Philadelphia and its surrounding counties always have something going on. Deck the Halls because Philadelphia is officially in the holiday spirit!

With a tree lighting, Christmas parades, festive-light boat parades, decorated house tours and breakfasts with Santa, this weekend is filled with holiday cheer. We’ve found the top free (and affordable) choices of what to do this weekend, Dec. 6 to 8, in Philly and New Jersey.

Have a cheerful weekend.

What: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest Holiday Tree Lighting

Get in the holiday spirit and maybe get out on the ice skating rink at Penn's Landing. NBC10 News morning personalities will be flipping the switch at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest Holiday Tree Lighting Powered by PECO. About 30,000 lights will shimmer on the tree. Singer Jackie Verna from NBC10's "The Voice" and others will be there to entertain. You can also relax rinkside or in the lodge with food and drink.

Where: Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia

When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

What: Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade

Floats, fire trucks and Santa will parade through Wildwood to the tree lighting at Byrne Plaza

Where: Wildwood, NJ

When: Friday at 6:30 p.m. Tree lighting is at 7:30 p.m. Rain Date: Sunday

Cost: Free

What: Chestnut Hill Christmas Holiday House Tour

Tour several of Chestnut Hills most historic houses when they are fully decorated for the holidays.

Where: Various locations in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: $50

What:  Independence Seaport Museum’s Parade of Lights

Watch the boats decorated with holiday lights and more, float down the Delaware River during this winter water parade.

Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia

When: Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free to watch the parade

What: Penn Museum's CultureFest Celebration Around the World

The Penn Museum will be celebrating cultures from around the world through dance, craft-making, storytelling and musical performances.

Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South St., Philadelphia

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free with museum admission, which starts at $11 for children, $16 for adults

What: The Wildwoods Christmas on the Plaza

Kick off the holidays at this craft bazaar featuring live music, fire pits, ice skating and food.

Where: Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ

When: Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

What: Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour

Take this self-guided tour of homes, inns, hotels, churches and more all decorated for the holiday season in Cape May. There will be strolling musicians and caroling and holiday treats.

Where: Downtown Cape May

When: Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $40 for adults

What: Pinch the GrYnch Boardwalk 5K Run

This holiday boardwalk 5K run and one-mile walk is for all ages.

Where: Wildwood Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood NJ

When: Saturday at 10 a.m., rain or shine

Cost: $30 to run or $15 along with a donated unwrapped toy

What:  Feminist Flea Market and Craft Fair

Browse and shop from more than 100 vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, art pieces, home goods and more.

Where: Bok, 1901 S. 9^th Street, Philadelphia

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $5

What: Hand-crafted Holidays and Ornament Crafts

Enjoy clay ornament making, demonstrations, shopping discounts and food at this creative event.

Where: The Clay Studio., 139 N. 2^nd Street, Philadelphia

When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: Free

What: Breakfast with Santa in Cape May

Enjoy breakfast and story time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

Where: Cape May Ferry Terminal, 1200 Lincoln Blvd., North Cape May, NJ

When: Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $21 for adults, $14 for children, children under 2 are free

What: Breakfast with Santa in Cherry Hill

Enjoy pancakes with the big guy in the red suit! There will be songs, story time and Santa of course. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited.

Where: Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, NJ

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: $20

What: Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Experience this authentic open-air European Christmas Market right in Philadelphia. There are more than 80 vendors selling crafts, clothing, food and more.

Where: Love Park, 15^th and JFK, Philadelphia

When:  through Dec. 24

Cost: Free to attend

What: Holiday Garden Railway

This model train set is not to be missed with 12 rail lines, seven loops and tunnels, two cable cars and nine bridges, all lit up for the holidays. All aboard!

Where: Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Pa.

When: through Dec. 31

Cost: Free with admission

What: Macy’s Christmas Light Show

This free show of dancing lights and music in the Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker building (now Macy’s) has been a holiday favorite for years.

Where: Macy’s, 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia

When:  through Dec. 31

Cost: Free

What: Franklin Square Holiday Festival

Twinkling lights, holiday music, food, beer and hot chocolate fill this ongoing holiday festival. The switched has been turned on for the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO that features more than 80,000 lights shimmering to holiday music.

Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6^th Street, Philadelphia

When: through Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

What: Deck the District Holiday Light Show

This first holiday season in the newly opened Fashion District Philadelphia. The 5-minute show, running every 30 minutes until close, features lights timed to holiday music, floating trees and decorations everywhere.

Where: Fashion District Philadelphia, 901 Market Street

When: through Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. daily

Cost: Free

What: Comcast Holiday Spectacular

This holiday tradition continues in the lobby of the Comcast Center with the super high-resolution LED holiday display. Watch the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a sleigh ride through the city and enjoy a sing-along.

Where: Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia

When:  through Jan. 1

Cost: Free

What: Brandywine Christmas

Check out the Christmas trees, model train displays and ornament sales.

Where: Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd., Chadds Ford, Pa.

When:  through Jan. 5

Cost: $18, children under 5 are free

What: Photo Pop Philly: Winter Wonderland

This pop-up art exhibit is interactive and photo friendly. There are snow-filled backdrops and more to create an Instagram-worthy winter wonderland.

Where: The Bourse Food Hall, 111 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia

When: through Jan. 5

Cost: $20 for adults, free for children under 5

What: LumiNature

Visit the Zoo at night for this new walk-through light and sound display. More than 600,000 lights illuminate the zoo in 12 massive light displays that include penguins, big cat eyes and a 21-foot-tall snake. 

Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia

When: through Jan. 5

Cost: From $19, children under 2 are free. Time tickets required, limited availability.

What: A Very Furry Christmas

Sesame Place transforms into a festive wonderland complete with lights, special Christmas shows, visits with Santa and Sesame Street characters and more.

Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, Pa.

When:  through Jan. 1

Cost: From $36

What: Holiday Light Show Ride

More than 3 million lights will illuminate the farm. Families can drive through the magical displays or take a ride in the open-air wagon.

Where: Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, Pa.

When: through Jan. 5

Cost: $30 per car load, $15 per person wagon ride

What: A Longwood Christmas

Thousands of poinsettias, Christmas trees, flowers and lights fill the indoor garden for the holidays. Seasonal music and the fountain dance outdoors is not to be missed either!

Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pa.

When:  through Jan. 5

Cost: Varies. Timed tickets required.

What: Dinosaurs Around the World

Visit with dozens of animatronic dinosaurs as you discover and learn about things like volcano activity and fossils.

Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences

When: Through Jan. 20

Cost: From $7 in addition to general admission 

At least three people were shot in Philadelphia Saturday evening - one person died and two others were seriously injured, according to police.

A 48-year-old man died around 7 p.m. after being shot in the back and head in the 6200 block of Harley Avenue in the Elmwood Park section of Southwest Philadelphia. A 21-year-old man was also injured in that shooting and was listed in stable condition, police said.

Less than two hours later, a 30-year-old man was shot once in the neck near the 3900 block of Percy Street in North Philadelphia's Franklinville neighborhood, according to police. That victim was listed in critical condition.

Earlier in the week, three people under the age of 18 were hit by gunfire in the span of three days, Philadelphia police said.

The most recent young victim was an 11-year-old child who was shot Friday night while walking with her 7-year-old brother in Southwest Philadelphia. More than 100 people under the age of 18 have been shot in the city this year, according to police.

"I just want whoever did this to be caught," a family friend said, adding that the little girl is a honor student who wants to be a lawyer some day. "We want justice."

On Saturday, mourners gathered at a memorial service for another young victim. Ceani T’Kai Small, 16, was hit by a stray bullet last week while getting off a SEPTA bus in North Philadelphia. She did not survive.

"It's pretty sad that could happen to somebody," Small's classmate Ronald Baker said. "She was kind."

There are additional community resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence. Further information can be found here.

Two Philadelphia police officers and one civilian were hurt in a head-on crash Saturday night.

The Philadelphia Police Department officers were in their patrol SUV when they collided with a sedan near Windrim Avenue and W. Rockland Street shortly before midnight in the city's Logan section.

