So before you start spending all your free time perusing relatives’ Amazon wish lists or circling the King of Prussia Mall parking lot, take advantage of Philly’s film festivals, whimsical races and winter-themed activities.
The weather is still temperate enough for the Rocky Run, a cluster of distance races along Kelly Drive and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. After you burn some calories, relax with a flick at the Asian American or Jewish film festival, ice skate at the now-open Dilworth Park rink, or grab a fall-themed brew at the Philly Fall Crawl.
If you prefer not to drift too far from home, just head out to your neighborhood park for the annual Love Your Park Day, and give back to your community and Mother Nature.
FESTIVALS
DATE/TIME: Nov. 7 to 17
WHERE: Various locations in Center City and University City
DETAILS: In its 12th year, the largest film festival on the East Coast specializing in Asian American and Pacific Islander content is back with panel discussions, live performances, artist talks and more.
PRICE: Some events are free; all-access badge is $100
EVENT: Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival
DATE: Nov. 9 to 23
WHERE: Various theaters in Center City, University City and the suburbs
DETAILS: Now in its 39th year, this two-week festival returns with films inspired by Jewish history, heritage and values from around the world. The opening night film is “Picture of His Life.” The festival closes out with “Standing Up, Falling Down.”
PRICE: Big Nights Pass is $55, which provides admission to opening night, centerpiece and closing night screenings, plus receptions. Individually priced tickets per show are also available.
EVENT: Harvest Fest
DATE/TIME: Weekends through Nov. 17, noon to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
DETAILS: Celebrate all things fall with a corn maze, pumpkin painting, games like flip-a-chicken and bean bag toss, live entertainment and festive drinks.
PRICE: Free with admission
FOOD/DRINKS
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Registration at Irish Pub, 2007 Walnut St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Cover charges will be waived at 15 bars across Center City for participants in this bar crawl. There will be drink specials, free T-shirts, giveaways and a scavenger hunt.
PRICE: Tickets purchased online are $20; day-of tickets are $25
EVENT: St. Sophia Fall Craft Fair and Greek Food Festival
DATE/TIME: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
WHERE: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 900 S. Trooper Road, Jeffersonville
DETAILS: Get your Greek food fix and do your holiday shopping all in one place. Enjoy traditional favorites like spanakopita, moussaka, pastitsio, lamb shank and baklava while browsing more than 40 different craft vendors.
PRICE: Free admission and parking
GET OUTDOORS
DATE/TIME: Saturday; 5K starts at 7 a.m., 10-mile run begins at 7:45 a.m.
WHERE: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
DETAILS: Yo, Adrian! Go the distance and run along scenic Kelly Drive in a 5K, 10-mile run, or the 13.1-mile Italian Stallion Challenge. The race starts and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
PRICE: Registration for 5K starts at $55; $75 for 10-mile; $130 for 13.1-mile
EVENT: Love Your Park Day
DATE/TIME: Saturday, times vary
WHERE: Various parks across greater Philadelphia
DETAILS: This biannual event encourages community members to get outside and revitalize green spaces in their neighborhoods. Nearly 100 park-friendly groups participate each season, drawing more than 5,000 volunteers.
PRICE: Free with registration
ATTRACTIONS
DATE/TIME: Friday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Dilworth Park, Center City
DETAILS: It’s that time of year again: The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin opens just in time for the winter season, with hand-carved sculptures and fire and ice performers to entertain guests.
PRICE: Free to attend; view skate admission, rentals and lessons here
EVENT: The Super Heru Comic Book Mini-Con
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
DETAILS: Join The East Coast Black Age of Comic Convention (ECBACC, Inc.) for a family-friendly day where history and comics meet. There will be panels, youth workshops, a marketplace and more.
PRICE: Free admission to first 250 museum-goers for Family Fun Days
MUSIC
DATE/TIME: Friday, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) return to Philadelphia for a night of unlikely music genres working together in harmony. The duo blends modern and classical music for a sound that breaks barriers down.
PRICE: Tickets start at $35
EVENT: Elton John
DATE/TIME: Friday and Saturday, doors open at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., South Philadelphia
PRICE: Tickets start at $55.50