Philadelphia's CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

One of the ways you know it’s the most wonderful time of the year in Philadelphia?  The Christmas Village opens, welcoming shoppers & holiday merry makers to Love Park!

The annual Christmas Village of Philadelphia, modeled after Germany’s traditional open-air Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt), is an outdoor holiday market located in Love Park, bringing old-world European Christmas charm to the heart of Center City.  It opens with a preview on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, followed on Saturday, November 24, by its glorious Grand Opening.  Christmas Eve is the last day of the market.  

Holiday Gift Shopping

From Thanksgiving all the way until Christmas Eve, more than 60 vendors in more than 90 wooden booths, along with two large tents, offer a wide range of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, toys and high-quality arts and crafts. 

Admission is totally free; just pay as you go for gifts.

Food and Drink

For all that holiday shopping, you’re going to need some fortification in the form of food and drink. 

This year, the Weihnachtshütte heated food tent will be located on the JFK Boulevard side of the park (map below). Enjoy traditional German and European food, sweets and drinks like bratwurst with sauerkraut, currywurst, strudels, pretzels, potato soup, landjager and more. 

You can also stay warm with a mug of hot gluhwine (mulled wine) and a cup of hot chocolate crowned with marshmallows.

In addition to the official food tent, Chaddsford Winery will sell mulled wine in Booth 51, German Grill will have more traditional German fare in Booth 46, Nuts About You will make fresh as-you-wait funnel cakes (Booth 6), and Helmut’s Original Austrian Food will be located at Booth 61. 

Check out Booth 13 for German Christmas foods like Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Cookies), Stollen (traditional German Holiday Cake), Cinnamon Stars and Spekulatius (traditional German spicy cookies). 

Cozy Atmosphere

The Christmas Village will transport you to a real German Christmas Market, decorated with thousands of lights, including a giant Christmas tree in the center, as well as festive booths and the aroma of sweets.

Grand Opening & Entertainment

Events include the Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, November 24 with the original Christkind from Nuremburg, Germany;  Meet Santa Day on Friday, November 30; German American Weekend on December 8-9 with singing, dancing and traditional German fare; plus live performances by local choirs and bands at the central stage. The full event schedule is available online.

Charity

Liberty USO is teaming up with the Christmas Village this year to help spread the Christmas spirit to our troops this holiday season. This year, the Christmas Village will be a drop-off location for items to be included in Operation Stocking Stuffers.

Map

Check out a detailed aerial view map of the 2012 Christmas Village and the numbered vendor list.

Where & When

Where: Love Park, 1500 Arch Street

When:  Nov 24  (sneak peak Nov 22);  closes on Christmas Eve (note early 12/24 closing)

Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Christmas Eve (last day): 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

http://www.philachristmas.com/217-0-Vendors-2012.html