#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Art is everywhere
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)
Your Philly New Year’s Guide: 38 ways to ring in 2026
The new year is coming in with something special — an inaugural concert on the Parkway, featuring LL Cool J, and the biggest fireworks show ever in Philly.
But it’s far from the only way to ring in the new year. From fireworks to family-friendly “ball drops,” Billy Penn has pulled together a list of your options. Start planning. Continue reading …
For many Philly restaurants, Christmas is their ‘Super Bowl’
While the holidays are often imagined as home-cooked, many Philadelphians find it to be the perfect time to dine out, and restaurants around the city — and not just places in Chinatown — see it as one of their most special days of the year.
Whether it’s the classic Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes or dim sum or traditional Christmas roasts, restauranteurs say they look forward to putting their best foot forward during the holiday. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• PECO goes silent on deadly Bucks nursing home explosion after revising timeline. [Inq$$]
• A winter storm is expected to disrupt things Friday and Saturday. [6ABC]
• SEPTA will expand late-night service for New Year’s Eve. [PhillyVoice]
• South Philly’s Termini Bros Bakery kept a sweet Christmas Eve tradition alive after its owner’s death. [WHYY]
• Members of the 40+ Double Dutch subclub in the West Oak Lane neighborhood celebrate aging, fitness and sisterhood during weekly meetups. [WHYY]
• The Eagles’ signature play survived the last offseason. Will the tush push be around next season? [WHYY]
• A section of the Schuylkill River is up for an accolade. Time to vote, people! [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for Friday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🛍️ Philly-themed gifts: Where to shop
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 26-27: “Home Alone” screening
Gather to watch or rewatch this family-friendly holiday classic of one abandoned boy confronting two bumbling bandits getting in the way of his pizza and gangster classics. $40 tickets. At the Film Society Center. (7 p.m. Friday; 3:30 p.m. Saturday)
Saturday, Dec. 27: Weekly Riichi Mahjong Meetup
Stop by the Philly Mah-Jawn Mahjong Club in Old City to learn how to play this variant of the game. Free to attend. (12 to 2 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28: Kwanzaa at the Please Touch Museum
Families can create a painting of a Kwanzaa table, join “edutainer” Mister Boom Boom in the theater for interactive programs focused on rhythm, culture and creativity with his African drum circle, or build a pinhole camera and more. Cap it off with a parade. $24 admission. (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28: 3rd annual Kwanzaa at the Penn Museum
Enjoy performances from Karen Smith Drumming and violinist Owen Valentine. Learn about Kwanzaa principles like unity, self-determination and creativity through engaging, hands-on workshops hosted by Kwanzaa for Me & You. Experience traditions, shop local artisans, and enjoy storytelling, music and dance. Plus, handmade Zawadi gifts for all. Free, but advance registration encouraged. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28: Frascareglie dinner
Le Virtu hosts this cookout of traditional “frascareglie (frahss-ca-RELL-eeay) con ragu’” (from the village of Villavallelonga) outside, over an open fire in a copper cauldron brought back from Molise. They’ll also have vino rosso, heaters, and fire pits to keep you warm. FREE, but donations to Philabundance encouraged. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28: Scribes on South
The last poetry reading and open mic of the year in this series. At Tattooed Mom. “Read poems. Kick ass.” This reading’s featured readers are Mel Edgar and Simon Feral. Free. (7 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28: A Jam Without Borders (Fundraiser for Juntos)
Live concert fundraiser for Philadelphia families impacted by ICE via Juntos. Venue is not wheelchair accessible. Ages 21+. At Ortlieb’s (847 N. 3rd St.) $18.39 tickets. (7 p.m.)
Through Tuesday, Dec. 30: Seasonal Science: Holiday Programs
From live science shows and a new planetarium show to mystery dissections and build-and-play Creation Station, check out the Franklin Institute’s daily holiday-themed programs. $23 to 29 tickets. (Various times)
Wednesday, Dec. 31: Betsy’s Birthday Bash
Celebrate the famous flag maker’s January 1, 1752 birth with Betsy Ross and Mary Crathorne, the 18th-century chocolate maker, who[se reenactor] will talk about her business and demonstrate how she made her goods. Festivities are free with house tour admission. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 31: Super Hero Spectacular: A New Year’s Family Party
Plan ahead for rain or shine at Cherry Street Pier, grab a $27 ticket (free for kids 2 and under) for views of the 6 p.m. fireworks on the waterfront, activities, crafts and music, giveaways, and a cash bar. (5 to 7 p.m.)
The post 38 ways to ring in 2026; dining’s ‘Super Bowl’; Nursing explosion update | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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