ILL DOOTS, festive and inclusive museum exhibits, and mochi-making on the holiday weekend

We’re down to the single digits: only a few days remain in the decade. You’ve come so far! And this holiday weekend, a handful of museums open their doors celebrating history and bringing family together. Additionally, a Japanese mochi-making festival in Ardmore helps close out the year, A Novel Idea gets spooky, and FringeArts boogies with ILL DOOTS for New Year’s Eve.

Being ___ at Christmas

On December 25, the National Museum of American Jewish History will be open from 10am-5pm with a list of special events, including a live performance from Emmy Award-winning Alex & the Kaleidoscope, the return of the Clay Studio, face painting, a screening of the RBG documentary, and more. The museum encourages all visitors of all backgrounds to “fill in their own blank” and join in for an annual day of family fun.

Sounds of the Irish Revolution

A series of musical performances at the Museum of the American Revolution decorate the holiday week with the Sounds of the Irish Revolution. From Thursday, December 26 to Monday, December 30 from 2-4pm, visitors can check out traditional and historic Irish tunes in the museum’s Cross Keys Café. Additionally, visitors can see the current exhibit, Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier with the cost of admission.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with AAMP

The African American Museum in Philadelphia hosts its annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Thursday, December 26 from 2-5pm. Learn (or refresh your memory) the seven principles of Kwanzaa, share a meal, make some Kwanzaa-themed crafts, and see music, dance, and stilt-walking. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Mochitsuki Festival

Maido in Ardmore is celebrating a traditional Japanese festival, Mochitsuki, and invites everyone to make their own mochi. The festival happens around the new year, and it’s local here on Friday, December 27 at 1-3pm, 5 East Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore.

December Witches’ Circle

A Novel Idea on Passyunk continues its free monthly Witches’ Circle meetup for local witches or those interested in witchcraft on Sunday, December 29 at 5:30-7pm. Share experiences, interests, and questions, and bring your tarot, crystals, or grimoires. All are welcome.

FringeArts New Year’s Eve party

It can be hard to find the right New Year’s Eve party if you’re not heading to a house party or gathering. But if you’re thinking of venturing into the outside world, FringeArts has you covered with its annual New Year’s Eve party. Close out the decade with a live set by ILL DOOTS, the genre-bending, Barrymore-winning Philly musical misfits. DJ MATPAT is also set to perform. There’s a cash bar, too.

The celebration kicks off Tuesday, December 31 at 10pm. Get tickets online ahead of time.