What To Do: Firebird Festival returns to Phoenixville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

There are four outdoor event which might be easy choices for those willing to brave the winter conditions – Phoenixville’s Firebird Festival, “Astra Lumina Philadelphia” and “Freeze” events in Holmes and Manayunk.

Phoenixville’s annual Firebird Festival (Veterans Field, 192 Mowere Road, Phoenixville, www.firebirdfestival.com) is set to light up the sky again this weekend.

Phoenixville will celebrate the arrival of the solstice with a special event on February 1 with festivities slated to get underway at 3 p.m. on Bridge Street.

The celebration will focus on the burning of a Firebird (in this case, a wooden bird and not a high-powered sports car).

Also known as the Phoenix, the Firebird is a centuries-old symbol of rebirth and regeneration. The highlight of the event is the lighting of the Firebird.

The free event will feature a “Crafts Bazaar” and a variety of live entertainment.

At 8 p.m., there will be a pageantry parade featuring drummers, dancers, giant puppets and the torch that lights the bird. Then, it will be time for the lighting of the Firebird.

“Astra Lumina Philadelphia” is an enchanted night walk at the Abington Art Center (515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, https://astralumina.com/philadelphia) invites the audience to discover the wonder of visiting stars – to set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song.

Created by the visionary minds at Moment Factory, “Astra Lumina Philadelphia” is the 24th experience in the Lumina Night Walk series.

Located on a historic 27-acre campus, Abington Art Center is a beautiful setting for the enchanting Astra Lumina.  The campus has been transformed to create a magical journey.

Participants wander along specially designed pathways that weave through the forest landscape and immerse themselves in the wonder of Astra Lumina.

“Astra Lumina Philadelphia” will run through March 9.

February 1 is the day that The Ridley House & The Heritage Ballrooms (2107 MacDade Blvd., Holmes, 610-522-5400, www.ridleyhousepa.com) will be hosting its “11th Annual Freezefest.”

The event, which runs from noon Saturday until 2 a.m., will feature live cover bands and DJs along with several themed rooms. It will also host a giant outdoor ice bar, food court, photo booth, axe throwing trailer, custom heated tents, ballrooms, beer pong and cornhole tournaments, giveaways and interesting drink specials.

Ticket prices start at $9.99.

The Founders Philly Freeze-Out (manayunk.com/events) will take place on Main Street in Manayunk on February 1.

Billed as Philadelphia’s largest outdoor winter festival, the free event will run from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The event is being held concurrently with the free three-mile Founders Freeze Out Fun Run at 9 a.m. and the Manayunk Chowder Crawl at noon (paid tickets required).

The festival will feature live ice-carving demos, more than two dozen creations from Ice Sculpture Philly, an ice slide and a snowy ice igloo. There will also be a Lunar New Year Lion Dance along with food trucks and beer specials, a winter market, and discounts at area businesses.

From February 6-16, international traveling Do Portugal Circus will take up residence under the Big Top at the Franklin Mills Mall (1455 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, www.doportugalcircus.com).

The international travelling show has been produced by Do Portugal Circus for more than 25 years.

A combination of circus talent and magic takes audiences on a journey of laughter and pure amazement. Do Portugal Circus’ athletic and passionate artists will leave patrons gasping in awe as they perform their death-defying acts.

Some of the featured acts are Juggler Carlos, Hand Balancing Eddy, Magic C Man, Hula Hoop Xena and The Circus Showgirls.

And of course, there will be a clown. No circus is complete without one and Do Portugal Circus showcases a wonderful clown that keeps audiences laughing from start to finish.

This is a professional show that delights audiences of all ages.

Ticket prices start at $20.

2025 is the “Year of the Snake” according to Chinese zodiac.

On February 2, Philadelphia’s Chinatown community will gather in the streets for a Lunar New Year parade led by The Philadelphia Suns.

The daytime parade celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. from 10th and Spring streets this Sunday.

The parade celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. from 10th and Spring streets this Tuesday.

The parade features lion dancing, drumming and firecrackers – activities that will bring good luck to the local community.

