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.

Latest posts by Nicole

Theatre for Youth, A Wrinkle in Time, Storytime & Skate, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 5:16am

This is the last weekend to see A Wrinkle In Time and you shouldn't miss it! Photo courtesy of The Arden Theater Company

Looking for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your must-do list.

Keep the winter blues away with these events in and around Philly. Check out the Curtis Symphony Orchestra: Osmo Conducts Bartók or Live at the Lane presents: Theatre for Youth! For more theater fun, don't miss A Wrinkle in Time at the Arden Theater. Head to the riverfront for Storytime and Skate with Characters. Franklin Square Park transforms into a Winter Wonderland for two events on Saturday: Ice Princess Night & Brunch. Whatever you do, don't miss a thing.

MLK Weekend 2026 in Philly: AAMP, Please Touch, Constitution Center, and More Things to Do

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Wed, 01/14/2026 - 7:48am

Celebrate MLK weekend with free interactive workshops and enriching activities. Photo courtesy of The Please Touch Museum

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this MLK Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Philly kids may have an extra day off from school. But, this day off means more than just 'no homework.' Recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with one of the many opportunities to celebrate his legacy by visiting museums, attending service events, or doing some arts and crafts.

After observing the holiday, don’t forget to check out our Best Free and Fun Things to Do in Philly this January. Whatever you do, make the most of the long weekend ahead.

New Year's Eve Weekend in Philly with Kids: Count Down to 2026

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 6:49am

Ring in 2026 by attending the annual Mummers Parade on January 1! Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Looking for the best things to do in Philly on New Year's Eve and New Year's Weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Skate into the New Year with a bang! Bid farewell to 2025 and join the fun at the New Year's Eve Fireworks Celebration, complete with views of the fireworks presented by Rivers Casino. Enjoy early countdown celebrations, plus more fireworks displays at Peepsfest or Sesame Place.

New Year's Day brings the time-honored tradition of the Mummers Parade, a celebration that has delighted and entertained Philly for more than 120 years. After the New Year's ball has dropped, a lot of the holiday events come to a close, so check your list twice and make sure you don't miss a thing.

Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Philly in January 2026, According to MP Editors

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sun, 12/28/2025 - 7:31am

Celebrate winter at Peddler's Village with live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations. Photo courtesy of Peddler's Village

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 2026, 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 Horse with Lunar New Year celebrations at the Penn Museum.

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 s now tubing and our favorite sledding spots near Philly--so bundle up and get out there!

16 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Philly Celebrations for Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Fri, 12/26/2025 - 7:28am

Countdown2Noon, Please Touch Museum’s signature New Year’s Eve event for kids, is back — with even more confetti! Photo courtesy of the museum

It's almost New Year's Eve in Philly and we've got all the festive things to do with kids to make it a memorable start to the new year.

Ring in 2026 with your kiddos before bedtime! There are plenty of family-friendly New Year's Eve festivities around Philly, from fireworks and balloon drops to community celebrations at playspaces and parks. Get ready for lots of laughter and fun as you wave good-bye to 2025 together.

Looking for ways to keep busy leading up to the big ball drop? Check out or list of 35+ Things To Do over Winter Break and browse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events to make sure you've hit all the holiday highlights this season.

A Guide to Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in the US with Kids (2026)

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Thu, 12/25/2025 - 10:56am

America turns 250 this year and there are extra-big celebrations all across the country! Photo by Kent Miller for Macy's Inc.

The upcoming year will be a big one for America—the country is celebrating America 250, its semiquincentennial (say that five times fast!). In easier-to-pronounce words, it's the US's 250th birthday—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And there are so many ways to celebrate the America 250 anniversary 2026.

America's 250th celebration events will take place in all 50 states. Everywhere from big cities to small towns will host festivals, parades, special museum exhibits, some seriously next-level July 4th celebrations, and other amazing America 250 events. That means 2026 is the perfect year to take a family vacation packed with history, learning, and fun!

Read on for our ultimate America 250 travel guide for families, including the best places to celebrate America 250, handy travel tips, and answers to your biggest questions about this major milestone. And if you want to make America 250 part of a larger family vacay, our Family Travel Guide will help you plan the perfect patriotic trip!

Christmas Weekend 2025 in Philly Top Things To Do: Kwanzaa, Holiday House Tours, JUMP IN!, and more.

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 7:31am

All the classic characters are gliding and leaping around the rink at Disney on Ice's 'Jump In'. Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Christmas is here! Fill in the blank on Christmas day at Being ______ at Christmas: Family Day at the Weitzman with live performances and more. If you love history, check out the Fairmount Park House Holiday Tour and take in the beauty of the houses. For more history during the holidays, Washington Crossing the Delaware is the place to be on Christmas day. If you need to entertain the little ones, Disney On Ice presents JUMP IN! could be perfect.

22 Best Things to Do in Philly December 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 7:46am

The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Philadelphia as the holiday season kicks into high gear. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Philly this month.

Philadelphia is not just a city of delicious cuisine and crushing culture; it's also home to some truly spectacular holiday light displays! Take your family out for an evening stroll through the neighborhoods this month, from the The Miracle on South 13th Street to the Smedley Street Christmas Lights Spectacular, to the delightfully over-the-top West Chester Griswolds in the 'burbs. Glide on over to Flight on Ice, Delco's pop-up ice rink, or stop by for a skate at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Before we say goodbye to 2025 forever, grab the kids and enjoy fireworks at Sesame Place to send the year off with a bang.

For more ways to keep the season merry and bright, check out our Holiday Bucket List which can be found in our Guide to Holiday Events and Christmas Activities.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar daily, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Nicole O'Donnell

Latest posts by Nicole

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