Give the Gift of Experience: Your Holiday 2024 Gift Guide
November 14, 2024
Be the Holiday Gift Hero
The moment has arrived: the shredded gift wrap, the look of joy and amazement, the rush to hug the giver, the passing around of the new treasure for everyone to say “ooh” and “ah” . . . you are the Holiday Gift Hero.
And that’s the role you can play this season with the help of a few insider tips from your friends at The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts.
Far from an item that gets shoved into a closet, live event tickets are a promise of joy, excitement, and discovery all wrapped up in an unforgettable experience! Consider these ooh-ah gift ideas for the loved ones on your list:
Mom and Dad/The Grandparents
They’ve got a lifetime’s worth of stuff in their homes . . . They don’t want more stuff! Instead, give them an unforgettable night (or a marvelous matinee) out with tickets to a Broadway musical!
The new year is brimming with spectacular choices including Come From Away, the feel-good story that touched the world, February 4-9; Riverdance, the timeless celebration of Celtic tradition, April 18-20; Some Like It Hot, the charming musical version of the classic film comedy, May 20-June 1; The Wiz, the irresistible soul/gospel/rock/funk version of The Wizard of Oz, June 3-15; and Life of Pi, the exhilarating, Tony Award-winning fantasy based on the best-selling novel, July 15-27.
Teens
Avoid the eyeroll when you give the pickiest peeps on your gift list an experience that they’ll want to post about from the instant they open the package — like & Juliet, packed with pop hits from Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and more, March 25-April 6. (And if you’re lucky enough to have a theater kid in your life, & Juliet is just one of the great gifts to consider.)
Got a young horror fan in the fam? Blow their minds with tickets to Insidious: The Further You Fear, a live horror experience, February 22. Maybe you know an aspiring young dancer? How about tickets to the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, February 28-March 2, or Philadelphia’s favorite dance company PHILADANCO!, April 25-27. .
Kids
Delight the little ones in your life with a family friendly experience that will create lasting memories! For fans of PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure, April 12-13, brings the heroic pups to life in an action-packed performance that’s perfect for young adventurers.
Looking for a spellbinding experience that’s fun for all ages? Prepare to be amazed by the world-famous Gazillion Bubble Show, February 8 — a mind-blowing show that combines the beauty of bubble artistry, the wonders of soapy science, and interactive musical fun!
Your Favorite Aunt
She was always there for you, right? Make sure she’s there for great entertainment with tickets to the phenomenal stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan, May 1-2 (insider tip: this one’s selling fast, so act now). Or treat her to an unmissable matinee classical music performance by The Philadelphia Orchestra — dozens of great classics to choose from, with both Friday and Sunday matinee performances available.
The Music Lover
Looking to hit the perfect note for your music-loving friend or family member? From soulful vocals to stunning orchestral arrangements, there’s something for every musical taste.
Treat them to the soulful elegance of Somi, May 9, or if they’re a fan of jazz, they won’t want to miss the legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, June 15.
For fans of dreamy, atmospheric tunes, tickets to Ichiko Aoba: Luminescent Creatures, May 17 is a must, and for those who love a twist on classics, Vitamin String Quartet, February 12, will deliver an unforgettable classical take on modern hits. The gift of live music? Always the right choice.
The Conundrum
There’s always that one person, right? The one who already has everything, the one who snaps up the newest, coolest item they see on social media, the one you can never surprise and delight? This is your year! Treat them to a night of standup with Sam Morril, February 6, or the Killers of Kill Tony, March 1. Gift them the hottest happy hour in town with Orchestra After 5, an hour-long Philadelphia Orchestra concert experience with curated cocktails, drink specials, and fun pre- and post-activities — various dates available.
You’ve Got It Together for Getting Together
Are you the social secretary of your family or friend group? Plan a holiday get-together like no other with tickets for a holiday performance! Like the Neil Diamond bio-musical A Beautiful Noise, December 10-22 or STOMP, the percussion explosion, December 26-29. Catch Grammy Award-winning jazz phenom vocalist Samara Joy, December 23.
Or choose from a spectacular selection of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s holiday classical music experiences, including the beloved traditions of The Glorious Sound of Christmas® December 14-15 or Handel’s Messiah, December 21-22; or choose a curated concert created by Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Yannick’s Holiday Mixtape, with your holiday faves performed by The Orchestra, a jazz trio, singer soloists, and choir, December 12-13. (And don’t overlook the city’s most entertaining New Year’s Eve Celebration, when the Orchestra welcomes a phenomenal 13-year-old violin prodigy and a company of dancers to the stage.)
The Perfect Solution
Still stumped? Can’t decide? A Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts gift certificate gets your loved one into their choice of unforgettable shows, and they never expire. Ordering is easy.