December is National Small Business Month (NationalSmallBusinessMonth.com), and this week is Christmas crunch time. It is a great time to jump on the trend to ‘support local.’ Here is a holiday basket of activities, attractions, and gift ideas including one-of-a-kind Rocky sneakers. You might just need to run to these gift shops and entertainment halls. So, don’t be too late, tis’ the season to shop and celebrate! (But be sure to contact the event organizers for their updated in-person visiting pandemic-related safety precautions and protocols.)

EXHIBITS & THE THEATER

Now through January 17, 2022.  For tickets to fun kids’ exhibits, get into your T-Rex groove. Check out the Permian Monsters: Life Before Dinosaurs exhibit on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Or hustle over to a junior science workshop, What’s So Amazing About a Diatom? (through January 22, 2022). Register at http://bit.ly/3E9nVEZ. Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 215-299-1000

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, ansp.org

Pretty Woman, the Musical

January 4-16, 2022. For tickets for fun adult events, Pretty Woman The Musical may be your cup of tea. Modeled after the Julia Roberts’ movie with the Pygmalion theme, the play features an original score by Grammy winner, Bryan Adams, and Jim Vallance (creators of smash song, “Summer of ’69” and “Heaven.”) and Broadway stars. 

Kimmel Center Cultural Campus. 215-893-1955, KimmelCulturalCampus.org

What’s your jam?

April 16, 2022. Do you like tricked-out trucks? Monster Jam may be your speed at Lincoln Financial Field in 2022. Tickets are a good stocking-stuffer. At a pre-event afternoon “pit party,” fans can witness imposing 12,000-pound trucks, mingle with the drivers and crews and take photos. The show starts at 7 p.m. 

Ticketmaster.com

CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

 

Rocky’s got soul!

Want a last-minute neat gift that packs a punch? To mark the 45th anniversary of the original classic, Rocky, venture over to either Foot Locker, Champs Sports or Footaction to get yourself a pair of awesome designer sneakers for The Diadora x Rocky V’s collection featuring colorful images of Rocky’s opponents Clubber Lang, Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago. At $120 a pair, with the Rocky logo on the side of the footwear, walk gently, so you can preserve these collectibles… at least until the next Rocky (the one in which Rocky’s great-great-great grandkid, Mickey Jr., probably fights Apollo Jr. or a title) comes out in theaters.

Yo, keeping it Philly

Some 40 local artists and crafters of all kinds show their Philly pride with hats, jewelry clothes, novelty food, and everything else at Local PHL Market. Open daily. 

1135 Pine Street, 484-899-0760,localphlmarket.com

Sustainable shopping is in at Trunc in Northern Liberties. Fancy-crafted candles, towels, and other boutique items are waiting for a home. Open weekends. 

929 N. Second St., 267-559-1604, trunc.net

Vintage sports apparel from yesteryear at Mitchell & Ness is a great option for the fashion-forward sports fan. Old-school authentic Sixers, Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers shirts, jerseys, caps, and pennants are fit for any man-cave or kid’s room. This Philly manufacturer made uniforms for the major leagues back in the day. Open daily. 

1306 Walnut St., 866-879-6485, mitchellandness.com

Now through December 24, 2021. For truly some one-stop last-minute shopping, try the annual Christmas Village in LOVE Park in Center City inspired by holiday open markets in Europe. Browse the old-world wooden booths of more than 100 vendors hawking ornaments, jewelry, handmade toys, arts and crafts, and live festive entertainment.

In the shadow of Love Park across the street, the Christmas Village continues to shine featuring a double-decker carousel and German food court in the City Hall Courtyard and the return of the popular Ferris wheel and kiddie train. Open daily.

LOVE Park, 15th and Arch streets, and City Hall, Broad and John F. Kennedy Blvd. Philachristmas.com