Christmas Village Returns
Chloe Banks '28
Returning to Love Park for the 17th year in a row, Christmas Village lies in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Open everyday until December 24th, 2024, Christmas Village features local vendors and food stands in an outdoor, German style, free admission market with pay-as-you-go items.
This year, the market opened up on November 28th, with a preview of the event happening earlier on the 23rd and 24th. The area is decked out in festive decorations, including rustic wooden cabins, glowing lights, and Christmas trees. Over 120 vendors are present selling a variety of goods varying from handmade gifts to savory and sweet snacks. Additionally, there are rides including a carousel, a kids train presented by SEPTA, and a ferris wheel. The Christmas Village mascot, Phil, is also present along with some superhero and princess characters.
The Village highlights various aspects of German culture including traditional German food, the original Christkind, and traditional performances.
Along with the countless amounts of festivities, there is also a Festival of Trees, raising money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged, with the people who donate over $10 receiving a free hot chocolate. You can vote for your favorite decorated Christmas tree from the dates of December 5th, 2024, up until December 24th, 2024, all week long starting at 12:00 pm.
Less than 100 feet away, Dilworth Park is holding another free admission holiday market featuring even more vendors up until January 1st, 2025.
The “Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market” of Dilworth Park hosts fun festivities including an ice rink, cabins for dining, gardens, and vendors. Both the ice rink and cabins are hosted by Rothman Orthopedics and open seven days a week, with the garden being available for visits all the way up until March 9th, 2025.
Like Christmas Village, forty local vendors will sell a variety of handmade goods, jewelry, and crafts in white, wooden booths.
Having the opportunity to visit these markets, I was surrounded by many vendors and decorations. Not only that, but both markets were packed with people whether they were in the vendor stands, ice skating, or just walking around. I had the chance to interview one of the vendors in Dilworth Park’s “Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market.” Eric Ajama Art & Gifts makes a variety of unique and abstract art paintings and sketches. Ajama noted, “Around this time of the year I really enjoy this event, as it gives me time to advertise my art.” Additionally, Kyle Luong (‘28) visited Christmas Village and said, “There are a lot of cool stores to shop at including Crumbling Cookie, and there are pretty decorations as well.”
Christmas Village and the “Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market” are two fun and festive ways people are spending their holiday season this year.