Winter Break Master Plan: Everything to Do With Kids in Philly When School’s Out
From holiday happenings to day-off camps, there is so much to do in the city when school is out!
Keep the kids busy this Winter Break in Philly with so many fun events. / Photograph courtesy of Please Touch Museum
Because of where the holidays fall on the calendar this year, Philly schools have a two-week winter break this year. Yup, two weeks. That’s … a lot of togetherness. And it can go very slowly with no school, no schedule, and cold weather. Four days in, all the presents have been opened and discarded, and you’ve just got to get out of the house before you all go crazy. Don’t worry: There’s plenty to do around Philly, from day-off camps to holiday magic. Here’s the rundown.
See Also: What’s Open on Christmas Day in Philly?
Holiday Stuff That’s Still Around After Christmas
Look, the holiday season flew by and you didn’t get around to it all, and that’s fine because Philly’s not ready to let go either. Here’s what sticks around through winter break (and beyond, in some cases).
Macy’s Christmas Light Show / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Holiday Lights
Even if Christmas is over, that won’t stop Philly’s holiday institutions from sparkling until 2024. The Macy’s Christmas Light Show (and Dickens Village upstairs, with a reservation), the Comcast Holiday Spectacular, and Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle all run through the end of the year. You can also walk through some lights at the zoo, take an open-wagon ride through an illuminated Shady Brook Farm, stroll through a lit-up South Philly street, and more. The list goes on, so keep that holiday magic alive a little longer with a guide to all of them here.
Chilly Philly Mini Golf at Franklin Square / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Winter in Franklin Square
Franklin Square is full of sparkle, holiday-themed mini golf, and plenty to eat, drink, and celebrate every day through New Year’s and beyond. Gather a group of up to eight to enjoy their iceless “street curling” rinks, or just warm up and make s’mores at the fire pits. Catch the Electrical Spectacle light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5 p.m. daily and running through 9 p.m.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens’ annual holiday exhibition runs through January 12th, with decorations both indoors and out. There’s also live holiday music, open-air fountain shows, and the delightful Garden Railway display. Timed tickets are required, and weekends in particular sell out — but they’re one of the few attractions open on Christmas Day.
Go Skating
Go skating at Dilworth Park during winter break. / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
For festive wintertime memories, you can’t beat a spin around the ice with music playing and lights twinkling. And you can get that experience at Rothman Rink in Dilworth Park, as well as the 30-years-running Blue Cross RiverRink. The latter’s Winterfest offers a cozy lodge, food and drink, rides, photo ops, fun and games, and river views to make it a holiday must-do even for those not interested in strapping on a pair of skates. Make reservations here. Both rinks stay open well past the holiday season, so even if you don’t get there over break, you’ve got a couple months left in the season.
Looking for a lower-key ice-skating experience? Be Well Philly has a complete guide to rinks in the city and beyond.
See a Show
His crown is made of cheese! / Photograph by Laura Swartz
From Disney on Ice to The Nutcracker, you can always count on plenty of kid-friendly fare onstage throughout winter break. Here’s what’s on this year:
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The ultimate classic. From the Tchaikovsky score to the fantastical journey to the Land of Sweets and back, this ballet never really changes, and never really has to. Come early for a pre-show picture with the Mouse King to really make your holiday season complete.
Through December 29th, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street.
Disney on Ice
You know the drill, parents: Get the kids out of the house and in their most glittery princess costumes for a couple hours of figure skating set to their favorite Disney movie soundtracks. This year’s theme: “Let’s Dance.” There’ll be princesses, Wish, Moana, Mickey and Minnie … Also, Frozen, because Disney knows where its bread is buttered. Buy the $30 light-up wands and commemorative cups while you’re at it.
December 26th-January 4th, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street.
Elf: The Broadway Musical
Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the modern classic Will Ferrell film about a human raised as an elf in Santa’s workshop.
Through December 29th, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
Cirque du Solieil’s ‘Twas the Night Before… is at the Met through December 29th. / Photograph by Errisson Lawrence
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Twas the Night Before …
Acrobats, aerialists and more dazzling circus-arts performers create holiday magic with a whole lot of sparkling, music and gravity-defying.
