Sunday is pay-what-you-wish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a great chance to check out the brand new Van Gogh Up Close exhibition. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

No matter what the weather decides to do this weekend (it’s so hard to keep up!), there are activities and festivities aplenty.

Warm up with one of our picks for fireside dining or the new daily hot chocolate bar at the Omni.

Catch a Philly basketball game (NBA or NCAA), or take in one of the newly opened art exhibitions (the New York Times calls the newly opened Van Gogh Up Close “a succinct, revelatory exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art”).

Tonight’s First Friday, and Sunday is something else important that we just can’t… hold on… what is it again? Ah, the Super Bowl! Even though it’s depressingly Eagle-less, we have you covered on where to watch or pick up good eats.

Of course, don’t forget to enter our 29 Nights of Dates Contest each day this weekend.

All of our top picks for this weekend, below:

Friday, February 3

First Friday in Manayunk, Old City, Doylestown, on Frankford Avenue and Chestnut Hill

Center City Restaurant Week — Closing Day!

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics at the Asian Arts Initiative (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Intelligent Design at the Michener Art Museum (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Art Stroll in Historic Kennett Square

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat

The Pigeon Presents: The Philadelphia Poetry Slam

46th Anniversary Chinese New Year Banquet at Ocean City Restaurant

Unframed and Uncorked Art Sale at the Main Line Art Center

“Totems and Topographies: Samantha Mitchell” at Grizzly Grizzly Gallery

Green Chair Dance Group at the Annenberg Center (Fri, Sat)

First Friday Wine and Speakeasy at the Wine School

Art Show at Hot Diggity

The First Friday Fighting Burrito Comedy Showcase

Vox Populi Gallery Talk: Erik Geschke and Ronald Lambert

First Friday party at Smak Parlour

Saturday, February 4

LaSalle vs. St. Joseph’s at the Palestra

Mitchell & Ness 17th Annual Winter Sale — Closing Day!

Meadowbrook Farm Tropical Plant Sale

Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit at PAFA (Fri, Sat, Sun)

The Pajanimals Pajama Party at The Market & Shops at Comcast Center

20th African American Children’s Book Fair

Heart On Your Sleeve Sale at Third Street Habit

Continue reading, below.

Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day

Nick Carter at The Trocadero

Program Room Fun: Henry O. Tanner and The Art of Analogous Colors at the Please Touch Museum (Sat, Sun)

Reflections of Black History at the Historic Philadelphia Center

Center City Opera Theater’s The Marriage of Figaro (Sat, Sun)

InterAct Theatre Company’s Microcrisis (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Philadelphia Theatre Company’s The Scottsboro Boys (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at the Walnut Street Theatre (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Chinese New Year celebration at the Penn Museum

Sunday, February 5

Our guide to restaurants and bars with extracurriculars, from ping pong and shuffleboard to Jenga and Pac-Man

Charles Dickens Readings at The Dandelion

Super Bowl Sunday In Philly: Where To Watch The Big Game Or Order Take-Out For Your Party

“Supper Bowl” at Lemon Hill

Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Celebration in Clark Park

ActionAids Big Game Event II

“In Praise of a Dream” at the National Museum of American Jewish History (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Van Gogh Up Close at The Philadelphia Museum Of Art (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Design Zone at Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Philadelphia Auto Show (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Zoe Strauss: Ten Years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens (Fri, Sat, Sun)

“Rain! A Tribute To The Beatles” at the Academy Of Music (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Chinatown gets festive this weekend with a Lion Dance Parade this Sunday, just one of many festivities happening in Philadelphia.
(Photo by Christian Carrollo of PicturePhilly)

Tons of great stuff going down this weekend, from the bigger-and-better-than-ever Philadelphia Auto Show to the grand opening of PAFA’s latest blockbuster exhibition, Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit.

Feast to your heart’s content on a budget at Route 6′s Lobster Week, Pizzeria Stella’s Pizza Week, Tashan’s awesome $50 for $35 deal and any of the hundreds of Center City Restaurant Week participating restaurants.

