Candis R. McLean
Each weekend, we will post some of the most unique social and cultural places to visit in addition to exciting events in and around the Philly area. We call it Philly Influencer’s Weekend Picks. If you attend any of these places or events, let us know how it went! Tweet us or email us at [email protected].
Events Running Through the Weekend
1. Hanukkah Lighting at Boathouse Row
Where: Boathouse Row
When: Runs through Monday, December 31st
Boathouse Row’s Festival of Lights will be running through the end of the month. The luminary famed houses will be shining bright for several occasions during the festive season. Through the week stop by the waterfront area to see the houses shining with the colors of Hanukkah. Don’t miss out on this visual treasure along the riverbanks.
For more information, click here.
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2. The Nutcracker
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.
When: Runs through Monday, December 31st
George Balanchine’s ballet The Nutcracker is one of the most celebrated theatrical pieces of each holiday season. The Christmas themed production will be running at the Academy of Music through the end of the month. Come see the pageantry of the Sugar Plum Fairies, The Rat King, and the royal court this weekend.
For more information, click here.
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3. First Friday at The Barnes
Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
When: Friday, December 7th, 6PM-9PM
The Barnes Foundation continues its First Friday! series this weekend. Argentine Tango will feature live entertainment from Emiliano Messiez Tango Quartet. Also, dancers from the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School will perform, have beginner lessons, and lead a milonga (Argentine social tango). Stop by for an unforgettable night of fun and entertainment.
For more information, click here.
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4. Hanukkah Party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
When: Friday, December 7th, 5PM-8:45PM
The Philadelphia Museum of Art promotes this great cultural and musical showcase each week. This week’s Art After 5 series will be a blowout Hanukkah Party at the famed institution. Dan Blacksberg and Freilachs Music celebrate the joy of the Hanukkah with live music, small bites, audience sing-a-longs, and special guests.
For more information, click here.
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5. Weekend at the AAMP
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
When: Friday, December 7th, 7PM
The exhibition Cotton: The Soft Dangerous Beauty of the Past, has provided an artistic introspective on how cultural the remnants of slavery has affected and shaped our relationship with cotton. This Friday night there will be performances and discussions all circling the narrative of the new showcase. Also, this Saturday is Macy’s Family Fun Day. The AAMP will be offering free admission to the first 250 attendees for their Creating Captain Kawanaa family-friendly event.
For more information, click here.
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6. Old City First Fridays
Where: Various locations
When: Friday, December 7th
Each First Friday of the month Old City opens its galleries and studios for a little fun. Several participating spaces will have painting collection, wood workings, sculptures, furniture, metal works, and more all throughout several buildings. The workings are landscape shifting, contemporary, and visually stunning.
For more information, click here.
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7. Frankford Ave First Fridays
Where: Various locations
When: Friday, December 7th
Old City isn’t the only neighborhood celebrating the first Friday of the month. Fishtown will be brimming with art, culture, food, and more. December’s First Friday! will feature special Happy Hours, food tasting events, ugly Christmas sweater sales, art sales, poetry readings, art shows, and several other activities.
For more information, click here.
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8. Havana Nights
Where: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.
When: Friday, December 7th, 8PM
For another event offering live music, World Cafe Live will be hosting Havana Nights this Friday evening. This is a free event full of Latin flair and music. There will be authentic food and drinks available for purchase. Come out for the amazing salsa music and tear up the dance floor.
For more information, click here.
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9. Parrandas de Navidad at Taller Puertorriqueño
Where: Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N. 5th St.
When: Friday, December 7th, 6:30PM-8:30PM
This Friday night Taller Puertorriqueño will be full of life and excitement when their Parrandas de Navidad celebrations kick off. The 19th edition of this traditional Puerto Rican Christmas celebration will feature live entertainment, refreshments, games, activities, and more.
For more information, click here.
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10. Holiday Spectacular at Union Transfer
Where: Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.
When: Friday, December 7th, 8:30PM
The popular throwback ensemble and live band The York Street Hustle will be playing on the Union Transfer stage this Friday night. This Holiday Spectacular showcase will feature all the beats tunes of Mowton and 1960’s Christmas. Get ready for some Jackson 5, Steve Wonder, Diana Ross, and other hits from the season.
For more information, click here.
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11. Mumford & Sons
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.
