The Best Things To Do in Philly with Kids

Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia with kids, including events, festivals, attractions, and free activities through our curated calendar. Find what’s happening in Philly today and plan your next family adventure!

💞 Check out our sister Community Calendars too: Main Line Parent and Bucks County Parent.

🗓️ Have an event to share? Join Philadelphia Family as a Member and Submit it to us for consideration! (Members are given priority event coverage.)

Make the most of family life in Philly with the best weekend events, parenting tips, and local stories— all delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday.

Philadelphia Family’s High Five Newsletter delivers:
📍 Can’t-miss family weekend events and activities
💡 Practical parenting advice for city life
🧳 Insider tips to navigate Philly like a native

Subscribe now and never miss out on what’s happening for families in Philadelphia!

Philly Family Community Calendar

Grand Illumination at American Heritage Credit Union

American Heritage Credit Union 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

American Heritage Credit Union's Annual Grand Illumination celebration is the perfect event to kick-off the holiday season. Our free Grand Illumination has become one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Philadelphia and includes the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over […]

Wintergarden at Winter at Dilworth Park

Dilworth Park 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Dilworth Park’s popular winter attractions are returning for the season! The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink will again offer skating seven days per week, the Greenfield Lawn will host reindeer topiaries in the Wintergarden and the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin will round out the park’s seasonal transformation. Visit each […]

The Rock School Presents: Classic Nutcracker

Miller Theater 250 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Usher in the spirit of the holiday season with Clara’s fairytale brought to life. Children of all ages delight in the charm, beauty, and grandeur of this beloved classic featuring an international cast of award-winning artists from the world-renowned Rock School for Dance. Classic Nutcracker, […]

Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Walnut Street Theater

Walnut Street Theatre 825 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

On one remarkable Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who show him the past, present—and possible future. You and your loved ones are in for a classic holiday treat with this special hour-long musical adaptation for kids that uses traditional songs to […]

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker | Philadelphia Ballet

Academy of Music 240 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The holiday season comes to the stage in the Philadelphia Ballet's annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, a tradition unlike any other. Cross swords with the Mouse King and dine with the Sugar Plum Fairy in this quintessential celebration of the season, brightened by […]

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

The Comcast Center Plaza 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The sights and sounds of the holidays come alive in this free, 15-minute show, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, which has quickly become a new holiday tradition in Philadelphia. Marvel at holiday scenes brought to life in this multi-sensory show, featuring classics like Jingle Bell Rock, The Twelve Days of Christmas and The Nutcracker​​​​​; a […]

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA, United States

Build the best memories at Philadelphia's top family holiday event, Holiday Bricktacular! Daily from November 29 - January 1, families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations and more at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia. Holiday Bricktacular Activities: New for 2024! Build To Give […]

Macy’s Dickens Village & Santa

Macy’s Dickens Village & Santa

Macy's Center City 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

One of the most nostalgic family holiday experiences Philadelphia has to offer, this immersive experience is a vintage animatronic retelling of A Christmas Carol. After exploring the fabulous displays and gorgeous lights, you can take the family to meet Santa and let him know what […]

Christmas Village in Philadelphia in LOVE Park and City Hall

City Hall and LOVE Park 1500 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA, United States

The Christmas Village is back! Head to LOVE Park to peruse this iconic seasonal market of food and over 120 vendors. While your there enjoy the festival of trees, rides, and hanging out with Santa. MEET SANTA: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec 6th through […]

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Philly Zoo Comes to Light LumiNature is back for another season of sights, sounds, and surprises! See more than a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones at the zoo's biggest and brightest holiday light show yet. Open from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekends and […]

Manayunk Jolly Trolley

Manayunk Jolly Trolley

Main Street Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Get LIT weekends which will feature food and drink deals, shopping specials, festive live entertainment, and the FREE Jolly Trolley. The Jolly Trolley will run up and down Main Street making several stops at your […]

ELF The Broadway Musical

ELF The Broadway Musical

Don’t walk 3,408 miles from the North Pole to New York when Walnut Street Theatre brings the holidays to you! The 2024-25 Season continues with ELF The Broadway Musical. Previews begin November 19 and the show runs through December 29, 2024 which includes holiday performances. Open captioning will […]

Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

Morris Arboretum 100 E Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Make your holiday even more magical with a visit to the Holiday Garden Railway, as it is transformed for the season with thousands of twinkling lights! See the enchanting rail cars in a festive wonderland of lights and sounds, a marvelous experience for visitors of […]

Macy’s Christmas Light Show

Macy's Center City 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

One of the grandest of Philadelphia traditions returns this year, lighting up the Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building - location of America's first department store. Spanning seven decades, this iconic display features thousands of festive lights accompanied by music from the 110-plus-year-old Wanamaker Organ. […]

Miracle on South 13th Street

Head down to South Philly for one of the most spectacular neighborhood displays in all of Pennsylvania. Every year, the stretch of 13th Street between Tasker and Morris lights up. Neighbors go all out with lights and displays to celebrate the season, along with accompanying […]

