Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

 

Looking for more? Here’s what’s going on in Philly!

All Weekend

See: Holiday Lights on the Main Line and Beyond

Disney’s ‘The Lion King KIDS’

December 5—9

Rotwitt Theater, Rosemont College, 103 Curwen Circle, Bryn Mawr

 

Fifth graders from Wolf  Performing Arts Center will perform The Lion King! Tickets available online.

The Rock School West’s ‘Nutcracker 1776’

December 8, 1 pm and 4 pm; and December 9, 2 pm
The Haverford School, Centennial Hall, 450 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford

 

In this Revolutionary take on a holiday classic, Ben Franklin leads the story as our heroes battle General Mouse Howe! This production is performed by the students of The Rock School West.

Brandywine Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

December 8, noon and 4 pm; and December 9, 2 pm
Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, West Chester University, 700 S. High St., West Chester

 

Travel to the Land of Sweets with the classic holiday ballet.

International Ballet Classique’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Fred T. Meagher Theater, Neumann University, 1 Neumann Drive, Aston
December 8, 11 am (sensory-friendly version) and  2 pm; and December 9, 2 pm

 

This is the 27th year of IBC’s Nutcracker, and features European dance artists as well as original set pieces from Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. Saturday morning will be a sensory-friendly abridged performance.

Stoneleigh: Home for the Holidays

December 8 and 9

1829 East County Line Road, Villanova

 

During this exclusive holiday “open house,” explore the spectacular Tudor Revival style house on Stoneleigh’s ground decked out with nature-inspired decorations, and enjoy live music, hot cocoa, and cookies.

Christmas at Colonial Gardens

Weekends through December 23, 5:30—8:30 pm

745 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville

 

Take a stroll through the decorated landscape and enjoy the spectacular lights and displays throughout the grounds. And make sure to catch the light show synchronized to music. Admission includes a free hot chocolate, make your own ornament, meet-and-greet with Santa and a free candy cane.

‘Cinderella: A Musical Panto’

Through January 6, 2019

People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern

 

Enjoy this musical tradition as People’s Light puts their signature spin on the magical tale of fairy godmothers and glass slippers. Best for kids ages 5 and up.

Kennett Square Holiday Village Market

December 8–9, 11 am—5 pm

The Creamery of Kennett Square, 401 Birch St., Kennett Square

 

Along with an open air artisan market, enjoy food trucks, ice sculptures, seasonal craft workshops, live music, storytime with Santa, and more.

Brunch with Santa at Elmwood Park Zoo

December 8 and 9, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

 

Celebrate the holidays by enjoying brunch with Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch buffet, make holiday crafts, and meet one of the zoo’s education animals. Share your holiday wishes with Santa, take photos with him the big guy himself, and then enjoy exploring the zoo—admission is included in the ticket price. Pre-registration is required.

Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo

December 8–9, 6—9 pm

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

 

Millions of lights illuminate the zoo, including animated installations, interactive elements, and themed attractions. Follow the lighted path to visit Disco Ball Way and Candy Cane Lane, and stop by Santa’s Workshop for photos—you may even see some live reindeer! Be sure to add on a visit Bubby’s Dessert Party and enjoy seasonal treats with Bubby the Bison. Tickets are available online.

Christmas at Yeager’s Farm

December 8–9, 10 am—4:30 pm (Santa from 11 am—2 pm)

1015 Pikesprings Road, Phoenixville

 

Meet Santa (from 11 am—2 pm), eat treats at Christmas Café, and get transported to the Christmas tree fields by holiday hayride! Cut your own tree or check out the pre-cut trees, and don’t miss the gift shop’s many available decorations.

Longwood Gardens’ Breakfast with Santa

1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square

December 8 and 9, 9–10:30 am

 

Enjoy a tasty breakfast buffet with Santa at The Terrace at Longwood Gardens. The event is likely to sell out, so reserve your seats early.

