Road Trip! Destination: Philadelphia holiday-style
Art by Alexandra Exter
Design from Décors de Théâtre, 1930, Alexandra Exter, Russian (born Ukraine), 1882 - 1949, Pochoir print, 20 1/2 x 13 inches (52.1 x 33 cm), Framed: 29 1/2 × 23 1/2 × 1 1/4 inches (74.9 × 59.7 × 3.2 cm), Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
CNAC. Photo of Leger art by Jacques Faujour
Composition à la main et aux chapeaux, 1927, Fernand Léger, French, 1881 - 1955, Oil on canvas, 97 3/4 x 73 inches (248.3 x 185.4 cm), Centre Pompidou, Paris Musée national d'art moderne/Centre de création industrielle
Tate Images / Tate Images
No. VI / Composition No. II, 1920, Piet Mondrian, Dutch, 1872 – 1944, Oil on canvas, 39 3/16 × 39 3/8 inches (99.5 × 100 cm), Tate: Purchased 1967
R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center provides a fitting setting for the icon of freedom, and for the first time allows visitors to view exhibits focusing on the Bell’s origins and its modern day role as an international icon of freedom.
Besides being home to The Philadelphia Orchestra and other groups, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts also boasts a winter garden under its soaring glass roof.
G. Widman for GPTMC
Skaters glide on ice against a picturesque backdrop at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing. Visitors can beat the chill with activities and snacks in the warming pavilion.
G. Widman for GPTMC
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, a modern, glass-roofed building on the Avenue of the Arts.
R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Every year, the Fairmount Park Houses get dressed in their holiday best for yuletide tours. Visitors can wander through one or all of these architectural masterpieces and learn about their history, architecture and holiday decorations. Pictured here is Lemon Hill.
G. Widman for GPTMC
Fireworks brighten up the sky along the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve.
R. Kennedy for GPTMC
A Philadelphia tradition as iconic as the cheesesteak, the Mummers Parade struts into town every New Year’s Day. All year long, local clubs (split into five divisions: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades) prepare elaborate costumes, movable scenery and intricate musical and dance routines—all for this one spectacular day. After marching down Broad Street, the Fancy Brigades head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for a ticketed show and judging. In 2013, the Shooting Stars club performed along the theme “Super Heroes! Super Villains.”
R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Located in Historic Philadelphia, steps from the Old City neighborhood’s shops and restaurants, Elfreth’s Alley holds the distinction of the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the country. The earliest buildings along the alley were built in the early 1700s. Each year, on the first Saturday in December, Elfreth’s Alley residents open their homes to the public, allowing visitors to see these historic homes decorated for the holidays—inside and out. Baked goods, cider and Colonial carolers and musicians round out the festive event.
Christopher Gabello
Stunning holiday trees will transform 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia into a local winter wonderland. Festival of Trees will be on public display in 10 Arts and the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia at 10 Avenue of the Arts (South Broad Street) from Dec. 4 until Dec. 29.
Les Disques, 1918, Fernand Léger, French, 1881 - 1955, Oil on canvas, 105 1/2 × 81 7/8 × 1 9/16 inches (268 × 208 × 3.9 cm), Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris.
Running of the Santas Mega Festival
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, elves, human Christmas trees and candy canes ─ these are just a few of the festive Christmas costumes that partygoers will sport at the “Running of the Santas Mega Festival.”
Fernand Léger
The City, 1919, Fernand Léger, French, 1881 – 1955, Oil on canvas, 7 feet 7 inches x 9 feet 9 1/2 inches (231.1 x 298.4 cm), Philadelphia Museum of Art, A. E. Gallatin Collection, 1952, © Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Running of the Santas Mega Festival
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, elves, human Christmas trees and candy canes ─ these are just a few of the festive Christmas costumes that partygoers will sport at the 16th annual “Running of the Santas Mega Festival” on December 7, 2013.