Dec. 3 - Dec. 30, 2016
For a unique holiday experience, take your children to Adventure Aquarium for its 8th annual Christmas celebration. The day will feature falling snow, glowing trees and twinkling lights. The highlight is Scuba Santa, seen swimming with his elf amongst sea turtles, stingrays and sharks in a 760,000-gallon exhibit. Your kids are sure to enjoy the "I Believe In Santa" live show, as well as meet and greets with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. Check the website for daily events.
6th and Race Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 629-4026
www.visitphilly.com
Date: Through Dec. 31, 2016
Head to Franklin Square for some free holiday cheer this Christmas. Through December 31, the main attraction at the square is its Electrical Holiday Light Show, where 50,000 lights are set to holiday tunes and dance around a 12-foot tall LED kite, an ode to Ben Franklin. At Ben's Sweets and Treats, children (and adults) can watch homemade fudge being created and decorate cookies, while the 21-plus crowd can enjoy holiday spirits and fire pits at the Winter Beer Garden. Other holiday attractions include Santa Saturdays, character nights with Frozen and Star Wars, Lightning Bolt Holiday express train rides, Nutcracker nights, Sing-along Sundays and a special Hanukkah celebration.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.business-services.upenn.edu
Date: Through Dec. 31, 2016
The Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre Victorian haven in Chestnut Hill. The Arboretum's highlight is its Garden Railway, a quarter mile track running along a miniature landscape and scale models of Philadelphia landmarks. This holiday season, the buildings will be decked out in miniature greens and lights will sparkle along the railway, which you can see lit up every Friday evening during December. The Cafe will be open where you can enjoy holiday treats and hot drinks including coffee and hot chocolate.
New Hope & Ivyland Railway
32 W. Bridge St.
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-2332
www.newhoperailroad.com
Date: Through Dec. 31, 2016
The New Hope & Ivyland Railway is 1920s styled passenger car that travels along the 1891 route that connected New Hope to Philadelphia. Every Christmas season, the train transforms into a 60-minute holiday adventure and journey through Bucks County to the North Pole. Kids are encouraged to show up in their favorite pajamas and will receive a special visit and gift from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Passengers will enjoy holiday sing-alongs, hot cocoa and cookies served by attendants dressed in festive attire.
Verizon Hall
300 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5825
www.philorch.org
Date: Dec. 10, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is hosting its annual Christmas Kids' Spectacular this season on December 10. This festive matinee includes a visit from Santa, dancers, actors, holiday classics and carols performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra and a special Christmas sing-along that is sure to get you and your kids in the holiday spirit.
