Want to really unplug and connect with your kids? Explore 30+ family-friendly events with this roundup of weekend fun for Main Line and Western Suburban families below and fill your calendar with things to do! For even more options, visit Philadelphia Family’s Weekend Fun Roundup and plan ahead with our NEW Community Calendar at mainlineparent.com/events, which will be updated each week!

Please be sure to check with the host location about their health and safety protocols, as well as their registration requirements, prior to heading out!

Go straight to: Friday Saturday Sunday

THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY AROUND THE MAIN LINE ALL WEEKEND LONG

Flight on Ice!
Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink 4901 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA

Flight on Ice brings its outdoor ice skating rink and entertainment center to Delaware County! New this year, you can expect fun for the whole family including ice skating sessions, lounge area, heated tent, and great food and beverages.

‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas
West Chester Borough N. High and Gay St., West Chester, PA

Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights as Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester continues with ‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas. Devote yourself to last-minute shopping (and celebrating!) at our one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants and enjoy roaming carolers, free hot chocolate and and coffee, cookie decorating, Santa, and professional gingerbread houses at select locations. 

Brandywine Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”
Brandywine Ballet 317 Westtown Rd., Suite 5, West Chester, PA

Join us this December for the Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker! Ring in the season with Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, and join Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer as they battle the Mouse King, travel through a magical forest of dancing snowflakes, and finally enter the Land of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy who rewards them with performances by a sweet cast of characters.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt at Radnor Memorial Library
Radnor Memorial Library 114 West Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA

Go on a magical wintry adventure and help the Gingerbread Man get safely to his gingerbread home by solving clues hidden around the Radnor Memorial Library children’s area! 

People’s Light Presents “A Christmas Carol”
People’s Light 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, PA

Callous Scrooge, shackled Marley, and the haunting spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future spring vividly to life in our fresh adaptation of a favorite yuletide ghost story. Featuring a vibrant mix of original songs and newly arranged nineteenth-century English carols, this music infused retelling captures the magic, joy, and generosity of Dickens’ beloved classic.

Holiday Garden Railway
Morris Arboretum 100 E Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA

The Holiday Garden Railway exhibit is an outdoor miniature display, included with Garden admission. Visitors of all ages will be wowed by a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with fifteen different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under), and bustling model trains, all set in the lovely winter garden of the Morris Arboretum. 

Christmas Around the Farm
Linvilla Orchards 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, PA

Linvilla Orchards transforms the Garden Center into a Winter Wonderland decked out with handmade wreaths, greens and holly, and a sea of poinsettias. Find your Christmas tree from a selection of pre-cut trees—or cut-your-own. Shop an enormous selection of timeless holiday decorations, children’s toys and collectibles you won’t find anywhere else! Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Santa will visit in an outdoor, covered location.

Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center Philadelphia
LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA

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!

Friday

The Brandywine Railroad Toy and Model Trains
December 17, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Brandywine River Museum of Art 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd., Chadds Ford, PA

A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad offers something for everyone with its dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others.

Victorian Christmas Holiday Tours at Historic Pennypacker Mills
December 17, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Pennypacker Mills 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville, PA

A holiday tour at Pennypacker Mills celebrates the best in vintage Christmas décor and history. Recalling a time when electricity was not available, visitors will enter an early 1900s family home resplendent in shine with sparkling glass ornaments and gold and silver Dresden foil ornaments. Stop in at the Museum Shop and browse glass ornaments and icicles, felt ornaments, Wilbur Bud chocolates, Dresdens, toys, Victorian Scrap images to decorate presents, and much more! 

Brandywine Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”
December 17, 10:00 am
Brandywine Ballet 317 Westtown Rd., Suite 5, West Chester, PA

Join us this December for the Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker! Ring in the season with Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, and join Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer as they battle the Mouse King, travel through a magical forest of dancing snowflakes, and finally enter the Land of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy who rewards them with performances by a sweet cast of characters.

Flight on Ice!
December 17, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm 
Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink 4901 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA

Flight on Ice brings its outdoor ice skating rink and entertainment center to Delaware County! New this year, you can expect fun for the whole family including ice skating sessions, lounge area, heated tent, and great food and beverages.

West Chester Christmas Light Display for the SPCA
December 17, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
West Chester Christmas Light Display 895 South Concord Road, West Chester, PA

For five years, Gavin Snyder has been filling his family’s South Concord Road yard with holiday decorations and raising money from it for the Brandywine Valley SPCA shelter. This year, BV SPCA is getting in on the fun and will have adoptable pups at the display on Friday, December 17.

Woodland Wonderland Light Display
December 17, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
Anderson Farm Park 499 Hopwood Rd., Collegeville, PA

Walk through our Woodland Wonderland at Anderson Farm Park and enjoy the beautiful light displays! The light display will be open on Thursdays from 5-7 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 5-8 pm, until December 18, 2021. Each Friday and Saturday will feature live entertainment.

Holiday Village Delco
December 17, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Rose Tree County Park 1671 N Providence Rd., Media, PA

Rose Tree Park sparkles at night with its annual Festival of Lights display during December. Dozens of illuminated trees and lit displays draw visitors back every year to walk in the winter wonderland and linger in the festive atmosphere. This year a vendor village has been added as a complement to the Festival of Lights! There will be 12 vendor huts and 2 food trucks between 5:30 and 8 pm on Friday, December 17th.

Saturday

‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas
December 18, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
West Chester Borough N. High and Gay St., West Chester, PA

Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights as Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester continues with ‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas.Devote yourself to last-minute shopping (and celebrating!) at our one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants and enjoy roaming carolers, free hot chocolate and and coffee, cookie decorating, Santa, and professional gingerbread houses at select locations. 

