Uwishunu.com

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday — and a great weekend, to boot! (Photo by J. Smith)

The Holidays in Philadelphia [gophila.com]

Visiting Longwood Gardens during the holidays isn't just a Philadelphia tradition; for locals, making the trip to Kennett Square to marvel at festive fountains, ice-skating routines and 400,000+ twinkling lights is a rite of passage. Include the trip in your holiday repertoire this year, and you'll be sure to head back for many merry years to come. (Photo by L. Albee for Longwood Gardens)

A Longwood Gardens Christmas [gophila.com]

Since opening its doors, the Comcast Center has been at the forefront of technology in Philadelphia. The holidays are no exception, when the Center's Comcast Experience Video Wall shows off a vibrant showcase of the sights and sounds of the season. (Photo by J. Holder)

In its second year, the mind-bending Comcast Holiday Spectacular has upped the ante with 3-D effects. Go ahead and put on the red-and-blue glasses and embrace your inner kid. (Photo by M. Edlow)

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular [gophila.com]

No holiday season in Philadelphia is complete without a stop at the Macy's Holiday Light Show, which runs through New Year's Eve. More than 100,000 bright, energy-efficient LED lights combine to create fantastic holiday images, accompanied by festive music from Macy's world-renowned Wanamaker Grand Organ. (Photo by J. Holder)

Holiday Light Show at Macy’s Center City [gophila.com]

The Rittenhouse Square Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place this Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5 pm.

A very family friendly holiday event, there will be complimentary souvenir photos from Philadelphia Magazine, restaurant gift certificate contests from Infiniti, holiday movie giveaways… all to the festive sounds of WOGL 98.1 FM.

The ceremony will also feature live entertainment from the Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside School’s Chamber singers, character visits, a special appearance by Santa and other holiday surprises.

Click through — below, we have all the event details >>

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Comcast Holiday Spectacular starts on Thanksgiving Day, Photo by M. McClellan

Friday

Black Friday Sales Galore
So many ways to shop local here in Philly, like at Smak Parlour and the Bus Stop Boutique. The Philadelphia Weekly’s Style Blog has a nice list. Check it out, and shop away!

$30 Tickets from the Philadelphia Orchestra
Don’t forget, this deal is only good over the weekend. $30 seats to check out the Philly Orchestra at the Kimmel Center, today through Sunday.

Comcast Holiday Spectacular in 3D
Marisa scoped out a preview yesterday, but the wall officially lights up on Thanksgiving. Stop by today and check it out.

Penn’s Landing River Rink Opening
Time to dust off your ice skates. The river rink opens today at noon!

Thanksgiving Weekend @ the National Constitution Center
Lots going on at the Constitution Center, all centered around Thanksgiving. Swing by and learn about the holiday, how it’s grown over the years, and more.

Dino Weekend @ the Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences is hosting their annual Dinosaur Weekend. Fossil shows, bird shows, storytime for kids… there’s a lot going on.

Black Tie Friday @ the Bellevue
$25 gets you in to an exclusive shopping event at all the shops downstairs, from Tiffany & Co. to Teuscher Chocolates.  XIX, Tavern on Broad, and The Palm will be providing food, and the Bellevue will deliver purchases to Center City residents… free. Proceeds benefits the St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.

The Breaks @ Johnny Brenda’s
Exactly what the title says. The Breaks are coming to Fishtown’s Johnny B’s.

Saturday

Philadelphia Nacho Crawl
Listen, it’s not too late to sign up for this awesome event. For only $10, you get to sample nachos at three great restaurants in South Philadelphia. Do it.

Sunday

Winter Wonderland @ Headhouse Square
Pony rides, face painting, arts and crafts, and white hot chocolate. What else do you need? Head over to Headhouse Square for their annual Winter Wonderland, and have yourself a great time.

Starr Restaurants are doing their part to help save the holiday lights. (Photo by B. Krist)

Due to budget cuts in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, The Friends of Rittenhouse Square have to raise all the money to fund the annual holiday lights in Rittenhouse Square. And they have to raise the necessary money by November 30.

Restaurants on the square, including Devon, Parc, and Barclay Prime, are trying to help.

Through November, Devon is a offering a special fall prix-fixe menu, giving diners four-courses for just $35. (Check out the full menu below.) AND the restaurant is donating $5 from every purchase of the special menu to help light the square.

Stephen Starr is also supporting the effort by donating money from specific purchases at all five of his Rittenhouse Square area restaurants. Each restaurant has one designated cocktail that will help fund the lights. Every time that cocktail is ordered through the end of the month, Starr Restaurant Organization will donate a $1 to help light the square.

The cocktails:

* Romarin at Parc
* Twizzle at Continental Mid-town
* Sidecar at Butcher and Singer
* Mojito Suave at Alma de Cuba
* Schramsburg “Mirabelle” Rose at Barclay Prime

So far the Friends of Rittenhouse Square are about half-way to their goal, but they still have a lot more money to raise.

So this weekend when you go out, why not help fund the Rittenhouse Square holiday lights by enjoying a cocktail or two. Of course, you can also make a donation online at the Friends of Rittenhouse Square website. It just may be a little more fun to do it over dinner and drinks…

Friends of Rittenhouse Square [Official Site]
Struggle to make season bright on the square [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Below, we have the full menu of Devon’s special prix-fixe dinner.
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