The Arden in Old City is a KultureCity partner, with sensory bags (headphones, fidget tools, strobe-canceling glasses) and a weighted lap pad to borrow at no cost by leaving an ID, a Quiet Area behind the Box Office, social narratives, and a free Accessibility Open House on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 2:30 pm.
Sensory supports. KultureCity bags, Quiet Area, Open House Dec 5.
Hours
Box Office and lobby during the season: Monday through Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and on performance evenings until at least 30 minutes after the show starts; in July and August, Monday through Friday only, 10 am to 6 pm. Will Call opens 1 hour before showtime and theatre doors about 30 minutes before. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs November 25, 2026 to January 17, 2027; Children's Theatre shows are at 12 pm and 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 7 pm on Fridays, plus holiday weekday shows on November 27 and December 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, 2026; see the ticket page for every time.
40 N. 2nd Street (between Market and Arch Streets, Old City), Philadelphia, PA 19106
“The Independence Foundation Studio, located behind the Box Office on the first floor, is a designated Quiet Area for patrons who start to feel overwhelmed and need a space to take a break.”
“KultureCity® Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, feeling thermometer, fidget tools, strobe-canceling glasses, and noise-canceling headphones are available to borrow (at no cost, by leaving an ID) at our Box Office.”
“Headphone Zones, areas that are typically loud, include both the Arcadia and Haas Stages, as well as the lobby itself.”
The Arden's Social Narratives walk through a visit step by step from arrival to departure; they are posted on each show's page, and you can ask the Box Office about borrowing a printed copy.
Arden staff get annual training on sensory needs. Autism advocate Erin Clemens (@AspergerSadie) made a Sensory Guide video of the theatre on TikTok.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is most enjoyed by families with children ages 5 and older, the Arden says; for Children's Theatre in general it says ages 6 and up, with parents welcome to bring younger kids who are ready. Mainstage plays are generally best for ages 13 and up.
The Arcadia and Haas Stages (Headphone Zones, typically loud)not stated
The lobby (a Headphone Zone, typically loud)not stated
Quieter, in the theatre's words
The Quiet Area in the Independence Foundation Studio, behind the Box Office on the first floor (ask a staff member)quiet zone
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at noon: adult seats $37, $40 or $51 and child seats $32 online, each including a $5 service charge; educator, senior, military and teen prices are listed too. The Arden's handling fee is $5 per ticket online, or $5 per order by phone or in person. A Children's Theatre bundle for Oz and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (April 14 to June 6, 2027) is $61 for adults, $51 for seniors and $45 for kids and teens, with handling fees saved.
Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT and SEPTA Reduced Fare cardholders can get $5.00 tickets, from a limited number for every performance, limit 4 per household, by phone at 215.922.1122 or in person at the Box Office. Tickets are held at Will Call: show the card and a photo ID. ACCESS tickets not claimed by showtime may be resold.
Other ways to save: student rush $15 in person up to 1 hour before (limit 2), $5 off adult prices for students and educators, $10 off with a SEPTA Key or PHL City ID card (codes SEPTA and PHLCITYID, not combinable), $10 off for military personnel, $20 day-of industry tickets, subscriptions up to 45% off, group rates for 10 or more, and 10% off your first order when you sign up for emails. Through PNC Arts Alive!, the Arden also offers free and discounted tickets to eligible patrons, including people with disabilities and people with limited incomes: ask the Box Office at 215.922.1122.
Paid personal care assistants and aides come with a complimentary ticket: call the Box Office at 215.922.1122 when you buy.
All sales are final, with no refunds; you can donate the ticket value for a tax letter. Single tickets exchange to another performance for $5.00 per ticket, and exchanges made after or within 24 hours of the show add a $5.00 Late Exchange Fee; exchanges for a cancelled performance are free. A difference in price may apply if you exchange into a more expensive performance time.
Restrooms: men's and women's on the first floor, and an All-Genders / Family-style restroom with a changing table on the second floor. The elevator is straight back from the lobby entrance. There is no coat check.
Getting there: the Arden is half a block north of the Market-Frankford Line's 2nd Street stop. It has no parking lot of its own; lots and garages are within a half-mile walk (Parkway at 37 N 2nd Street is directly across the street), and street parking is paid through the meterUP app.
