Hailed by Ebony magazine as “the Black Sundance,” this International House-based event showcases artistically excellent independent films about the global Black experience and films by people of color. Electric company PECO aptly presents the illumination of Franklin Square, while the square itself offers comfort food, local beers, and hot beverages at Ben’s Sweets & Treats. The Comcast Center lobby’s super high-res LED display combines the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a magical sleigh ride over the city and a sing-along in 15 minutes of fun. For more information on Mummer’s Mardi Gras, visit their website. PENN RELAYS.

Save Edcamp LEAD 2020 to your collection. APPLE FESTIVAL.

ONCE UPON A NATION. The main feature is the ice skating rink in the center with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL. Explore all the happening events in Philadelphia in 2020 with us that best suit your interest.

(215) 607-3477, theovalphl.org, Through August 23, 2020 (reopening date TBA) The Morris Arboretum presents G-scale model trains running along a quarter-mile track that features 12 rail lines, seven loops and tunnels, two cable cars and nine bridges. Save Ride the Farm- Fall 2020 to your collection. — Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens, Through January 1, 2021 (TBA) Businesses on Baltimore Avenue between 43rd and 52nd streets offer $1 bargains that have kept crowds coming back for 10 years. (215) 629-3200, delawareriverwaterfront.com, December 2020 (TBA) Harvest-time plantings, meadows transformed with new colors and the Garden Railway are part of Longwood Gardens’ annual celebration of fall. Where: Various locations including Girard College, 2101 S. College Avenue. (215) 893-1999, phillypops.org, January 23, 2021 (215) 340-9800, michenerartmuseum.org, November 21–December 23, 2020 (215) 413-9006, fringearts.com, April 2021 (TBA) The circa 1915 “Women’s Liberty Bell” returns to Independence Square to celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment; on September 25, its clapper will be released to ring again. PHILLY TANGO FEST. HAND TO HAND CIRCUS FESTIVAL.

Where: Various locations including Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Drive. (215) 893-1999, phillypops.org, April 2021 (TBA) (800) 556-FOLK (3655), pfs.org, August 14, 2020–January 17, 2021 mlkdayofservice.org, January 22–24, 2021 HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. SAMARA GOLDEN: UPSTAIRS AT STEVE’S. Norristown’s extra kid-friendly Elmwood Park Zoo illuminates its 16 acres, adds Santa and his reindeer, runs a vintage carousel and opens its zip line for early-evening fun. KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS AT AAMP. BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART ANTIQUES SHOW. (215) 597-7077, nps.gov/inde, Through September 30, 2020 (reopening date TBA) (215) 299-1000, ansp.org, Through September 25, 2020 (215) 247-5777, morrisarboretum.org, Through September 20, 2020 (reopening date TBA) The German-style market returns to JFK Plaza, better known as LOVE Park. PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL. Artists, crafters, designers, techies, entertainers and restaurateurs celebrate the creative spirit of the Historic District neighborhood along several blocks of activities, exhibits and programs that appeal to families as well as the over-21 crowd. A Yardley, Bucks County farm strings up more than 3 million lights for guests to drive — or ride in a horse-drawn carriage — through; also on tap: visits with Santa, holiday shopping, hot cocoa. There’s no better place to spend Presidents Day weekend (February 14-17, 2020) than Philadelphia, a city intimately linked with our Founding Fathers and many of our country’s presidents. CENTER CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL. The Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker department store (now Macy’s) offers a free show of dancing lights, set to the famed Wanamaker Organ; performances every two hours during store hours. (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org, October 2020 (TBA)

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR.

Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE RIVER. Love City Brewing hosts Philadelphia’s second women-centric beer festival, featuring more than 30 breweries, plus food trucks, live entertainment and talk of leadership. CHRISTMAS AROUND THE FARM. The best day trips from Philadelphia according to Tripadvisor travelers are: What are the most popular things to do in Philadelphia with kids? The Barnes Foundation is the first major American institution to examine entrepreneur and art collector Marie Cuttoli’s approach to art and business. welcomeamerica.com, July 3, 2020–August 30, 2020 SOUTH STREET PUMPKINFEST. (267) 909-8814, brauhausschmitz.com, October 2020 (TBA) (215) 268-7606, madeinphila.com, November 25, 2020 Business leaders and other self-proclaimed tech geeks — and the technically challenged — participate in more than 100 events, including a variety of programs, interactive activities and workshops that celebrate and highlight emerging trends, advances and innovating uses of technology. An evening activation transforms America’s first zoo into a walk-through display of light and sound. The National Museum of American Jewish History hosts a variety of activities for folks who don’t celebrate Christmas (and those who do) during this annual event. The Penn Museum presents an exhibition of purposeful, international adornments, from Samurai armor to Mongolian wedding wear to ancient tattoos. Save Sunday Service 10/04/2020 to your collection. Travelers from New York City, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore can get $2.29 fares to and from Philadelphia on Leap Day — Saturday, February 29 — and on Sunday, March 1. New this year, ASL interpreters stationed throughout the show floor assist guests in communicating with vendors during Deaf & Hard of Hearing Community Access Day (Saturday, February 8, 2020). Philadelphia marks African Americans’ emancipation from slavery with two days of reenactments, entertainment, an African children’s village, a cultural marketplace and a parade. Presented by Drexel University’s Vision2020, Women 100 is the largest centennial celebration in the U.S. honoring the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted American women the right to vote. The entire city celebrates the nation’s oldest festival of its kind, with events that highlight local designers, architects, and creative professionals demonstrating thoughtful design, collaborative business practices, and community engagement. CORE PROJECT COMPLETION. “America’s Garden Capital” welcomes thousands to tree-lined Germantown Avenue, where crowds browse home and garden vendors, who include merchants of vintage décor, live vegetation and handmade furnishings. We have reviews of the best places to see in Langhorne. (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org, January 23–March 21, 2021 Where: Various locations including Triumph Brewing Company, 400 Union Square Drive, New Hope. (215) 413-3713, southstreet.com, May 2021 (TBA) PHILADELPHIA DYKE MARCH. If you don’t feel like walking around too much, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour might be a better option. Where: Various locations including the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street. Historic Germantown honors the ratification of the 13th Amendment virtually this year; the celebration otherwise would include a parade along the Avenue, and a day of historical reenactments, tours, children’s activities and food and drink at the Johnson House Historic Site.
Several local organizations partner with nearby businesses to produce an outdoor celebration of neighborhoods, October, beer, food and music that stretches across the afternoon on west South Street. MUSHROOM FESTIVAL. Three-course prix fixe lunches and dinners are available (tax, alcohol and gratuity not included) at various restaurants in the South Philly neighborhood. PEEPS® IN THE VILLAGE. phillyautoshow.com, January 18, 2021 Where: Various locations including The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. Music by several artists accompanies the lighting of the tree atop the Rocky steps. PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL PARADE. (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org, January 29–February 7, 2021 QFLIX PHILADELPHIA. If you’re thinking about braving the cold and going out, here are some of the exciting events this month in Philly: Wonderspaces is a 24,000 square-foot space in the new Fashion District featuring immersive, interactive & conversation-provoking works of art. RADNOR HUNT RACES. (215) 764-5345, shakespeareinclarkpark.org, August 2021 (TBA) The classic story of a young woman under difficult circumstances, a prince, a ball and some nasty stepsisters sees glass slippers meet ballet slippers when the Pennsylvania Ballet brings the tale to the Academy of Music. (215) 733-0191, midtownvillagephilly.org, October 2020 (TBA) As always, VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s public relations team is glad to assist members of the media with queries, story ideas, statements and photo and video requests. Please Touch Museum® unveils a new, 5,000-square-foot permanent gallery that takes a colorful, interactive look back at its building’s roots in the 1876 Centennial Exposition — the fair that introduced the U.S. to the telephone, banana, Corliss engine, popcorn, typewriter, adhesive bandage and more — in order to let kids look into their future. February is a great time to catch a professional hockey or basketball game. Share BREATHE Conference 2020 with your friends. (215) 278-7200, barnesfoundation.org, Through August 23, 2020

(617) 291-3798, philadelphiatangofestival.com, May 29–September 6, 2021 (to be confirmed) November 2020 elfrethsalley.org, June 2021 (TBA) (215) 340-9800, michenerartmuseum.org, May 7 & 8, 2021 Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street. All of the beloved characters from the PBS series visit the Merriam Theater to take the audience on an adventure in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University does up the nature side of J.K. Rowling’s famed book series with a whole weekend of games, live animals, magic wand-making and costume-wearing. (215) 733-0390, phillymagicgardens.org, September 5 & 6, 2020 (800) 652-4143, elmwoodparkzoo.org, Through January 3, 2021 Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street. For even more ideas on popular tourist activities, be sure to check out our popular posts: Some of the attractions below are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
PHILLY NAKED BIKE RIDE. PARKS ON TAP. facebook.com/themiracleonsouth13thstreet, Through January 1, 2021 (TBA) On certain evenings throughout the warmer months, food trucks visit Bucks County’s Peddler’s Village. (215) 592-0410, mexicanculturalcenter.org, September 2020 (TBA)

Forty Philadelphia art galleries and institutions — including the Barnes Foundation and Philadelphia Museum of Art — present contemporary works at the 23rd Street Armory for in a ticketed event to raise funds to help preserve the ctiy’s public art. — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia, Through December 23, 2020 Hayrides, scarecrow-making, plenty of kids’ activities and pumpkins bring fall to the forefront at Tyler Arboretum’s annual event. This day-long celebration brings the pageantry of NOLA to a family-friendly neighborhood complete with face painting, costumes and of course, the Philadelphia Mummers. An exhibit at Chestnut Hill’s Woodmere Art Museum features the work of Barbara Bullock and the late Charles Searles (1937–2004) and Twins Seven-Seven — all participants in the Ile-Ife Black Humanitarian Center in North Philadelphia — to explore their ideas and assertions of African and African American cultural identity. Careers | Sell Your Land | Contact | Blog | Warranty, © All rights reserved | Judd Builders | 409 Stenton Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031 | 610.832.8000. click here to get tickets and for more information! This list of our favorite things to do in February in Philadelphia details some of the best winter events and some activities unique to this time of year, updated for 2020.