person standing below hanging purple light display in museum

Art Lovers’ Guide to Philadelphia: Winter 2019 Edition

Art lovers are in for a real treat this winter in Philadelphia, when highly anticipated exhibitions are on view in the city’s top museums, and unexpected events encourage locals and tourists to interact with the city in new ways. Peruse our guide to learn about such interesting and varied art-world goings-on as an exhibition of paintings depicting the Nordic Arctic, and a winter-themed pop-up art installation.

Intriguing Exhibitions

There are almost too many fascinating new art exhibitions to count. Among them are “Nordic Changes: Work by Diane Burko,” which showcases paintings of the Nordic Arctic; the African American Museum’s “Visual Meditations on Black Masculinity;” and at the National Liberty Museum, a sobering exhibition of artwork created by prisoners of Auschwitz.

“Design for Different Futures” Programs

In tandem with the exhibition “Designs for Different Futures,” which presents items designed for hypothetical visions of the next few centuries, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts a series of innovative public events through the start of 2020. These include drop-in discussions, art-making sessions, demonstrations, workshops, and one-on-one sessions with designers.

Festive Landmarks

Some of the city’s greatest works of art and architecture get their annual December makeover, with a Christmas tree adjacent to the LOVE sculpture, multicolored projections lighting up the Second Empire-style facade of City Hall, and the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park displaying holiday lights in their period rooms.

Art Markets

For those who missed the craft festivals that came to Philly in November, holiday markets will take over the city starting in late November — and there are so many with arts- or design-related offerings that we’ve compiled a separate guide to the Philadelphia Holiday Markets.

Art Parades

A fun installation known as Photo Pop Philadelphia returns in December, by popular demand, this time featuring a winter wonderland theme. And of course, the costumed revelers of the Mummers Parade will make their annual waltz along Broad Street on New Year’s Day, showcasing zany dance moves and creative costumes.