There is just one Ebenezer Scrooge for me. Well, two. 

It’s George C. Scott. And whoever is playing Scrooge at Walnut Street Theater. 

I’m inclined to stay home this December. No Walnut Street Scrooge. 

Fortunately, I’ve found ways to fill December with COVID-safe events. 

The Year Without A Santa Claus? 

Never! Visit Santa virtually through King of Prussia Mall here. Or find a few ways to get your list to St. Nick for free here. 

On Christmas Eve, settle in with NORAD. Yes, that NORAD. The defense system scans the skies around the world, sharing their Santa sightings here. 

Jingle All The Way 

Want music? The Kimmel Center is streaming “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” on December 12^th. Tickets can be purchased here. 

The Philly Pops are also going virtual with their “Spectacular Sounds of the Season.” Link to the performance here for free beginning December 18^th 

Scrooged! 

I’m obligated to include access to A Christmas Carol. Did you read the opening of this article? 

The historic Dickens Village at Macy’s is virtual this year, as is Macy’s famous light show. Watch the show here. You can even see Macy’s decorated Market Street windows. 

Visit the Byers’ Choice website here to catch Charles Dickens’ great-great-grandson perform a one-man show of the writer’s eternal tale. 

That’s got to be as good as George C. Scott. Right? 

No Planes, Trains, Or Automobiles 

I tapped a few outdoors-minded friends to discuss their holiday traditions. Several suggested chopping down your own Christmas tree, and any one of these farms should do the trick. 

The National Audubon Society has a Christmas bird count you can do right in your yard. Find out more here.  

If we’re lucky enough to get snow, one friend suggested snowshoeing. L.L. Bean has a beginner video here. Hit King of Prussia for snowshoe rentals at Buckman’s Ski Shop, or buy your own at L.L. Bean. Curbside pickup and even private shopping are available through the store website. 

No snow? Find a trail to hike here. 

Home Alone 

Check out The Academy of Natural Sciences virtual Dino-Dough events here. Then pour yourself a drink for the adults-only virtual Dino-Night on December 11^th. Register here. 

Join the Independence Seaport Museum on December 12th here for a virtual light show on the water. Cocktail recipes included! Then spend Christmas Day with George Washington. The annual reenactment of his crossing of the Delaware River is virtual this year. Watch it here.  

I can’t wait to do Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Family Paint Night, hosted by the Pennsylvania chapter. Register here by December 10^th to get your kit and join other families to paint (and drink!) virtually. 

There’s a lot of making merry in these virtual events. Good thing you’ll be home. 

We’re celebrating differently this year. Let these area events drive away your inner Scrooge. 

Send him my way. Even if he isn’t George C. Scott.