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Photo by Melissa Romero

11 free things to do on Black Friday in Philly

There’s more to do the day after Thanksgiving than spending your paycheck

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We get it: Black Friday isn't for everyone. Some folks thrive on waking up at the crack of dawn to snag a discounted flat-screen TV, while others would prefer to stay in bed and do the same on their computers. Our advice? Explore Philly—for free.

While everyone else is hitting up the mall and big box retailers, why not finally cross something off your bucket list? Here are 11 things to do on Black Friday that don't cost a penny, from nearby hikes to family-friendly fun at multiple parks.

Want even more ideas? Here are 26 places to visit in Philly this fall.

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Take a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park

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If you'd prefer a more meandering, hilly hike to burn off some of that Thanksgiving meal, head to the Wissahickon Valley Park. It’s part of the Fairmount Park system and is a great place to spot some last-minute fall foliage within city limits.

Find Philly's many murals

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If the weather's fine, explore this city's newest murals by foot. Philly's Mural Arts program is the largest of its kind in the country, which means you're bound to stumble upon mural after mural on seemingly every block. If you need some guidance, we have a map of some of our favorite new murals right here.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Celebrate Auguste Rodin at the Rodin Museum

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This year is the 100th Anniversary of artist Auguste Rodin’s death, so you better believe that the Rodin Museum is marking the occasion. Right now, its main exhibition is The Kiss. The museum does have a suggested fee, but it is pay-what-you-wish every single day it's open, including this Friday. Or, just wander through the beautiful (and free!) garden, which features a number of sculptures by the renowned artist.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

Get in the holiday spirit at Franklin Square

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Franklin Square's Holiday Festival has been in full swing since November 9, and it’s a great place to visit to get in the holiday spirit. There's the iconic carousel (free for kids under age 3) among other family-friendly activities, and of course, the epic Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show.

Be dazzled by the Comcast Holiday Spectacular show at the Comcast Center

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The Comcast Center’s annual Comcast Holiday Spectacular kicks off on Thanksgiving Day and runs until January 1, 2018. The 15-minute show, broadcast onto Comcast Center’s 2,100 square-foot video wall, is a holiday LED journey set to beloved Christmas songs. It’s definitely a sight to behold and free to everyone. The show starts at the top of every hour.

During the holiday season, people pour into the lobby of the 58-story Comcast Center for Philadelphia�s high-tech holiday show, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular. Shown on The Comcast Experience video wall�one of the world�s highest resolution LED displays�the free 15-minute show occurs at the top of the hour, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (except 5:00 p.m. on weekdays). Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Return to LOVE Park for the Christmas Village

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The opening of the annual Christmas Village on Thanksgiving Day marks the soft return of LOVE Park, which has been closed and undergoing renovations for more than a year. Christmas Village will set up shop here, bringing its many, many vendors to the park. While all of the goods are for sale, it won’t cost you a penny to window shop and meander through.

A view of the LOVE statue in Philly’s LOVE Park at the Christmas Village. Photo by Russ Brown Photography

See the new light show at City Hall

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From November 20 to January 1, 2018, City Hall will light up each night as part of an ongoing “Deck the Hall Light Show”. Klip Collective is the brains behind the show, which goes off multiple times each day and is synchronized to Christmas music. On Black Friday, the show will go off every half hour from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Wander Philly’s beautiful streets

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Last year, Curbed readers picked the most beautiful streets in Philadelphia, including Elfreth's Alley in Old City, Delancey Street in Society Hill, St. Albans Place in Graduate Hospital, Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, and Quince Street in Washington Square West. While most folks are milling about in malls, it might be the ideal time to stroll down these picturesque streets instead.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Visit the site where Thanksgiving Day originated

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Did you know that President George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving here in Philly in 1789, just a few days after Congress passed the Bill of Rights? So why not visit the storied grounds of our founding fathers? Independence Hall is free, while the National Constitution Center, which will be hosting a whole slew of events starting Friday, is not. But, if you donate some school supplies during your visit this weekend, you'll get $2 off your admission ticket.

Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Cozy up at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

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Winterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink brings its fire pits, hot cocoa, and ice-skating rink back to the Delaware River Waterfront for another winter season when it opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 24. Get there early so you can snag a spot in front of a fire pit or in a cozy cabin.

