PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 4, 2026) – This holiday season, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) introduces PAFA for the Holidays, highlighting a variety of programs throughout the holiday season, including the kick-off of Fridays after 5, an after-hours museum experience featuring food and beverage from iconic culinary institutions, beginning with select Schulson Collective restaurants for the holiday season, along with a special lighting ceremony, various live performances, and art activities for adults from November 20 through December 31.

For the first time, PAFA Museum is opening to the public, Cast Hall, one of its most extraordinary historic studios. Normally reserved for artists, this remarkable space comes alive for visitors, surrounded by 19th-century plaster casts and sculptures, including a towering, 3,000-pound replica of Michelangelo’s David. It's a rare opportunity to experience the creative heart of PAFA in an entirely new way.

“Philadelphia has so many wonderful holiday traditions, from Christmas Village to Dilworth Park, and the PAFA Museum is just steps away from it all,” said Kristen Shepherd, PAFA President and CEO. “We want to become part of those traditions by inviting guests to make art, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and experience music and entertainment in a festive, historic, one-of-a-kind setting.”

PAFA for the Holidays will kick off on Friday, November 20, with a festive holiday lighting of the PAFA Museum along Broad Street at 6 p.m., followed by the debut of Fridays After 5. On select Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., visitors can experience the museum after hours with performances by Philadelphia-based musicians (full lineup to be announced), hands-on adult art making (no experience necessary), and light bites and beverages available for purchase from rotating Schulson Collective restaurants. Special discounted Friday evening admission is just $15 per person, including museum access and all Fridays After 5 programming. Please see below for a full schedule of Fridays After 5 programming through December 31 and be sure to stay tuned to @PAFAcademy on Instagram to learn what’s to come for 2027.

Fridays After 5 Schedule

• Friday, November 20, 5–8 p.m.
  • Art Making: Brush with History!
    • Give PAFA Museum’s iconic Historic Landmark Building a colorful twist. Grab a brush and reimagine this Philadelphia landmark your way.
  • Sampan Menu
    • Cheesesteak Bao
    • Hamachi Ceviche
    • Spicy Tuna Rice Cracker
    • Summer Roll
    • Specialty Cocktail: Mini 'Scorpion Bowl'
• Friday, November 27, 5–8 p.m.
  • Art Making: Brush with History!
    • Give PAFA Museum’s iconic Historic Landmark Building a colorful twist. Grab a brush and reimagine this Philadelphia landmark your way.
  • Double Knot Menu
    • Spicy Tuna Roll
    • Edamame Dumplings
    • Crispy Cucumber
    • Japanese Fried Chicken
    • Specialty Cocktail: Zeppelin Bend
• Friday, December 4, 5–8 p.m.
  • Art Making: Happy Little Paint Party!
    • Channel your inner Bob Ross and paint your own happy little landscape. Bring a date, grab a brush, and let the happy accidents happen.
  • Giuseppe & Sons Menu
    • Meatballs
    • Eggplant Parm Sandwich
    • Cheesesteak Stromboli
    • Mini Cannoli
    • Specialty Cocktail: Espresso Martini
• Friday, December 18, 5–8 p.m.
  • Art Making: Happy Little Paint Party!
    • Channel your inner Bob Ross and paint your own happy little landscape. Bring a date, grab a brush, and let the happy accidents happen.
  • Pearl & Mary Menu
    • Oysters
    • Fried Chicken Sandwich
    • Key Lime Tart
    • Specialty Cocktail: Classic Martini

The participating Schulson Collective restaurants are all within walking distance of PAFA or are easily accessible by public transportation, making them ideal spots to visit before or after Fridays after 5.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with PAFA by bringing beloved bites and beverages from select restaurants to offer a unique dining and cultural experience at the museum for the holiday season ahead of the next edition of The Curated Palette series,” said Miriam Powell, Director of Sales at Schulson Collective.

From December 26–31, PAFA will host Holiday Week, inviting visitors to wrap up 2026 with programming every day of the week. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, PAFA will open the Family Holiday Studio, where visitors can create something of their own inspired by the art and spaces around them. Visitors can continue exploring PAFA by strolling through the galleries, joining the 1 p.m. tour of the “A Nation of Artists” exhibit, or finding a spot in the Washington Foyer to tune into the 2 p.m. live holiday concert series, occurring daily.

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ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTS

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America’s first museum and school of fine arts. A world-renowned institution, PAFA fosters the study of American art and the training of artists while offering a diverse collection of American painting, sculpture, and works on paper from the 18th century to the present day. PAFA’s museum and school provide an environment for learning, critical inquiry, and making art. To learn more, visit pafa.org.

Facebook: @PAFAcademy / Instagram: @pafacademy

ABOUT SCHULSON COLLECTIVE

Michael Schulson is the founder and CEO of Schulson Collective, a group of popular restaurants in Philadelphia, PA and beyond. His imagination and vision for Schulson Collective have made him one of the city’s most successful hospitality professionals. Today, Schulson has grown his Collective in Philadelphia to include:

• Dear Daphni
• The Lesieur
• Pearl & Mary
• Prunella
• Via Locusta
• Alpen Rose
• Giuseppe & Sons
• DK Sushi
• Harp & Crown
• Double Knot
• Independence Beer Garden
• Sampan

To learn more, visit MichaelSchulson.com.