The crash totaled the front end of both vehicles and left debris scattered on the road. Both officers and the driver of the sedan were taken to Einstein Medical Center and listed in stable condition.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said Sunday that his panel will "presumably" present articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump this week, NBC News reports.

"We’ll bring articles of impeachment presumably before the committee at some point later in the week,” Nadler, D-N.Y., said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press."

On Monday, the committee will hear from both Democrats and Republicans on the Intelligence Committee about the findings from their investigation into allegations that the president led a campaign to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top Democrats running for president in 2020.

Nadler said that congressional leaders haven't finalized many of the key details of what may be included in any impeachment articles, saying that there are still significant "consultations" to come between committee members, House Democrats and Democratic leaders before they are finalized.

A mysterious odor returned to Delaware County over the weekend as residents and town leaders continue to investigate the source.

Several 911 calls were made from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, Saturday morning reporting an odd smell in the air.

“About 8:30 yesterday morning,” Stan Warfield of Brookhaven told NBC10. “Not a natural gas smell. More like a petroleum smell.”

Brookhaven Fire Chief Rob Montella said his department is investigating but so far they’ve found nothing.

“When we get on scene it only lasts a short period of time,” Montella said. “By the time we get our monitors out it usually dissipates in 10 to 15 minutes.”

The odor was also reported in nearby Aston, Pennsylvania, in late October as well as in Ridley Township on Veterans Day last month.

“No one has been able to figure out where it’s coming from,” State Rep. Leanne Krueger (D-161) told NBC10.

Several oil and gas pipelines are located in Delaware County but it has not yet been confirmed whether or not any of those pipelines are the source.

“If there is a company that is polluting and not reporting what happened they must be held accountable,” Krueger said.

Brookhaven Mayor Michael Hess said he’s leaving no stone unturned and is mainly concerned about schools and senior centers.

“They gotta find a connection,” Warfield said. “Don’t know what it’s gonna be but it’s not a good thing.”

Rep. Krueger is asking for more investigative resources from the state. Delaware County leaders are also putting together a task force in case the odor returns.

A three-part weather system will promise to bring dramatic changes to our weather between Monday and Thursday.

MONDAY INTO MONDAY EVENING: ROUNDS OF RAIN

Rounds of light to moderate rain will impact the morning commute with damp roads & sidewalks.

Temperatures Monday morning start off chilly in the 30s & low 40s.

Another round or two of steady to heavy rain will move through during the late afternoon and early evening.

This round of heavier rain will also bring in milder air & gusty winds… temperatures soar into the upper 50s, winds gust to 30-35 MPH.

Temperatures by the Eagles game will soar into the upper 50s to near 60. Expect pockets of rain & showery weather throughout the game.

No FIRST ALERT is needed as of now since rain impacts will not cause any major disruptions and winds are not projected to be damaging.

TUESDAY: WARM & SHOWERY

A few rounds of showers are possible during this time, but there will be plenty of gaps of dry weather.

Best chance for showers appears to be early in the morning and then again around the evening commute.

The big story will be the WARM air as highs climb well into the 60s… possibly to near 70 in southern Delaware.

A gusty warm breeze will be around much of the day.

WEDNESDAY MORNING: COLDER & SOME WET SNOW

Rain will briefly change to wet snow overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.

Since ground temperatures will be so warm from the recent 60-degree weather, road conditions are not forecast to be a problem.

People can expect to see some steady snow during the morning commute with most of it melting on sidewalks and roads.

1 to 2” of grassy accumulation is possible up in the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, and upper PA suburbs.

Temperatures plunge 30 degrees by Wednesday afternoon from their levels Tuesday. A real shock to the system.

Keep checking back to this forecast as adjustments may need to be made.

