FREE WORLD FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION RETURNS TO THE PENN MUSEUM

FREE WORLD FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION RETURNS TO THE PENN MUSEUM

Smile and get into the holiday spirit—international-style—at the Penn Museum! Gather family and friends and head to the free 22nd annual Celebrations around the World holiday celebration Sunday, December 3, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Guests receive Museum “passports” with “itineraries” to visit various countries and discover festive holiday traditions such as Diwali, the Dragon-Boat Festival, Eid-al-Fitr, Ramadan and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Drum workshops, craft-making, Indian dance, sari wrapping, rangoli, Arabic writing and Islamic culture, storytelling, and live musical performances—plus elegant face painting and joyful balloon art—are all part of the festive day, held throughout the Museum’s galleries.

“This joyful and distinctively international celebration is the Penn Museum’s holiday ‘gift’ to our community,” said Dr. Julian Siggers, Williams Director of the Penn Museum. “We open our doors in the spirit of cultural understanding and in the hope we all have for a world at peace.”

PASSPORT TO THE WORLD

Celebrations around the World begins as guests claim their “passports” upon entering the Museum, before “departing” on their world tour throughout the galleries from 12:00 noon to 3:30 pm. This year, guests can discover the cultural and holiday traditions of multiple countries, including, China, Kenya, the Netherlands, and India, along with the holiday traditions of Islam. Along the way, presenters share aspects of their countries’ holiday festivals, history, cuisine, and international traditions—and stamp guest passports. Passports stamped with four or more countries are entered in a raffle to win a family membership!

ACTIVITIES GALORE

Children from the Bharatiya Vidyalaya Cultural Center perform traditional dances from India at 12:30 pm. Michele Belluomini, from Bluedeer Storytelling: Magical Stories from Around the World, shares legends from various cultures at 1:00 pm. Music keeps the international theme lively with Joe Tayoun’s hands-on World Drumming Workshops, at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. Penn Flutes—an all flute ensemble led by Michele Kelly—perform a selection of winter and holiday favorites, including songs from the Nutcracker and Vivaldi’s Winter, at 2:30 pm. Everyone is invited to travel around the world in song, with a children’s world music program by Daria at 3:30 pm.

Throughout the event, guests can stop by at a holiday craft make-and-take station to create paper suncatchers. From 1:00 to 3:30 pm, balloon artists from Family Fun Entertainment and face painters from Peanutbutter Inc, work their special magic for guests. Holiday treats for children are available at 1:30 pm, courtesy of CxRA (Catering by Restaurant Associates) at the Penn Museum, while supplies last!

IN THE MUSEUM SHOP

Just in time for holiday shopping, all visitors receive 10% off purchases in the Museum Shop on Sunday, December 3. Explore the Museum Shop to find jewelry, clothing and accessories, crafts, games, books, and more from around the world.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

Performances

• 11:30 am: Instructional Drum Circle Workshop with acclaimed world-percussionist Joe Tayoun
• 12:30 pm: Children’s Indian dance performance from the Bharatiya Vidyalaya Cultural Center
• 1:00 pm: Storytelling presented by Michele Belluomini of Blue Deer Storytelling
• 2:00 pm: Instructional Drum Circle Workshop with acclaimed world-percussionist Joe Tayoun
• 2:30 pm: Holiday and winter music by Penn Flutes
• 3:30 pm: Daria’s World Music for Children

Other Activities

• 11:00 am – 4:00 pm: Get hands-on with craft activities for kids and families, and shop for gifts at the Penn Museum Shop, and from local vendors
• 12:00 – 3:00 pm: Visit international and cultural stations to earn stamps for the Passport to Cultures
  • The Netherlands
  • India
  • China
  • Kenya
  • Judaism
  • Islam
• 1:00 – 3:30 pm: Balloon animals by Family Fun Entertainment
• 1:00 – 3:30 pm: Facepainting by Peanutbutter, Inc.
• Free treats for children provided by CxRA (while supplies last)