For the next month, holiday events and festivities will be taking Philly by storm. So why not embrace this most wonderful time of year and join in the merriment? Check out our favorite holiday events happening in Philadelphia this winter:
1. Enjoy a wine or spirits tasting at the German Christmas Village
This time of year, the LOVE Park transforms into an extensive, European-themed outdoor market, featuring traditional food, sweets, and drinks. With over 110 local and international vendors, this charming holiday market also has a great variety of potential holiday gifts, from ornaments and jewelry to high-quality arts and crafts. With so much to enjoy, this wine or spirits tasting is the cherry on top of a perfect winter day – your ticket allows you to go on a tasting experience that come with food pairings and a souvenir.
2. …Or if beer is more your style, you can enjoy a flight at the German Christmas Village
In the true spirit of a European market, you can enjoy a flight of beers, plus a pretzel and bratwurst, at the German Christmas Market this year! This flight features 4 samples from local breweries Brewery Techne and Mainstay Brewery, plus some classic German snacks. With the gorgeous Christmas atmosphere surrounding you, this is a great way to spend a wintertime afternoon or evening inPhilly.
3. Listen to classic holiday music surrounded by flickering candlelight
Do the twinkling notes of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker immediately get you in the holiday spirit? Then you’re in luck, because the Candlelight Holiday Special is coming to Philadelphia to bring a soothing Christmas joy to your hearts and ears! This Candlelight concert will feature a talented string quartet performing holiday classics and more featuring a classically trained soprano on select pieces. Hosted at the ONE North Broad Masonic Temple and Library, you’ll be delighted by the sounds and visuals of this breathtaking holiday performance.
4. For more contemporary tastes, enjoy a Candlelight Holiday Jazz special
Picture this: it’s a cold winter’s night in Philadelphia, but you’re inside a stunningly beautiful venue, surrounded by candlelight, and listening to smooth jazz renditions of your favorite holidays tunes. If that sounds like the perfect wintertime night to you, then check out the Candlelight Holiday Jazz Special this month! Featuring the works of Ella Fitzgerald and more, this intimate concert will have you savoring the rich sounds that this time of year has to offer and cozying up to all the familiar favorites.
5-14. Catch a stunning holiday light show
The city just looks stunning when it’s wrapped in strings of holiday lights. This year, there are plenty of places hosting light shows, so put on a warm hat, grab your mask and head on out to these magical locations, including:
15-19. Enjoy the 5 different attractions at Dilworth Park this year
Dilworth Park is a full blown winter wonderland right now, and they have plenty of festive activities to participate in this time of year. This years highlights include:
- stroll through the gorgeous reindeer topiaries and seasonal plantings in the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn
- ice-skate on the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink (November 5, 2021 to February 27, 2022)
- snack on some food and drink in a mini ski-chalet at the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin (November 5, 2021 to February 27, 2022)
- shop for the perfect holiday gifts at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market (November 20, 2021 to January 1, 2022), and
- watch the free Deck the Hall Holiday Light Show at City Hall (November 22, 2021 to January 1, 2022).
20. Watch The Nutcracker at the Philadelphia Ballet
It’s a classic! The Philadelphia Ballet is once again performing a dazzling rendition of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker all throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or you come back year after year, it’s a performance that everyone young and old can enjoy.
21. Wander through the enchanting Longwood Gardens’ Christmas display
In addition to Longwood Gardens’ impressive botanical gardens—consisting of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows—their holiday light display highlights the beauty of their grounds fabulously. With three fire pits outdoors, plus an impressive indoor display, it’s a magical venture outside of the city.
[featured image: Unsplash / Bryan Angelo]