Through December 29th, The Met, 858 North Broad Street.
Peter Pan
Travel to Neverland as the Arden presents the a new production of the classic story of the boy who never grew up, based on the book by J.M. Barrie, adapted for the stage by Douglas Irvine.
Through January 5th, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.
Peter Panto: A Musical Panto
Even more Peter Pan! People’s Light returns with another whimsical winter panto, this time featuring Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, etc. Cheering and singing are encouraged.
Through January 5th, People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.
STOMP / Photograph by Steve McNicholas
STOMP
The rhythmic and theatrical percussion group uses famously keeps the beat with some unusual instruments: brooms, garbage cans, lighters, hubcaps, and more. It’s fun for all ages, and we apologize if your kids spend the rest of the break using your pots and pans to start a dance troupe.
December 26th-29th, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
The Three Little Pigs
Curio presents this Make/Partake family-friendly theater experience, in which kids make props, voice recordings and other elements of the production they’ll be watching.
Through December 29th, Curio Theatre Company, 4740 Baltimore Avenue.
Bluey x CAMP
For little ones obsessed with Bluey, you can head to King of Prussia’s CAMP location to step inside her house and even have a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo. It’s a pretty cute way to spend an hour. Make your reservations online.
Museum Programming
Winter Break at the Penn Museum / Photograph by Eddy Marenco
Penn Museum
From December 26th through 28th, the Penn Museum is free for everyone under 17. There are also special daily activities to engage kids of all ages. Kids can create suncatchers, play mancala, join a drumming workshop, and go on the “Daily Dig” to take a 15-minute deep dive into one artifact on display.
December 26th-28th, 3260 South Street.
Franklin Institute: Body Odyssey
After months of being closed for renovation — heartlessness, if you will — the Giant Heart is open once more at the Franklin Institute. And around it? A brand-new permanent exhibit focused on the human body. The highly interactive exhibit is part of the museum’s massive makeover for its 200th anniversary. So, what to expect? “Travel through the circulatory system, explore the complexity of senses and perception, and see firsthand how the latest technology and data push the boundaries of medicine and human performance.”
Ongoing, 222 North 20th Street.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Check out Art Kids activities, including pop-up studio activities and tours, on select days during break. And on Saturday, December 28th, there will be an interactive storytime for ages three to seven exploring themes of the museum’s special exhibit “The Time Is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure.”
December 21st, 22nd, and 27th-29th, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum’s current special exhibit gives kids the opportunity to think about and explore feelings through a variety of interactive activities designed to help them understand, appreciate, and express their emotions. There will also be a Kwanzaa celebration on December 28th and, of course, their Countdown2Noon event on New Year’s is a must-do for little ones (more on that below).
Through December 31st, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
Museum of the American Revolution
Over break, the museum is planning special activities with costumed re-enactors, hands-on discovery carts, engaging in-gallery talks and more to highlight the diverse stories of men and women who experienced winter during the American Revolution in the Philadelphia area. Activities are included with admission.
December 23rd-January 5th, 101 South 3rd Street.
Winter Break Camps
Winter Break camps include rock-climbing at PRG / Photograph courtesy of Philadelphia Rock Gyms
If your kids are off, but you aren’t, here are plenty of camps to keep them occupied all day, whatever they’re into. Prices are per day.
Philadelphia Rock Gyms
Philadelphia Rock Gyms’ Fishtown and East Falls locations are hosting full-day ($99) and half-day ($60.50) camps. Kids ages six and up will learn bouldering and top rope skills while strengthening their problem solving, communication, and teamwork. Lunch is provided for full-day campers. Extended care is available for an additional $20 an hour. Discounts are available for multiple-day registration. PRG’s suburban outposts in Malvern and Oaks are also hosting camp.
December 23rd-January 3rd, Philadelphia Rock Gym, 2412 East York Street (Fishtown) and 3500 Scotts Lane (East Falls).
