When the clock strikes midnight in the new year, Philadelphia will turn into a super party city. The phrases America250 and Philadelphia 2026 will be everywhere in the news and online.

To close out your year in a flurry, here is some low-cost or free entertainment to make the holidays a hit. 

Ready or not, the season of frost, snowflakes, evergreens, peppermint, cocoa, and cinnamon officially is here. And so are these joyous events to help warm the chill of December and revel in the merry days ahead.

Seize the promise of the season with these magical events (free or low-cost), from imaginative musicals to nights featuring board and casino games, comedy, and the joy of jazz.

Ready or not, go out and celebrate the gift of December. And make sure that you wear your scarf. Here’s a warm offering of Instagrammable activities to kick off the joy of the coming holidays…

From costume exhibits of famous Afrofuturism Hollywood movies to striking up the band at the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade, jump into the joy of the holiday season with these entertaining and enlightening events and programs.

From carousels in the courtyard to the joys of toys, warm up during the close of 2025 with these low-cost or free festivities.

From developing the Langston Hughes in kids to networking in the Diaspora, these low-cost or free events are chock-full of spice and everything nice.

With Veterans Day on the horizon on Thursday, Nov. 6, go out and explore opportunities to salute the military. In addition to honoring our vets, check out other activities, from Grammy-winning jazz to mosaic art with the theme of “freedom.”

From fall festivals in the park to Sunday jazz concerts on the stage, these low-cost or free events will help turn the page on a fading month.