Check out all our top picks for how to spend your weekend in Philly, below:

Friday, January 27

Our guide to restaurants and bars with extracurriculars, from ping pong and shuffleboard to Jenga and Pac-Man

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Jrue Holiday Bobblehead Night: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Pig Iron Theatre Company’s The Aporkalypse

Arcadia Boutique’s Winter Attic Sale & Spring Pre-Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Bus Stop Boutique’s Warehouse Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Pearls of the East: 10th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at International House

Wok ‘N Walk tour of Chinatown (Fri, Sat, Sun)

2012 Lambertville*New Hope Winter Festival (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Philagrafika presents “Doing Time | Depth of Surface” at Moore College (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Tashan Restaurant Week $50 for $35 deal (Fri, Sun)

Center City Restaurant Week (Fri, Sun)

Frankford Hall Late-Night Menu (Fri, Sat)

Lobster Week at Route 6 (Fri, Sun)

Friday Night Flights at Ristorante Panorama

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Pizza Week at Pizzeria Stella (Fri, Sun)

Saturday, January 28

Doug Collins Bobblehead Night: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons

Philadelphia Auto Show (Sat, Sun)

Valentine’s Day Retail Roundup: Top Picks For Philadelphia Card and Gift Shops

Jerry Blavat at the Kimmel Center

Iron Hill Brewery’s Belgium Comes to West Chester 2012

155th Anniversary Concert of the Academy of Music

Continue reading, below.

Radio 104.5′s Winter Jam 2012 at the Piazza featuring New Found Glory

Temple Owls vs. St. Joseph’s Hawks at the Liacouras Center

Seafarin’ Saturday Family Fun Day at the African American Museum

Northern Liberties Scavenger Hunt

Orchestra 2001 at Trinity Center for Urban Life (Sat, Sun)

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Zoe Strauss: Ten Years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Sunday, January 29

Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown

Mavis Smith: Hidden Realities at the Michener Museum (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Roundye Noodle Bar Pop-Up at Matyson

South Philadelphia Taproom’s 4th Annual Beef & Beer Event

Birra rolls out Sunday brunch

Chick’s Tavern Mussel Bowl

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens (Fri, Sat, Sun)

InterAct Theatre Company’s Microcrisis (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Philadelphia Theatre Company’s The Scottsboro Boys (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Nicole Miller Winter Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun)

The Month of Monkey Bread at Jones (Sat, Sun)

Proof at Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Year of the Dragon Prix Fixe Menu at Sampan (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Chinese New Year Banquet at Susanna Foo (Fri, Sat, Sun)

[Photo courtesy PicturePhilly]

There's a ton going on at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this weekend, from Art after 5 tonight, the new Zoe Strauss exhibition, and Ceinese New Year festivities on Sunday. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

It’s a big foodie weekend, with Center City Restaurant Week’s winter 2012 edition kicking off, Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran’s new tapas spot Jamonera openings its doors a birthday cake contest in Peddler’s Village and more.

For details on all of the above, plus the dozens of other non-food-related events going on this weekend, check out our top picks, below:

Friday, January 20

Our guide to restaurants and bars with extracurriculars, from ping pong and shuffleboard to Jenga and Pac-Man

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

InterAct Theatre Company’s Microcrisis (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Celebration of Benjamin Franklin’s 306th Birthday

Denim Habit’s Winter Blues Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Claire Lynch at World Cafe Live

Bryn Mawr College Performing Arts Series Welcomes Ying Quartet

The Space Savers Project Reception

Philadelphia Theatre Company’s The Scottsboro Boys (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Nicole Miller Winter Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Friday Night Flights at Ristorante Panorama

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Saturday, January 21

Our Top Picks For Fireside Dining At Bars And Restaurants In Philadelphia

Zoe Strauss: Ten Years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Chinatown Abakus Chinese New Year Party

The Trouble with Trippels III at Johnny Brenda’s

Composer Dave Burrell’s Civilians During War Time Premieres at the Rosenbach Museum & Library

Gravers Lane Gallery in Chestnut Hill presents Gerhard Meling

Sonic Arts Union: David Behrman + Ensemble at International House Philadelphia

Julie Charnet and her Jazz Quartet at Tavern 17

Barrels, Bourbon and Bugs at Iron Hill Brewery in Maple Shade

Big Ass Beerfest

The Month of Monkey Bread at Jones

Brian Sanders’ JUNK Snowball

Peddler’s Village 50th Birthday Cake Contest

Proof at Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Sunday, January 22

Chinatown New Year’s Eve Midnight Celebration

Main Line Chinese Culture Center Chinese New Year Free Community Gala

Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Free Sunday morning admission at the Brandywine River Museum

Mavis Smith: Hidden Realities at the Michener Museum

Center City Restaurant Week — Opening Day!

