Eastern State’s December Programs Celebrate Film, Civic Learning, and Holiday Traditions

Philadelphia, PA (Dec. 1, 2025) — This December, Eastern State invites visitors to explore programs that illuminate history, justice, creativity, and community during the winter season. Experiences range from a full-day celebration of Rocky history to thought-provoking Justice 101 conversations, hands-on activities for youth learners, and special tours exploring the spiritual practices of people who lived and worked inside the penitentiary.

“December at Eastern State underscores how the site’s history shapes our ongoing exploration of justice and community,” said Dr. Kerry Sautner, President & CEO. “Our December programming invites visitors to explore iconic stories, engage with core principles of justice, and celebrate traditions that bring people together—creating space for meaningful learning, reflection, and connection.”

Eastern State’s December calendar features:

RockyFest
Saturday, December 3, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Celebrate the anniversary of Philadelphia’s most iconic film franchise with a city-wide series of events! As part of the RockyFest celebration, Eastern State will offer special programming to celebrate the history of boxing at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons throughout Pennsylvania. Programming will include historic tours about Charles "Jack" Blackburn, a renowned boxing champion who was incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary. Special video programming in the penitentiary's center rotunda will highlight the history of boxing in prison. All RockyFest activities are included with standard admission.

Justice 101: State of the Union — Excessive Punishment, the 8th Amendment, and the Justice System
Wednesday, December 3, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online via Zoom and YouTube

Powered by the Eastern State Center for Justice Education, Justice 101 is a discussion series that dives into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education.

Featuring Lauren-Brooke Eisen, Senior Director of the Brennan Center’s Justice Program, and Kermit Roosevelt III, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Pennsylvania, this discussion will trace shifting “standards of decency,” highlight key Supreme Court decisions, and address urgent questions around mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. Moderated by Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO of Eastern State Penitentiary, the program brings together leading voices in law, history, and advocacy to explore what constitutes excessive punishment and how society can work toward a justice system grounded in fairness and human dignity. Free with advance registration here.

Virtual Scout Day: Architecture
Sunday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Designed for Scouting America, Girl Scouts, and all youth learners, this interactive virtual program will introduce participants to Eastern State’s architectural history, design innovations, and preservation. Scouts will engage in activities that support badge requirements while exploring how architecture shapes human experience. Advance registration is required here.

Justice 101: The Bill of Rights — Trial Amendments and the Rights of the Accused
Wednesday, December 10, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom and YouTube

This Justice 101 session will explore how the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments shaped the nation’s understanding of fairness, liberty, and justice within the legal system. Through a discussion with leading constitutional scholars, David French (The New York Times) and Akhil Reed Amar (Yale University), attendees will examine the origins of due process protections, their role in balancing state power with individual rights, and their continued relevance in today’s debates about criminal justice reform. Free with advance registration here.

Justice 101: Songs of Redemption: Stories, Music, and the Struggle for Justice
Thursday, December 18, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
In Person at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and Online via Zoom and YouTube

Join Eastern State for an evening of music, storytelling, and reflection to celebrate the rededication of Eastern State’s historic synagogue. Once a space of worship within the penitentiary, the synagogue is now a lasting symbol of resilience, renewal, and justice. In the spirit of Hanukkah, Eastern State will honor the power of faith and community to bring light to even the darkest places.

Featuring Lauren-Brooke Eisen, Senior Director of the Brennan Center’s Justice Program, and Kermit Roosevelt III, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Pennsylvania, this discussion will trace shifting “standards of decency,” highlight key Supreme Court decisions, and address urgent questions around mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. Moderated by Dr. Kerry Sautner, President and CEO of Eastern State Penitentiary, the program brings together leading voices in law, history, and advocacy to explore what constitutes excessive punishment and how society can work toward a justice system grounded in fairness and human dignity. Free with advance registration here. 

The hour-long program will include remarks from Eastern State staff and special guests, a menorah lighting and blessing, story readings by local actors, and a musical performance by award-winning, local singer/songwriter Avi Wisnia.  

After the program concludes, guests are welcome to stay for Hanukkah-inspired treats and to explore Eastern State’s synagogue and Jewish Life Exhibit. 

This program will launch a new series inspired by Eastern State’s rededicated synagogue—The Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations—made possible by a generous grant from The Reichlin and Tuck Families. Additional partners include The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. 

Free with advance registration here. 

Shared Light: Winter Celebrations at Eastern State 
Saturday, December 20 – Wednesday, December 31, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Through historical accounts, guided tours, and hands-on activities, learn how people at Eastern State Penitentiary marked holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Day—finding moments of light, connection, and meaning within the confines of prison life. Free with general admission, programs in this series include:

• Winter Celebrations: Hands-On Activities
  Visitors are invited to participate in a hands-on activity that brings care and connection to people currently incarcerated by creating holiday cards that will be sent to individuals in prison, offering messages of hope and warmth during a season that can feel especially isolating.  
  
  As guests reflect on the power of small acts of kindness and the importance of community beyond prison walls, they can also take part in Finding Light: A Story Sharing Activity, where participants write or share a brief story about finding resilience, hope, or strength during a difficult time. These reflections will become part of a collective display inside Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, creating a shared tapestry of perseverance and renewal that connects personal experiences of resilience to those found throughout Eastern State. All materials are provided, and no artistic experience is necessary. Included with general admission.

• New Mini Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places 
  Join an Educator for a 10-minute exploration of the history and significance of the synagogue at Eastern State Penitentiary within the broader context of religious life in prisons. Guests will take a guided tour of the restored synagogue space, with interpretation highlighting both its architectural features and its spiritual meaning for those who worshipped here. Available select times daily, included with standard admission. No reservations required. 

• Mini Tour: Chaplain’s Office Murals 
  Join an Educator for a 10-minute exploration of the preserved Chaplain’s Office, learning about the role of faith in the penitentiary system and the complex relationships between rehabilitation and religion. The tour highlights original furnishings, prisoner-created murals, and stories of the people who lived and worked at Eastern State Penitentiary. Gain a deeper understanding of the institution’s religious foundations and of faith, resilience, and community behind prison walls. Available select times daily, included with standard admission. No reservations required. 

• Winter Celebrations: Scavenger Hunt 
  Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize. Designed with kids and their caregivers in mind, the scavenger hunt packet is available upon entry and included with admission. 

• Winter Celebrations: Guide-Led Tour & Discussion 
  The Guide-Led Tour and Discussion (12:00 pm on weekdays, 11:00 am on weekends) will feature additional content about winter celebrations at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today. All tours are limited capacity and subject to availability. 

 

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Media Contact

Abby Kleman
Cashman & Associates
[email protected]
M: 302-668-4781

 

About Eastern State

Eastern State preserves America’s first penitentiary, advancing public understanding of the criminal justice system and its impact on the lives of those affected by it, to inspire a more just future. For more information, visit EasternState.org and follow Eastern State on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.