Wander the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

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Head to the nation's first urban refuge to appreciate the outdoors while you can. Be sure to venture beyond the main bridge over the marsh—there are nearly 1,000 acres to explore. Stay awhile: It’s a great time for some bird watching.

A post shared by Jaimie Esaki (@jaimieesaki) on

Take a hike in Wissahickon Valley Park

If you'd prefer a more meandering, hilly hike to burn off some of that Thanksgiving meal, head to the Wissahickon Valley Park. It’s part of the Fairmount Park system and is a great place to spot some last-minute fall foliage within city limits.

Find Philly's many murals

If the weather's fine, explore this city's newest murals by foot. Philly's Mural Arts program is the largest of its kind in the country, which means you're bound to stumble upon mural after mural on seemingly every block. If you need some guidance, we have a map of some of our favorite new murals right here.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Celebrate Auguste Rodin at the Rodin Museum

This year is the 100th Anniversary of artist Auguste Rodin’s death, so you better believe that the Rodin Museum is marking the occasion. Right now, its main exhibition is The Kiss. The museum does have a suggested fee, but it is pay-what-you-wish every single day it's open, including this Friday. Or, just wander through the beautiful (and free!) garden, which features a number of sculptures by the renowned artist.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

Get in the holiday spirit at Franklin Square

Franklin Square's Holiday Festival has been in full swing since November 9, and it’s a great place to visit to get in the holiday spirit. There's the iconic carousel (free for kids under age 3) among other family-friendly activities, and of course, the epic Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show.

Be dazzled by the Comcast Holiday Spectacular show at the Comcast Center

The Comcast Center’s annual Comcast Holiday Spectacular kicks off on Thanksgiving Day and runs until January 1, 2018. The 15-minute show, broadcast onto Comcast Center’s 2,100 square-foot video wall, is a holiday LED journey set to beloved Christmas songs. It’s definitely a sight to behold and free to everyone. The show starts at the top of every hour.

During the holiday season, people pour into the lobby of the 58-story Comcast Center for Philadelphia�s high-tech holiday show, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular. Shown on The Comcast Experience video wall�one of the world�s highest resolution LED displays�the free 15-minute show occurs at the top of the hour, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (except 5:00 p.m. on weekdays). Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Return to LOVE Park for the Christmas Village

The opening of the annual Christmas Village on Thanksgiving Day marks the soft return of LOVE Park, which has been closed and undergoing renovations for more than a year. Christmas Village will set up shop here, bringing its many, many vendors to the park. While all of the goods are for sale, it won’t cost you a penny to window shop and meander through.

A view of the LOVE statue in Philly’s LOVE Park at the Christmas Village. Photo by Russ Brown Photography

See the new light show at City Hall

From November 20 to January 1, 2018, City Hall will light up each night as part of an ongoing “Deck the Hall Light Show”. Klip Collective is the brains behind the show, which goes off multiple times each day and is synchronized to Christmas music. On Black Friday, the show will go off every half hour from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Wander Philly’s beautiful streets

Last year, Curbed readers picked the most beautiful streets in Philadelphia, including Elfreth's Alley in Old City, Delancey Street in Society Hill, St. Albans Place in Graduate Hospital, Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, and Quince Street in Washington Square West. While most folks are milling about in malls, it might be the ideal time to stroll down these picturesque streets instead.

Photo by Melissa Romero

Visit the site where Thanksgiving Day originated

Did you know that President George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving here in Philly in 1789, just a few days after Congress passed the Bill of Rights? So why not visit the storied grounds of our founding fathers? Independence Hall is free, while the National Constitution Center, which will be hosting a whole slew of events starting Friday, is not. But, if you donate some school supplies during your visit this weekend, you'll get $2 off your admission ticket.

Courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Cozy up at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Winterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink brings its fire pits, hot cocoa, and ice-skating rink back to the Delaware River Waterfront for another winter season when it opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 24. Get there early so you can snag a spot in front of a fire pit or in a cozy cabin.

Wander the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

Head to the nation's first urban refuge to appreciate the outdoors while you can. Be sure to venture beyond the main bridge over the marsh—there are nearly 1,000 acres to explore. Stay awhile: It’s a great time for some bird watching.

A post shared by Jaimie Esaki (@jaimieesaki) on