Pizza Week at Pizzeria Stella — Opening Day!

Opening Night of Jamonera

Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Philadelphia Zoo (Sat, Sun)

“Duett” Artist Discussion at the Grizzly Grizzly Gallery

Let’s Pretend We’re Married at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Memphis at the Academy of Music (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Ambler Restaurant Week (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Philadelphia Home Show (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Joan Shepp’s Annual Basement Sale (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Museum

Inquiring Minds: Rosenbach Researchers Report Back at the Rosenbach Museum & Library (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Fleming’s Steakhouse Sunday Prime Rib Deal

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Take in the breathtaking wintertime view overlooking the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge at the Blue Cross RiverRink this weekend, just one of many winter activities you can partake in. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

It’s an arts-packed weekend, with the grand opening of Philadelphia photographer Zoe Strauss’ mid-career retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, theater shows aplenty, a few fun concerts at World Cafe Live and more.

Plus, as always, it’s a delicious food-filled weekend, with Federal Donuts launching fried chicken weekend dinner service, a final Pop-up Paladar at Cuba Libre, Friday The Firkinteenth at Grey Lodge and much more.

Check out all our top picks for how to spend this long holiday weekend, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., below:

Friday, January 13

Our Guide To Hot Drinks In Philadelphia To Help You Keep Warm

Friday The Firkinteenth at the Grey Lodge Pub

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Sandra Bernhard: “I love being me, don’t you?” at the Painted Bride (Fri, Sat)

Live Jazz at Paradiso

Minas Brazilian Jazz at World Cafe Live

Pop-up Paladares at Cuba Libre — Closing Day!

Friday Night Flights at Ristorante Panorama

Saturday, January 14

Philadelphia Home Show (Sat, Sun, Mon) — Opening Day!

Jerry Seinfeld at the Kimmel Center

Academy of Natural Sciences’ Heat Wave Weekend (Sat, Sun, Mon)

The Month of Monkey Bread at Jones

Federal Donuts starts serving fried chicken for dinner on weekends — Opening Day!

Zoe Strauss: Ten Years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — Opening Day!

“An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Free Library

Continue reading, below.

Madam Fromage’s Cheese Ball at RUBA

Second Saturday on East Passyunk

Art Sanctuary hosts “Can You Hear God Crying?”

Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Philadelphia Zoo (Sat, Sun)

The Songs of “Wars & Whores: The Henry IV Musical” from the Fringe Festival at World Cafe Live

32nd Annual Old Timers Hall of Fame Dinner at Kennett Fire Company’s Red Clay Room

Nodding Head Brewery’s Ice Capades

Hair ‘O The Dog

Stenton’s Family Heirlooms Workshop

Sunday, January 15

XFINITY Live! Philadelphia Career Fair

“Cabin Fever Reliever” at the Blue Cross RiverRink

Foodspotting’s 2nd Birthday Party at the Khyber Pass Pub

Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Inquiring Minds: Rosenbach Researchers Report Back at the Rosenbach Museum & Library (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Fleming’s Steakhouse Sunday Prime Rib Deal

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Monday, January 16 — Happy MLK Day!

Philadelphia Orchestra Free Concert

The National Museum of American Jewish History MLK Day Programming

MLK Day at the National Constitution Center

London Grill Meatball Monday

Ambler Restaurant Week: First Day

Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol The IMAX© Experience at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Our Top Picks For Fireside Dining At Bars And Restaurants In Philadelphia

Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”? at the National Constitution Center (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) — Closing Day!

Bugs … Outside the Box at the Academy of Natural Sciences (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) — Closing Day!

Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival’s Documentaries & Dialogue Series

Chef Guillermo Pernot (center) recently visited Cuba where he met and cooked with notable local chefs; tonight you can enjoy the collaborative cooking of Pernot and the Havana chefs. (Photo courtesy Cuba Libre)

[Evenings in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Our top picks for weeknight indoor fun in Philadelphia

• “What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?” at the National Constitution Center: Join fellow social media junkies as the National Constitution Center hosts “What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?,” a discussion on the often unrealized effects of social networking on both our private and public lives.

Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $10, $7 for Members, students and teachers

• Pop-up Paladare at Cuba Libre: James Beard Award-winning Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot of Old City’s Cuba Libre is hosting “Pop-up Paladares,” a series of dinners named after Cuba’s popular restaurants set inside a chef’s own home. The Pop-up Paladares feature Havana’s most notable chefs. Tonight’s your second to last chance to take part!

Where: 10 S. 2nd Street
When: Thursday, January 12, 6 and 8:30 p.m. seatings; final night is Friday, January 13
Cost: $39 per person

• Theatre Confetti Relaunch Event: Theatre Confetti (formerly known as Nice People Theatre Company) is relaunching tonight with a sensational grand opening event. Your ticket includes an open wine and beer pop-up bar by Rolling Barrel Events, limited edition tea-flavored Brown Betty cupcakes and $2 tacos from the Taco Loco truck. There will also be a live auction featuring two seats at COOK and a stunning Tiffany & Co. ring. Also in store is a theatrical surprise component.

Where: Underground Arts at the Wolf Building, 1200 Callowhill Street
When: Thursday, January 12, 7 p.m.
Cost: $30

• “Motion Pictures: Early Animation” at International House Philadelphia: The International House of Philadelphia in University City is hosting a fun, nostalgia-inducing event tonight titled “Motion Pictures: Early Animation,” a collection of animation showcasing work by some of the earliest animators.

Where: 3701 Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, January 12, 7 p.m.
Cost: $7 for students and seniors, $9 General Admission

• Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater: Currently at The Wilma is Body Awareness, a smash hit off-Broadway comedy. Nominated for the Drama Desk Best New Play award, this touching comedy is one you don’t want to miss.

Where: Broad & Spruce Streets
When: Thursday, January 12, 7:30 p.m.; show runs through February 5
Cost: Tickets start at $23

The famous Fried Chicken at Federal Donuts will now be available for dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. (Photo by S. Viggiano for GPTMC)

Yes! Federal Donuts has finally decided to make their insanely delicious fried chicken available in the evenings! Even if it is only two nights a week…

In response to the seemingly endless demand for their incredibly popular birds, Federal Donuts will start serving fried chicken for dinner on the weekends, in addition to the lunch service already in place.

Beginning this Saturday and Sunday, January 14-15, the super popular donuts and fried chicken shop in South Philadelphia from Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook will introduce dinner service starting at 5 p.m.

Just like during lunch service, the fried chicken will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis so get there early. You can order a half chicken or six whole wings for $9 or a whole chicken or 12 whole wings for $17, served with accompanying honey glaze donuts and Japanese pickles.

The chicken is offered two ways: glazed, tossed with flavors such as Chile-Garlic and Honey-Ginger; and crispy, dusted with custom blended, seasoned salts such as Za’atar and Harissa.

And yes, the chicken is as excessively delicious as it sounds. You’ve been warned.

Federal Donuts [Official Site]

This weekend is your last chance to see Longwood Gardens' annual Christmas display, a dramatic illumination of the entire property. (Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens)

This winter weekend brings the Sixers home opener, First Friday in neighborhoods throughout the city, the closing of several holiday attractions and shows and much more.

Stay warm by keeping busy, which won’t be a challenge given the amount of activity happening.

Check out our top picks for this weekend, below:

Friday, January 6

First Friday in Manayunk, Old City, Doylestown, on Frankford Avenue and Chestnut Hill

Home Opener: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons: 7 p.m.

Art After 5: Tango Night at the Philadelphia Museum Of Art

Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater

“Duett: Matt Giel & Alanna Lawley” at Grizzly Grizzly Gallery — Opening Day!

