Featured photo by Tessa Marie Images
The Main Line area has lots to offer when it comes to arts and entertainment. Here are the top-rated picks for 2023.
Critics’ Choice: Breakout Artist
Molly Martin
Family-Friendly Event
West Chester Christmas Parade
West Chester, greaterwestchester.com
Gallery/ Art Center
Brandywine Museum of Art
1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford, (610) 388-2700, brandywine.org
Girls’ Night Out
Cork & Candles
255 Main St., Suite 150, King of Prussia, (484) 704-7610, corkandcandles.com
Hiking/ Biking Trail
Chester Valley Trail
Chester County, (610) 344-5656, chesco.org
Hotel
Wayne Hotel
139 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (610) 687-5000, waynehotel.com
Best Intimate Theater for a Show
Hedgerow Theatre
64 Rose Valley Road, Media, (610) 565-4211, hedgerowtheatre.org
Karaoke Night
Split Rail Tavern
15 N. Walnut St., West Chester, (484) 999-8805, splitrailtavernwc.com
Best Live Band (Original Music)
Flavor Wave
West Chester, linktr.ee/flavorwaveband
Live Band (Covers)
Jellyroll
thepartyband.com
Live Music Venue
Ardmore Music Hall
23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, (610) 649-8389, ardmoremusic.com
Local Parade
West Chester Christmas Parade
West Chester, greaterwestchester.com
Museum for Families
The Franklin Institute
271 N. 21st St., Philadelphia, (215) 448-1200, fi.edu
Critics’ Choice: National Band With Local Ties
Mt. Joy
It’s cool enough that Mt. Joy takes its name from a hiking trail in Valley Forge National Historical Park. Then, with its star on the rise in the national rock world, the quintet opted for a pair of intimate shows at Ardmore Music Hall this past October to benefit a local charity when it could’ve easily filled much larger venues in Philadelphia. Hometown pride doesn’t get any more authentic. Visit mtjoyband.com.
Critics’ Choice: New Museum
Otherworld
Otherworld is an adventure in technological immersion for the whole family. You can create an avatar, experience feelings in colored lights and make your way through the sensory experience of 40,000 square feet of “other worlds” where everyone fits in. Parents can even enjoy adult beverages while junior grabs a snack. 2500 Grant Ave., Philadelphia, otherworldphila.com.
Nonprofit Event
Unite For HER 5K
127 E. Chestnut St., West Chester, (610) 883-1177, uniteforher.org
Place to Take Kids On a Rainy Day
Jumpers Family Fun Zone
5117 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, (610) 353-3377, funatjumpers.com
Pro Sports Celebrity
Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
philadelphiaeagles.com
Pro Sports Coach
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles
philadelphiaeagles.com
Pro Sports Team
Philadelphia Eagles
philadelphiaeagles.com
Pro Sports Team Mascot
Phillie Phanatic, Philadelphia Phillies
phillies.com
Radio Morning Show
94WIP
94wip.com
Radio Music DJ
Pierre Robert, 93.3 WMMR
wmmr.com
Radio Station for Music
93.3 WMMR
wmmr.com
Radio Station for News/ Talk
KYW Newsradio
cbsnews.com
Radio Talk Show Host
Terry Gross, WHYY
whyy.org
Sportscaster
Merrill Reese, 94WIP
94wip.com
Theater Company
People’s Light
39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, (610) 644-3500, peopleslight.org
TV Meteorologist
Adam Joseph, 6abc
6abc.com
TV News Anchor
Jim Gardner, 6abc
6abc.com
TV Sportscaster
Jamie Apody, 6abc
6abc.com
Critics’ Choice: Zany Scare Fest
Blobfest
Phoenixville’s Blobfest has been an annual event for 24 years—so long now that it seems almost normal (heaven forbid). The evening of July 14, Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre will stage this year’s reenactment of The Blob’s infamous run-out scene, filmed at the very same movie house in 1958. The 350 people lucky enough to actually run screaming from the theater have already purchased their tickets. But you can still get in on the fun at the three-day event (July 14–16), which features a street fair, a 5K and sundry other tributes to all things horror and sci-fi. 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, (610) 917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.
Related: Check out the Main Line’s Best Sports and Entertainment in 2022
