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, many Philly-area schools have a nearly two-week winter break. (Twelve days!) That’s … a lot of togetherness. And as every parent knows, a day can go by very slowly with no school, no schedule, and cold weather. Need ideas for ways to get out of the house … or to get them out of the house? We’ve got you covered with everything from whole-family activities that pack in the holiday magic to day-off camps that buy you a little peace. Here, a rundown.
Holiday Stuff That’s Still Around After Christmas
So the holiday season flew by and you didn’t get around to it all? Totally fine: Philly’s not ready to let go yet, either. Here’s what sticks around throughout winter break (and even beyond, in some cases).
Holiday Lights
Christmas might be done, but that won’t stop Philly’s holiday institutions from sparkling until 2026. The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, Astra Lumina, and Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle all run through the end of the year. You can 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; you can keep that holiday magic alive a little longer with a guide to all of the lights 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.
LumiNature (and the Pherris Wheel) at the Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo is lit up for the holidays with larger-than-life illuminated zones and installations throughout the zoo. Favorites like the 25-foot-tall pink-flamingo tree and the “Penguin Prismatic” light show on the lake are back, along with new tableaux including an “enchanted fairy forest” with bubble fairies and a troll’s house that “awakens” when you use your Zoo Key (so bring that along!). Also new this year? The massive Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel. It’s all lit up for the season, and takes you 100 feeet up to take in the skyline, Schuylkill, Art Museum, and more sights from above. (Tickets are sold separately, or you can spring for the package deal.) Stop by the cozy new zoo lodge for treats, a bar for the grownups, and Santa. Heads up: You won’t see zoo animals during LumiNature — it’s too dark, and most of them are sleeping!
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens’ popular annual holiday exhibition runs through January 11th, with decorations 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.
Visit the Comcast Campus
You likely already know about the hourly Comcast Holiday Spectacular show in the lobby of the Comcast Center, but might be overlooking what’s happening next door at Comcast Technology Center: The Universal Sphere is currently running a special Shrek-themed holiday ride, wherein you’ll hop on a sleigh with Shrek, Donkey, and the rest of the gang. Afterwards, you can head to the little activity area to color your own gingerbread man and bring him to life on screen in the North Pole Bakery. Round out your day with something sweet: All Aboard Candy just opened a little outpost at Comcast.
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. Find that experience at Rothman Rink in Dilworth Park, or at the Blue Cross RiverRink, a winter tradition for more than 30 years now. The latter’s Winterfest offers a cozy lodge, food and drink, rides, photo ops, fun and games, and river views — plenty of amusements even for those not interested in strapping on a pair of skates. (Make reservations here.) Both rinks stay open well past the holiday 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, there’s always 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, if that appeals.
Through December 31st, 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: “Jump In!” There’ll be princesses, characters from Inside Out, Mickey and Minnie … Also, Frozen, because Disney knows where its bread is buttered. Oh, $30 light-up wands and commemorative cups.
December 26th-January 3rd, Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 South Broad Street.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Acrobats, aerialists and more dazzling circus-arts performers create holiday magic with a whole lot of music and gravity-defying feats.
December 23rd-28th, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Walnut Street Theatre presents a musical adaptation of the classic 1983 holiday movie, complete with big production numbers — the music is by Pasek and Paul! — and lots of heart and humor.
Through January 4th, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
Annie
Media Theatre brings the kids’ musical theater standard to the stage with all its memorable songs — “Tomorrow,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” etc. — and Depression-Era optimism.
November 28th-January 4th, Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media.
A Wrinkle in Time
The Arden Theatre presents John Glore’s stage adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved fantasy novel about a young girl’s “thrilling journey across time and space.” The show is recommended for ages six and up.
December 3rd-January 25th, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.
Museum Programming
Winter Break at the Penn Museum / Photograph by Eddy Marenco
Penn Museum
On December 26th and 27th, the Penn Museum is free for everyone under 17. Kids can play games, create vision boards, join a drumming workshop, and go on the “Daily Dig” to take a 15-minute deep dive into one artifact on display.
December 26th & 27th, 3260 South Street.
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute’s holiday programming is back for winter break, and will include their pop-up construction play space Creation Station, sparkling lights and trees, and their signature live science shows with a “holiday remix” — think topics like the science of snow, how to stay warm in the winter, and so forth.
December 20th-30th, 222 North 20th Street.
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 programming designed 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 20th-January 4th, 101 South 3rd Street.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Check out Art Kids activities, including pop-up studio activities and tours, on select days during break. P.S.: Kids always get in free at the Art Museum.
December 20th, 21st, and 26th-28th, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Please Touch Museum
In addition to their daily hands-on fun, the Please Touch Museum is planning holiday celebrations throughout break: Christmas on December 20th (with Santa!), Hanukkah on December 21st, and Kwanzaa on December 28th. And, of course, their Countdown2Noon event on New Year’s is a must-do for little ones (more on that below).
4231 Avenue of the Republic.
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, featuring … well, a bit of 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, Wyncote, and Oaks are also hosting camp.
December 26th-January 2nd, 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 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for $125 per day.
December 29th-January 2nd, 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 ($70) and half-day ($40) options are available.
December 24th-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 $85, and lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For grades six through 12th, the Arden is offering half-day specialty acting workshops over break: stage combat on December 29th and musical theater on December 30th. Those are $55 per three-hour workshop, with middle-schoolers in the morning and high-schoolers in the afternoon.
December 29th and 30th, 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 ($94), with before- and after-care available for an additional cost.
December 22nd-January 2nd, 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 22nd-January 2nd, 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 15. Camp combines elements of play, mental concentration, and trust- and team-building in a full day of lessons and activities on real circus equipment. The full-day camp is $95 per day with before- and after-care available.
December 24th-January 2nd, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.
Coco Academy
Kids can focus on STEAM programming with maker software, 3D printing, circuitry and more. During winter break, they’re offering full-day ($96) camp for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade at both their Bella Vista and new Queen Village locations. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids will complete a STEAM project, learn STEAM principles, and go to a nearby park to play and test their inventions.
December 22nd-January 2nd, Coco Academy, 1001 Christian Street and 615 South 3rd Street.
Skate the Foundry
Kids ages seven to 13 can enroll in a two-day camp 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 29th-30th, 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 maybe just 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 grab 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.
Countdown to 2026 at Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum goes all out with their signature NYE 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. At 6 p.m., there’s a countdown to the “Square Drop” from atop SquareBurger, and if you stick around until 8 p.m., you can take in the final Electrical Spectacle light show of the year, play Chilly Philly Mini Golf, ride the carousel and more. Bonus: 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, and a “noon drop surprise” on the playground. Reserve your spot online.
Kith + Kin New Year’s Concert
Countdown to noon with a toddler-friendly concert by Alexis of Mister John’s Music and some playtime before nap time. Tickets include two hours of play, concert, and countdown.
