🧖 Warm up in Philly’s pop-up sauna | Thing to Do

Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were restful and cheery, with lots of hugs and many hours lazing on the couch. I spent a lot of time cuddling my cat Mochi and exploring holiday markets (a s’mores hot chocolate is a beautiful thing). As we ease our way into 2025, I’m looking forward to all the exciting shows coming to the region, from stages to screens to museums.

What’s on your list so far this year? Let me know!

This week’s lineup:

— Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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Break out your bathing suit and head to the American Swedish Historical Museum to experience a rare luxury: a pop-up sauna. The current exhibit “Sauna is Life: Sauna Culture in Finland” delivers a handful of large barrels where you can sit, relax, and sweat out all of your stresses.

🦅 The gang goes to Abbott: We’ve been waiting for this Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover for months. Now, I can confirm the episode — the Philliest moment on TV this season — was a total knockout. Dee dresses up as Ben Franklin, Frank fights raccoons (and Mr. Johnson), and, yes, Barbara teaches Charlie to read (a bit). Catch up on what you missed.

🏈 Go Birds: The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with the Eagles set to play the Green Bay Packers at the Linc on Sunday. See the full schedule.

⚡ Ground control to Major Tom: The annual Philly Loves Bowie Week is in full swing with events continuing through Saturday, from a Bowie Quizzo night to a look-alike contest to Bowieoke at Johnny Brenda’s.

📚 For the love of old books: Visit the magical Baldwin’s Book Barn in West Chester to explore miles of aisles boasting more than 300,000 rare and vintage titles (and maybe some ghosts). The literary gem is absolutely worth the trip.

🐹 ICYMI: The new, very silly game show Human vs. Hamster on Max pits people against little fur babies as they compete in wacky challenges like running on a treadmill wheel or completing elaborate obstacle courses. The Philly-based host answers all your questions.

🍿 Oscar prep: Awards season is in full swing so you might be looking to catch up on notable films and impress your friends with red carpet trivia. Watch some of the buzziest new films at these local independent theaters.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Lunar New Year Celebration, Ardmore Winter Beer Fest, Paint with a Twist with Walls for Justice

It’s your last chance to see the incredible show “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love” at the Barnes Foundation, which closes on Sunday. It’s one of the region’s best and biggest shows this season, from the Camden-raised visual artist who has spent decades painting groundbreaking portraits of Black women, often through works that reimagine historical masterpieces from juggernauts like Henri Matisse and Édouard Manet. It’s her first solo show this close to her hometown. The sheer scale of her works on display, particularly the magnetic Le déjeuner sur l’herbe: les trois femmes noires, left me breathless and completely captivated. Don’t miss it!

🍷 Stay warm: It’s chilly outside but you can beat the cold with hot toddies or red wines at some of the coziest bars in Philly.

📅 Or if you’re not partaking: Some folks may be in the midst of Dry January and luckily there are great options in the area. Find your favorite spot with our ultimate guide to sober-curious drinking in Philly.

🌲 Don’t waste: If you’re like me and kept up your Christmas tree long past NYE, there’s one great way to throw it away — feed it to a goat. Philly Goat Project’s annual tree-cycling events continue this weekend and next.

🎸 Can’t wait: Philly band Japanese Breakfast announced a new album coming this spring, along with an upcoming gig at the Met Philly. Here’s everything you need to know.

🍽️ New and noteworthy: It’s a great time to open a restaurant in Philly, or at least some 100 people think so. Catch up on all the Philadelphia-area restaurant openings for 2025.

Pop music critic Dan DeLuca breaks down the best upcoming shows:

🎸 Thursday: New York post-punk band Been Stellar plays PhilaMOCA, with Malice K.

🪕 Friday: Bluegrass bandleader Rhonda Vincent bringing The Rage to Sellersville Theater on Friday.

⚡ Saturday: Brooklyn Bowl hosts Bowie 4 Kids with the Rock and Roll Playhouse Band on Saturday morning. That night, the grand finale of Philly Loves Bowie Week is A Night of Stardust, which has moved to TLA on South Street for the first time. The all-star Bowie band will feature seven lead vocalists, including Ginger Coyle, Olivia Rubini, and Johnny Showcase.

🎸 Saturday: Hometown heroes Speedy Ortiz, the Sadie Dupuis-fronted band whose Rabbit Rabbit was one of the best albums of 2023, plays its first gig of the year at World Cafe Live. The band sits on top of a first-rate triple bill of Philly bands featuring Big Benny Bailey, the country-folk team-up of Philly indie-pop star Shamir Bailey with Ben Pierce. Openers are the Tyler Asay-led rising Philly rock band the Tisburys.

🎺 Sunday: Two jazz men who have backed up an impressive array of pop stars play Ardmore Music Hall. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold has toured with Rihanna, Eminem, and D’Angelo. He played the trumpet parts in the Don Cheadle-starring Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead. Philly pianist Eric Wortham, who opens, has backed Adele and Jill Scott.

Read more music picks.

This week, I celebrated Three Kings Day with my family by blasting Bad Bunny’s new album, Debí Tirar Mas Fotos. It’s a must-listen love letter to Puerto Rico’s musical traditions with Benito’s irresistible flair.