Holiday Hangouts
Holiday Open House at Rockwood Park
Dec. 6-7, 5-9 p.m.
Rockwood Park and Museum | 4651 Washington St. Extension, Wilmington, DE 19809
There’s plenty of holiday cheer to go around at this annual free event. Explore light displays, tour the Rockwood Museum for free and enjoy performances from local choirs and dance companies. The Santa Shop will also be open for business, and local students will be selling gifts for purchase.
Free | newcastlede.gov/431/Rockwood-Park-Museum
Lucia & Christmas Market
Dec. 7-8; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday
American Swedish Historical Museum | 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145
It’s a uniquely Swedish way to celebrate Christmas! Sample holiday foods and peruse handmade decorations at this outdoor market. It’s also a rare opportunity to learn about the Swedish holiday of Lucia.
Saturday: $10 for non-members, $8 for members, $5 for children 5-12, free for children under 5; Sunday: Free | americanswedish.org
Children’s Holiday Party
Dec. 11, 6-8 p.m.
Brandywine Museum of Art | 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
The Brandywine Museum of Art will be full of holiday magic at its annual Children’s Holiday Party, as the museum will be decorated for the occasion. There will be costumed characters, model trains, live entertainment and more! Afterwards, you can enjoy the art at the museum.
$15-$35; free for children younger than 2 | brandywine.org
Holiday Celebration and Market at Glasgow Park
Dec. 13-14, 5-8 p.m.
Glasgow Regional Park | 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702
Don’t miss this beloved holiday tradition, featuring a festive train ride, live holiday music and plenty of time to shop for last-minute holiday presents.
Free | newcastlede.gov/938/Holiday-Celebration-Market-at-Glasgow-Pa
Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration at Sesame Place
Dec. 24, 5 p.m.
Sesame Place | 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
Celebrate Christmas with all of your “Sesame Street” friends! Sesame Place will also be holding events for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
$34.99-$49.99 | sesameplace.com
Indoor Fun
Family-Friendly Ceramic Tile Workshop
Dec. 7, 2-3:30 p.m.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1020 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Create unique tiles inspired by the mosaics of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens! Ticket prices also include admission to the rest of the Magic Gardens.
$25-$40 | phillymagicgardens.org
K1D Family Art & Storytelling
Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-noon
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
A great way to get young children up-close-and-personal with art in a museum environment. Each K1D program focuses on one piece of artwork, and children will be able to enjoy a related storytime and create an art project with their family.
Free | woodmereartmuseum.org
$5 Family Matinee: Elf (2003)
Dec. 14, 10 a.m.
The County Theater | 20 E State St., Doylestown, PA 18901
There’s no better place to introduce your children to this beloved holiday classic than at this budget-friendly screening, which gives them the “Elf” experience in a movie theater environment instead of on the couch at home.
$5 | countytheater.org
Wild-Con 2025
Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ 08260
A convention for fans of all things nerdy, Wild-Con 2025 features a cosplay contest, Hot Wheels racing, guests from all over the entertainment industry and plenty of fun merch for comics fans and collectors.
jerseyshorecomicbookshow.com
Up Late with the Sphinx
Jan. 18, 5-10 p.m.
Penn Museum | 3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Ever wanted to explore a museum after dark? Now you can! Up Late with the Sphinx is ideal for children aged 6-12, and features hands-on workshops where you can make your own hieroglyphics and cylinder seals. Before heading home, take a tour of the museum lit by flashlights.
$25 for members, $30 for non-members | penn.museum
Dinos After Dark
Jan. 31, 5-8 p.m.
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Explore all kinds of dinosaurs after hours at the Academy of Natural Sciences! While their kids are exploring the exhibits, parents can have a drink at the Dino Drafts Beer Garden at Dinosaur Hall.
Pay what you want, suggested donation is $10 | ansp.org
Event Bites
All Aboard!
Throughout December, 4:45-8:45 p.m.
Take a ride on DiDonato’s Holiday Express at DiDonato Family Fun Center. Roll through a landscape of holiday lights, have a meet-and-greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus and explore a magical Christmas village. Also included in the cost of admission are a cookie treat and a free game of bowling.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…
Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Charles Dickens’s classic stories come to life during Dickens Fest at Historic Smithville, which is completely free to attend! Stay until nightfall to see the Holiday Lights Show!