The Philadelphia Poetry Slam at The Media Bureau

Salsa Caliente at The Painted Bride Art Center

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia

Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Merriam Theater (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol The IMAX© Experience at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Friday Night Flights at Ristorante Panorama

First Friday at The Wine School: A Speakeasy Education

Saturday, January 7

Public Ice Skating on the Winter Classic Ice Rink at Citizens Bank Park

Inquiring Minds: Rosenbach Researchers Report Back at the Rosenbach Museum & Library (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Our Top Picks For Fireside Dining At Bars And Restaurants In Philadelphia

UCD Christmas Tree and Electronics Recycling

Cabin Fever Wine & Cheese Tastings at Chadds Ford Winery

South Moon Under Winter Sale

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”? at the National Constitution Center (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Check out the rest of our weekend picks below…

Sunday, January 8

Our Guide To Hot Drinks In Philadelphia To Help You Keep Warm This Season

Fleming’s Steakhouse Sunday Prime Rib Deal

The Fabulous Shpielkes klezmer duo at The Woman’s Club of Bala Cynwyd

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical at the Academy of Music (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

ToyTime and Under the Tree at the Mercer Museum (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Longwood Gardens Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

A Brandywine Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America at the National Constitution Center (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Closing Day!

Warm up with Heat Wave Weekend at the oldest continually operating museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Starting this month, join the Academy of Natural Sciences for “Wild Weekends,” select weekends when families can create crafts, engage in special interactive activities, examine museum specimens, meet live animals and view special presentations.

Up next is “Heat Wave Weekend” from Saturday, January 14 through Monday, January 16 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., when you can learn about academy expeditions to some of the hottest habitats on Earth.

You will have the distinct opportunity to conduct your own climate change experiment, and meet some animals that have developed unique ways of dealing with the Earth’s increasing temperatures.

Lastly, kids and adults alike will enjoy making sun catchers to help bring a little sunshine to your home.

Bonus: to honor Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, January 16, those who volunteer for any organization and show a valid volunteer ID will receive $2 off general admission all weekend long.

Academy of Natural Sciences’ Heat Wave Weekend
When: January 14-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free with museum admission
More info: www.ansp.org

New Year's Week in Philadelphia culminates with a long holiday weekend full of non-stop fun with fireworks, parties, concerts, performances, Mummers, the NHL Winter Classic and more. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy NHL, G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy the Kimmel Center)

It’s here. New Year’s Eve is upon us, so make sure you enjoy the final weekend of the year by closing out 2011 with a bang and ringing in 2012 with a strut.

Good thing there’s plenty going on, from a special dance party edition of After After 5 tonight at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and two fireworks shows at Penn’s Landing on New Year’s Eve to the 112th Annual Mummers Parade and, of course, the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.

Below, our top picks for New Year’s Eve weekend:

Friday, December 30

Art After 5: New Year’s Eve dance party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Gas & Electric Arts’ Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Sat)

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia

Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve

NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza (Sat, Sun, Mon)

Our Top Picks For New Year’s Eve Dining In Philadelphia

Our Top Picks For Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Fireworks In Philadelphia: Best Places To Watch

Our Top Picks For Alternative New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Ghost Tour

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives

National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration

Kwanzaa Celebrations at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Check out the rest of our picks for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the long holiday weekend below…

Sunday, January 1 – Happy New Year!

112th Annual Mummers Parade

Kimmel Center New Year’s Day Celebration

Federal Donuts’ Chicken Wing Day

Comcast Center Holiday Spectacular — Closing Day!

New Year’s Day at Frankford Hall

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Monday, January 2

Our Guide To Hot Drinks In Philadelphia To Help You Keep Warm This Season

Franklin Institute Holiday Activities (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Sat, Mon)

2012 NHL Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers

Celebrate Christmas with a delicious dinner, holiday lights sight-seeing or a visit to the Christmas Village, closing December 24. (Photo by M. Fischetti for GPTMC)

The most wonderful weekend of the year is upon us (actually, we think every weekend in Philadelphia is wonderful), and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

We have a highly curated list of the best options for Christmas Eve and Christmas night dinner, what holiday happenings are worth your time this weekend, and what non-Christmas celebrations are going on as well.

Our top picks for this long holiday weekend, Friday night through Monday, below:

Friday, December 23

ComedySportz Philadelphia’s “A Very Special Ladies and Gentlemen Christmas Special” — Closing Day!

Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping — Closing Day!

Woodmere Art Museum Friday Night Jazz: Holiday Edition

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Escape to Toyland

Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Twelve Nights of Christmas Cocktails at Square 1682 — Closing Day!