MONDAY: Periods of rain, some of it heavy at times. Temperatures rising in the evening. Winds increasing to 10-20 MPH during afternoon with gusts to 30 MPH by evening.
HIGH: 60

TUESDAY: Variable clouds with a few rounds of showers. Not a washout. Sunshine between showers possible. Unseasonably warm.
HIGH: 64

WEDNESDAY: Morning wet snow ending by midday. Minimal impact to roadways. Falling temperatures.
HIGH: 40

THURSDAY: Sunny and cold.
HIGH: 34

FRIDAY: Increasing clouds. Rain at night.
HIGH: 43

SATURDAY: Periods of rain, milder.
HIGH: 54

SUNDAY: Early shower possible, otherwise turning partly cloudy and breezy.
HIGH: 50

Stay with the First Alert Weather team for the latest weather updates.

It was an emotional reunion Sunday night in Blackwood, New Jersey, as hundreds of soldiers arrived home just in time for the holidays. NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville was there as the service men and women got to see their families again.

To combat low attendance, LEAP Charter School in Philadelphia added a medical clinic to its building in 2016. Regular attendance has gradually increased due to the available treatment and one beloved physician is being celebrated because of the results.

The Justice Department's internal watchdog report on the origins of the Russia investigation was released on Monday. Here is the report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz.

Police and federal agents had been waiting for Juice WRLD's plane to land at Midway Airport even before the rapper suffered a fatal medical emergency, authorities said Monday.

According to Chicago Police Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, the rapper, whose real name is Jarad Higgins, and his entourage "were intercepted by the police department and FBI officials as they entered the lobby" of the Atlantic Aviation Hangar after traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago early Sunday morning. 

A search of luggage aboard the Gulfstream jet found 41 "vacuum-sealed" bags with a total of 70 pounds of marijuana and six bottles of prescription codeine cough syrup, police said. 

Investigators also said they found two 9mm pistols, a .40-caliber pistol, a high-capacity ammunition magazine and "metal-piercing bullets."

That's when Guglielmi said Higgins began convulsing.

An agent administered two doses of Narcan, which is given during emergencies believed to be caused by opioid overdoses. 

Higgins did wake up after the seizure but was "incoherent and bleeding from the mouth," authorities said. 

Among those who were with him at the time were two security guards and his girlfriend, who told police her boyfriend did not have any known medical issues but regularly takes Percocet and "has a drug problem."

The cause and manner of death for Higgins remained pending Monday afternoon, with cardiac pathology, neuropathology, toxicology and histology tests needed, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Two men who were with the rapper at the time have been charged with weapons violations unrelated to his death, according to police.

Christopher Long, 36, of Bueno Park, California, was charged with one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a weapon, Chicago police said. Henry Dean, 27, of Chicago, was charged with two concealed-carry firearms violations and with having a high-capacity magazine, all misdemeanors, according to police.

The two men were next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 30.

No drug charges had been filed against those onboard the flight as of Monday afternoon, according to Guglielmi. An investigation remains ongoing. 

Pete Frates, the inspiration for the Ice Bucket Challenge to benefit ALS, has died, according to his family. 

The Beverly, Massachusetts, native and former Boston College baseball star was diagnosed with the progressive disease, known both as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Lou Gherig's disease, in 2012, when he was 27. He helped start the Ice Bucket Challenge two years later, and it immediately raised tens of millions of dollars for research into the disease. 

"Today Heaven received our angel: Peter Frates. A husband to Julie, a father to Lucy, a son to John and Nancy, a brother to Andrew and Jennifer, Pete passed away surrounded by his loving family, peacefully at age 34, after a heroic battle with ALS," the family said in a statement Monday. 

The Ice Bucket Challenge, in which people recorded videos of themselves pouring buckets of ice over their heads before challenging several other people to do so as well, went massively viral in the summer of 2014, bringing in celebrities and average people alike. 

It made Frates a nationally renowned figure as well, being named Sports Illustrated's "Inspiration of the Year" in 2014 and winning the NCAA Inspiration of the Year award in 2017. 

He was even signed to an honorary contract with the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day in 2015 — the team would go on to give Frates his own World Series ring commemorating their 2018 victory. 

Sept. 5 was named Pete Frates Day in Boston on that day in 2017.