Set Sail
Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Winter on the Waterfront is a holiday-themed day of fun at the Independence Seaport Museum! Answer trivia in a passport rally to earn a prize, make paper snowflakes and learn how to build gingerbread boats and how real boats are built.
Holidays and Horses
Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Holiday Horses & Bazaar at Northwestern Stables puts a farm spin on the holidays, featuring horses! Visitors can even take pictures with Santa AND his horse. There will be a silent auction and raffle as well, and children can go on a guided horse ride for an additional fee.
More Events
The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas with Orchestra
Dec. 1, 4 p.m.
Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University
420 E Packer Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18015
One of the most successful Irish music acts in the world and musical ambassadors from Ireland, The Irish Tenors are coming to Lehigh University. This Christmas-themed concert includes some of their greatest hits, such as their version of “Danny Boy.”
$39-$59 | zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu
Holiday Parade
Dec. 7, 9 a.m.
8815 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
The Chestnut Hill Community Association is once again bringing Santa Claus to the community at this annual parade, featuring displays from local organizations and plenty of marchers. Families and organizations are welcome to sign up to march!
Free | chestnuthill.org
Volunteer Service Day in Browns Mills at Whitesbog Preservation Trust 2024
Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust
120 W Whites Bogs Road, #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Do good for the local community before the holidays at this community service event, which is open to all ages. Volunteers will help clean up local trails, build bridges and organize the general store and museum, among other things.
Free | whitesbog.org
The Philadelphia Orchestra Children’s Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m.
Marian Anderson Hall – Kimmel Center
300 S Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
This holiday sing-a-long is fun for all ages, and includes performances from the Philadelphia Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs, The Rock School for Dance Education and more!
$29-$59 | ensembleartsphilly.org
Historic Waynesborough Holiday Open House
Dec. 10, 4-6 p.m.
Historic Waynesborough
2049 Waynesborough Road, Paoli, PA 19301
The holidays are the perfect time to explore Historic Waynesborough, which will be decorated for the season. Guests can take a Holiday Candlelight Tour, make their own ornaments and enjoy carol performances.
$10 for adults, $5 for children, $25 for families and groups of four | historicwaynesborough.org
Natural Wreath-Making Workshop
Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m.
Elmwood Park Zoo | 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA 19401
Help clean up the Elmwood Park Zoo and create your own holiday decorations at the same time. Elmwood Park Zoo will be hosting a crafts workshop where participants can create their own wreaths using branches from nearby trees that would otherwise be thrown out.
$10 per wreath; zoo admission also required | elmwoodparkzoo.org
Kids Holiday Cookie Night at Sweet Occasions
Dec. 20, 6-8:30 p.m.
Peddler’s Village | Street Road and Rt. 263, Lahaska, PA 18938
Holiday Cookie Night is back! Leaving out cookies for Santa is always a treat, but you know what’s even better? Making and decorating cookies for yourself, and that’s just what participants at this family-friendly event will be doing.
$50 | peddlersvillage.com/event/kids-holiday-cookie-night-at-sweet-occasions/
“Twelve Days of Christmas” Toy Train Display
Dec. 24-Jan. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735
The beloved exhibit is back! This expansive toy train display has a storied past, and is perfect for any train-lovers.
Included with admission | winterthur.org
Zoo Year’s Eve at Brandywine Zoo
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-noon and noon-2 p.m.
Brandywine Zoo | 1001 N. Park Drive., Wilmington, DE 19802
Is your child too young to stay up for the midnight ball drop? Celebrate New Year’s Eve at this kid-friendly event at Brandywine Zoo, featuring an early ball drop. Zoo admission after the 2 p.m. time slot is free!
Free for members; $5 for non-members | brandywinezoo.org/zoo-years-eve/
Lunar New Year Celebration with Xian Zhang
Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
1 Center St., Newark, NJ 07102
Ring in the Year of the Snake at this concert performance celebrating the Lunar New Year! In addition to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Children’s Chorus will also be performing, as well as lion dancers.
$29-$89 | njsymphony.org
Fire and Ice Festival
Jan. 31-Feb. 2
Various locations in Delaware
Delaware is ending the month of January with a celebration of all things hot and cold! From bonfires and chili cook-offs to ice skating and ice sculpture demonstrations, there’s sure to be something to help you chill out or to warm your heart.
Free | fireandicede.com