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat)

1812 Productions’ This Is The Week That Is (Fri, Mon)

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Saturday, December 24

Our Top Picks For Feasts Of The Seven Fishes In Philadelphia

Roundup: Where To Eat Out For Christmas Eve In Philadelphia

The Moo Shu Jew Show at the Gershman Y

Christmas Village in Philadelphia — Closing Day!

Warm up with our guide to hot drinks

Our Top Picks For Holiday Theater In Philadelphia

Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad (Fri, Sat, Mon)

ToyTime and Under the Tree at the Mercer Museum (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Read on, below.

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat)

Theatre Horizons’ Voices Of Christmas (Fri, Sat, Mon)

A Brandywine Christmas (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Santa at Franklin Square

Chanukah Dinner at Zahav

Sunday, December 25: Merry Christmas!

Some festive reading: Uwishunu Asks: “If You Were Santa, What Would You Give Philadelphia This Holiday Season?”

Roundup: Where To Eat Out For Christmas Dinner In Philadelphia

Peddler’s Village’s Gingerbread House Competition and Display

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia: Blue Cross RiverRink is open!

Comcast Center Holiday Spectacular (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

Top Holiday Lights In Philadelphia And The Countryside

Longwood Gardens Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon)

“Being Jewish At Christmas” at the National Museum of American Jewish History

Gas & Electric Arts’ Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Monday, December 26

Macy’s Holiday Light Show (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Winterfest ’11 Beer Tasting at World Cafe Live

Franklin Institute Nightly Observatory Viewing

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Mon)

Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway Display (Fri, Mon)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary (Fri, Mon)

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Walnut Street Theatre (Fri, Mon)

Feeling festive this weekend? Head to the Ritz-Carlton, elegantly decked out and serving delicious holiday food and drinks, just one of many spots around town tapping into the holiday spirit. (Photo by Christian Carollo of PicturePhilly)

There’s so much going on this weekend, it’ll be hard to narrow down your options. That’s where we come in. Check out our top picks for this weekend, the final weekend before Christmas:

Friday, December 16

Our Top Picks For Holiday Theater In Philadelphia

First Person Arts StorySlam: Gifts

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Wu-Tang Clan at the Trocadero Theatre

Santa at The Gallery at Market East (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Sat, Sun)

611 Lifestyle Pop-Up Shop (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Twelve Nights of Christmas Cocktails at Square 1682 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Friday Night Jazz at Woodmere Art Museum

Holiday Pop-up Boutique & Party at The Collected Collage

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Foie Gras Tasting Menu at Meritage — Closing Day!

Philadelphia Orchestra’s “The Glorious Sound of Christmas” (Fri, Sat)

here. at Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway Display (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary

Saturday, December 17

Last-minute holiday shopping? There’s free metered parking after 11 a.m.! Check out:

• Our Top Picks For Museum Gift Shops In Philadelphia Perfect For Unique Holiday Gifts
• Our Guide to Last-Minute Gifts
• Our Official All-Local Holiday Gift Guide

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia

Center City District “Shopping Saturday” at Rittenhouse Row

Crafty Balboa Holiday Edition

ToyTime and Under the Tree at the Mercer Museum — Opening Day!

TubaChristmas Celebration at the Kimmel Center

Seaport Parade of Lights

Spring Garden Indoor Vintage Flea Market

Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia’s Gingerbread House Event

Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar (Sat, Sun)

Read on, below.

Philadelphia Independent Craft Market Holiday Show

Rock to the Future Annual Holiday Concert

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Frankford Hall Christmas Celebration

Christmas in the Colonial City: Holiday Tour of Powel House and Elfreth’s Alley

Comcast Center Holiday Spectacular (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Walnut Street Theatre (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Einstein’s Brain at the Mütter Museum

Tristin Lowe: Under the Influence at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Mad Elf’s Ugly Sweater Party at City Tap House

Super Saturday at Haverford Square

Sunday, December 18

Top Holiday Lights In Philadelphia And The Countryside

Our Companion Guide To Holiday Shopping And Sightseeing

Santa Days at the Philadelphia Zoo (Sat, Sun)

Free Sunday Brunch Entrée at Le Castagne for Toy Donors

1812 Productions’ This Is The Week That Is (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Longwood Gardens Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Theatre Horizons’ Voices Of Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Winter Wonderland Tours at Fonthill Castle

A Brandywine Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Macy’s Holiday Light Show (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Santa at Franklin Square (Sat, Sun)

Procrastinator’s Holiday Bazaar

Inquiring Minds: Rosenbach Researchers Report Back (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Holiday Pops at the Kimmel Center (Sat, Sun)

11th Hour Theatre Company’s Ordinary Days — Closing Day!