Movement Callowhill
Even more climbing! Movement (f.k.a. Cliffs at Callowhill) will also be hosting rock climbing, collaborative games, and new skills for kids ages six through 13. Camp is full-day for $125, with discounts if you sign up for three or more days.
December 23rd-January 3rd, Movement Callowhill, 1010 Callowhill Street.
Phield House
Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade can spend their days playing sports and games in this massive indoor sports facility. Full-day ($65) and half-day ($40) options are available.
December 23rd-January 3rd, Phield House, 814 Spring Garden Street.
Arden Theatre Company
At Arden Drama School, kids in kindergarten though fifth grades can participate in a “Play in a Day” workshop, where they work together to create an original play. Each full day is $80, and lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 23rd, 27th, 30th and 31st, 62 North 2nd Street.
Philly Art Center
Artists ages five through 12 can get creative in the studio at Philly Art Center’s Queen Village, Mount Airy and Fairmount locations. Age groups are split up and guided by teachers who structure creative playtime. Camps are full-day ($90), with before- and after-care available for an additional cost.
December 23rd-January 3rd, Philly Art Center, 514 Bainbridge Street (Queen Village), 530 Carpenter Lane (Mount Airy), and 2333 Fairmount Avenue (Fairmount).
Flip Out
This gymnastics camp for ages four-and-a-half to 14 includes a day of gymnastics circuits, crafts, and games.
December 23rd-30th, Flip Out Productions, 2757 Frankford Avenue.
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
This unique camp lets kids literally run off to join the circus in Mount Airy. It’s open to ages five to 12. Camp combines elements of play, mental concentration, trust and team-building in a full day of lessons and activities on real circus equipment. The full-day camp is $95 per day.
December 23rd-January 3rd, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.
Skate the Foundry
Kids ages seven to 13 can enroll in two-day camps over break to perfect their skateboarding skills at Skate the Foundry’s indoor West Philly location. Campers must have their own skateboard, helmet, and safety gear. Full-day is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it’s $230 for the two-day camp.
December 30th-31st and January 2nd-3rd, Skate the Foundry, 888 North 40th Street.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
End winter break with a bang! / Photograph courtesy of Please Touch Museum
The kids (probably) aren’t making it up til midnight, so party with them a little earlier. (And then plan something fun for yourself!) Here are some of the best family-friendly celebrations.
Fireworks on the Waterfront
Fireworks light up the Delaware River waterfront at 6 p.m. and midnight, so plan your day around the earlier show and get a front-row seat.
The New Year’s Eve fireworks can be viewed for free along the Waterfront at Race Street Pier, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Pier 68 and Washington Avenue Pier.
Or, get a front-row seat with waterfront parties like the one at Cherry Street Pier that has PopUpPlay-led craft activities, a dance party, and fantastic views. Want to watch those fireworks from the ice? Book a ticket to Blue Cross RiverRink’s 5 p.m. New Year’s on Ice party and enjoy them from the rink, along with rides, food and music.
Coundown2Noon at Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum goes all out with their signature Countdown2Noon event, which features performances, crafts, dance parties and a ball drop (and confetti shower) in Memorial Hall. This year, there are two sessions: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown at Franklin Square
New Year’s Eve craft-making starts at 5 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m., there’s a countdown to the “Square Drop” from atop SquareBurger. Afterward, stick around until 8 p.m., when you can take in the final Electrical Spectacle light show of the year, play Chilly Philly Mini Golf, ride the carousel and more. Best of all, this party is free!
Noon Year’s Eve at Smith Memorial Playground
This free party includes games, creative activities, outdoor play, snacks, music by DJ Darryl, a performance by Positive Movement Drumline, and a noon drop surprise. Reserve your spot online.
Kith + Kin New Year’s Concert
Countdown to noon with a toddler-friendly concert by Mister John’s Music and some playtime before nap time. Tickets include two hours of play, concert and countdown.
PlayArt’s Countdown to Noon
Bring in the new year with live entertainment, snacks, a countdown clock, and fun for the whole family at this Fishtown playspace.
