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Best Free and Fun Things To Do in Philly with Kids January 2025: Lunar New Year, Ice Princesses, and More

Celebrate winter at Peddler's Village with live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village
Celebrate winter at Peddler's Village with live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village
12/29/24 - By Nicole O'Donnell

From New Year's Day to Lunar New Year, January can be a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Philly this January. 

We've got you covered for the first month of 2025, kicking it off with the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day. Over in Peddler's Village, admire amazing ice displays or warm up by the firepit at Fire & Ice Fun. Welcome the Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year celebrations at the Penn Museum. Also, on deck this month are Franklin Square's Ice Princess Weekend and Indoor Mini Golf at Linvilla.

It's chilly in Philly, so check out our Indoor Activities Guide for great ways to escape the cold. For families who don't mind some freezing fun, our Winter Activities Guide is full of lists like the best places to go snow tubing and our favorite sledding spots near Philly--so bundle up and get out there!

 

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Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with electricity, the Electrical Spectacle makes Franklin Square sparkle with its musical light show. Photo by J. Fusco/VISIT PHILADELPHIA
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with electricity, the Electrical Spectacle makes Franklin Square sparkle with its musical light show. Photo by J. Fusco/VISIT PHILADELPHIA

Best Free Things To Do in Philly in January

Mummers Parade

January 1, 2025
Philadelphia
This annual tradition is a great way to start off the new year, Philly-style. Beginning at Philadelphia's City Hall at approximately 9am, spectators can enjoy the Mummers as they march south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue. READ MORE

Fire & Frost Fun

January 10-18, 2025
New Hope
Fire. Ice. And the last weekend for holiday lights! From 4-8pm on Friday & Saturday, January 10 & 11, 17 & 18, enjoy live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations, fire pits, outdoor food and drinks, and a Village-wide display of over 30 ice sculptures (including an Ice Throne perfect for selfies). READ MORE

Barnes Free First Sunday Family Day

January 5, 2025
Philadelphia
On the first Sunday of each month, the Barnes offers free admission and creative programming to its visitors with a full day of family-friendly activities. Themes change monthly, with new art activities, performers, and guest artists each month. READ MORE

Family Fundays at the Kimmel Center

January 5, 2025
Philadelphia
Gather in the Kimmel Center's plaza for a free morning of art, music, and interactive activities and performance. READ MORE

Electrical Spectacle Light Show in Franklin Square

Now through February 23, 2025
Philadelphia
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with electricity, the Electrical Spectacle makes Franklin Square sparkle with its musical light show, recurring every 30 minutes. Enjoy 200,000 lights dancing to five festive songs that fill the square. Nightly through January 5th and Thursdays-Sundays January 9 - February 23. READ MORE

Wintergarden

Now through March 9, 2025
Philadelphia
Get outside and enjoy the chill with a visit to Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, which returns to Dilworth Park. Guests to the garden will find whimsically crafted reindeer topiaries, seasonal plantings, twinkling lights, and outdoor seating.  READ MORE

Three Kings Day Celebration: Free at the Kimmel

Saturday, January 4, 2025
Philadelphia
“Three Kings’ Day” at the Kimmel Center is a free, family event that celebrates a meaningful holiday in the Hispanic community and allows all city residents to participate in this tradition.  Attendees enjoy an afternoon of activities and surprises such as Mexican hot chocolate, the traditional “Rosca de Reyes,” the breaking of piñatas for the youngest family members, and much more! READ MORE

More Fun Things To Do in Philly in January

Ice Princess Weekend at Franklin Square

January 25 - 26, 2024
Philadelphia
Disney Princesses descend on the city to spread royal magic. Join Elsa, Jasmine, Elena of Avalor, and Rapunzel to mingle in Franklin Square. Elsa's not the only one channeling frozen joy–watch as artisans craft ice sculptures right before your eyes. READ MORE

CultureFest! Lunar New Year

January 25, 2025
Philadelphia
The Penn Museum celebrates the Lunar New Year with a day-long festival in partnership with the American Chinese Museum. Welcome the Year of the Dragon with the traditional Lion Dance and more music and dance performances. Storytelling and make-and-take activities occur throughout the day. READ MORE

Chilly Philly Mini Golf

Now through January 26, 2025
Philadelphia
Bundle up for a hole-in-one during a chilly game of Philly Mini Golf presented by IBEW Local 98 at Franklin Square. Visitors will putt the ball amid familiar miniaturized Philadelphia sites. READ MORE

Indoor Mini Golf at Linvilla

Now through April 6, 2025
Media
Tee off at Linvilla Orchard’s Fore! The Planet, an exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences that unites environmental education with miniature golf. Play 18 holes while you learn about butterflies, the rainforest, food chains, and more. READ MORE

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About the Author

Nicole O'Donnell
Nicole O'Donnell is a marketing and social media expert with over 20 years of media experience and a proud mom to twin girls. A fan of writing, yoga, and exploring Philly, Nicole loves sampling the city's best treats with her girls in tow.
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