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place

December 8 and 9, 1–8 pm (til 7 pm on Sunday)

100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne

 

During the holidays, Sesame Place is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around. New for this year, their 1-2-3 Christmas Tree show, has a brand-new illuminated pixel-based tree, that will project festive animated images while guests can sing and dance along to festive soundtrack. There are also three different holiday stage shows, an illuminated Christmas parade, and more.

A Longwood Christmas

November 22—January 6

Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square

 

Stroll among a winter wonderland of a half million lights, and see Longwood’s Main Fountain Garden illuminated for the season. Plus, catch carolers, sing-a-longs, and more. Timed admission tickets are required.

Linvilla Orchards’ Christmas Around the Farm

Through December 23

598 Linvill Rd., Media

 

Cut your own Christmas tree, visit the Christmas shop, and even see Santa (he’s there Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm and 3 pm).

LEGOLAND Holiday Bricktacular

December 8–9

Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting

 

Enjoy seasonal build activities and holiday activities—meet LEGO Santa, build a LEGO ornament and decorate the holiday tree, see MINILAND Philadelphia as a Winter Wonderland, go on a holiday scavenger hunt, and more!

Santa’s Paradise Express

December 8 and 9

Strasburg Railroad, 301 Gap Road, Ronks

 

Santa himself will climb aboard and visit with families as they travel down the tracks to Paradise, PA and back. Kids will get a surprise from Santa, and hop aboard the Tinsel Trolley for holiday stories. Mrs. Claus will be available at the Station from noon–4 pm to help children finalize their letters to Santa. Tickets available online.

Saturday

Holidays in Bryn Mawr

December 8, 9 am—noon

801 Lancaster Ave. and 54 N. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr

 

From 9–11:30 am, Santa Claus will be stopping by Bryn Mawr Trust to meet children of all ages and to pose for a complimentary photo with them. Then, from 10 am—noon, there will be holiday face painting, balloon art, crafts for kids, music, and more at the Bryn Mawr Farmers’ Market.

Breakfast with Santa

December 8, 9—10:30 am

Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Road, Plymouth Meeting

 

Enjoy a light breakfast, and meet Santa for photos. There will also be a game room.

Breakfast with Santa

December 8, 9—11 am (select 9 am or 10 am time slot)

Upper Providence Township Recreation Center, 499 Hopwood Rd., Collegeville

 

Meet Santa and enjoy breakfast, crafts, storytime, and moon bounce. Register online.

El Bruncho with Santa at Lulu’s Casita West Chester

December 8, 9:30 am—noon

109 N. High St., West Chester

 

Meet Santa for photos, and play at Lulu’s. $25 per adult, $15 per child includes all-you-can eat food stations, catered brunch, and complimentary mimosas for adults.  Email luluscasitawestchester@gmail.com to register.

SantaFest at American Helicopter Museum

December 8, 10 am—1 pm

1220 American Boulevard, West Chester

 

Santa arrives via helicopter at 11 am, and will visit with kids in his colorful workshop in the museum. Ornament decorating, live music, storytime, and face painting add to the holiday festivities. Tickets available online.

Toddler Story Time and Sensory Activity: Snow People

December 8, 10:30—11:30 am

Belmont Hills Library, 120 Mary Waters Ford Rd., Bala Cynwyd

 

Read Snowmen at Night by Carolyn and Mark Buehner, and create snow people with playdough.

A Sugartown Christmas

December 8, 11 am—3 pm

690 Sugartown Road, Malvern

 

Explore the historic village and hear about Victorian Christmas traditions. Kids will get a chance to meet Santa, decorate cookies and a gingerbread village, and try their hand at making Victorian-style ornaments and Christmas cards. There will also be shopping and treats from local vendors.  $7 per person, free for kids 2 and under.

Gingerbread House Workshops at Wayne Art Center

December 8, 11 am—12:30 pm and 1:30—3 pm

413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne

 

Each parent-child (ages 5-12) team receives one cookie cottage, pre-assembled and ready to decorate. All materials supplied, including candy and decorator icing, but feel free to bring any additional adornments to make your house even more unique. There are two different workshop times. Register online.

