Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening around town!

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.

All Weekend

Wonderspaces Opening Weekend

Opens January 24

Fashion District Philadelphia, 27 N. 11th St.

 

A new interactive installation is coming to Philly, with the latest in technology and experiential art. Yes, it is fun and Instaworthy, but it will take you beyond accumulating some photos on your phone and ask bigger questions about what it means to interpret, collaborate, and view art. Timed tickets are available online. See more in our full write-up!

GIANT Heirloom Market’s Anniversary Weekend

January 23–26

2303 Bainbridge Street

 

Stop in for samples, giveaways, and activities for kids all weekend long.

Final Weekend: The Snow Queen

Through January 26

Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St.

 

Based on Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen transports audiences on a journey through the four seasons, and celebrates the magical power of friendship.

My General Tubman

Through March 1

Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street

 

A world premiere by acclaimed Philadelphia author Lorene Cary, My General Tubman is a beautiful and exciting new play about the complex journey of Harriet Tubman and the impact she continues to have today.

Riverdance

January 21–26

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

 

A stirring re-invention of this beloved favorite, see Irish dance with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, staging and costume design, and an all-new finale number! Tickets available online.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Through March 8

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!

Winter in Dilworth Park: Rothman Rink and Wintergarden

Through February

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15^th St.

 

Right outside City Hall, go skating on the Rothman Rink and running through Wintergarden Maze! Warm up after in the Cabin with seasonal food and drinks!

Candytopia

Now open through February 17

Ninth and Market streets

 

Coming to the new Fashion District, Candytopia brings its wildly popular experiential installation art to Philly this fall. Favorites—like the marshmallow pit filled with over 250,000 foam marshmallows, and the rainbow-filled room with flying unicorn pigs and confetti explosions—will be joined by Philly-specific elements. It’s Instagram heaven, and you even get to eat candy throughout the experience! Tickets are available online, where you can reserve your timeslot. Kids age 3 and under get in free!

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute

January 25, 6:15 pm—January 26, noon

222 N. 20th St.

 

Kids ages 6-13 (and chaperones) will have a unique sleepover experience in the museum, plus access to the “Worst-Case Scenario” special exhibit! Campers must clear out by 9:30 am on Sunday, but can stay and explore the museum until noon! Pre-register online.

Saturday

Nimble Crafters at Kith + Kin

January 25, 10 am—noon

3060 W. Jefferson St.

 

Weekly take-home projects are inspired by nature, cultures, and art appreciation. Experimenting with different materials in a controlled environment allows your child to gain confidence but most importantly have fun! Come any time between the two-hour open studio time and stay as long as you choose.

Arden Theatre Workshop: Stage Combat

January 25, 10 am—1 pm (Grades 6-8); 2—5 pm (Grades 9-12)

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

 

In this active class, students will learn the basics of hand-to-hand stage combat from a certified instructor. This safe technique brings a brawl to life using “theatre magic,” which involves minimal contact with your opponent. Book online.

East Passyunk Community Center Winter Playground

January 25, 10 am—noon

1025 Mifflin St.

 

Kids age 8 and under can come inside and play. Play equipment provided; $5 per family.

Arden Bookworms

January 25, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

 

Preschoolers (age 2-4) will read Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.

Plastics Chemistry Fair

January 25, 11 am—4 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.

 

Make glow-in-the-dark slime, engage in live science presentations, participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt, and visit with some of Philadelphia’s top plastics organizations during this fun-filled day devoted to the magic of plastics. Plus, commemorate the 10th anniversary of Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty by seeing what they can do with 50 pounds of Thinking Putty!

Founder’s Freeze Out in Manayunk

January 25, 11 am—4 pm

Main Street, Manayunk

 

Manayunk will turn into a winter wonderland during this day-long event of ice sculptures and ice carving demonstrations, a  beer garden, winter market, live music, and more. The event is family-friendly, but you have to be 21 to enter the beer garden.

Geography Lady at Baby Wordplay

January 25, 11 am—noon

2227 Grays Ferry Ave.

 

Explore Hawaii from around the world through stories, sensory, movement, crafts, and more.

Independence Seaport Museum celebrates Lunar New Year

January 25, 1–3:05 pm
Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn about New Year’s celebrations around the world. Crafts, performance, and calligraphy will also be featured. Tickets available online.

