Kick off 2024 with a New Year hike or get creative at one of Parks & Rec or our partners fun winter events. This month’s highlights include

• Pennypack Environmental Center’s 2024 Maple Sugar Season’s Opening Tap Day.
• Reverb Dance Collective’s performance of “Resonance: Polyrhythm.”
• A winter nature walk on World Environmental Education Day at Glen Foerd.
• Free public skating during set hours at all five of Parks & Rec’s ice rinks.

Check out these activities and others below.

Please note: events may be canceled or postponed due to bad weather. Be sure to check the links below to confirm date, time, and location.

ALL MONTH

Free Public Skating

Admission for public skating is FREE at all five ice rinks. You are encouraged to bring your own skates. You can rent ice skates for $3-5 (price varies by rink). Staff will sanitize rental skates after use.

Read more details about Parks & Rec’s free public skating time and skating lessons.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Minerals vs. Rocks

January 16, 2024
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Education Center—300 W. Northwestern Avenue, 19118.

Learn some of the properties of minerals by conducting simple experiments. See some of the minerals found in rocks of the Wissahickon and hike to examine them. See details on Facebook. 

Meditation Club for Adults

January 19 and 26, 2024
10 a.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Education Center—300 W. Northwestern Avenue, 19118.

Come relax and meditate. This event is organized by the Andorra Library.
Each week we will practice a different guided meditation. No experience is necessary. Learn more on Facebook. 

Maple Sugaring Kick-Off  

January 20, 2024
Noon to 3 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center—8600a Verree Road, 19115. 

Don’t miss Pennypack Environmental Center’s 2024 Maple Sugar Season’s Opening Tap Day. Enjoy maple sugaring crafts, stories, workshops and more. Registration appreciated. Walk-ins welcome. View details on Facebook.  

Science for Seniors  

January 24, 2024
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center—8600a Verree Road, 19115.  

Learn about the mysteries of owls and dissect owl pellets. See more details and register for this free event on Facebook.  

Winter Nature Walk  

January 27, 2024
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Glen Foerd—5001 Grant Avenue, 19114.   

Celebrate World Environmental Education Day with a walk around the grounds of Glen Foerd. Learn about wildlife in our area. Then enjoy a warm cup of tea in the mansion. This event is organized by Glen Foerd. Register for this free event.  

PAST EVENTS

New Year Hike 

January 3, 2024
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center–8600a Verree Road, 19115. 

Stay active in 2024. Enjoy a brisk 2-mile hike in Pennypack Park. Learn more and register for this free event.  

Tree-Cycle Your Christmas Tree

January 6, 2024
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Columbus Square—1200 Wharton Street, 19147. 

Bring your Christmas Tree to Columbus Square Park instead of the landfill. It will be turned into mulch for our parks. View more details on Facebook.  

Art Workshop 

January 6, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Samuel Playground–3935 Gaul Street, 19134. 

Youth ages 8 to 12 years old are invited to get creative at this drop-in art workshop. Visit Facebook for more information. 

New Year, Who Dis? Birdtour 

January 6, 2024
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Discovery Center—3401 Reservoir Drive, 19121. 

Join the Audubon Mid-Atlantic for The Discovery Center’s first “birdtour of 2024.” Enjoy a walk around the Strawberry Mansion Reservoir. See the wintering ducks, over-wintering migrants, and year-round residents. Learn how to record and track birds you see on eBird. The Discovery Center organized this free event. No experience is necessary. See details on their website. 

“Resonance: Polyrhythm”

January 6 and 7, 2024
Show times vary
Venice Island Performing Arts Center—1 Rector Street, 19127.  

Enjoy a choreographed dance show without the expensive ticket price! Reverb Dance Collective presents Resonance: Polyrhythm. Learn more about this unique performance and buy tickets on Reverb’s website.  

Noon Bird Walk  

January 10, 2024
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Wissahickon Environmental Center—300 W. Northwestern Avenue, 19118.  

Enjoy a guided bird walk in the Andorra Natural Area. Winter is an excellent time for birding. View more details about this event and other birding events on BirdPhilly’s website.   

Intro to Embroidery with Tacony LAB 

January 13, 2024
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Glen Foerd—5001 Grant Avenue, 19114. 

Have fun learning the basics of simple hand embroidery. Organized by Glen Foerd and Tacony Lab Community Art Center. All supplies will be provided. Registration for this free event opens January 6.  

Walk with Me 

January 13, 2024
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Tacony Creek Park—location varies  

Organized by Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership. Enjoy a healthy stroll in the park. Learn more and register on their website.