Holiday Garden Railway
December 18, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Morris Arboretum 100 E Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA

The Holiday Garden Railway exhibit is an outdoor miniature display, included with Garden admission. Visitors of all ages will be wowed by a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with fifteen different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under), and bustling model trains, all set in the lovely winter garden of the Morris Arboretum. 

Winter Fest at Northern Star Farm
December 18, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 
Northern Star Farm 112 East Third Ave., Trappe, PA

Join the holiday fun this weekend at Northern Star Farm! Activities include meet and greets with LIVE REINDEER, Santa, and Dominick the Donkey; hay rides, pony rides, a Candy Cane Pedal Cart Speedway, a cow train, the Little Farmer Playland, a gingerbread house contest, a paint ball range, and more! 

Brunch with Santa at The Refectory!
December 18, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
The Refectory 862 East Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA

Santa will be at The Refectory on Saturday December 18th! He will be seated at his own booth at the restaurant and each child will be welcomed to share their holiday wish list with the big man himself. Kids menu and hot cocoa will be available!

Wreaths Across America at the Paoli Battlefield
December 18, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Paoli Memorial Grounds & Malvern Memorial Park 404 Monument Ave., Malvern, PA

On Saturday, December 18, at 11 am, Wreaths Across America will be at Paoli Memorial Association Gravesite/Paoli Battlefield to lay remembrance wreaths on the gravesite of the 52 revolutionary war soldiers in a mass grave, and one soldier buried somewhere in the battlefield in an unknown location. Hot chocolate will be provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe will also have hot coffee and hot cider. Come out and enjoy this free event.

Holiday Card and Ornament Making
December 18, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Media Arts Council 11 E State St., Media, PA

Come to the new MAC Arts Center on Saturday, December 18th, from 11 am to 3 pm for holiday card and ornament making. Great for all ages. Cost is $10 per active participant (parents free to help their children). Make as much as you want!

Burkholder Magic of Christmas Event
December 18, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Burkholder 359 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA

Santa Claus is coming to Burkholder and bringing his reindeer along for another fun-filled magical event! Make sure to bring your camera and capture the holiday joy. Joining the festivities this year are local food trucks Turks Head Sauce, Nacho Depot, and Cakes & Candies by Maryellen, and brewer Stolen Sun.

A Christmas Story – The Movie
December 18, 1:30 pm
The Colonial Theatre 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA

In this classic holiday comedy set in the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. See website for ticket info and COVID safety protocols.

The Nutcracker
December 18, 2:00 pm
Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company Bryn Mawr College, Goodhart Hall, 150 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA

The Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company (SVRDC.org) presents its 50th Anniversary Nutcracker Ballet. With over 50 dancers and professional guest artists this is a high quality yet affordable holiday classic for the whole family to enjoy! Showtimes are 2 pm and 7:30 pm.

Christmas at Colonial Gardens
December 18, 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Colonial Gardens 745 Schuylkill Rd., Phoenixville, PA

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, commemorative ornament, meet-and-greet with characters, and a free candy cane. 

Sunday

Santa Brunch and Holiday Market
December 19, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Media’s Town House 117 Veterans Square, Media, PA

Brunch with Santa and get some shopping done at the same time! Santa will be available for pictures with the kids from 12-4 pm and local artisans will be selling their works in Towne Hall from 11-5 pm. 

Flight on Ice!
December 19, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink 4901 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA

Flight on Ice brings its outdoor ice skating rink and entertainment center to Delaware County! New this year, you can expect fun for the whole family including ice skating sessions, lounge area, heated tent, and great food and beverages.SUN19

It’s A Wonderful Life – The Movie
December 19, 1:30 pm
The Colonial Theatre 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA

In this classic holiday film, an angel is sent from heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Please arrive early as Brett Miller will be playing a selection of holiday favorites […] 

Sunday Afternoon Holiday Ice Skating
December 19, 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society 220 Holland Ave., Ardmore, PA

Join PSCHS for ice skating at special holiday sessions at the Philadelphia Skating Club in Ardmore. Admission is $10 per person and skate rentals are $5 per person. See you on the ice!

Pennsylvania Flute Choir Holiday Concert
December 19 @ 2:00 pm
Glen Moore United Methodist Church 1920 Creek Rd., Glenmoore, PA

Come enjoy to the holiday concert of the Pennsylvania Flute Choir—their first public performance since March of 2020! Concert is free and open to the public. Masks are recommended. 

Mamma Mia!
December 19, 3:00 pm – 5:35 pm 
The Media Theatre 104 E. State St., Media, PA

ABBA’s hits propel this popular musical about a young woman’s search for her birth father on the eve of her wedding. Tickets available online.

Handel Messiah
December 19 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
St. Katharine of Siena Church 104 S Aberdeen Ave., Wayne, PA

From its very first performance in Dublin in 1742, Handel’s Messiah was a huge sensation. For more than three decades, VoxAmaDeus has presented to the Philadelphia region annual performances of Handel’s masterpiece, now a Christmas season tradition. 

DISCLAIMER: HEY PARENTS, AS WE WELL KNOW, THINGS CHANGE DAY TO DAY… EVEN HOUR TO HOUR SINCE WE HAVE ENDURED A GLOBAL PANDEMIC TOGETHER. PLEASE CHECK THE SPECIFIC EVENT WEBSITE FOR TIME CHANGES, RAIN DATES, COVID POLICIES, AND EVENT CANCELLATIONS BEFORE YOU PACK UP THE WHOLE CREW OR GATHER AROUND THE LAPTOP TO LOG ON.

Lead photo of Santa and reindeer from Burkholder Magic of Christmas Event courtesy of Burkholder.