I Have A Baby And Ten Dollars, Now What?

Photo by Flickr user rumpleteaser

This week is full of both holiday themed and Christmas-free tidbits. While the bargains all end up here, check back on Phillyist throughout the week for supplemental pieces like where to find Santa.

The Kimmel Center has two great events this weekend, both free and both (mostly) family friendly. Friday sees The Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble take the stage to play a free concert of seasonal favorites on the Commonwealth Plaza stage. Beginning at 5:30, all ages are welcome; please, before you get all excited and filled with Christmas joy consider that your two-year-old likely will not want to sit through a bell concert. Don't take them to bell concert. Instead, take them to the Two of a Kind and Give 'Em a Hand Band performing Saturday, December 5th. The latter free concert begins at 11 a.m., and is great for both the younger set—who will love the high energy and great for parents—who are hoping to avoid the Christmas rush a little bit longer. For more information on either concert visit The Kimmel Center's website.

Looking to embrace the upcoming season of miracle with arms wide open? We've got something right up your alley. The Rose Tree Park in Media is hosting their annual Festival of Lights for Peace display with a huge kick-off on December 5th. Beginning at 5:30, trees will be lit, opening remarks will be made, live music performed, and, of course, Santa will be on hand to take care of all your Christmas photo needs. Crafts and holiday treats will also be available free of charge in a heated concession tent. All ages are welcome to participate. Need directions or questions answered? Call 610.565.7410 or visit them online here. The light display will be up throughout December, so if you can't make it this weekend, you've got quite a bit of time to make it up.

Does your family like to sing? More directly, does your family like to sing Christmas carols? If you've been aching to go a-wassailing but can't quite figure out where in Philly to go caroling door to door, try visiting Linvilla Orchards this Saturday, December 5th. For just $7 per person, you can jump on the farm's hayride out to the apple orchard. Once there, you'll be plied with marshmallows and hot apple cider as the Makin' Music crew leads you in singing all the holiday favorites around the campfire. The tractor takes off at 4:30 p.m. and all ages are welcome. Please note, this is not a trip out for those hesitant to croon about reindeer and afraid to sing about snowmen. For more information visit the website.

Longwood Gardens is holding one of the only Hanukkah events I've been able to find in the sea of Christmas tinsel. This Saturday, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., features a special menorah lighting along with live Klezmer music to complete the festive mood. As with most holiday events, all ages are invited and admission to the event is free with the price of regular admission to the Gardens.

A special workshop for kids ages three to 12-years-old is also running this Saturday at the Projects Gallery. Made up of volunteer printmaking majors from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, this merry band of artists will lead a relief printmaking workshop for kids. Admission to the event, which runs at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., is free, but advanced registration is required so call 215.546.3675 to reserve your family's place. Also of note, select examples of the children's work will be displayed at the gallery during the Print Out exhibit.

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is holding a very cool event called Peace Around the World: Holiday Passport to Culture. Beginning at 1 p.m. and running until 4 p.m., this event is geared toward children six to 13-years-old and will take families through the museum to learn about the holiday traditions in countries around the world. There will be international holiday crafts, music, performances by regional choirs, games, exotic face painting, balloon art, and free treats for kids—it's a global holiday extravaganza! Details are available online so check out everything Penn has to offer.

As if there wasn't enough crazy holiday fun, the Free Library of Philadelphia is hosting the Pages to Pirouettes dance troupe as they perform excerpts from The Nutcracker as part of the Sundays on Stage program. Held in the Central Branch's Montgomery Auditorium, this is the perfect chance for families with younger children to experience the fun and beauty of this traditional holiday favorite without worrying about sitting still for two hours. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., families will be treated to the full production, complete with costumes, music, and the rich cast of characters that everyone, even this hard hearted Phillyist, adores. Come one, come all! Who doesn't love the lady with all the kids in her skirt? You'd have to be made of stone. Stone with a heart made of icicles. Icicles made of rocks. Rocksicles. As with (almost) all things library, admission for this great event is free.

That wraps it up for me this week, and remember, if you have a tip or a gripe, e-mail me at amym@phillyist.com. Help a mother out.