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Center City is the epicenter of arts and culture entertainment in Philadelphia. Along the Avenue of the Arts, decades-old theaters host an impressive lineup of performances, including shows from resident artists and traveling companies. Vibrant greenspaces, like Rittenhouse Square, offer a reprieve from the bustle of city excitement, and at Dilworth Park, visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy free events, seasonal amenities and a stunning view of historic City Hall. One-of-a-kind museums, nightlife and luxury hotels are just some of the many other highlights to explore.

Explore Center City

Open Streets: West Walnut

CCD, with support from Rittenhouse Row, will transform one of Philadelphia’s most popular shopping and dining destinations by temporarily closing streets to vehicular traffic. Stroll nearly seven blocks of car-free space while enjoying shopping, dining and activities for all ages.

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Happenings & Events

arts and culture

Barnes Foundation

  • PECO Free First Sunday Family Day | First Sunday of every month | 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
    This event offers no-cost admission to the collection galleries as well as an array of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, musical performances, and interactive workshops.
  • First Friday | First Friday of every month | 6-9 p.m.
    Enjoy an evening of art, live music, cocktails, and access to the collection at our monthly First Friday mixer. New for 2024, the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation will be partnering with award-winning Philadelphia Chefs for inspired, one-night-only pop-up dinners. 
  • Mickalene Thomas All About Love | Through January 12, 2025 | The first major international tour focused on the work of pioneering artist Mickalene Thomas (American, b. 1971), whose influences range from 19th-century painting to popular culture

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., 215.278.7000

Beat The Bomb 
Ongoing | Choose from 1-hour Bomb Missions, where teams of 4 to 6 suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers and crack codes. 
1218 Chestnut St. 

 

Chris’s Jazz Café: Holiday Highlights 

  • Vocalist Kate Kortum & the Juilliard All Stars | December 7 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

  • Benny Benack III Quintet featuring special guest saxophonist/vocalist Michael Stephenson | December 20 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  

  • Anaïs Reno with trio | December 21 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Visit the website for the entire holiday schedule. 
1421 Sansom Street, 215.568.3131 

City Winery: Live Shows 

  • An Eric Roberson Christmas: Holiday Tour with Jack Freeman and Susan Carol | December 5 | 7:30 p.m. |Enjoy the Holiday season with the King of Independent Soul/R&B

990 Filbert Street, 267.479.7373

08 center left tiffany tatreau as jaye posner nick fradiani as neil then and kate a mulligan as ellie greenwich in a beautiful noise the neil diamond musical photo credit jeremy daniel 1 1

Ensemble Arts Philly 

  • Philadanco! Our Voices, Our Choices... This is Us | December 6-8 | 7 p.m. | Philadelphia's favorite dance company, PHILADANCO!, returns with a presentation highlighting women's perspectives and expressions and featuring voices of African American women. 

  • A Beautiful Noise | December 10-22 | A Beautiful Noise tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career. 

  • Queer Eye: Fab Five Live | December 18 | For the first time ever, the Fab 5 are bringing the magic of Queer Eye to live audiences. Join Karamo, Tan, Antoni, Jonathan, and the newest member Jeremiah to celebrate the forthcoming season of Queer Eye with an evening of laughter, self-love, and transformation.   

Various locations, 215.893.1900 

The Fabric Workshop and Museum
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art museum devoted both to the creation and presentation of innovative works of art. Below are some of their offerings.

1214 Arch Street, 215.561.8888

fabric workshop

Fashion District Philadelphia: Wonderspaces
Ongoing | Wonderspaces presents an evolving lineup of 15 extraordinary art installations and signature cocktails to experience with friends and family. This year-round, ever changing immersive art installation is located inside Fashion District Philadelphia. Annual memberships are available. 
901 Market Street, 267.534.7705

James Oliver Gallery: Luck Out, Group Exhibition  
Through January 25 | Featuring work by Lindsay Deifik, Ryan Evans, Alexa Simpson, and Soso Capaldi, each artist invites viewers into their worlds utilizing characters- surreal and effervescent: recognizable cultural icons, imagined creatures, projections of self and otherwise. 
723 Chestnut Street, 267.918.7432 

Kimpton Hotel Palomar: Kelly Green Dream Package 
Coming to town to create lasting memories with a few thousand fans? Whether you’re watching in person, at a local sports bar or from the comfort of one of our guest rooms, football enthusiasts are invited to join us at Kimpton Palomar Philadelphia for the next big game. Package includes overnight accommodations, two local beers and assorted candy plus, 1 p.m. early check-in. 
117 S. 17th Street, 215.563.5006 

Lucky Strike: Night Strike Unlimited Bowling 
Sunday - Wednesday | Enjoy our $23.99 unlimited bowling Night Strike special. Sunday starting at 6 p.m. and Monday to Wednesday starting at 8 p.m. Shoe rental is included.
1336 Chestnut Street, 215.545.2471 

