What To Do: Time for the Philadelphia Car Show

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

If you’re looking for a new car, the best way is by visiting dealers’ showrooms — taking the time-consuming challenge of visiting dealers’ showrooms.

Obviously, you can take an easier route by going online. But that doesn’t compare to seeing the wide variety of vehicles in person.

This weekend, you can take an easy route and get to see the cars up-close and personal.

Now through February 8, the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia is presenting the 2026 Philadelphia Auto Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, www.phillyautoshow.com).

The automotive industry’s latest creations are on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the annual Philadelphia Auto Show, running for 10 days. Showgoers get an up-close look at hundreds of classic, luxury and exotic cars — and even have the opportunity to climb behind the wheel of some.

Spanning more than a half-million square feet, the 2026 Philadelphia Auto Show display floor will include several new features as well as time-honored fan favorites. This year marks the 124th edition of the event.

Guests will again be invited to check out the latest and greatest developments from some of today’s leading vehicle manufacturers in “The Showroom,” which will be in Halls A, B and C of the PA Convention Center.

Custom Alley will showcase a wide array of tricked-out rides, bikes and the latest in after-market excitement.

Ticket prices range from $12-$20.

In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration.

After all, we’ve been first in freedom, first in innovation and first in fun for 250 years.

2 Weeks of Firsts (www.visitphilly.com/52-weeks-of-firsts) is a yearlong, citywide celebration honoring Philadelphia’s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee. Not only was Philadelphia the birthplace of the country, but it was also the backdrop for many other marvels.

To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year’s worth of free events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

52 Weeks of Firsts shines a light on different Philly-born Firsts each week through a series of free public events

called Saturday Firstivals — held every Saturday of 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Firstival: Saturday February 7 will look at the First African Methodist Episcopal Congregation: 1794 (

, 419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia).

Visitors can stand on sacred ground where history was made.

Founded by Richard Allen in 1794, Mother Bethel is the first autonomous, organized and incorporated African American congregation in America, an enduring symbol of faith, resilience, and self-determination.

Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) has started its new year with one of its annual special events “Winter Wonder,” which began on January 16.

“Winter Wonder,” which runs now through March 22, 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.

The gardens are open from Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 22. 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 $32 for adults, $28 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $23 for active military and veterans and $17 for youth (ages 5-18).

Area wineries are providing activity options in spite of the weather.

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.

Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings – Wine & Chocolate” on select Saturdays and Sundays in February.

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 locally crafted artisan chocolates from Éclat Chocolate 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 2026 Pairing Line Up –

Tickets cost $40 per person and reservations are required.

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 $38 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 “Winter Wonder Farm Festival” will be held every Friday in January at Rose Bride Farm (1314 North Limekiln Pike, Maple Glen, www.rosebridgefarmsanctuary.com).

The Farm invites visitors to join the staff every weekend this winter for a variety of festive activities and cozy experiences on the site.

Activities Include:
– Baby cuddle areas to snuggle with adorable animals
– An outdoor fire lounge to relax and unwind
– Candle making to create your own custom-scented candles in heated barn

– Succulent & orchid planting to bring a bit of greenery home in the heated barn
– heated Kitten Kafe, where guests can enjoy hot organic tea, coffee, and cocoa while spending time with playful kittens in heated barn.

There are sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) will present “Birds Walk” with this weekend.

The event is scheduled to run from 9-11 a.m. on January 24.

Participants will take an educational walk with Chuck Root and Emily Dodge, two 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.

Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.laurelhillphl.com) will present “Dueling Death Doulas” on February 7.

We’ll explore three local doulas’ practices, approaches, and perspectives in an audience-led Q&A session moderated by Laurel Hill Funeral Director Pat Quigley.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed about dying or supporting a loved one through the transition process, curious about what death could look like, or tired of death being a taboo topic, this “ask me anything” session is for you. Come with your burning questions.

Death doulas, also called end-of-life doulas, death companions, or death midwives, provide a wide array of non-medical support to people in all stages of life – not only the imminently dying.

This support is dynamic, and can take the form of advance care planning, easing death anxiety, supporting grief, answering questions, serving as guides, and much more.

Hot herbal tea and light refreshments are included in your ticket.

Tickets for the event, which will run from 3-5 p.m., are $25 general admission and $23 for seniors.

There is one outdoor event which might be a tough choice – even for those who are hardy enough to brave the conditions.

“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 February 22.

This month, the Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum (500 Museum Road, Reading, www.readingpublicmuseum.org) will host “James Hood’s Beautifica.”

“Beautifica 360 – A Celebration of Life” was created by visionary composer James Hood and acclaimed immersive artists.

Celebrated as a versatile musical pioneer, Grammy-nominated artist James Hood is known for his groundbreaking work, and multi-sensory projects blending music and art.

His extensive musical résumé includes drumming for The Pretenders, more than two decades as the creative force behind

the visionary ambient act Moodswings, and a wide array of production and soundtrack projects.

Before “Beautifica,” Hood transformed the world of immersive artistic experiences with “Mesmerica 360,” the record-breaking experience that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

With “Beautifica 360,” breathtaking worlds of light and sound come alive in this 360° dome experience.

Audiences can lose themselves in mesmerizing constellations and ethereal landscapes.

Nestled within the Reading Public Museum, the Neag Planetarium is a captivating destination that transports visitors

into the depths of space. It is located at 500 Museum Road in Reading.

Shows will be presented on February 7 and 15.

The 2025/2026 Winter in Franklin Square Holiday 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 28.

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

“Boozy Ben’s Bengo” will be held at Franklin Square on February 6, 13 and 20 from 5-7 p.m. each night.

Visitors can play Ben Franklin-themed bingo inside Frosty’s Fireside Lodge heated tent with cocktails available for sale ($5 per bingo card).

Proceeds from “Bengo” benefit the management and operation of Franklin Square.

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.

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 $28.

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 $28.

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 $28.

This weekend is a special time at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, www.ansp.org).

The museum is presenting “Science Storytime” on February 7 and 8 starting at 11:30 a.m. each day.

Each week will feature a science story and a hands-on craft to try.

This weekend’s feature is “Science Story Time: Linus the Vegetarian T. Rex” by Robert Neubecker.

Other upcoming “Science Storytime” dates are February 14 and 15.

Museum admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $18 for children (ages 2-12).

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia (500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Https://philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/) is open all winter with its family-oriented rides and play.

Popular attractions are “Imagination Express,” “4-D Cinema,” “The Great LEGO® Race Virtual Reality Experience,” “LEGO® NINJAGO® Training Camp,” “Duplo Park” and “Pirate Adventure Island Spoftplay.”

Admission is $21.99.

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.

Choo Choo Barn has been closed since January 12 for annual winter renovations. It was scheduled to reopen on January 26 but now will reopen on January 27.

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.

A popular annual Philly 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 Deck the Hall Light Show, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute 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.

It will run through March 14.

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.

“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+), $69; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4–7), $23.

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.