Grand Illumination at American Heritage Credit Union

American Heritage Credit Union 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

American Heritage Credit Union's Annual Grand Illumination celebration is the perfect event to kick-off the holiday season. Our free Grand Illumination has become one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Philadelphia and includes the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over […]

Wintergarden at Winter at Dilworth Park

Dilworth Park 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Dilworth Park’s popular winter attractions are returning for the season! The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink will again offer skating seven days per week, the Greenfield Lawn will host reindeer topiaries in the Wintergarden and the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin will round out the park’s seasonal transformation. Visit each […]

Lucia & Christmas Market

Lucia & Christmas Market

American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Don’t miss this unique magical holiday experience! The outdoor Christmas Market includes your favorite holiday deli items, Christmas decorations and gifts, and SWEA bakery treats. The Swedish Christmas Café will sell holiday foods and sweets for refreshment. Enjoy live music holiday music by the Last […]

Free – $10
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

The Comcast Center Plaza 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The sights and sounds of the holidays come alive in this free, 15-minute show, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, which has quickly become a new holiday tradition in Philadelphia. Marvel at holiday scenes brought to life in this multi-sensory show, featuring classics like Jingle Bell Rock, The Twelve Days of Christmas and The Nutcracker​​​​​; a […]

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA, United States

Build the best memories at Philadelphia's top family holiday event, Holiday Bricktacular! Daily from November 29 - January 1, families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations and more at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia. Holiday Bricktacular Activities: New for 2024! Build To Give […]

Macy’s Dickens Village & Santa

Macy’s Dickens Village & Santa

Macy's Center City 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

One of the most nostalgic family holiday experiences Philadelphia has to offer, this immersive experience is a vintage animatronic retelling of A Christmas Carol. After exploring the fabulous displays and gorgeous lights, you can take the family to meet Santa and let him know what […]

Handmade Holidays at Bartram’s Garden

Bartram's Garden 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, United States

Join Bartram's Garden for their annual celebration of winter, local artists and makers, and community! This free public event is  for the whole family, rain or shine, and will feature Cross a few items off your holiday shopping list at the marketplace, all while supporting […]

Children’s Holiday Spectacular | The Philadelphia Orchestra

Marian Anderson Hall 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Head to the  Kimmel Center for a joyful holiday celebration filled with sing-alongs, your favorite sounds of the season, and special guests! Delight in the warmth of the holiday season and create cherished memories with the whole family at this heartwarming event that is perfect […]

Christmas Village in Philadelphia in LOVE Park and City Hall

City Hall and LOVE Park 1500 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA, United States

The Christmas Village is back! Head to LOVE Park to peruse this iconic seasonal market of food and over 120 vendors. While your there enjoy the festival of trees, rides, and hanging out with Santa. MEET SANTA: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec 6th through […]

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Philly Zoo Comes to Light LumiNature is back for another season of sights, sounds, and surprises! See more than a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones at the zoo's biggest and brightest holiday light show yet. Open from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekends and […]

Manayunk Jolly Trolley

Manayunk Jolly Trolley

Main Street Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Get LIT weekends which will feature food and drink deals, shopping specials, festive live entertainment, and the FREE Jolly Trolley. The Jolly Trolley will run up and down Main Street making several stops at your […]

ELF The Broadway Musical

ELF The Broadway Musical | 2 pm & 8 pm

Don’t walk 3,408 miles from the North Pole to New York when Walnut Street Theatre brings the holidays to you! The 2024-25 Season continues with ELF The Broadway Musical. Previews begin November 19 and the show runs through December 29, 2024 which includes holiday performances. Open captioning will […]

Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

Morris Arboretum 100 E Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Make your holiday even more magical with a visit to the Holiday Garden Railway, as it is transformed for the season with thousands of twinkling lights! See the enchanting rail cars in a festive wonderland of lights and sounds, a marvelous experience for visitors of […]

Macy’s Christmas Light Show

Macy's Center City 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

One of the grandest of Philadelphia traditions returns this year, lighting up the Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building - location of America's first department store. Spanning seven decades, this iconic display features thousands of festive lights accompanied by music from the 110-plus-year-old Wanamaker Organ. […]

Miracle on South 13th Street

Head down to South Philly for one of the most spectacular neighborhood displays in all of Pennsylvania. Every year, the stretch of 13th Street between Tasker and Morris lights up. Neighbors go all out with lights and displays to celebrate the season, along with accompanying […]

Grand Illumination at American Heritage Credit Union

American Heritage Credit Union 2060 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

American Heritage Credit Union's Annual Grand Illumination celebration is the perfect event to kick-off the holiday season. Our free Grand Illumination has become one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Philadelphia and includes the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over […]

Wintergarden at Winter at Dilworth Park

Dilworth Park 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Dilworth Park’s popular winter attractions are returning for the season! The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink will again offer skating seven days per week, the Greenfield Lawn will host reindeer topiaries in the Wintergarden and the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin will round out the park’s seasonal transformation. Visit each […]