Embrace the chill with these winter outdoor activities:

• Enjoy the peaceful sounds of a winter forest.
• Sit around a campfire and roast s’mores.
• Greet a new day with a hike at sunrise.
• Bundle up and help spot birds at the Christmas Bird Count.
• Look for wildlife in the Wissahickon.

Check out the details for these events below. And be sure to check out our events calendar for the full roster of fun!

Special events

Borderlands Walk along the Cresheim Creek

December 2, 2022
9 a.m. to noon
Meet at St. Martins Lane at the intersection of Huron Street, 19118.

Visit the magical French village. See iconic mid-century modern houses, the remains of old mills, and a barn. There is a creek and a busy road crossing on this walk. Read more on FOW’s website.

Big Rocks and Big Trees Part 2

December 3, 2022
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meet at Mt. Airy Avenue Trailhead, 19119.

Hike along the high ridge of the White Trail to Climbers Rock. After that, walk down the Orange Trail. Enjoy great views of the creek and see two of the largest rock exposures in the Wissahickon. Learn more.

Fuzzy Buddies

December 3, 2022
8 a.m. to noon
Wissahickon Environmental Center – 300 W. Northwestern Avenue, 19118.

This is a celebration of the Wissahickon’s mammals. Storytime will begin at 10 a.m. Afterward, attendees can enjoy a mammal artifact show-and-tell presentation. Then participants will go on a walk to look for mammals and their tracks to make casts. Register for this free event.

Free Hot Cocoa Walk – Birds of Winter

December 3, 2022
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Pennypack on the Delaware – 7801 State Road, 19136.

Through our partnership with Riverfront North we are offering a way to get outdoors and explore nature. Drink hot cocoa and stroll along the river. Come learn about the “Birds of Winter.” Register now.

Cobbs Creek Community Water Testing Program

December 3, 2022
10 a.m.
Cobbs Creek Environmental Center – 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway, 19143

On the First Saturday of every month, the environmental center collects water samples from Cobbs Creek. Then it conducts a series of water quality tests and records the data. Be a community scientist and help us collect samples. Register for this free event.

Hike along the Delaware Riverfront

December 4, 2022
10 a.m.
Frankford Boat Launch – 5650 Tacony Street, 19137

Explore the northern Delaware Riverfront. Hike along the Kensington and Tacony Trail. Register now.

After Autumn Walk in Andorra

December 5, 2022
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue – Meet at Kiosk.

Walk through Andorra’s forest, meadow, and hillside trails. Register now.

Full Moon Hike

December 7, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center – 8600 Verree Road, 19115

Enjoy an evening hike during the full moon. Register by calling 215-685-0470.

Free Family Game and Campfire Nights

December 9, 2022
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Center – 300 W. Northwestern Avenue, 19118

The Tree House will have tables set up inside with some games and a campfire blazing outside. Families are encouraged to bring games and activities, as well as fixings for s’mores and other food to cook on the fire. Read more.

Joy Ride: A Happy Holiday Bike Tour

December 10, 2022
Lloyd Hall – 1 Boathouse Row, 19130

Why sleigh when you can cycle? Put on your festive winter gear, get your wheels spinning, and cycle the season with a special holiday-themed bike tour of East Fairmount Park. The 6-7 mile tour stops for short mini-tours of holiday décor at Strawberry Mansion, Woodford Mansion Laurel Hill Mansion, and Ormiston Mansion. Buy your tickets now.

Run with Me

December 10, 2022
6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
RSVP for location.

Join your neighbors for free, fun, and rejuvenating runs on the paved Tacony Creek Park Trail, part of the Circuit Trails Network. Run or ride your bike on the trail. Call 215-744-1853 for the location. Read more on Run with Me – TTF Watershed.

Walk and Talk at FDR

December 10, 2022
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 am.
FDR Park Boathouse Row – 1500 Pattison Avenue, 19145

Exciting changes are coming to FDR park. Learn about FDR Park’s plan two main zones – the Ecological Core and Urban Edge will balance nature, water, and human activity. Register now.

Intro to Winter Birding

December 10, 2022
8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m.
The Discovery Center – 3401 Reservoir Drive, 19121

The Discovery Center serves as a major stopover location for more than 200 species of birds. The center’s waterways come to life in the winter as ducks from further north come south looking for open water. Learn how to spot these amazing birds at this workshop. Read more on their website.

 Kid-friendly Hike with Marv Schwartz

December 11, 2022
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Meet at Valley Green Inn – 7 Valley Green Road, 19128.

Come travel downstream along Forbidden Drive. Listen to stories of history, geology and wildlife of the Wissahickon. Read more on FOW’s website.

Morning on the Meadows

December 11, 2022
7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Houston Playground – 900 Grakyn Lane, 19128

Start the day right with a sunrise hike. Enjoy a morning loop hike through Houston Meadows and other Wissahickon trails. Buy tickets.

Silent Sunset Cruise with Amy Yuter and Kate Charles

December 17, 2022
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Meet at Houston Playground – 900 Grakyn Lane, 19128

Enjoy a mindful and silent, moderate paced saunter as the sunsets on the trails. Learn more details on FOW’s website.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice

December 21, 2022
7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Belmont Plateau – 1800 Belmont Mansion Drive, 19131

Start the winter solstice right with a sunrise hike. Read more and buy tickets.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice and enjoy a bonfire

December 21, 2022
6 to 9 p.m.
Lemon Hill – Sedgley Drive and Lemon Hill Drive, 19130

Celebrate the Winter Solstice by decorating paper lanterns. Then embrace the magic of the dark sky with a lantern-lit walk. Afterward, Astronomy Educator Buddy Muhler will set-up his high powered telescope. After gazing at the stars, attendees can enjoy some hot chocolate, s’mores, and snacks. Buy tickets now.

Stay warm and cozy at these indoor Parks & Recreation events

Free Field Trip to Independence Seaport Museum

December 18, 2022
1:30 p.m. meet at Learning Trail
Ferko Playground – 1101 E. Cayuga Street, 19124

Get your hands wet as you explore the importance of keeping our waterways clean. Learn what you can do to be a river hero through a fun, interactive exhibit. Call 215-744-1853 to register for this free field trip. Register now.

Adult Art Club

December 6, 13, and 20, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Seymour Tarken Recreation Center – 6250 Frontenac Street, 19111

Practice and discuss painting and drawing. Come learn how to draw still life, portraits, abstract art and illustrations. No experience necessary. Register by calling 215-685-1226.

Goldenrod Herbal Studies: Medicine Making

December 10 and December 11
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bartram’s Garden – 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, 19143
Bartram’s Conference Room

Do you want hands-on medicine making practice? Do you have questions about making your own herbal remedies at home? Want to use herbal remedies but find them too expensive? Medicine Making Intermediate I is the third of seven intensive workshops in the Goldenrod Herbal Studies Series.