Morton Contemporary: Yum and Friends At the New Atlier by Yusuke Toda
Through December 13 | Morton Contemporary welcomes back Japanese Pop artist YUSUKE TODA following sold-out shows across Asia and America. The 33-year-old artist, mentored by Japanese greats Takashi Murakami and Tomokazu Matsuyama, made his U.S. debut at Morton Contemporary Gallery in December of 2022.
115 S. 13th St., 215-735-2800

Opera Philadelphia: Pick Your Price $11 Tickets 
All seats for the 2024–2025 Season are available for $11, or a higher price of your choosing, as part of a new ticket program called Pick Your Price. 
Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, 215.732.8400

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society 

  • Alexi Kenney, violin with Amy Yang, forte piano | November 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Named “a talent to watch” by the New York Times, Alexi Kenney returns to PCMS with Amy Yang for a period-style program of late works by Robert and Clara Schumann. 

  • Barbara Hannigan, soprano with Bertrand Chamayou, piano | December 10 | 7:30 p.m. | World-renowned soprano Barbara Hannigan returns with pianist Bertrand Chamayou for an adventurous program featuring John Zorn’s Jumalattaret and Messiaen’s Chants de terre et de ciel, exploring marriage and parenthood's spiritual dimension. 

1528 Walnut St., Suite 301, Philadelphia, PA. 19102 

Philadelphia Museum of Art

  • Friday Night Lounge | Every Friday | 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Come join Philly’s art world when it shows up and shows out every Friday night.
  • Pay What You Wish Admission | First Sunday of each month | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Pay whatever amount you’d like for general admission to the museum. This does not include ticketed exhibitions and special programs. 

2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, 215.763.8100

walnut exterior photo

Walnut Street Theatre

  • 2024-2025 Tickets are Now Available | Ongoing | Grab your tickets for theater favorites like Jersey Boys, DreamGirls, Driving Miss Daisy and many more.
  • $30 Under 40 | Ongoing | As a member of the $30 Under 40 program, you’ll get a full evening of entertainment for only $30! You can buy $30 tickets for you and a friend to every Walnut Street Theatre show. Plus, you’ll be invited to exclusive post-show parties on select nights where you’ll enjoy meeting the artists while mingling with other  members. And the best part... It's free and easy to join!

825 Walnut Street, 215.574.3550

Kid-Friendly Holiday Attractions

 

Ensemble Arts Philly: The Rock School Presents My First Nutcracker | December 7 | 1 p.m.|  Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular | Through January 1 | 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

The Philadelphia Orchestra: Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert | December 18-19 | Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St.

Selfies for a Cause with Santa & The Grinch | December 14 and 21 | 12-5 p.m. | The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.

Winter at Dilworth Park | Through March 9 | 1 S. 15th St.

2412 ccd dilworth 0263

2024/25 Theater and Classical Music Subscriptions

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia  | Becoming a subscriber gives you exclusive benefits and flexibility with subscriptions starting as low as $87. This season features music from some of your favorites like Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach.

Curtis Institute of Music | Step into the heart of their centennial celebration as Curtis Institute of Music unveils a season brimming with passion, energy, and greatness. Choose your own shows or treat yourself and enjoy the benefits of a full season pass. Subscriptions start as low as $36.

Ensemble Arts Philly, Create Your Own Broadway Package 
| Flexible packages with 4 or more shows now avaiable. Tailor your package by choosing the shows you want from a great selection, including performances of Hamilton, A Beautiful Noise, MJ the Musical, & Juliet, Some Like It Hot, The WizLife of Pi and more. On average suscribers save 15% on single ticket prices. For additional Ensemble Arts Philly series and subscriptions, visit ensembleartsphilly.org

Lantern Theater Company | Pay one low price and get the best seats for the Lantern's 2024/25 season, including The Wanderers, American Moor, Much Ado About Nothing, and The 39 Steps

Opera Philadelphia | This season, Opera Philadelphia continues to bring beloved classics to the Academy of Music. Build your custom package and save 20% on two or more performances, or join for the entire season with the Academy Series subscription. 

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society's (PCMS) new season has much to offer, including exciting artistic discoveries, fresh interpretations of masterworks and rarely-heard gems. PCMS offers traditional subscription packages, build your own, and full season passes. Choose a package today to enjoy priority seating, flexible exchanges, and savings of up to 25%. 

Suzanne Roberts Theatre | Join PTC as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. This year they are offering plays of, by, and for the people of Philadelphia, including La Egoista, Night Side Songs, and Small Ball. Pick your own subscription packages are starting as low as $51.

 

Suzanne Roberts Theatre | Join PTC as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. This year they are offering plays of, by, and for the people of Philadelphia, including La Egoista, Night Side Songs, and Small Ball. Pick your own subscription packages are starting as low as $51.

09 nick fradiani as neil diamond then and the noise singing cracklin rosie in a beautiful noise the neil diamond musical

A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical - Photo by Julieta Cervantes

Walnut Street Theatre | With titles like Jersey Boys, DreamGirls and ELF The Broadway Musical, the historic Walnut Street Theatre has a show for everyone. Their 5 show subscription starts as low as $26 per ticket.