Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

New Year’s Day is about celebrating, and there’s no better place to fete than at the Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade, a 110-year-old tradition in which 10,000 men and women dressed in colorfully lavish costumes twirl, sashay, pirouette and strut up one of the city’s main streets. An unforgettably wild ritual, the parade and subsequent performances are all family friendly, yet exciting enough to entertain everybody. While a carnival-like atmosphere welcomes anyone who decides to stop by at the last minute, a little advance preparation guarantees a clear view. Better still, spending the night in the city ensures an early start to

The Calendar of Events is organized as follows:

November 2009
December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
Ongoing Activities

NOVEMBER 2009

Through November 1, 2009
HAUNTED POE. This theatrical work unites literature, history and theater with the haunted attraction genre during the 200^th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth. A 10,000-square-foot warehouse is transformed into an eerie maze of chambers featuring short vignettes of 11 of Poe’s pieces, including “The Tell-tale Heart,” “The Raven” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” (215) 627-2577, hauntedpoe.com

Through November

The Christmas season really is the most wonderful time of the year in Philadelphia and The Countryside®, where families partake in old and new traditions to make happy holiday memories. Parents who remember standing in awe of the Enchanted Colonial Village at Lit Brother’s department store can take another peek inside the busy bakery, the bustling village store and the seven other restored scenes with their own children at the Please Touch Museum®. Or, they can start a new holiday tradition when they catch The Comcast Holiday Spectacular on the 2,000-square-foot LED screen inside the 57-story Comcast Center. And, of

Art lovers, garden enthusiasts, film connoisseurs and sports fans keep coming back year after year for festivals, sporting events, art shows, parades and cultural events in Philadelphia. Here’s what’s going on in the region in 2010*:

January:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching up Broad Street in the festive day-long Mummers Parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. January 1, 2010. phillymummers.com

February:

• The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the site of the Philadelphia International Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind. The annual

It doesn’t take a holly, jolly budget to have a holly, jolly holiday—especially in Philadelphia and The Countryside®, where even Ebenezer Scrooge would be impressed with all the budget-conscious ways to celebrate the season. Here are 25 entertaining reasons to make merry in 2008—all while keeping the tab under $25 per person*. Find these experiences on the interactive map on gophila.com/holidays along with plenty of other reasons to get festive in Philly this year.

*Events are free unless otherwise noted.

Thanksgiving Merriment:

1. Thanksgiving Day Parade – Ring in the season during a grand parade featuring marching bands, performances and

The following itinerary is available on gophila.com/holidays.

LOCATION: Center City, Penn’s Landing, South Philly, Kennett Square

TRANSPORTATION: Foot, taxi or car

DURATION: Two days and two nights

Holiday time is family time, but too often, busy schedules and bustling activities have everyone running in different directions. In 2008, start a new holiday tradition. Head to Philadelphia for a weekend of memory-making, affordable family fun. With the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package available at more than 30 hotels, parking is free so you’re already up to $75 ahead.

NIGHT ONE:
A Show of Lights, Please
5:00 p.m. – After you’ve checked

Art lovers, garden enthusiasts, film connoisseurs and sports fans keep coming back year after year for festivals, sporting events, art shows, parades and cultural events in Philadelphia. Here’s what’s going on in the region in 2009:

January 2009:

• Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching up Broad Street in the festive day-long Mummers Parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. January 1, 2009. phillymummers.com
• Making its world debut in Philadelphia, America I AM: The African American Imprint celebrates African-American contributions across 400 years of American history at the National