‘Finding Nemo’ at Bryn Mawr Film Institute

December 8, 11 am

824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr

 

Part of BMFI’s Family Saturday Matinee, enjoy the classic Finding Nemo. After the screening, head down the block to Ludington Library for some ocean life-themed coloring and activity sheets!

Polar Express Party and Movie

December 8, 1—3 pm

Ardmore Library, 108 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore

 

At the library’s annual storytime and snacks event, enjoy the book and movie versions of Polar Express with cookies and hot chocolate.

Winterfest at King of Prussia Town Center

December 8, 1—4 pm

155 Village Drive, King of Prussia

 

King of Prussia Town Center will come alive with fun holiday activities all month long, including live entertainment and tasty treats.

‘Home Alone’ at Colonial Theatre

December 8, 1:30 pm

227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville

 

See the holiday classic on the big screen for this week’s Young Audiences screening. Tickets available online.

‘The Nutcracker’ by SVRDC

December 8, 2 pm and 6 pm

Phoenixville Middle School, 1000 Purple Pride Pkwy., Phoenixville

 

Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company performs the holiday classic with two showtimes on Saturday. Tickets available online.

Upper Darby Summer Stage Shooting Stars Holiday Spectacular

December 8, 2 pm

Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 North Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill

 

The Summer Stage Shooting Stars present their high energy song and dance show to put your family in the holiday spirit. Tickets available online.

‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’

December 8, 2 pm and 8 pm

Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore

 

The hilarious Christmas movie is a stage musical! Tickets available online.

Family Day of Clay: Clay Ornaments

December 8, 2—3 pm

Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne

 

Participants are guided in rolling and cutting clay, adding detail, touch up and applying underglaze to add color. Each participant creates 10 ornaments to add to their holiday collection, or to share with friends and family. Register online. Kids 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult; 7 and up can be dropped off.

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade

December 8, 3 pm (pre-parade performances start at 1:30 pm)

Route 30, Downingtown

 

Floats, music, dancers, Santa, and more surprises in store to get everyone in the festive spirit. The Parade will follow Rt. 30, traveling East from Beaver Creek Elementary School to East Ward Elementary School.

UMLY Christmas Festival

December 8, 4—7 pm

Upper Main Line YMCA, 1416 Berwyn Paoli Rd., Berwyn

 

UMLY is throwing a holiday party with fun for the whole family. Visit the Winter Wonderland Courtyard with friends from the North Pole, including Santa and a live reindeer. Plus, indoor games, crafts, inflatables, music, treats, and more.

Kids’ Night Out at Young Sports

December 8, 4:45—8 pm

133 Old Sugartown Road, Wayne

 

Drop off your kid (ages 3-10) for a fun night of pizza, a movie, games,  and more while you enjoy an adult night out. Register online.

Nutcracker on Ice

December 8, 5—7 pm

Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, 220 Holland Ave, Ardmore

 

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Watch PSC’s talented skaters perform selections from The Nutcracker on ice!

Pennsylvania Academy of Dance Arts’ ‘The Nutcracker’

December 8, 6 pm

Perkiomen Valley Middle School East, 100 Kagey Road, Collegeville

 

PADA students take on this holiday classic. Tickets available online and or at the door.

Sunday

Funky Brunch at Ardmore Music Hall

December 9, 10:30 am—3 pm

23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore

 

Enjoy live music, local vendors, beer, brunch, and face painting. Free admission.

Hanukkah at Elmwood Park Zoo

December 9, 2 — 3:30 pm

1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

 

This celebration begins at the “Trail of the Jaguar” exhibit for games and craft, then ends with a performance by Temple Brith Achim Choir and menorah lighting at the Eagles Deck.

Gladwyne Tree Lighting

December 9, 5 pm

1044 Black Rock Road, Gladwyne

 

Come out to see the tree lighting to kick off the holiday season at the Gladwyne Fire House!

 

 

Photograph courtesy of Strasburg Railroad.