His family remembered him as a global inspiration who never complained about having ALS: 

Pete was an inspiration to so many people around the world who drew strength from his courage and resiliency. A natural born leader and the ultimate teammate, Pete was a role model for all, especially young athletes, who looked up to him for his bravery and unwavering positive spirit in the face of adversity. He was a noble fighter who inspired us all to use our talents and strengths in the service of others. 

The family urged others to celebrate Frates and his work " by following his daily affirmation: Be passionate, be genuine, be hardworking and don’t ever be afraid to be great." 

Remembrances immediately began pouring in from Boston and beyond on Monday.

Boston College called Frates a beloved role model who exemplified the values of "courage, integrity, selflessness, and a commitment to helping others" that the university holds dear. 

"The Peter Frates Center for baseball and softball in the Harrington Athletics Village will stand as a testament to his enduring legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Frates family, who have been an inspiration in their loving devotion to Pete and the cause of ALS research," the university said in a statement.

Someone is diagnosed with ALS every 90 minutes. The progressive neurodegenerative disease causes muscle weakness, paralysis and ultimately respiratory failure. 

There is no cure, but the Ice Bucket Challenge aimed to change that by raising awareness and funds for research — some of that money helped the University of Massachusetts Medical School identify a new ALS gene. 

As the Ice Bucket Challenge spread in 2014, more than 17 million people posted videos of themselves participating in the challenge and their videos were watched about 10 billion times. It raised about $220 million for ALS charities worldwide in the first year alone.

Concerns are growing at Rowan University after a recent spike in student suicides. Monday night, the school will address the issue with a meeting on campus. NBC10’s Cydney Long has the story. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It’s been more than two years since Anna Maciejewska of Malvern, Pennsylvania, disappeared. Since she went missing, it’s changed from a missing person case to a murder investigation. NBC10 investigative reporter Mitch Blacher spoke to the woman’s mother who traveled to our area from Eastern Europe for what may be her final chance to find out what happened to her daughter.

A 27-year-old social media influencer was sentenced to federal prison Monday for an armed plot to threaten a man in an effort to obtain a website domain name.

Rossi Lorathio Adams II was found guilty for one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force, threats, and violence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Adams plotted to intimidate the unnamed owner of a domain name and "hijack" the website, the attorney's office said, NBC News reports.

Adams started a social media brand called "State Snaps" in 2015 while attending Iowa State University, operating on various social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat.

"At one time, Adams had over a million followers on his social media sites, which mostly contained images and videos of young adults engaged in crude behavior, drunkenness, and nudity," the U.S. Attorney's office said.

A Good Samaritan who lost his brother in a car accident years ago, raced against time to help rescue two women trapped in an SUV following a fiery crash in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, over the weekend.

Police said the driver of a Toyota RAV4 ran a stop sign at the intersection of Cates Road and West Jersey Avenue and collided with a Nissan Altima Saturday night. The impact caused both vehicles to slam into a utility pole with the RAV4 pinned against it and pushed up onto the hood of the Nissan.

Two men inside the Nissan managed to escape. Two women were trapped inside the RAV4 however as the Nissan underneath them caught fire. Juan Perez told NBC10 he witnessed the crash and jumped into action.

“I tried to get in the window but the car was locked,” Perez said. “Everything was locked so I break the window.”

With his wife, Paula Jaramillo, watching in a panic, Perez and at least two other Good Samaritans teamed up to get the women out.

“We break the door and went inside and unlock the doors and I just pulled them out,” Perez said. "The two ladies.”

Jaramillo said both vehicles were fully engulfed in flames within a minute. The women were taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The two men who escaped the Nissan refused medical treatment.

“I just tried to help the people,” Perez said. “That’s all.”

Jaramillo said the rescue took an emotional toll on her husband.

“Right after he pulled them out, he just walked away and then he did start crying,” she said. “Never seen him cry. He started crying because his brother died in a car accident many years ago and then he said, ‘Maybe the same thing happened to my brother. Nobody helped him.'" 

Authorities said traffic citations are pending further investigation. Jaramillo, meanwhile, is proud of her husband.

“He didn’t think about himself or anything but just to help them,” she said. “Make sure they were safe.”