new year's eve

Philadelphia area offers options for New Year's Eve amid pandemic

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Philly area events for different kind of New Year's

Many traditional New Year's Eve events in the Philadelphia area, like the fireworks displays at Penn's Landing, have been canceled, but there are still fun ways to ring in 2021.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Many traditional New Year's Eve events in the Philadelphia area, like the fireworks displays at Penn's Landing, have been canceled, but there are still fun ways to ring in 2021.

Winterfest at Penn's Landing will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day for food, music, and hourly countdowns. There are a lot of sold out slots for skating, fire pits, and cabins, so be sure to check for tickets ahead of time.

"There are no fireworks, but you can still enjoy the vibe down there if you're used to doing that," said Cara Schneider Bongiorno of Visit Philadelphia

"It's a different kind of year and a different kind of New Year's, but all the more reason we should just mark the day and start a good new year," Schneider Bongiorno added.

Franklin Square is moving their celebration online from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday on Franklin Square's Facebook and Instagram. There will be dancing, crafts, and a virtual Square Drop.

This year, there is no Countdown to Noon at the Please Touch Museum as they took their annual celebration virtual with a 20 minute video postedon their website homepage.

With music from Trinidelphia that gets families on their feet, it all culminates with the countdown, which you can play, whenever you choose.

While it's not a traditional New Year's Eve, Philadelphia restaurants and hotels are still creating many ways to celebrate.

Sesame Place will hold fireworks Thursday night, but you need advance tickets. 'A Very Furry Christmas' is still set up to visit New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

In Kennett Square, the big, glowing mushroom will still drop at midnight, but it's happening at the Genesis Lot across from the high school. You can park across the street to watch, and the drop and entertainment will be live-streamed.

You can also tune in to see The PEEPS Chick Drop, weighing in at 400 pounds, which comes in for landing at 5:15 p.m. in Bethlehem. The virtual program begins at 4:30 p.m.

Peddler's Village is also a good option. It's still decorated for the holidays, and you can check out their gingerbread displays.

Happy New Year!

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