30+ Things to Do With Kids This Week Around Philly: December 17–23
Need plans? We've got something great, every day!

Need plans? We’ve got something great, every day.
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See this: Holiday Lights in Philly
Christmas Village
Through December 24
Love Park, 1500 Arch Street
Modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany, this annual market features over 80 vendors in wooden booths selling authentic European food, ornaments, crafts, clothing, and more from all over the world.
‘Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia’
Through March 17, 2019; 1 – 5 pm on weekdays, 10 am–5 pm on weekends
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. Third St.
This new exhibit is highly interactive, incorporating games, group activities, dress up, thought-provoking questions, and much more to highlight Alexander Hamilton’s major accomplishments and Philadelphia connections. Read all about it in our preview.
‘Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation’
Through December 31
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.
This exhibit focuses on the intellectual and political conflicts between Hamilton and his contemporaries, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams, and of course, Aaron Burr (that one was a bit more personal).
Macy’s Santaland and Christmas Light Show
November 23—December 31 (Closed Christmas Day)
Showtimes: 10 am, noon, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm
1300 Market St.
To quote Julie Andrews’s narration of this 100,000-light spectacle, it the Macy’s Christmas Light Show is a “grand tradition.” If you’re from Philly, you probably grew up watching it, and not a thing has changed. The bears, the dancing snowmen, the “magic Christmas tree,” the Wanamaker Organ finale—it’s all there, and it’s all aglow in colorful nostalgia. After the show, head upstairs to Dickens Village to walk through an animatronic telling of A Christmas Carol, then meet Santa!
Winter in Dilworth Park: Rothman Rink, Wintergarden, and Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Through January 1, 2019 (Rink through February)
Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
Right outside City Hall, more than 40 local artisans, designers, crafters, and confectionaries will offer unique selections for gifts and special holiday foods. This market was designed to complement Christmas Village across the street—but only focuses on locally made gifts. Stop by after skating on the Rothman Rink and running through Wintergarden Maze!
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’
Through December 23 (excluding Mondays)
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
WST for Kids presents a special hour-long musical adaptation for families, using traditional songs to highlight Dickens’ magical Christmas story. Since it’s only one hour long, it’s a perfect way to get into the spirit without having to make your kids sit still for too long!
Oliver!
Through December 23
Quintessence Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave.
With familiar songs like “Consider Yourself” and “Food, Glorious Food,” this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic is a crowd pleaser for all ages.
‘Matilda’
Through January 6, 2019
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, Matilda The Musical will delight with high-energy dance and catchy songs.
Scuba Santa at Adventure Aquarium
November 23—December 25
1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ
Scuba Santa is back and ready to make the most underwater appearances in aquarium history! Visit him in Ocean Realm as he spreads the magic of Christmas and takes selfies through the glass. The aquarium will also have the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, and more decorations throughout.
Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum
November 23—December 31, 10 am—4 pm
Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Morris Arboretum’s beloved Garden Railway gets a holiday upgrade, lighting up this quarter-mile of track and miniature replicas of Philadelphia-area landmarks made from natural materials with thousands of twinkling lights.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
November 23—March 3, 2019
101 S. Columbus Blvd.
Come to skate, come to party in the cabins, come for the fun and food. This rink is a Philadelphia favorite for a reason. This year, it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, and has lots of fun events planned throughout the season– read all about it in our preview!
‘Xtreme Bugs’ at Academy of Natural Sciences
Through January 21, 2019
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Nearly 20 towering animatronic bugs will come alive in this new creepy crawly exhibit! Get a bug’s-eye view of the world and learn about their intricacies and behaviors. See our preview here.
‘Vikings: Beyond the Legend’ at the Franklin Institute
Through March 3, 2019
222 North 20th Street
The Franklin Institute presents 600 unique artifacts, multimedia, hands-on elements, and more to bring the Viking Age to life. Read all about the exhibit in our preview.
‘Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails!’ at Please Touch Museum
Through January 6, 2019
4231 Avenue of the Republic
The long-awaited Thomas and Friends exhibit arrives at Please Touch Museum with plenty of train-themed fun, photo ops, imaginative play, and valuable STEM lessons along the way! Read our full preview here.
‘Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now’
Through March 3, 2019
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
If you have a fashion lover in your midst (or are one yourself), you’ll definitely want to catch this new exhibit that’s all about couture!
Charlotte’s Web
November 28, 2018 – January 27, 2019 (in previews until December 8)
Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St.
The heart-warming story of a special friendship between a lovable pig and everyone’s favorite spider comes to life at the Arden.
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