Black Friday has grown to become its own type of holiday for many. While shopping for deals, gifts and new gadgets is the most popular activity, there are other ways to spend the day. Philadelphia offers five events for Nov. 27 that don't involve mall crowds, long lines or shopping sprees.
Black Friday Comedy Marathon
Performers take to the stage for various comedic skits. (Kim Dahl/Black Friday Comedy Marathon)
Hey We're Cool, a local comedy group, will host a 38-hour comedy marathon at the Philly Improv Theater on Friday, Nov. 27, starting at 10 a.m. through midnight Sunday. The Black Friday event will feature more than 100 local acts in sketch, improv, stand-up and musical comedy.
Tickets are $10 at the door or free with a receipt of purchase from a Center City retail business between Monday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 28.
10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday, Nov. 29
Philly Improv Theater
2030 Sansom St.
(347) 674-7883
Family-Friendly Museum Specials
A LEGO exhibit at the Mercer Museum allows kids to explore a castle and more. (Mercer Museum/PhillyVoice)
The LEGO Castle Adventure exhibit at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown is completely kid-friendly, letting children play with LEGO bricks while they learn. The exhibit is divided into three age-appropriate build areas.
Visitors can explore a giant castle full of secret passageways, see a LEGO dragon, climb a lookout tower, test out their LEGO castle’s defenses with a catapult, joust on play horses and more.
Another exhibit, Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys, is also open. The holiday exhibit showcases trees decorated from earlier eras and the toys that have been popular Christmas gifts through history. Visitors can also learn how to make gingerbread in the Log House on site from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $14 adult, $12 senior, $8 youth (6-17)
Mercer Museum
84 S. Pine St.
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 345-0210
Valley Forge Music Fair
Danny Chauncey, a member of 38 Special, performs. (Carl Dunn/Valley Forge Music Festival)
38 Special, a Southern rock band, will perform a special Black Friday concert at Valley Forge Casino. Then, on Saturday, Nov. 28, Howard Stern alum and comedian Artie Lange will perform. Tickets for 38 Special are available on Ticketmaster for $35, $40 and $70, and tickets for Lange are available on Ticketmaster for $35 and $45.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Ice skate and more at Winterfest opening weekend. (Delaware River Waterfront Corp./PhillyVoice)
Try ice skating, the beer garden, new warming cabins or sit by the outdoor fire pits along the Delaware River Waterfront. Opening day of Winterfest is particularly unique since it features a Star Wars theme. Garrison Carida, which is a chapter of a Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by fans, will be at the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other activities throughout the day include body painting, an ornament workshop and a robotics workshop. Find out more about Winterfest events for the weekend here.
Cooper River Park Ice Skating
Ice skating at Cooper River Park's Winterfest event. (Camden County Board of Freeholders/PhillyVoice)
This ice skating and outdoor activity event in Camden County starts later in the day on Black Friday. At 6 p.m., the ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the evening events. There will be a tree lighting, caroling, free carriage and carousel rides and an ice skating show beginning at 7 p.m.
6-10 p.m.
Cooper River Park
5300 N. Park Drive
Pennsauken, N.J. 08109