Christmas Village in Love Park (Fri, Sat, Sun)

[Photo courtesy Picture Philly]

Pennsylvania Ballet's The Nutracker, a much-anticipated holiday tradition, opens this weekend, a nice complement to all the other festive happenings in and around the city. How's a Philadelphian to choose? (Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC)

It’s getting down to the wire for holiday shopping; make sure you check out our all-local holiday gift guide, plus our suggestions for great lunch deals, live music and more as you shop and check out holiday attractions.

Speaking of those, we have a handy overview of the must-see holiday traditions in Philly so you can knock out a few this weekend.

But amidst all that merry-making, don’t forget there’s always so much going on regardless of the time of year. From brand new blockbuster museum exhibitions to national-headline-making theater shows and freshly revamped restaurant menus, there’s plenty to do and more this weekend.

Our top picks, below:

Friday, December 9

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Theatre Horizons’ Voices Of Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Friday Night Jazz at Woodmere Art Museum: Billie Holiday Night

Sly Fox 16th Anniversary Party

SPACE JUNK Opening Reception & Holiday Trunk Show at Arcadia Boutique

Holiday Pops at the Kimmel Center — Opening Day!

Gerald Charles Dickens visits Philadelphia

International Holiday Bazaar at the International House

Philadelphia Legacy Series by The Philadelphia Orchestra (Fri, Sat, Sun)

1812 Productions’ This Is The Week That Is (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Longwood Gardens Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

here. at Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway Display (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary

11th Hour Theatre Company’s Ordinary Days (Fri, Sat, Sun)

A Brandywine Christmas (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Macy’s Holiday Light Show (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Art Auction at Space 1026

Saturday, December 10

Attention shoppers: free metered parking after 11 a.m.! Check out Uwishunu’s Holiday Shopping Guide

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker — Opening Day!

Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs at the Franklin Institute — Opening Day!

Citizens Bank Park Tree Lighting and Holiday Festivities (Sat, Sun)

German American Day at the Christmas Village in Love Park

Manayunk’s Santa on Ice

Son of a Type-IN at Bridgewater’s Pub

The Narberth Dickens Festival

Frankford Hall Christmas Celebration

Center City District “Shopping Saturday” at the Gallery at Market East

Winter Wonderland Tours at Fonthill Castle

Santa Paws at Hotel Palomar (Sat, Sun)

Santa Days at the Philadelphia Zoo (Sat, Sun)

Running Of The Santas

Super Sized Second Saturday On East Passyunk Avenue

Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar

Chestnut Hill Charles Dickens Celebration (Sat, Sun)

Sixpoint Craft Ales Brunch at Garces Trading Company (Sat, Sun)

Lunch with Santa on Spirit of Philadelphia (Sat, Sun)

Free Cucina Fresca Demo at Di Bruno Bros. in the Ardmore Farmers Market

Taste of LimmudPhilly at the National Museum of American Jewish History

Spring Garden Indoor Vintage Flea Market

First Annual “Krampus” Kids Holiday Event at Liberty Lands

Christmas in the Colonial City: Holiday Tour of Powel House and Elfreth’s Alley

Holiday Cardmaking Class at Square Peg & Artery Salvage

Sunday, December 11

8th Annual Latkepalooza

Santa visits the Blue Cross RiverRink

South Philly Handmade Brigade

Gingerbread House Workshop at Davio’s

New Orleans brunch at Khyber Pass Pub

Twelve Nights of Christmas Cocktails at Square 1682 — Opening Day!

Valanni’s all-you-can-drink brunch

Arden Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Walnut Street Theatre (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration

Comcast Center Holiday Spectacular (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Brunch with Santa at City Tap House

Einstein’s Brain at the Mütter Museum

Tristin Lowe: Under the Influence at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”? at the National Constitution Center (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Holiday Tours of the Historic Fairmount Park Houses