11 Kid-Friendly Holiday Happenings In and Around Philly
Doing something fun for the whole family isn’t hard during the holiday season. Philadelphia and its surrounding ‘burbs have plenty of kid-friendly picks, from child-sized live performances to jolly visits with Santa.
A Very Furry Christmas
Sesame Street is decked out with holiday songs, Christmas parades and special character performances. Through Thursday, December 31st 1 p.m to 8 p.m. (until 6 p.m., December 31st), $24 in advance, $29 at the gate, Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA.
A Christmas Carol
Bring your little ones to see a special WST For Kids Christmas performance of Dickens’ holiday tale. Through Wednesday, December 31st, various times, $12-14, Walnut Street Theater, 825 Walnut Street.
![The Walnut Street Theatre performs "A Christmas Carol." |Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.](https://cdn10.phillymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmascarol08.jpg)
The Walnut Street Theatre performs “A Christmas Carol.” |Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.
Jingle and Mingle with Santa
Santa will be on hand to collect wish lists and pose for photos alongside the brand-new Electrical Spectacle. Through December 20th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., free, Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street.
Family Holiday Concert
The whole family will enjoy the seasonal favorites and sing-alongs as performed by Temple’s gifted Boyer College of Music and Dance students. Friday, December 5th, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., free, Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 North Broad Street.
Christmas At the Kimmel
Decorate Christmas trees and ornaments, grab some cocoa, and hang out with Santa for a jolly snapshot. Saturday, December 6th, 12 p.m., free, Commonwealth Plaza at the Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Zoo Noel
Watch Santa feed the Zoo animals, bring a holiday card to your favorite furry pal and make holiday crafts with the elves. Weekends, Saturday December 6th through Sunday, December 21st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free with admission, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 West Girard Avenue.
All That Sparkles
Check out the PMA collection’s bright lights, create sparkly masterpieces to take home, and see the Bandana Splits perform. Sunday, December 7th, free with admission, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
A Christmas Kids Spectacular
Santa helps the Philadelphia Orchestra bring holiday classics to life for the tiniest orchestra lovers. Saturday, December 13th, 11:30 a.m., $19-33, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite
Preschoolers love Nick Jr.’s Max & Ruby and they’ll love seeing them celebrating the season live, too. Friday, December 19th, 6 p.m., $25-30, Tower Theater, 19 South 69th Street.
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen
Everyone’s favorite Ice Queen freezes up Philly with inspiring songs, a certain talking snowman, and plenty of special effects. Thursday, December 25th through Sunday, January 4th, various times, $30-105, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street.
Macy’s Family Fun Day Kwanzaa Celebration
Explore the seven-day celebration of African heritage by lighting the candles of the kinara and learning about the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. Saturday, December 27th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 28th, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., free with admission, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.
More Philly Mag holiday coverage:
- 14 Philly Holiday Shows to Make Your Spirits Bright and Artsy
- City Hall Tree-Lighting Ceremony is tonight
- 15 Holiday Events in Philadelphia
- The Best Christmas Lights in and Around Philadelphia
- Do All Your Holiday Shopping at These 14 Local Pop-Up Markets
- Christmas Tree Farms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree