Philadelphia’s biggest holiday market is back in four weeks, and this year it won’t end on Christmas Eve. Christmas Village will run from Thanksgiving Day, November 26, through December 27, with a preview weekend on November 21 and 22. Admission is free. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go.
The market fills LOVE Park (1500 JFK Blvd.), City Hall’s Courtyard and the North Broad section. The organizers say it draws nearly a million visitors a year, and it has run since 2008. The extra weekend, December 26 and 27, gives out-of-town guests and families a few more days to visit after the holiday.
What’s new this year
The 30-foot German Christmas Pyramid returns to LOVE Park for its second season, lit with more than 3,000 lights. The 65-foot illuminated Ferris wheel, the double-tier carousel and the SEPTA-sponsored Kids Train are also back.
The food menu adds a Chesapeake Crab Loaded Baked Potato, a Mac & Cheese booth that also serves the returning Käsespätzle, and a soft-serve Churro Split, a take on the banana split. The classics stay: charcoal-grilled bratwurst, Raclette Swiss cheese sandwiches, Austrian strudel and schnitzel.
A second Snowflake Cocktail Bar opens next to the LOVE sign, with a new Toasted Marshmallow Martini. The Glühwein comes from Pennsylvania’s Mazza Wines. Brewery Techne of Philadelphia is brewing an exclusive Christmas Village Kölsch and Bock. Hot chocolate and apple cider cover the zero-proof side.
Collectors get a limited-edition heart-shaped mug, the market’s fourth, sold only at the Information Booth and the Pyramid. The boot mug, blue Glühwein mug and Beerstein get new designs, and these tend to sell out early.
Shopping
More than 120 vendors work out of wooden booths across the three market sites. Across the street at Dilworth Park, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market adds more than 40 local makers, which brings the total to over 170. German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt returns with a large heated tent of glass ornaments, nutcrackers and pyramids.
Dates to save
November 21–22: Preview weekend, with early shopping and smaller crowds.
November 26: Opening day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s also a good spot for views of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
November 29, 4–5 p.m.: The Christkind arrives from Nuremberg, Germany, and the Pyramid lights up for the first time this season.
December 5–6: German American Weekend, with Schuhplattler dancers, a Beerstein Holding Contest, a Bratwurst Eating Challenge and the new Bavarian Cowbell Challenge.
December 12–13: Family Weekend, with Phil the Reindeer, princesses and superheroes. Dogs are welcome.
December 9 and 16: Cocktail tastings with Boardroom Spirits. Mazza Wines tastings run December 3, 10 and 17, 5–8 p.m. Both require tickets, which will be sold on the official website.
Hours
The market is open Sunday to Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are noon to 5 p.m. It is closed November 23–25 and on Christmas Day. It reopens December 26 (noon to 9 p.m.) and December 27 (noon to 8 p.m.).
Christmas Village is presented by Bank of America. The German Consulate General in New York presents German American Weekend.
