For more than 40 years, residents on Smedley Terrace in South Philadelphia have spared no expense to show off their merry light display. Years ago, Santa would visit before making his rounds on Christmas Eve to give toys to the neighborhood kids. Today, the drumbeat of decorating the terrace and the surrounding homes, as seen in the inflatable toy soldier, continues. Photo by Randy Giancaterino
FunTimes Magazine: ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, week of December 22, 2025.
“Christmas is always the most fun. I start looking forward to Christmas before it’s even summertime.”
— Singer & Christmas fan Mariah Carey
On Christmas, December 25, 1941, Bing Crosby introduced “White Christmas” to the world, an Irving Berlin-written ballad. Crosby performed the song on his radio show and later recorded it for the movie, Holiday Inn. The film hit the theaters in the summer of 1942, and by December, sold a whopping one million copies. Based on record sales and radio play, Crosby’s classic went on to become the most popular Christmas song ever. That was B.C. (Before CDs). Today, song popularity is gauged by audio streaming, which means Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” released in 1994, is now number one. It took a hot minute, but the R&B-pop queen’s masterpiece became the king of all Christmas songs, starting in the merry month of December 2019. All of this is to say that while greatness sometimes takes the slow train, it’s time for us to get on board the event express, as 2025 quickly tolls its final days. To close out your year in a flurry, here is some low-cost or free entertainment to make the holidays a hit.
KwanzaaFEST Is One Of Best
Saturday, December 27, 2025. Make the most of the holidays at KwanzaaFEST hosted by Mill Creek Community Partnership. Take a deep dive into the African diaspora culture with the sights, sounds, and smells of music, food, and community entertainment. Celebrate the principle of Kujichagulia, or self-determination. Free admission but pre-register. Noon to 5 p.m. EST. Lucien Blackwell Community Center. 761 N. 47th St. Email: mccpcommunity@gmail.com, eventbrite.com
Gina Paige will lead a ‘Family Ancestry Reveal’ at the Kwanzaa Family Celebration.
Saturday, December 27, 2025. For a day of unity, community, culture, and family, check out the Kwanzaa Family Celebration. Take part in a “Family Ancestry Reveal,” and enjoy African dance, a performance by ADAYA, food, and shopping for books, apparel, lifestyle accessories, homemade décor, and gifts by artisans and jewelers reflecting “the spirit of Kwanzaa.” Celebrate Kujichagulia, or self-determination, in a Kwanzaa ceremony and Libation candle lighting. Connect with your heritage by discovering your African country of origin and ethnic group through participating in an “Ancestry Reveal” featuring Gina Paige. Hosted by The Movement Philly. Free admission but pre-register, noon to 8 p.m. EST. (Kwanzaa program: 4 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST.) Free parking. The Movement Philly, 7133 Germantown Ave. 215-753-6000 or eventbrite.com
Guest conductor Anthony Parnther. Photo courtesy of ensembleartsphilly.org.
‘New Year’s Eve Celebration’ Of Movie Music
Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Ring in the new year at New Year’s Eve Celebration with guest conductor Anthony Parnther leading a concert featuring classic movie music. Parnther is known for his readings of hit movie scores for the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, GRAMMY-winning Encanto, and Emmy-winning The Mandalorian. Join Parnther and the GRAMMY-winning Philadelphia Orchestra performing great film scores from Sunset Boulevard, Psycho, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Enjoy a free champagne toast and snag a selfie on the red carpet. Starting at $57.12; 7 p.m. EST. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts/ Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or https://my.ensembleartsphilly.org/syos/performance/57617
Kwanzaa Means Unity in Community
Sunday, December 28, 2025. Families can celebrate Kwanzaa with interactive story time sessions and live music at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park. Explore the values of unity, creativity, and community through the time-honored traditions and holiday principles of Kwanzaa. Create a painting of a Kwanzaa table in the art studio. See Mister Boom Boom in the theater for interactive performances of authentic West African hand drums like the djembe, talking drum, and shekere — hand-crafted instruments that children can play with during and after the show. $24, kids and adults, $22 military, firefighters & police (adults); daily admission: 9 a.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST. Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic. Email: info@pleasetouchmuseum.org, 215-581-3181or https://ptm.ticketapp.org
She Shines On The Holidays With A Ticket Deal
Through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Give the joyful gift of empowerment this holiday season; get a special-priced holiday ticket to the Celebrating Sisterhood Presents 2026 She Shines Conference next November. Register for a discounted early-bird ticket offer of $50, and get an additional ticket to bring someone — a “She Shines Sister” — for free. The top change-makers from education, faith, business, government, and health convene annually in this inspiring day of women’s empowerment and enlightenment. They engage in professional community workshops specializing in health and wellness – including free mammograms — safety, civic engagement, networking, spirituality, sisterhood, and more. Philadelphia breast cancer survivor Robin Shine Maddox founded the faith-based conference six years ago. Email: celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com, www.celebratingsisterhood.org or www.sheshinesconference.com
Find Your Holiday ‘Jingle Jams’
Through Thursday, January 1, 2026. Flip on JINGLE JAMS for a holiday boost. The audio stream, which will be curated by WXPN public radio DJ Robert Drake, is a series of around–the-clock streaming tunes, with no annoying chatter or ads; just nonstop holiday sounds of the season. Listen on any HD radio by going to WXPN-HD2. On his popular annual “The Night Before on XPN with Robert Drake” program, tune in for 24-hour holiday classics and little-known songs on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24. Audio stream: Free, 24 hours. https://xpn.org/program/jingle-jams-on-xpn2
Photo courtesy of delawareriverwaterfront.com
Skate By The River
Through Saturday, January 3, 2026. After 30+ years, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is now officially a Philly tradition. Enjoy the little urban recreational retreat along the Delaware River — ice skating, boardwalk rides, carnival games, ski chalet-style lodge, fire pits, and warming cabins. Take in the scenic views of the sparkling lights reflecting off the shimmering river. Adults can sip merrily on a beverage from Jacquin’s Porch Bar. Free admission; ice skating: $5 & $12 for skate rentals. Mondays to Thursdays, 1 p.m. EST to 11 p.m. EST; Fridays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. EST to 1 a.m. EST; Sundays, 11 a.m. EST to 11 p.m. EST. 101 S. Columbus Blvd. 215-925-7465 or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/where-to-go/blue-cross-riverrink-winterfestor riverrink@drwc.org
