The holidays are here which means hot cocoa, snow days and getting warm by the fire. And while it’s easy to stay inside watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas wrapped tight in your snuggie, there are some great holiday events around Philadelphia that might just lure you and your family into the frosty outdoors. Shop for handmade art, convince the kids to try a döner kebab, watch a craftsman create glass-blown art, take in a ballet performance, ride a horse-drawn carriage and, of course, take a few family photos with old Saint Nick himself.
A highlight of the holiday season, Christmas Village at Love Park is an open-air shopping plaza that offers holiday gifts from around the world. Mirrored after traditional European markets like the German Christmas Market, guests will find over 90 wooden booths with jewelry, ornaments, artwork, clothing and home décor from countries across Europe. In addition to shopping, Christmas Village also offers performances, a kid’s zone, sing-a-longs and wine tastings. Families can also try traditional food and drink including döner kebab, sweet waffles, bratwurst, schnitzel, spiced mulled wine and hot chocolate. Christmas Village is open from November 27 to December 28, and closed Christmas Day.
The Museum of Liberty will be transforming their gift shop into a pop-up shop this season, offering unique artwork hand-crafted by local artisans. Open from November 28 to December 26, the museum will be hosting a different demonstration every week that the whole family can enjoy. From glassblowing demonstrations to jewelry and beading, guests can watch artisans create their designs before their very eyes, making each piece of art not only a gift, but a wonderful memory.
For those with a green thumb (or those who wish they had one), head to Bartram’s Garden Greens Sale & Holiday Market December 5-6 for a true holiday experience. Wreaths, centerpieces, poinsettias, evergreens and Christmas trees will be available for purchase, and fresh-cut greens will also be available for the do-it-yourself crowd. Workshops are available on site for those looking to get crafty, and music, fresh apple cider, s’mores and other fun activities will also be on offer. This will be the last opportunity to tour the historic Bartram House before it’s closed for restoration in 2015.
South Street Headhouse District will once again be putting on their Winter Wonderland Sunday, December 7 from 3-7 p.m. The event is fun for the whole family with an annual tree lighting ceremony, horse drawn carriage rides, performances by the Philadelphia Dance Academy and Society Hill Dance Academy, a holiday market and a window display contest between the 30 boutiques and restaurants in the area. Santa will arrive on a fire truck and will be available for photos with the kids—just remember to bring a camera!
To celebrate the return of The Nutcracker to the Pennsylvania Ballet, the company is hosting the Nutcracker Market for a second year. The event which serves as a fundraiser for the Pennsylvania Ballet and The School of Pennsylvania Ballet will be open from December 10-14, and offers shopping, dining, performances, raffles, workshops and character appearances all inside the (warm!) Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. Over 75 exhibitors will be displaying gifts, hand-crafted art, jewelry, ornaments, photography and, of course, nutcrackers.