When: Friday, December 7th, 7:30PM
This Friday night, UK folk-rock band Mumford & Sons will be playing at the Wells Fargo Center. The Grammy-winning group recently released their 5th studio album Delta. This will be a great night of stellar music played by some of the most talented individuals in the business.
For more information, click here.
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12. Breakfast with Santa
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd. Kennett Square, PA and Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W Girard Ave.
When: Saturday, December 8th
The Christmas season provides several opportunities for family-friendly and fun activities. This weekend, The Philadelphia Zoo and Longwood Gardens will be hosting Breakfast with Santa events. Bring your young ones out for delicious food and a photo op with their favorite holiday hero.
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13. Punk Rock Flea Market at the Cherry Street Pier
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd.
When: Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th
There will be 50 different vendors each day of this blowout sales event. The R5 Punk Rock Flea Market will be at Cherry Street Pier this Saturday and Sunday. There will be countless rare and unique collectibles on hand at this expo.
For more information, click here.
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14. Rittenhouse Row Holiday Fashion Crawl
Where: Various locations
When: Saturday, December 8th, 1PM-4PM
The Rittenhouse Row Holiday Fashion Crawl will kick off this Saturday at 1 pm. This event will merge the best in holiday fashion with music, drinks, and live entertainment. Several stores in Rittenhouse Row will have special discounts, trunk shows, and more.
For more information, click here.
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15. South Philly Handmade Brigade
Where: 1241 Carpenter St.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 11AM-6PM
The 2018 South Philly Handmade Brigade is this Saturday. The free to enter mercantile event will have a massive amount of vendors selling handcrafted collectibles, jewelry, crafts, home goods, candles, fixtures, furniture, and more. Come get some much-needed ceramics for your place or pick up a one-of-a-kind present for the people in your life.
For more information, click here.
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16. Japanese New Year Celebration at Shofuso Japanese House
Where: Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Dr.
When: Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden will be having an Oshogatsu celebration like no other this weekend. There will be ikebana flower arrangements, and traditional decorations of pine, bamboo, and berries. You will also see a special exhibition of kimonos, partake a complimentary cup of tea green tea on the veranda, and more.
For more information, click here.
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17. Community Craft and Art Fair
Where: Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 12PM-4PM
This Saturday the Asian Arts Initiative will be hosting a Community Craft and Art Fair. This is the only Asian American-focused holiday fair in Philadelphia. There will be a children’s magic hour, live acoustic music, plenty of crafts up for sale, and plenty of activities.
For more information, click here.
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18. Army vs. Navy Game
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
When: Saturday, December 8th, 3PM
The Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights will be squaring off at Lincoln Financial Field this Saturday afternoon. ESPN’s College Gameday will be broadcasting from XFINITY Live! for this annual football battle full of rich tradition and history. In commemoration of the game, the National Constitution Center will offer $5 admission to the museum all weekend long.
For more information, click here.
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19. Parade of Lights
Where: Various locations
When: Saturday, December 8th, 1PM-6:30PM
The Independence Seaport Museum’s annual holiday show returns this weekend. Local working boats will be lit up, begin to twinkle and shimmer, and fill the water with the joys of the season. There will be tons of activities for the whole family. Santa will be in attendance, an arts and craft shop, a make your own snow globe station, and more.
For more information, click here.
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20. Maxwell
Where: The Tower Theater, S 69th St &, Ludlow St. Upper Darby, PA
When: Saturday, December 8th, 8PM
Maxwell is bringing his 50 Intimate Nights Live Tour to the Tower Theater this Saturday night. Special opening act Marsha Ambrosius will be the starting things off with her signature sound and vocals. Don’t miss out on a night of great soul R&B with this Grammy-winning crooner.
For more information, click here.
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21. Lil Uzi Vert + Friends
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.
When: Saturday, December 8th, 8PM
This Saturday night Phill’s own Lil Uzi Vert will be performing at the Wells Fargo Center. The celebrated hip-hop and alternative act will be releasing his highly-anticipated second studio album Eternal Atake soon. Come out to the Wells Fargo center for raging and great music.
For more information, click here.
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22. West Craft Fest
Where: The Rotunda, 40th St. & Walnut St.
When: Sunday, December 9th, 10AM-4PM
The Rotunda on Walnut Street will be bustling with busy shoppers this Sunday morning and afternoon. There will be seventy local vendors selling their handmade crafts, art, and goods. This is a free-to-enter and rain or shine event. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to stop by the commercial market this Sunday.
For more information, click here.
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Map of Events
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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