High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: November 16

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: November 16–17

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

November 11, 2019

Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

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

All Weekend

Photo Pop: Winter Wonderland

November 15–January 5

The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall East

Photo Pop returns this winter with one-of-a-kind interactive holiday themes that will make for amazing holiday card (and Instagram) moments! Tickets available online.

Franklin Square Holiday Festival

November 14—December 31

Showtimes: Every half-hour from 4:30—8 pm (Sunday—Thursday), 4:30—9 pm (Friday—Saturday)

200 N. Sixth St.

More than 80,000 lights illuminate Franklin Square, timed to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS. There are two alternating shows every 30 minutes beginning at 4:30 pm daily, so if you stay a while for the Holiday Festival activities, you can catch them both. And you’ll definitely want to do that because they have fun events planned like a winter beer garden with fire pits, live music Sundays, gourmet hot chocolate station, and much more!

Opening Weekend Celebration: Mexico and Central America Gallery and Africa Galleries

November 16—17, 10 am—5 pm

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

Join in a vibrant, weekend-long celebration and be among the first to explore 10,000 square feet of reimagined galleries and spaces at the Penn Museum. From incredible African and Central American dance performances to glyph writing activities, from storytelling to discussions with curators and artists, visitors are invited to engage with all that the reimagined Penn Museum has to offer, all weekend long.

Rothman Rink and Wintergarden Maze at Dilworth Park

Friday, noon — 11 pm; Saturday, 11 am — 11 pm; Sunday, 11 am — 8 pm

1 S. 15th St.

Come for the winter ambiance, stay for the fun, including the adjacent America’s Garden Capital Maze (perfect for photo ops). The heated Cabin has treats for the kids, and beer, cocktails, and more. You can even wear your skates inside!

Universoul Circus

November 14—December 8

52nd and Parkside, Fairmount Park

For over 25 years, this incredible circus has celebrated diversity, talent, and spectacle. It comes to the big top in Fairmount Park this fall!

Shrek: The Musical

November 5—January 5

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.

This award-winning Broadway musical based on the beloved movie features all new songs and fun for the whole family.

‘Hamilton’

August 27–November 17

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.

The Broadway sensation based on our ten dollar founding father is finally coming, so do not throw away your shot! Don’t have tickets? Enter the #HAM4HAM lottery! Still don’t have tickets? We rounded up ways to stay entertained with Hamilton-related activities in Philly until you do!

Candytopia

Now open through January 9

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!

Saturday

Philadelphia Museum of Art Sensory-Friendly Morning

November 16, 9—10:30 am

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

This program is specially designed for children on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. The lights, volume, and crowds are turned down but not the fun or creativity. Free event; registration required. To reserve your spot, email AccessProg@philamuseum.org

Rise and Shine PJs and Play

November 16, 9 am—noon

CubSocial, 2532 S. 13^th St.

Roll out of bed and into playtime, no outfit change needed!

Sound All Around: Strings

November 16, 10 am and 11:15 am

Academy of Music Ballroom, 240 S. Broad St.

Sound All Around is a great introduction to classical music for youngsters (ages 3-5), and features members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This month, meet bass player Nathaniel West to learn about the stringed instruments. Concerts are 45 minutes and are hosted by award-winning storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston. These performances are sensory-friendly. Tickets available online.

Family Clay Workshop: Hot Cocoa Mugs

November 16, 10 am—noon

The Clay Studio, 137-139 N. Second St.

Learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel, and make a cocoa mug for those cold days ahead. Classes are appropriate for children ages 4-12. Parents with children ages 4-7 work together on one wheel. Pre-registration is required.

Nimble Crafters at Kith + Kin

November 16, 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.

Introducing Solid Foods 101

November 16, 10—11:15 am

Minnow Lane, 2029 Frankford Avenue

Join Leslie Adams and Roanna Keener, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and local mamas for an hour of evidence-based guidelines for infant feeding. Reserve your spot online.

Elephant and Piggie Thank-O-Rama Party

November 16, 11 am

Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Ave.

An all-ages storytime featuring The Thank You Book by Mo Willems, followed by Elephant and Piggie activities and giveaways.

Storytime Yoga

November 16, 11 am

Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St.

Yoga instructor Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a class filled with stories, yoga, and fun for 2 to 5 year-olds and their caregivers.

Goat Storytime

November 16, 11 am—noon

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

Join real Philly Goats and join in a live-action retelling of The Three Billygoats Gruff, march in a goat parade, read fun stories about goats!

Nature Journaling for Kids and Families

November 16, 11:30 am

Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave.

Spend some time with local artist and nature enthusiast Alison Chapman, and make your own nature journal. No artistic or scientific knowledge is needed. This workshop is best for ages 6 to 12 years old.

Young Chefs Workshop: Holiday Pies

November 16, noon—2:30 pm

The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, 4207 Walnut St.

Young chefs (ages 11-14) will learn how to make their own fresh pies from start to finish–just in time for the holiday season! Pre-register online.

Disney Junior Holiday Party

November 16, 4 pm

Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby

Children and their families can sing and dance along to their favorite Disney Junior songs, plus holiday classics, with their favorite Disney friends including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Puppy Dog Pals, Vampirina and many more, plus a special visit from Santa Claus!

Sunday

Cuentacuentos Spanish Immersion Storytime

November 17, 9—9:45 am

Beehive at Bok, Suite B03, 1901 S. Ninth Street

Cuentacuentos is a Spanish 45 minutes total immersion experience. Storytime, play, sing, dance as well as hands-on activities related to the books of the day.

Philadelphia Children’s Business Fair

November 17, 10 am—1 pm

Nest, 1301 Locust St.

Celebrate ambition, hustle, and hard work by coming out to shop and support businesses that have been created by students ages 5 -13! Young entrepreneurs will be selling their products and services in a one-day marketplace at Nest.

Hot Mugs

November 17, 10 am—noon

University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St.

Join your neighbors for food, fun, art, and activities. At this pottery studio fundraiser, you get a handmade mug for $15 and fill it with all-you-can-drink coffee and hot chocolate, and grab a breakfast pastry for no additional charge.

Daisy Digs Disney Family Brunch

November 17, 11 am and 12:15 pm

Paris Bistro Jazz Café, 8235 Germantown Ave.

Daisy Digs Disney provides the entertainment at this month’s family-friendly brunch. Make a Jazz Cafe brunch reservation for 11:30 am or 1:30 pm to attend.

PLARN Party

November 17, 11 am—2 pm

Art Star, 623 N. Second St.

Bring unwanted, lightly used plastic bags and learn how to up-cycle them into a weavable strand called PLARN (plastic yarn). Make a contribution to a community project that will pop up in various places throughout the city, showcasing July 2020.