Take advantage of all there is to do near Jennifer Steinkamp’s Winter Fountains on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including The Franklin Institute’s Terracotta Warriors exhibit, the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, Parkway 100 events, and more. See our recommendations below and make it a fun-filled eve!
Winter Fountains runs nightly from November 30, 2017 – March 18, 2018. The artwork is presented by the Parkway Council and commissioned by the Association for Public Art (aPA) for Parkway 100, with major support from the William Penn Foundation.
Winter Fountains events on the Parkway
Includes monthly Winter Fountains dessert receptions at one of the nearby Parkway institutions, plus free admission!
Parkway 100
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Celebrate the centennial of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with more than a year of exhibitions, events, community conversations, and promotions. See a list of Parkway 100 events.
September 8, 2017 – November 2018
The Franklin Institute – Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor
222 N 20th Street
Take a journey through one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history—and explore the enduring mysteries that remain hidden within its depths. This is the only east coast engagement of a two-city exhibit tour! Click here for tickets.
September 30 – March 4
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park at City Hall and Love Park
Modeled after traditional European open-air Christmas markets, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is a daily outdoor holiday market selling all sorts of gift-able items right in the heart of Center City. Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is an all-local market features artisans, designers, crafters and confectionaries that hail from the Philadelphia area. Together, the joint venues create a can’t-miss, one-stop shopping spot.
November 23 – December 24
Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park
1 S 15th St (West Side of City Hall)
This year the Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park will reopen for its fourth year of seasonal skating. Those looking to ice skate in the heart of Philadelphia can pack up their cold-weather gear and head to the rink at Dilworth Park, just outside of City Hall. The ice rink is open to skaters of all levels and all ages.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and under. Those who do not have their own ice skates can rent a pair for $10.
November 10 – February 25
Friday Nights at The Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Enjoy live music and gallery access until 8:45 p.m, with cocktails and tapas-style dishes by Starr Catering. Performers this winter include Chaise Lounge, Rhenda Fearrington, JD Walter, Orrin Evans, and Uri Gurvich.
December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16
Academy of Natural Sciences – Dino-mite Winter
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Spend your winter break with the Academy of Natural Sciences! Celebrate what makes the Academy great with exciting new stage shows, fascinating fossils, hands-on science, and special specimens from our collections.
December 27-30
Fairmount Water Works – Science Saturdays
640 Waterworks Drive
Discover the many ways we are connected to the Schuylkill River, and how we can protect these waters from the harmful effects of water pollution. Join the Water Works at the river’s edge to explore our past and present relationship with the Schuylkill River and our environmental impact.
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Evening events at the Barnes Foundation include Free First Sunday: The Artist’s Process (December 5), Open House: Pop-Up Holiday Market (December 15), and Film Series : Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow (December 11).
Find a full list of events here.
Free Library of Philadelphia – Central Branch
1901 Vine Street
Reserve tickets to one of the many Author Events at the Free Library. Authors this season include James Breakwell, Jed Perl, and Ntozake Shange. See a full list of Author Events.
Author Events: December 4,5,7; February 5; and March 5
PHS Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Streets
The 2018 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Wonders of Water,” will celebrate the beauty and life-sustaining interplay of horticulture and water.
The annual Flower Show is a top destination and “must experience” horticultural event, attracting 250,000 visitors annually to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, a showcase of excellence that dates back to 1829.
Purchase tickets here.
March 3-11
The Galleries at Moore College of Art
1916 Race Street
Visit the Narrative Horizons, Bodyworks, and Nick Lenker exhibits, as well as the Art of Survival, Agents of Escape event (December 8).
Mondays – Saturdays
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is modeled after the Lombard Church of Saint Charles (San Carlo al Corso) in Rome and is an excellent example of Roman-Corinthian architecture. An audio tour is available for your MP3 device to assist you on your next visit to the Cathedral Basilica. The tour is approximately twenty minutes in length and the download is free. Click here to download the Cathedral audio tour file.
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is located at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The penitentiary is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State” Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi; Hands-On History interactive experiences; history exhibits; and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.
Purchase advanced tour tickets online here.
Philadelphia Pennsylvanian Temple
1739 Vine Street
Completed in 2016, the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple is considered the house of the Lord to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is one of nearly 160 such structures worldwide and is open to members of the faith as well as to the general public free of charge. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the beautifully landscaped temple grounds. The public may also visit the adjacent meetinghouse which is used for weekday activities and Sunday worship services.
Temple grounds are open Tuesday – Saturday