The Chinese zodiac is a rotating cycle of 12 years in which each year is represented by a specific animal and its characteristics — rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

The Chinese Zodiac dates back to the Qin Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago and is rooted in a system of zoolatry (or animal worship).

As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all of the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his Palace first would win his favor.

The Philadelphia Suns will also perform their Lion Dance on February 1 at Reading Terminal Market at 11:30 a.m., Fashion District at 1 p.m., Rail Park at 2:45 p.m., Franklin Square at 4 p.m. and Dilworth Park at 6:30 p.m.

On February 8, they will perform at Suburban Square at 11 a.m. and King of Prussia Mall at 4:30 p.m.

Also on February 1, the Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy will hold Lunar New Year festivities on the streets of Media with a traditional lion dance performance.

The exciting performance kicks off on State Street in front of the Plum Street Mall. The event will run from 2-4 p.m.

On February 1, it will also be time for the 2025 “IMEDIA DAY” with the Media Borough Recreation crew.

The event, which will be held on Jackson Street and on State Street, will feature fun, games, a scavenger hunt and “Trivia Night.”

The annual “Punk Rock Flea Market” will be held on February 1 and 2 at the 23rd Street Armory (22 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia, www.phillyprfm.com).

The Punk Rock Flea Market is the place to shop for vintage clothing, records, crafts, art, and most of all old punk junk from more than 200 vendors.

This is an indoor event, rain or shine, inside the armory that will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings – Winter Showcase” on select Saturdays and Sundays in January.

Guests will join the CFW Crew for an intimate and educational 60-minute experience in the Barrel Room. The trained staff will guide them through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse and award-winning wines from across our portfolio. The selections will be paired alongside seasonal local cheeses and other accoutrements to enhance your tasting experience.

The staff will also discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at our partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.

The following is the 2025 Pairing Line Up – Greeting Wine: Sparkling White; 2023 Presage: Epilogue with Savory Fig & Thyme Buckwheat Crackers, Noblette Brie Cheese, and Honey;  2021 Merlot with Cowboy Coffee Cheese from Goat Rodeo; Spiced Apple with Pumpkin Pie Dome from Éclat; and Warm Holiday Spirit with Negative Cookie from Oso Sweet Bakery.

The “Wine, Cheese & Honey Pairings at Penns Woods” at Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) provide a nice way for visitors to enjoy a winter weekend day.

Penns Woods Winery is joining forces with local cheese makers and local honey artisans to present exclusive pairings of wine, cheese and honey. The tastings will feature four premium Penns Woods wines, each paired with various cheeses and honey from local farms.

The palate-pleasing tastings will be held every weekend in February from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets cost $40 per person and reservations are required.

A well-attended Bucks County attraction is the “The Winter Un-wined” at Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, www.shadybrookfarm.com).

The event will take place in the Greenhouse and feature live music by local artists. Music is 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night now through March 8.

The Stone’s Throw Pub will offer a wide array of locally brewed craft beer, Rose Bank Winery wines, and handcrafted cocktails featuring PA distilled spirits. The free event will also feature hot food items from The Kitchen and Pizza Box.

The music schedule includes Acoustic Bandwagon on January 31 and Dana Collins Project on February 1.

This month , Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) started its new year with one of its annual special events – “Winter Wonder.”

“Winter Wonder,” which runs now through March 23, celebrates the beauty of winter. It’s all about outdoor spacious, indoor oasis, and the power of story.

Outside, visitors can find a sense of peace and tranquility as they walk past textural grasses, seed heads and the dramatic silhouettes of trees that stretch up into the sky.

Inside, they can bask in a world of warmth that features an overhead garden of hanging baskets adorned with such vibrant beauties as

jasmine, cape-primrose, and lipstick-plant.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a paradise of flowers and foliage, bursting with color — all in a beautiful indoor winter wonderland with a tropical twist.

Inside Longwood’s Conservatory, visitors can check out nearly 300 blooming orchids on display in the site’s Orchid House. There will also be rare blue poppies blooming in March but for only about 10 to 15 days.

Another popular attraction this year is Longwood Gardens’ “Science Saturdays” series. Events in the series are “Reimagining a Landscape Under Glass: Mediterranean Seasonal Plants” on February 28 and “Fire for Flora: Controlled Burns in Meadow Management” on March 8.

The gardens are open from Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 28. Hours change in the spring.

As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.

You may enter the Gardens up to 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after your designated time. Make every effort to arrive at your designated reservation time. Earlier or later arrivals may not be accommodated.

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $18 for active military and veterans and $13 for youth (ages 5-18).

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) may be closed for park rides and activities but there’s still furry fun to be found there.

This weekend’s special event will be Elmo’s Rockin’ Birthday Dine on February 1 and 2.

Guests will be able to rock out with Elmo on his birthday.

They are invited to bring a monster appetite and enjoy a delectable buffet and funky desserts as they rock out to the music with birthday boy Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Zoe, and Cookie Monster.

Other upcoming special dining events are My Fuzzy Valentine Dine on February 8 and 9.

Founded more than 50 years ago, Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A. (Route 741 East, 226 Gap Rd, Strasburg, 717-687-7911, www.choochoobarn.com) presents a 1,700-square-foot train layout featuring over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains. The majority of trains that are running in the display are “O Gauge” trains but there are also some HO Gauge trains as well as one N Gauge train.

Several of the original pieces and animations are still on the display today, including the ski slope, ski lodge and ice skaters, Dutch Haven, the Willows, the two-lane moving highway (in front of Dutch Haven), the farm with the tobacco barn, the Strasburg Fire House, the church beside Dutch Haven and a few other houses.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3 and under) at Choo Choo Barn — Traintown U.S.A.

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will host a Groundhog Day Celebration on February 1.

Visitors can join a family-friendly walk at 10 a.m. to learn about its history and nature.

They can enjoy crafts, music, and a live animal presentation from 11 a.m.-noon the Visitor Center. Ther will also be a “Groundhog Shadow Reveal” at noon.

The Refuge will also present “Birds Walk” with this weekend.

The event is scheduled to run from 9-11 a.m. on February 1.

Participants will take an educational walk with Chuck Root and Emily Dodge, two one of the site’s knowledgeable volunteers.

They’ll be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantees different species.

The walk will meet at the Visitor Center and be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces.

A popular annual winter tradition can be found at the Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http://ccdparks.org/dilworth-park).

Visitors of all ages can enjoy a dramatic seasonal transformation as fountains are replaced by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Ice Rink and reindeer topiaries take up winter residence on the Greenfield Lawn.

In addition, a full lineup of free entertainment is featured, including the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Cabin.

Dilworth Park’s winter season began in November with the opening of the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn and the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin.

The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia’s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.

Winter at Dilworth Park will run through March 9.

Winter has arrived and the Blue Cross RiverRink (Delaware Avenue at Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-925-RINK, www.riverrink.com) has come back to life.

Unlike most of the suburban ice rinks, RiverRink features public skating. Ice skating is the only use of the ice. This winter, RiverRink takes the ice-skating experience on the Delaware River waterfront to another level by once again transforming the annual rink into a bona fide winter wonderland.

For 29 seasons, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite Winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, firepit stations, boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, the signature holiday tree, and, of course, ice skating on our NHL-sized rink. Winterfest is a top destination for anyone looking to rekindle family traditions.

The Winterfest site is free to enter and open to the public. Amenities such as ice skating and cabin and firepit experiences can be reserved in advance. Winterfest is open seven days a week including holidays through March.

The 2025 Winter in Franklin Square y festival (200 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/holidays-in-franklin-square/) opens its season this weekend and it will run until February 25.

It will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show will be open from 4-8 p.m. daily and 4-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Visitors are invited to experience the magic of the holidays and celebrate traditions new and old at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival.

Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s electrifying genius, the free Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO is the key to holiday fun in Franklin Square.

Attendees can marvel at more than 50,000 lights as they shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes. Every evening, one lucky audience member will be selected to “ignite” the 4:30 p.m. show.

Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the winter.

Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers.

The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.

Ticket prices start at $38.

“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.

Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.

The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.

General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59; Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7–11), $51; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4–7), $12.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.

The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”

Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.

The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.