The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: from upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) Lovers of good food and great flavors, mark your calendars, because Center City Restaurant Week is back. Make your way to the dozens of participating restaurants offering pre-fixe lunch and dinner menus priced at $20, $40 and $60. Don’t miss the chance to explore Center City’s vibrant restaurant scene.

⌚️Jan. 19-Feb. 1, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 $20-60

(Community) Ready to impress your friends with a delicious handmade cocktail, or mocktail, at your next gathering? This class will give you all the tools you need to wow them. An expert mixologist will guide you and help you create the perfect winter drink.

⌚️Jan. 23, 7-9p.m., 📍177 Markle St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19127, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $35-60

(Community) Philly’s own Tierra Whack is joining actress and author Keke Palmer for a discussion of Palmer’s new book Master of Me. Join them as they unpack the book and partner in an engaging conversation about what it means to be a modern master. Your ticket includes a copy of the book.

⌚️Jan. 23, 7-9p.m., 📍 24 S. 24th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $33

(Comedy) Get ready for some side-splitting laughs at this BYOB comedy show. Some of the best local talent are heading to the Philly Typewriter for a night of nonstop jokes. Bring your favorite bottle and a great sense of humor.

⌚️ Jan. 24, 7:30p.m., 📍1735 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $15

(Community) Get ready to experience dance in a completely new way. This virtual reality experience puts you in the middle of the stage as performers move all around you. Through a VR headset, you’ll get the story of The Complex Simplicity of Love, Allegro Barbaro and 6.58 manifesto.

⌚️Jan. 24-26, 📍3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 pennlivearts.org, 💵 $42

(Community) Ring in the Year of the Snake with art making, live performances and a traditional Lion Dance. In Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is celebrated with feasts, gift exchanges, lantern lightings and more.

⌚️Jan. 25, 10a.m. - 4p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 $13-18

(Community) Get ready for unlimited tastings of decadent chocolates, wines and craft spirits. This festival is jammed with flavor and features a variety of delicious displays and presentations. If you’re keeping your January dry, there will be a selection of non-alcoholic beverages as well.

⌚️Jan. 25, 11:30a.m. - 9p.m., 📍100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa, 19456, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $69-90

(Theater) Don’t miss out on seeing this new comedy by Philly’s own Michael Hollinger, as it heads to the stage. This play follows Newton Stover III as he goes on a journey to rebuild his legacy with the help of recordings from a legendary bluesman.

⌚️Jan. 16 - Feb. 23, 📍40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 ardentheatre.org, 💵 Varies

(Community) Nothing says winter time like skating right alongside the Delaware River. The rink is reopening for the 2024-2025 winter season. Come skate, grab delicious hot chocolate, play games and make winter memories at the waterfront.

⌚️Nov. 29, 2024 - Mar. 2, 2025, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Varies

This week kicks off with one of Philadelphia’s biggest celebrations and transitions into a mix of cultural festivities, Lunar New Year fun, ice princess magic, and an engaging musical storytime for kids.

(Movie / free / multi-day) At the Universal Sphere, enjoy 15-minute screenings featuring Kung Fu Panda characters Po, Master Shifu, and Mr. Ping, plus an interactive lantern activity. Advanced reservations recommended. Visit on a Saturday to meet Po himself. Ages 5 and up.

⌚January 21-February 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 📍1800 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 🌐 theuniversalsphere.com, 💵 Free

(Holiday) At Penn Museum, celebrate Lunar New Year with artmaking, cultural exploration, and performances by the Little Mulan Dance Troupe, Drexel and Penn K-pop clubs, ribbon and fan dancers, lion dancers, and more. All ages.

⌚January 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 $13-$18; $2 ACCESS cardholder; free for children under 5

(Books / free) At The Head and the Hand, Ms. AJ reads music-themed books like Symphony for a Broken Orchestra by Amy Ignatow and Tito Puente, Mambo King by Monica Brown, and encourages kids to play percussion instruments in this Fishtown bookshop. Ages 2 and up.

⌚January 25, 11 a.m.-noon, 📍2230 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125, 🌐 theheadandthehand.com, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / free) At Franklin Square, Disney favorites Anna, Elsa, Tiana, and Mirabel join the fun with ice sculpting, a royal Sunday brunch ($20 per child, $25 per adult), and more evening activities in the park. Ages 3 and up.

⌚January 25-26, 5-7 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org, 💵 Free

(Space / outdoors / multi-day) At Abington Art Center, “An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars” creates celestial magic through a walkable, hour-long light and music show on a 27-acre campus. Note: The path is not wheelchair accessible. Bundle up! All ages.

⌚Most Thursdays-Sundays through January 31, 5-8:30 p.m., 📍525 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, PA 19046, 🌐 astralumina.com, 💵 $30-$39

(Outdoors / multi-day) Penn’s Landing welcomes winter fun with a skating rink, fire pits, cabins, arcade games, and snacks. Construction is ongoing, but the venue remains a must-visit for winter break. Ages 4 and up to skate.

⌚November 29-March 2, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 $5 to skate, $12 to rent skates

(Seasonal) City Hall’s front yard transforms for winter with the foliage and light-filled Wintergarden, a festive makers market, and an ice-skating rink (weather permitting). All ages.

⌚November 15-February 23 (rink; through March 9 for Wintergarden), 📍1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Free (Wintergarden), $7-$9 to skate; $10 to rent skates

(Science / multiday) Animatronic dinos from chillier climes, like the fearsome, feathered Troodon raptors, represent Late Cretaceous creatures who inhabited the Arctic. Hands-on exhibits show off ice-proof teeth and eggs at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Ages 2 and up.

⌚September 28-May 4, 📍1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 ansp.org, 💵 $16-$22, $2 ACCESS cardholder, free under age 2