Mural Arts Workshop with Rebecca Schultz

January 25, 2—4 pm

4332 Germantown Ave.

 

Join us and artist, Rebecca Schultz, for an exciting workshop where you will learn new art techniques and contribute to the upcoming Wayne Avenue mural! This workshop will be based on nature found around the neighborhoods, so bring a piece or photo of your favorite local plant or flower. All levels and ages welcome!

Family Class: All About Bees and Honey

January 25, 2:30 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Parkway Central Library’s 240,000 honey bees just produced their first honey harvest, and the library is welcoming families to enjoy the sweetness of it all! Caregivers and children ages 7 to 12 are invited to taste samples and learn more about the honey bees and the important roles they play in our environment from the library’s beekeeper Don Shump. Each child will receive a complimentary copy of The Thing About Bees, a children’s book by Shabbazz Larkin. Pre-registration is required; tickets are $14 per person via Eventbrite.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Lucien E. Blackwell Library

January 25, 4 pm

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St.

 

Chinese New Year slime, crafts, and snack sampling from a Tray of Togetherness. Families will take home a copy of a Chinese zodiac themed picture book. For children ages 11 and under and their families.

Chinese New Year at Dilworth Park

January 25, 5–9 pm

1 S. 15th St.

 

Sunday

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

January 26, 9–11 am

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Children on the spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum before the crowds. You can visit with the dinosaurs, and all the other exhibits, at your own pace. Pre-registration is required (same-day registration is available onsite). If you would like to attend, please contact visitor services at 215-299-1060 or reservations@ansp.org

Free Adaptive Ice Skating at RiverRink

January 26, 9:30—10:30 am

Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd.

 

Bring family and friends to enjoy free instructive skate lessons for those with mobility restrictions. Participants will work with rink staff to learn sled skating skills. All ages. First come, first served.

Art of Play

January 26, 10:30 am—3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Get playful in the galleries and discover toys, games, and children in art. Take a family-friendly tour, and then make art together as a family. Included with admission; kids 12 and under are always free.

Geography Lady at Baby Wordplay

January 26, 10:30—11:30 am

1942 Brandywine St.

 

Explore Hawaii from around the world through stories, sensory, movement, crafts, and more.

National Liberty Museum Family Fest

January 26, 11 am—3 pm

321 Chestnut St.

 

A day of fun activities that proves you’re never too young (or too old) to be a Liberty Hero! Includes a scavenger hunt, Give Back Workshop where kids can make homemade cat toys and blankets to donate to the ASPCA, trivia, performances, and more. Plus, while you’re there you can see the David Bowie exhibit downstairs before it closes on February 3!

Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown

January 26, 11 am
10^th and Spring streets, Philadelphia

 

Chinatown’s New Year parade features the Philadelphia Suns’ Lion Dance with lots of drums, firecrackers, and colorful excitement. Note: this parade might be difficult for small kids or those with sensory issues because there is a lot of smoke and loud noise from the firecrackers.

Lunar New Year at Please Touch Museum

January 26, 12:30–3 pm

Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

Celebrate Lunar New Year with storytime and performances by Penn Lions. Bring the family to experience this traditional celebration to ward off bad luck!

Free Puppetry Performances at Annenberg Center

January 26, noon and 3:30 pm

3680 Walnut Street

 

Part of the International Association of Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY), Annenberg hosts free performances—one for kids ages 8 and up at noon, and an all-ages one at 3:30 pm.  Tickets are limited and online registration in advance is required. Plan to arrive early to check-in.

PAFA Family Arts Academy

January 26, 2—4 pm

118-128 N. Broad Street

 

Dance and learn the mythology stories behind the Indian classical dance form Bharatanatyam and its rich history and heritage. Free admission.

Awbury Bird Count

January 26, 2—4 pm

Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd.

 

This family-friendly event will feature educational bird activities for kids, an introduction to the popular and easy to use “eBird” app, and a hike to practice observing, identifying, and recording birds. Light refreshments will be served. Free; register online.

Dancing with the Stars Live

January 26, 8 pm

The Met, 858 N. Broad St.

 

Experience the professional dancing, costumes, and excitement from the TV show live on stage.

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz.