By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Do Portugal Circus
Watermelons are a summertime thing locally.
However, if some nice big melons appear on the shelf at a local farmer’s market this month, you probably will enjoy the import from Mexico.
Touring circuses with shows under a huge tent is a summertime thing in this area.
However, if a top-flight touring Mexican circus brings its under-a-heated Big Top production to the area this month, you probably will enjoy the import from Mexico.
That’s where Do Portugal Circus comes in.
The international circus, which is based in Mexico, is visiting the area for visit to Franklin Mall (1455 Franklin Mills Circle, Philadelphia, www.doportugalcircus.com) that is running now through February 16.
Do Portugal Circus is not only one of the world’s most acclaimed circuses, it also is one of the oldest. Named after the Portugal Family, the company’s history dates back to 1911.
For more than 100 years — with a history spanning five generations — Do Portugal Circus has been entertaining fans of all ages with a variety of impressive circus acts.
In 1950, the family started in the direction it still follows. They got their first tent and opened their first touring show which, at the time, was called Circus America.
In the 1980s, it changed its name to Circus Dina. The show later changed into Do Portugal Circus in 1993.
The circus toured exclusively in Mexico until 2014 when it played El Salvador and other venues in Central America – including Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Five years ago, Do Portugal Circus began performing in both Mexico and the United States with two different tents at the same time.
Do Portugal Circus made its area debut last year when it set up its Big Top in the parking lot of the King of Prussia Plaza.
The visit to Philadelphia this year is part of an international tour for 2025 that will see stops in nearly 20 cities this year.
What could be described as the circus’ headline act is the Troupe Ethiopia Hand Voltage Team. The athletic performers from Addis Ababa form a highly skilled and professional troupe which is a treasure of the East African country.
Another fan favorite is the Globe of Death — a metal sphere featuring three motorcyclists racing inside at speeds reaching more than 100 mph.
The Philadelphia show will also showcase Spanish Web, trapeze, aerialists, jugglers, hand balancing, clowns, quick change, bounce juggling, magicians, dancers, acrobats and Aerial Silks.
Unlike various touring circuses in the past, there are no animals in any Do Portugal Circus performances. This show features only human acts
Ticket prices start at $20.
This weekend is Super Bowl Weekend highlighted by the annual NFL championship game, which is scheduled to get underway at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
It is of special interest for area residents because the Philadelphia Eagles are one of the two teams playing for the big prize. Philadelphia’s opponent in the game st Caesars Superdome in New Orleans is Kansas City.
People all around the area are getting pumped for the game – wearing Eagles green and, for many, cheering about a game they know little about (except how to say, “Go Birds” and sing “E-A-G-L-E-S”)
Super Bowl LIX will provide answers for questions like –
Can the Chiefs become the first team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowls?
Will KC’s quarterback Patrick Mahomes outplay the Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts again?
How many attendees in New Orleans will be treated to a smile or a wave from Taylor Swift?
Will the fans in the Superdome unleash a loud volley of boos when Trump is introduced?
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, tune in for all the fun – including a halftime show by 22-time Grammy-winning rapper Kenrick Lamar.
If you completely are not a football fan and have little desire to attend a circus, you still have many options for fun and interesting things to do this weekend.
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum (6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, www.simeonemuseum.org) will host a special event this weekend.
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
Located in Philadelphia, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. Through the theme, “The Spirit of Competition,” the museum celebrates the history and evolution of these magnificent machines.
Assembled over a time span of 50 years by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the Museum contains over 75 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, and more.
On February 8, the Simeone Foundation will host The Tourist Trophy. in February as part of its “Demo Days” series.
The events feature a variety of impressive automobiles from the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum’s collection of vintage automobiles.
“Demo Day” on February 8 will feature The Tourist Trophy.
This Saturday, the museum highlights legendary racers — the 1928 Riley Nine, 1934 MG K3 Magnette, 1952 Jaguar C-Type and 1958 Aston Martin DBR1 — that put their speed, skill and endurance to the ultimate test by competing for the Tourist Trophy.
Visitors to the museum site will be able to discover the thrill of one of motorsport’s oldest endurance races, where daring drivers and groundbreaking machines forged legends on treacherous roads.
Demo Day will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Astra Lumina Philadelphia
“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.
Highlights of the tour — Stroll along an enchanted one-mile night walk guiding visitors of all ages on a journey to discover the wonder of visiting stars, experience nature come alive through nine cosmic installations, marvel at the stars falling to your feet from 20 feet above and immerse yourself in a field of thousands of pixel lights.
“Astra Lumina Philadelphia” will run through March 9.
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Road, Oaks, phillyexpocenter.com) is hosting the Philadelphia Catstravaganza on February 8 and 9..
Discover a world of feline wonder at the family “furr-iendly” event to increase the visibility of all cats, with education and awareness for the overwhelming rescue situation.A portion of all proceeds for this event will be donated to helping cats in emergency rescue situations through The Meserve Foundation.
The event will feature Charities and Rescues, The Catwalk, International Competition, Kitty Corner, education programs and the Shopping Village.
The Catstravaganza will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Tickets are $15.
2025 is the “Year of the Snake” according to Chinese zodiac.
On February 8, Pearl S. Buck Historic Estate, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, pearlsbuck.org/lunar) will host a Lunar New Year Celebration at the historic farmhouse of acclaimed author Pearl S. Buck. Lunar New Year celebration will be a day filled with music, crafts, games and live entertainment, including traditional dance performances.
Participating food trucks will be Tokio Sushi, Wrap ʼN Roll, Teava Rolls, Humpty’s Dumplings and DonutNV.
The event also includes optional tours of the Pearl S. Buck Historic Estate.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 4-18. Tickets include all activities, performances, and Pearl Buck House tour.
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 perform their Lion Dance on February 8 at Suburban Square at 11 a.m. and King of Prussia Mall at 4:30 p.m.
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 performed from 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.
Valentine’s Day arrives in the middle of February and is a special day for gifting and consuming chocolate delights and fine wine.
Many wineries around the area have found a way to elevate moods – and get a Valentine’s Day vibe going — by presenting events that feature wine and chocolate tastings.
Every Saturday and Sunday in February, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings – Wine & Chocolate.”
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 the 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 2024 Pairing Line Up is: Sparkling White paired with Spiced Pear Bonbon; Dry Rosé: Redux paired with Passion Fruit Bonbon; Harbinger Red Blend paired with Star Anise Bonbon; Good Vibes Only paired with Pennsylvania Dutch Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bar; and Revolution (fortified, port-style wine) paired with Bolivian Nacional Bonbon.
Reserve seatings are $35 per person.
The “Wine & Chocolate 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 features a pairing which includes a tasting of four wines perfectly paired with four handcrafted chocolates from Good Good Chocolates.
The mouth-watering 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 $36 per person and reservations are required.
Harvest Ridge Winery (1140 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, www.harvestridgewinery.com) will present a “PA Comedy Night” on February 8.
This will be a standup comedy show with CallBack Comedy Productions. The show will start at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.
There will also be a “Wine & Cheese Pairing” on February 9.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 1 p.m., are $25.
Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) is presenting “Winter Wonder” now through March 2.
It celebrates the beauty of winter – and 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 My Fuzzy Valentine Dine on February 8 and 9.
Elmo is red, Grover is blue. They both want to dine with you – and they would like it to happen this weekend.
There will be a “Valentine’s Day Celebration” at Sesame Place on February 8 and 9.
Guests will be able to enjoy a scrumptious buffet meal with themed desserts. And they can sing and dance their hearts out with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Grover, and Cookie Monster.
Plus, participants can make a beautiful valentine with a special Valentine’s Day craft at their table.
Child pricing starts at $19.99.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will host a “Winter Tree ID Walk n’ Talk” with Jeff Cooney and Robb Kerr on February 9.
Guests can learn how to identify trees with Cooney and Kerr at this seasonal workshop.
The instructors will focus on learning how to identify trees using bark patterns and other signs found in winter.
At 9 a.m., this workshop will start indoors to examine samples for approximately an hour and then continue on a walk to try new skills in the field. Dressing in layers and sturdy shoes are recommended.
The walk will meet at the Visitor Center and be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces.
“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.
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.
Guests can cozy up in comforting warming cabins and firepit stations. There will be boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, and, of course, ice skating on the 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 festival (200 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/holidays-in-franklin-square/) 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.
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.
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.
Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present “Hot Spots and Storied Plots” on February 8.
In life and death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead? This introductory tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill East’s long history, which includes many marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its “wow” factor.
Patricia Silverman, an experienced graveyard guide, will offer a personal perspective on beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for Seniors (Ages 65+) and Students with ID.
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.
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.
