15 Philly-Area Wellness Events That’ll Help You Finish the Year Strong
Whether you need skincare support or want to work out with Santa himself, you have plenty of self-care opportunities this December.
Check out these fun, Philly-area fitness and wellness events happening in December. / Photographs courtesy of Remix Fitness (left) and dtXfy.
Alas, the end of the year is upon us! Whatever your plans are for December, we hope you spend some time resetting and focusing on what makes you feel good from the inside out. That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 health-focused activities to get you started in the Philly area. Find the full list below.
Wellness Weekend • Kick off December with a full weekend of self-care, thanks to dtXfy. The renewal studio’s Manayunk location is celebrating one year in business, and to celebrate, it’s hosting fun pop-ups Friday through Sunday. The festivities start at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 1st, with light bites, zero-proof cocktails from Gem Life + Bar, and an opportunity for you to try the infrared sauna, massage pods, and red-light therapy. On Saturday, catch aura photography from Inner Light Aura and a breathwork class, and on Sunday, come back for aromatherapy products from the Herbal Zen and chakra readings. Free to attend, but fees vary for guest services; 4328 Main Street.
Small Business Pop-Up Series • Launched on Small Business Saturday and running every Saturday until December 16th, Sabbatical Beauty’s holiday pop-up series showcases local makers inside the skincare brand’s Bok studio. Swing by from noon to 5 p.m. to check out and buy products from businesses like JBD Apparel by Saudia Islam, Buddha Babe, Half Mad Honey, and Mystic Mondays, among others. Pay for what you buy; 1901 South 9th Street, room 308.
Yoga for Anxiety • This time of year can be stressful and overwhelming. Calm your nervous system at Muse Yoga & Fitness on the evening of December 1st. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the Francisville studio will host a 90-minute Yoga for Anxiety workshop led by Sun + Soul Shine Yoga. Expect a grounding flow enhanced by mindfulness techniques meant for managing stress and anxiety. $35, sign up here; 1513 Ridge Avenue.
Skincare Stuff! • Philly’s own DVINITI Skin Care is holding two self-care pop-ups this month. The first — happening from 2 to 6 p.m. on December 2nd in conjunction with Self(ish) Philly — is a rooftop sip and shop where you can experience skin consultations and custom blending demos, and go home with a swag bag full of skin-care goodies. The second — from noon to 4 p.m. on December 10th sees DVINITI at Dope Botanicals to chat all things gut and skin so you can be prepared for winter from the inside out. December 2nd: Pay for what you buy or $40 for a VIP ticket, 1500 Locust Street, floor 45; December 10th: Free, 257 South 20th Street.
Sleigh Ride • On December 3rd, RIDE Spin, Barre, & TRX in Southampton is hosting its annual Toys for Tots classes. There’ll be a 60-minute boot camp at 8:30 a.m. as well as a 75-minute spin class at 9:30 am. — both are team teaches. Don’t forget to bring a toy to donate! $18 + one unwrapped new toy, sign up here; 225 Second Street Pike, Southampton.
Free Run/Training Sesh • At 11:45 a.m. on December 3rd, join Vinny Carrano for a free group training session to prep for next year’s Love Run Philly. You’ll meet at F45 Training Center City, then venture on a run/walk to the Art Museum, where you’ll partake in some cross training. After, everyone will head back to F45, where there’ll be some post-exercise coffee and donuts. Bonus: Two Love Run race registrations will be given away at the end so you can run the half marathon on March 24th at no cost! Free, just show up; meet at F45 Training Center City (1900 John F Kennedy Boulevard).
Free Yoga • On December 9th, Tula Yoga & Wellness will celebrate its fourth year in business! As a thank you, the NoLibs studio is hosting free yoga classes at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Come by at 9 a.m. for coffee and tea, and/or stick around after the last class for a clothing swap where you can donate your gently used athleisure in exchange for something new. Free, but you’ll need to register; 737 North 4th Street.
Pilates & Yoga • Want the best of both worlds? You have two opportunities to enjoy both mat Pilates and yoga in one setting, thanks to instructors Yu Amy Sun and Maggie Donoghue. Both 75-minute combo classes are going down on December 9th (12:30 p.m.) at Evolve Dance in Rittenhouse and on December 16th (12:30 p.m.) at G-Strength in Kensington. A brief meditation will close out each session. $22, sign up here; December 9th: 2039 Walnut Street, #1F; December 16th: 2041-55 Coral Street.
Wizard Run • Calling all witches, wizards, Harry Potter lovers, and believers in magic! The Wizard Run — a 5K and a one-mile fun run — returns to Philadelphia for the first time since 2019 on December 9th at the Navy Yard. Upon registration, you’ll get to pick the color of your race shirt — blue, red, yellow or green — and on race day, you’ll receive a custom wand, medal, and butterscotch cream soda. Costumes are highly encouraged, and there’ll be an after-party at the Cauldron Philly. $60-$65, register here; 4747 South Broad Street.
A Morning of Self-Care • If you’re looking for uninterrupted hours of self-care, register for “Serenity & Sculpt,” a three-hour wellness event taking place at a private barn in Newtown. The morning will feature a 45-minute power Pilates workout, a nutritious brunch, on-site aesthetic services, a 2024 vision and alignment workshop, and more. $145, register here; address disclosed upon registration.
Self-Discovery Workshop • The end of the year typically gets people thinking about resolutions or areas in life they want to improve or change. To help you reflect on where you’ve been and where you’d like to go, Thrive Pilates & Yoga is running a self-discovery workshop on December 10th starting at 2 p.m. In 90 minutes, you’ll learn six practical tools to creating your dream life, and you’ll jot down all your thoughts in an interactive workbook so that you go home with a concrete action plan. $40, register here; 2016 Walnut Street.
Boot Camp with Santa! • CoreFitness is bringing Santa to the Art Museum steps on December 19th — and you get to work out with the jolly man himself! Class — which starts at 9 a.m. — will be a 60-minute full-body boot camp, and attendees are encouraged to wear your favorite holiday colors and accessories. $18, sign up here; Art Museum steps.
Throwback Aerobics • Remix Fitness runs choreographed, riser-based classes once per month at its Horsham studio, but this December, you’re getting two (!). Enjoy the fun cardio and strength workout at 10:15 a.m. on December 17th and 9:30 a.m. on December 27th. $33, sign up here; 116 Welsh Road.
Yoga for Rest and Recovery • As the chaos of December continues, carve out time for some stillness and alone time. On December 19th starting at 7:30 p.m., Massage Studio of Philadelphia will host a 90-minute candle-lit restorative yoga and breathwork session so you can rest, recover, and recharge. $38, sign up here; 219 Cuthbert Street, fourth floor.
Ugly Sweaters and Holiday Lights • To round out the month, weekly running group Run & Chug invites you to don your best ugly sweater on the night of December 20th. Meet at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink (next to the big Christmas tree at Winterfest) at 7 p.m. before venturing out on a 4.5-mile run — or for the shorter two-mile option — to work up a sweat and see some holiday lights on display. Free, just show up; 101 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard.
