1. Penn’s Landing

The Blue Cross RiverRink is a great place to visit especially when the New Years Eve fireworks are released over the river.  The roller rink transforms into an ice rink at the end of November, and the winter festivities begin. With indoor and outdoor seating, there is plenty of space to spend time with friends and family off of the ice.  Penn’s Landing is a family-friendly environment with a Kid’s Lodge, music, food, and lights.

2. Dilworth Park:

Dilworth Park is an open park featuring Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, Cabin, and Wintergarden located in City Hall.  Returning this season is the Deck the Hall Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross. Unlike Penn’s Landing, the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink offers reserved sleds to those with disabilities during the months of January and February. Rittenhouse also gives out free admissions tickets to the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink throughout the month of February.

3. Christmas Village/Love Park:

Lasting from November Christmas Eve, Love Park is the venue for concerts, dance performances, parades, and many more events.  The Christmas Village invites dogs to get into the holiday spirit along with their owners, who can also allow their children to get a photo shoot with Santa Claus.  There are carousels and a lantern festival for kids to enjoy while they are there.  German traditions are present throughout the Christmas Village, which displays a variety of mini shops and vendors that sell a wide array of items ranging from ornaments to food.

4. Franklin Square Holiday Festival

The Franklin Square Holiday Festival is a free electrical light show powered by PECO from mid-November until the end of the year.  There are over 75,000 lights set to accompany holiday tunes. The event includes arts and crafts, Santa Claus, and musical performances.  There are plenty of foods and drinks, as well as a s’mores-making station to satisfy the young, the old, and everybody in between.

5. Kimmel Center

At the Kimmel Center this winter, the Pennsylvania Ballet, Broadway Philadelphia, the Philly POPS, Philadelphia Orchestra, along with a multitude of others perform.  The Pennsylvania Ballet is performing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker throughout December, while Broadway Philadelphia is performing Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!  The Musical throughout the month of December.  Musical groups, such as The Philly POPS and the Philadelphia Orchestra are performing in December; however, the Philadelphia Orchestra is only performing for four days leading up to Christmas Eve.  The Philly POPS are performing A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season! featuring the Broadway legend, Todd Ellison.