Looking for something entertaining and exciting to do this holiday season? No matter what your interests may be, there are a lot of fun things to do in and around Philadelphia this year! If classic wintertime productions put you in the holiday spirit, then check out some of these festive events. The Nutcracker is a time-honored holiday classic that is perfect for the entire family. This spectacular ballet is being presented by the Brandywine Ballet Theater at Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, located right on West Chester University’s campus. This event will take place from Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 18. For show times, please call 610-436-2266. Tickets range from $15 to $35.
You could also join Ebenezer Scrooge as he takes a Christmas Eve journey led by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Hedgerow Theater in Media, Pennsylvania will be presenting the timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, from Friday November 25 to Saturday, December 31. This is the theater’s tenth year presenting this play. Tickets for this event will cost between $10 and $25. For specific show times and directions, call 610-565-4211. New York City is also a great place to spend a day during the holiday season. The Christmas Spectacular Show, featuring the world-famous Rockettes, is a sensational production put on at the Radio City Music Hall.
There are over 200 performances in New York City this year, now showing through January 2, 2006. The show involves dance routines, stage effects and stunning costumes that will simply take your breath away. A new scene, “Deck the Halls,” has been added to the show this year,as well as a 3-D film that will take the audience on a sleigh ride through the streets of New York. Though tickets from this event are in the $50 price range, it is a magical day that everyone is sure to enjoy. Lord & Taylor’s Christmas Light Show is yet another fun activity in which to partake this winter. This is a free event thathas been occurring since 1956.
Shows play every hour on the hour that the store is open from Friday, November 25 through New Year’s Day. The Christmas tree has about 23, 500 lights, and there are also dancing water fountains, a narrative of a Christmas story music from the Grand organ, and much, much more! Lord & Taylor is located at 1301 Market Street in Philadelphia. Lastly, skate underneath the stars this winter at Blue Cross River Rink at Penn’s Landing.
This outdoor ice skating rink is located on the banks of the Delaware River. Admission is $5, and it costs $3 to rent skates. You may also bring your own. The rink is open from November to February. Monday through Thursday, it is open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays it is open from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays it is open from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Music, pizza, popcorn, pretzels and hot chocolate are located inside a heated castle- shaped tent.