The holiday season is in full swing in the Philadelphia region, with annual holiday markets, tree lightings and walkable winter wonderlands. In this weekend guide, we highlight some special festivities for those who want to get into the spirit, and many non-holiday related events for those looking for a weekend of normal fun.
We’re talking the Big 5 Classic championship tournaments, PAX Unplugged, Kevin Hart’s homecoming shows at The Met, Cyndi Lauper live at the Hard Rock and of course the Eagles, Flyers and Sixers.
Check out all that and more as we break down what’s happening in our region from Friday to Sunday.
Big 5 Classic Championship
The biggest weekend in Philadelphia college basketball It starts Friday and you don’t want to miss it. The Big 5 Classic men’s championship tournament takes over the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, and only time will tell which team is the best in the City of Brotherly Love. Tip for the first match of the men’s tournament – Drexel vs. Penn – in South Philly is at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $23. La Salle and St. Joe’s will play for the title at 7 p.m.
The Big 5 Classic women’s championship tournament begins Friday afternoon at Villanova’s Finneran Pavilion. The games will start at 3:30 PM and tip-off for the championship game will begin at 8:00 PM. Tickets for the women’s tournament start at $15.
Big Ten Football Championship: Oregon vs. Penn State
Support the Nittany Lions as they take on the Ducks this Saturday night in the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. If you can’t catch a last-minute flight to watch in person, Tradesmans in Center City is hosting a viewing party starting at 8 p.m. You can watch the 14th annual title game on CBS Philadelphia.
PAX Unplugged at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
A gamer’s paradise is coming to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend.
Tabletop gamers from the East Coast are in Philadelphia for a fun weekend. PAX Unplugged is dedicated to board games like Settlers of Catan and trading card games like Magic: The Gathering or the Pokemon card game.
Fans can not only meet their favorite creators and network with other fans, but also compete in their favorite games. The show runs from 10am to midnight on Friday and Saturday and closes the weekend on Sunday, opening at 10am and closing at 6pm
Check out this year’s line-up of theater panels, performances, tournaments, gaming sessions, concerts and much more on the PAX Unplugged website.
The Nutcracker at the Music Academy
The Philadelphia Ballet’s magical production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker returns to the Academy of Music on Friday and runs through Sunday, December 29. This holiday classic brings dazzling choreography and one of the most recognizable scores to life at Broad Street’s Academy of Music.
Ideal for families and anyone who wants to embrace the holiday atmosphere. Experience the wonder of sugar plum fairies, sword-wielding mice and everything the company has to offer. Tickets are available online, but availability and price depend on the night you attend.
Rose Tree Festival of Light
Do you want to light up the night during the holidays? Then you’ll want to visit Rose Tree Park’s Festival of Lights in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Pack your belongings and stroll as you witness the magic of the Christmas season in this special winter wonderland. Admission is free and visitors are allowed to bring their dog, provided it is on a leash! The Festival of Lights is open every evening until January 4 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Decemberfest: Made in Mount Airy
Decemberfest: Made in Mt. Airy returns for a second time on Saturday, December 7. The event will take place from 11am to 4pm at the New Covenant Campus on Germantown Ave. This holiday market highlights items made by Berg Luchtig’s many businesses. Guests can enjoy festive food, drinks and live music. Rumor has it that Santa Claus will be previewing his Christmas Eve route and will be making a special appearance from 11am to 2pm.
Oaks Christmas Market at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
The inaugural Oaks Christmas Market invites you to get into the holiday spirit for free this Saturday from 9am to 6pm at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center! That’s right, this first annual market is free to attend and is home to nearly 300 artisans and vendors where guests can shop and hopefully get those last-minute decorations they’ve been looking for, or the perfect gift for that special someone.
The Oaks Christmas Market continues on Sunday from 9am to 3pm
Kevin Hart: “Acting My Age Tour” homecoming stop at The Met Philadelphia
Philadelphia native Kevin Hart returns to his hometown this week for his “Acting My Age Tour” homecoming stop at The Met Philadelphia. Are sold out Philly show on December 4 According to an announcement in April, it would be the last show of the tour.
Hart has added four more dates for five shows from Wednesday, December 4 through Sunday, December 8. According to his website, the December 5 and 6 shows are also sold out. However, there are resale tickets available on Live Nation for the remaining dates of December 6, 7 and 8.
“Acting My Age is my ninth tour and I wanted to change things up by creating a more intimate environment. This hour is about connecting with the audience and feeding off the audience’s energy and laughter,” Hart said of his tour in a press release.
Hart has already been in the area for the comedy tour. He was inside Atlantic city at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this summer.
Cyndi Lauper: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour” at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
While it may seem too cold to go to the beach, there’s still fun on the boardwalk for Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Fun Farewell Tour” this Saturday, December 7 at the Hard Rock Live at the Etess Arena.
The Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena is located at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The groundbreaking Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning songwriter and recording artist will also bring along special guest Gayle for more star and girl power.
Tickets on Ticketmaster range from approximately $99 and up. Prices are subject to change. The show starts at 8:00 PM and the doors open at 7:00 PM
An activist since day one, Lauper always fights for the underdog – especially women, people living with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQIA+ community, according to a press release.
Lauper has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
Eagles vs. Panthers
The 3-9 Carolina Panthers come to the Linc on Sunday, December 8 to give their best against our Philadelphia Eagles.
The Birds, winners of eight straight games, are looking to extend that streak on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Eagles have been dominant this season and have solidified their place among the NFL’s top prospects. They even have a chance at it clinch a play-off berth.
Despite only picking up three wins, the Panthers have shown resilience in their last few outings. Carolina wants to play a spoiler against a red-hot Eagles team. Tickets start at $120.
Now to address the Giant in the room, Saquon Barkley has a chance to break the team’s single-season rushing record. The MVP candidate needs 109 yards to break LeSean McCoy’s record of 1,607. Coincidentally, the Panther’s defense against the run ranks last in the league, averaging 166 rushing yards per game. Last week, they gave up 236 total yards in an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All eyes will be on the star returning Sunday as he rockets into history in his first year as an Eagle.
And you won’t want to miss the halftime show: Frisbee dogs will perform some high-flying tricks
76ers vs. Magic
The 5-15 76ers will take on the 16-8 Orlando Magic Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center. After an unsatisfactory season, the Sixers hope to win at home in South Philadelphia. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and tickets to see the Sixers start at $15.
Flyers vs. Utah Hockey Club
The Flyers also play at home this weekend in South Philadelphia. End your weekend by supporting your favorite hockey team in Philadelphia as they take on the Utah Hockey Club on Sunday night. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM. Tickets start at $25.
