Things to do with kids in Philadelphia, PA
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Philadelphia time)
Coming up in Philadelphia: 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade (Nov 26), LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo (from Nov 19), Holidays in Franklin Square (from Nov 19) and 3 more events. 6 always-open places, led by Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute and Please Touch Museum. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Philadelphia
6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8:30am–noon (30-minute pre-show, then the parade)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
America's longest-running Thanksgiving Day parade starts at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, heads east to 16th Street, turns onto the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, with Santa on the final float.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
- When
- Thu, Nov 19 – Sat, Jan 9 (Select nights Nov 19 – Jan 9 (closed Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1; open New Year's Eve)) · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Advance online reservations required: general admission $27–31; anytime admission $29–34; parking $22
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
An interactive holiday light experience through the Zoo, with seasonal performances and views from the 110-foot Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holidays in Franklin Square
- When
- Thu, Nov 19 – Thu, Dec 31 (Nightly Nov 19 – Jan 3 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25 and Jan 1; closes 8pm Dec 24 and 31)) · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Entry to the Square is free; mini golf, street curling and the carousel need tickets
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Franklin Square turns into a winter wonderland with the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, street curling and seasonal treats. Opening night (Nov 19) has free choir performances, free hot chocolate and cider and the season's first light show at 6:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Sun, Dec 27 (Preview Nov 21–22, then daily from Thanksgiving (Nov 26) through Dec 27) · Sun–Thu noon–8pm; Fri–Sat noon–9pm; Thanksgiving 9am–5pm; Christmas Eve noon–5pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A German-style holiday market of wooden vendor booths and holiday lights, with an illuminated 65-foot Ferris wheel, the double-tier Christmas Village Carousel, the Kids Train and Santa Claus for wish-taking and photos. Rides and food cost extra.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Dec 19 (Nov 27 & 28 and Dec 5, 12 & 19) · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Meet Santa in Franklin Square and take your picture with him on select nights during Holidays in Franklin Square.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Philadelphia
Kids' New Year's Eve Countdown in Franklin Square
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 · 5–8pm; Square Drop at 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages Kids and families · Outdoor
A family-friendly New Year's Eve with crafts and the Square Drop at 6pm, plus the New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, viewable from the Square.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Philadelphia Zoo
- Price
- Timed tickets online; parking $22 per vehicle
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
America's first zoo, in West Fairmount Park; winter evenings bring the LumiNature holiday light show (separate ticket)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
The Franklin Institute
- Price
- Admission required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 3–17+ (our guidance)
Three floors of hands-on science, the walk-through Giant Heart and the Fels Planetarium; open daily 9:30am–5pm (weekdays are busier with groups before 2pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Please Touch Museum
- Price
- Admission required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 0–8 (our guidance)
The Children's Museum of Philadelphia, two floors of play exhibits in Memorial Hall; check the daily calendar for hours
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Price
- Admission required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 2–17+ (our guidance)
Natural history museum with dinosaur fossils and dioramas on the Parkway
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Franklin Square
- Price
- Free entrance; carousel, mini golf and events ticketed
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Historic square with a restored 1838 fountain and playground; entrance is free, but the carousel, mini golf and events need tickets
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Price
- Admission required; see site
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art museum atop the famous steps; closed Tue–Wed, open late Fri until 8:45pm
✓ Price verified Oct 31, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Philadelphia this weekend?
Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute and Please Touch Museum are open most days, but we don't have a Philadelphia event listed for this weekend (Oct 31–Nov 1). Next up: 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade (Nov 26) and LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo (Nov 19).
What are free things to do with kids in Philadelphia?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place in Philadelphia, including Franklin Square.
Where can kids play indoors in Philadelphia when it's cold or snowy?
We list 4 indoor places in Philadelphia: The Franklin Institute (Admission required), Please Touch Museum (Admission required), Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Admission required) and Philadelphia Museum of Art (Admission required).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Philadelphia?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Philadelphia: 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Philadelphia area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Philadelphia?
We list 2 events with Santa in Philadelphia: Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Nov 21 – Dec 27) and Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square (Nov 27 – Dec 19).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Philadelphia?
We list 3 holiday light events in Philadelphia: LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo (Nov 19 – Jan 9), Holidays in Franklin Square (Nov 19 – Dec 31) and Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Nov 21 – Dec 27). Our holiday lights guide for the Philadelphia area has more nearby.
What is there to do with toddlers in Philadelphia?
We list 3 places in Philadelphia that welcome kids under 2, including Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum and Franklin Square. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Philadelphia?
The best-known family attractions we list in Philadelphia are Philadelphia Zoo (Timed tickets online), The Franklin Institute (Admission required) and Please Touch Museum (Admission required). See all 6 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Philadelphia family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Philadelphia: Philadelphia Zoo (Timed tickets online) and Franklin Square (adult $0, kids free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
See something that's off? Send us a correction.
Know a family event we're missing? Tell us about it.