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
There’s only a week between Christmas and New Year’s, but that week can go very slowly with no school, no schedule, and cold weather. Four days in, all the presents have been opened and discarded, bumming around in pajamas until 11 a.m. like you’re in a cereal ad turns into the 100th episode of Bluey on Disney+, 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, Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle, and Tinseltown 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.
Tinseltown
After a couple years in Oaks, the walk-through holiday lights experience that began in the Wells Fargo Center parking lot during the pandemic is back in South Philly, this time at FDR Park. Not only can attendees stroll through over 2.5 million lights powering glowing sculptures and displays, but there are fun wintertime activities like the skating ice trail and tubing down the ice slide. There’s also a tent with treats, warm drinks and cocktails for the grownups. Tinseltown runs through January 1st.
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 7th, 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 30th, 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: “Magic in the Stars,” continuing its century-long focus on wishing upon a star. There’ll be princesses, Encanto, 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 24th-January 1st, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street.
Disney on Ice / Photograph courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Acrobats, aerialists and more dazzling circus-arts performers create holiday magic with a whole lot of sparking, music and gravity-defying.
December 26th-31st, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Disney’s classic fairytale gets the Broadway musical treatment at Walnut Street Theatre this season. You won’t be able to get “Be Our Guest” out of your head for days. And say what you want about the toxic character, but “Gaston” is one of the best Disney villain songs ever written. He uses antlers in all of his decorating!
Through December 31st, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
Mary Poppins
Blending the novels of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, Media Theatre presents Mary Poppins. The stage version brings the familiar story to life, and its run has already been extended into mid-January due to popular demand.
Through January 14th, Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media.
The BFG at Arden Children’s Theatre / Photograph by Wide Eyed Studios
The BFG
Whit MacLaughlin directs David Wood’s adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl book. Eight-year-old Sophie befriends a Big Friendly Giant; mayhem and sweetness ensue. The show runs for 90 minutes with one intermission.
Through January 29th, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.
The Little Prince
“Draw me a sheep.” Quintessence Theatre stages a musical version of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s bittersweet and transformative tale of a stranded pilot and a mysterious extraterrestrial boy.
Through December 31st, Sedgwick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Avenue.
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 mythical animal puppets, play mancala, hear stories, and join the “Daily Dig” to take a 15-minute deep dive into one artifact on display.
December 26th-28th, 3260 South Street.
Franklin Institute
Head to the Franklin Institute for the science museum’s annual winter celebration Franklin Frost. The holiday programming runs through December 31st and includes a 25-foot-tall “celestial-themed tree,” miniature train displays, crafts and other festive activities. While you’re there, check out their new, the two-floor Wondrous Space exhibit. Kids and adults of all ages can explore space travel, rocket science, and the cosmos with hands-on, sensory, and problem-solving activities. On-screen activities include building a rocket, designing a spacesuit, guiding a rover, and searching for life-supporting planets. All activities are included with admission.
Through December 31st, 222 North 20th Street.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Check out Art Kids events including pop-up studio activities and tours every day during break. On the balcony, the “Winter Break Pop-Up Studio” will have a week of live printmaking in connection with the exhibit, The Shape of Time: Korean Art After 1989. The series includes demonstrations by different artists each day, including Amy Cousins, Olivia Fredricks, Hui-yi Kuo, Todd Stong, and Heather Swenson. On Wednesday, December 28th, students, caregivers, and staff of the School District of Philadelphia (including charter schools) will get free admission to the Art Museum all day, along with musical performances and art-making activities.
December 26th-31st, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum’s current special exhibit takes kids inside the PBS series Dinosaur Train. Little ones can climb aboard the train, and engage in STEM learning through fun, hands-on activities like hunting for fossils in the dig pit.There will also be a Kwanzaa celebration on December 29th 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. They will also be collecting new or gently used toys to donate to HomeFront Holiday Wishes. Activities are included with admission.
December 23rd-31st, 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 $15 an hour. Discounts are available for multiple-day registration. PRG’s suburban outposts in Malvern and Oaks are also hosting camp.
December 27th-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 a week of rock climbing, collaborative games, and new skills for kids ages six through 17. Camp is full-day for $120, with discounts if you sign up for three or more days.
December 26th-29th, 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 ($60) and half-day ($35) options are available.
December 26th-29th & January 2nd, 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 $75, and lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 27th-29th, 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 ($86), with before- and after-care available for an additional cost.
December 26th-29th, Philly Art Center, 514 Bainbridge Street (Queen Village), 530 Carpenter Lane (Mount Airy), and 2333 Fairmount Avenue (Fairmount).
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 six to 15. 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 $90 per day.
December 26th-29th, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.
Skate the Foundry
Kids ages eight and up 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 28th-29th, 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!
Kith + Kin New Year’s Concert
Countdown to noon with a toddler-friendly concert by Music with Gina and some playtime before nap time. Tickets include two hours of play, concert and countdown, themed goodies, and a 2024 photo backdrop.
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.
