14 Things To Do In Philly This Weekend: Running of the Santas, Punk Rock Flea Market, the Seaport Parade of Lights and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Wait for the Moon
Get your weekly art fix at tonight's opening reception for Wait for the Moon, the newest exhibition at Arch Enemy Arts. The show features 20 artists, each piece inspired by a different Brothers Grimm fairytale. Albeit slightly dark undertones, the works capture the curious world of folklore in striking light. The exhibit will remain on view through January. For more information, click here. Friday, December 12th, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Arch Enemy Arts, 109 Arch Street.
Wahoo's Taco's Giving Tree Lighting Ceremony
Brand new West Philly taqueria Wahoo's Tacos is getting into the holiday spirit with a Giving Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday. A 15-foot tree will be lit on the outdoor patio in commemoration of restaurant's Toys For Tacos campaign. What's that all about, you ask? Guests who bring in a new, unwrapped toy between now and December 19th will receive a free taco meal on the house. Donations will benefit the Philadelphia chapter of Toys For Tots, who will send a contingent of marines to serenade guests during the tree lighting ceremony. Good deeds, full bellies. What's better than that? Friday, December 12th, 6:30 p.m., free, Wahoo's Tacos, 3180 Chestnut Street.
The Sincerity Project
Team Sunshine Performance Corporation–in conjunction with FringeArts–presents the last two performances of The Sincerity Project this weekend. Described as more of an "anti-play" featuring seven performers, the production "takes the idea of a heart-to-heart conversation and explodes it into a theatrical derby of hilarious, ecstatic, and unconventional vulnerability." The performance approaches myriad topics–from death to ice cream–in a refreshingly avant-garde way. Admission is "pay-what-you-sincerely-think-it’s-worth," with a suggested ticket price of $30. For more information, click here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Friday, December 12th-Saturday, December 13th, 7 p.m., $15-$60, FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.
Punk Rock Flea Market
Cool holiday gifts will abound at the Punk Rock Flea Market this weekend, a funky pop-up featuring 500+ vendors with all sorts of goodies for sale. Think vinyls, vintage clothing, art, handmade jewelry, skateboards, and much more. The Flea will be open Saturday and Sunday, giving you plenty of time to snag unique presents for those whom gift cards just won't do. For more holiday shopping this weekend, check out The Nutcracker Market, Shop on the Square, and Franklin Flea. Saturday, December 13th-Sunday, December 14th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $3 entry donation, Punk Rock Flea Market, 461 N. 9th Street.
Crafty Balboa Holiday Market
From Shoppist. The best reason to head to school on a weekend: the Crafty Balboa Holiday Market, which takes place at SS Neumann Goretti High School on Saturday from 11am to 5pm. The juried art and craft market, now in its sixth year, will feature over 50 vendors, and the lineup is good. Get there early—the first 50 shoppers get free Occasionette tote bags (which are adorable) filled with a sampling of special items from vendors. Even cooler? The Art Department will be on hand to help you create handmade gift tags and greeting cards. More information and 10 top finds here.
Running of the Santas
Get your jolly on at the ultimate holiday pub crawl and music festival this weekend: Running of the Santas. Expect $1 beers, 10 live bands, and hundreds of faux Santas running from McFadden's to the Electric Factory. Your Instagram feed will surely be clogged with tons of tipsy St. Nick's all day–so you may as well join in the debauchery. For more information, click here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Saturday, December 13th, 11 a.m., $15 for general admission, 21+, various locations.
Architecture Tour of the Kimmel Center
From Property: Orchestra performances, the Pennsylvania Ballet, Thinkfest, whatever your reason for going to the Kimmel Center, we bet you haven’t enjoyed the venue from this angle: a free Arts & Architecture tour will be given at the Kimmel this Saturday, as they are every Saturday for if you weren’t in the know. The tour includes a highlight of the Kimmel’s architectural details, displayed artwork (including the Moore Galleries and Percent for Art Collection) and an exterior examination of the building in context with the Philadelphia cityscape. Tours are given on a first-come, first served basis and are limited to 20 guests. More details here.
Teddy Bear Tea
Gather up the little ones–and their favorite stuffed friends–for a special holiday tea party this weekend. Teddy Bear Tea includes "gingerbread man building activities with the Lacroix pastry team, a complimentary Rittenhouse Teddy Bear, and lunch from a child-friendly menu." For more information and to make reservations, click here. If you're looking for more seasonal family fun, check out our guide to Philly's best kid-friendly holiday happenings. Saturday, December 13th-Sunday, December 14th, 11 a.m., $30 for kids and $60 for adults, Mary Cassatt Tea Room, The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square.
Seaport Parade of Lights
Venture to the waterside this Saturday evening for the 5th annual Seaport Parade of Lights, a magical lighted boat parade along the Delaware River. Expect dozens of twinkling boats on display, all decorated with tons of holiday lights and decorations. Following the parade, be sure to check out all of the festive activities the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has to offer, including ice-skating, holiday shopping, and selfies with Santa. Plus, catch WXPN's Fireside Sessions with the Key, featuring monthly performances from talented local musicians, with Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five on deck for this weekend. For more information, click here. Saturday, December 13th, 5 p.m., Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 1o1 S. Columbus Blvd.
Mausoleum X-mas Party
If you're in search of good tidings and live jams this weekend, the Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art (PhilaMOCA) has you covered. Celebrate the season at PhilaMOCA's annual holiday fete, the Mausoleum X-mas Party. Party-goers can expect live entertainment all night long, with tunes from Crash Course in Science, Hot Guts, and Color is Luxury. For more information, click here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Saturday, December 13th, 8 p.m., $10 in advance or $12 at the door, PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th Street.
Celebrate Sinatra's Birthday at Penn 6
From Foobooz: Pennsylvania 6 is hosting something a little different on Saturdays through the holiday season, dinner and drink specials to the tunes of Sinatra. PE6 will offer [Not Your] Same Old Saturday Night, three different specials, ranging from light fare to a full, multi-course meal, each designed to be shared by two people and paired with a bottle of wine. More information and the menu here.
Soul & Waffles
Sunday's are meant solely for zero productivity and lazy, boozy brunches. Roll out of bed and head to Ardmore Music Hall for hangover-curing carbs, served with a side of soul. Live tunes will be provided by musician Zach Deputy, who describes his sound as "island-infused, drum 'n' bass, gospel-ninja-soul." Tickets are available for purchase online. Sunday, December 14th, doors at 1 p.m., show at 2 p.m., $12 in advance or $15 at the door, Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA.
Second Sunday Culture Film Series
Head to Penn Museum for a special monthly film series, focusing on the variety of rich cultural traditions found throughout the world–and the museum's galleries. This Sunday will feature Local Color: Ghanairector Lane Clark, who has been making films in the same coastal Ghanaian town for 30 years. For more information, click here. Museum admission is available for purchase Sunday, December 14th, 2 p.m., $10-$15, Penn Museum, 3260 South Street.
The Peek-A-Boo Revue Holiday Spectacular
Nothing says "happy holidays" like "knee slapping comedy, sultry singing, and burlesque beauties." Don't miss Philly's favorite neo-burlesque troupe this Sunday in a rousing holiday spectacular you won't forget. Tickets are available for purchase online. Looking for more festive theater happenings this weekend? Check out our guide to Philly's best holiday shows, including David Sedaris' Holidays on Ice and The Snow Queen. Sunday, December 14th, 6 p.m., $25, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.
Submit An Event
Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information to ksordjan@phillymag.com.
