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Our guide to shopping for Black Friday is this: DON’T DO IT. The stores, whose deals won’t even really be good, will probably look like this:
However, Black Friday doesn’t have to suck. As long as you stay at least a half-mile from all Wal-Marts, Targets and Best Buys, it can be a fun day. Here are eight activities you can do in Philadelphia for Black Friday that have nothing to do with shopping.
Black Friday Comedy Marathon
What: Thirty-eight hours of comedy, featuring improv, stand-up and sketch performances
Where: Philly Improv Theater at 2030 Sansom St.
When: 10 a.m. Friday to midnight Saturday
Cost: $10 for a wristband that gives you entry to any show the whole time
Santa on SEPTA
What: Santas will be riding the El, the BSL and Regional Rail (Warminster and Media/Elwyn lines). The Santas will be be ice skating at Dilworth after the ride.
Where: The El, the BSL and Regional Rail
When: Between 10 and 10:30 a.m., board any stop along the way.
Cost: $1.80 for a token
Opening of Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest/The Lodge
What: Ice skating, ski-lodge-esque furniture, food, booze and family fun
Where: Market Street and Columbus Boulevard
When: 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Cost: Varies
Comcast Holiday Spectacular
What: Cool holiday scenes on the massive screens of the Comcast building’s lobby.
Where: Comcast building at 1701 JFK Boulevard
When: Every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Home Alone
What: One of the best holiday movies of all time.
Where: Your family room, on TBS.
When: 1 p.m.
Cost: Nothing if you have TBS. And the leftover turkey is free, too.
Modern Family marathon
What: Several episodes of a pretty good sitcom in a row.
Where: Your family room, on USA.
When: 7 p.m. to midnight
Cost: Nothing if you have USA.
Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration
What: We’re not completely sure, but there’s something called “Scuba Santa,” so it must be worth checking out.
Where: 1 Riverside Drive in Camden
When: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can apparently meet “Scuba Santa” at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $25.95 per ticket
A Philadelphia Nutcracker
What: The Northwest Philly rendition of the classic
Where: Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, 3000 W. School House Lane in Germantown
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25 per ticket
