By Audrey Lee
Historic Philadelphia gets in the holiday spirit with the yearly opening of the Christmas Village. The winter wonderland is modeled after traditional Christmas markets that can be found throughout Europe — primarily Germany.
More than 80 wooden booths line the grounds, hosting vendors that sell traditional European foods, drinks and confectionary treats. Guests can purchase bratwurst, mulled wine, hot waffles, gingerbread, artisan cheeses, chocolates, roasted nuts, strudel, spaetzle and more to chow down on.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia © Des Brownlie | Dreamstime.com
The other booths are occupied by vendors selling various items for families to start or finish their holiday shopping. Local crafters present handmade ornaments, home décor signs, wooden carvings, ceramic, pottery, hand-blown glass and edible birdhouses. For those looking for unique accessories, apparel like handbags, jewelry, wallets, handmade sweaters, wool mittens and hats are all for sale. Kids will love the various toy stops with 3-D puzzles, puppets, books and figurines. Families can also enjoy a brightly lit carousel, ice-skating, story time and pictures with Santa.
Conveniently located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, tourists and locals can easily access this cheerful bazaar by car, bus or subway. The Christmas Village is free to attend, but you pay for any food or products you wish to purchase.
Around the Christmas Village, tourists can have additional holiday fun at surrounding businesses. In the lobby of the Comcast Center, a must-see holiday light show is broadcast on the walls for a magical experience. This free event is a unique, 15-minute spectacular with clips from The Nutcracker performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet and classic holiday music. Each show begins at the top of every hour 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
At Macy’s in Center City, the third floor is transformed into a 6,000-square-foot Charles Dickens Village. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, this free, life-sized walk-through takes visitors through the story of A Christmas Carol. Attendees can peer through windows of houses and shops in 1840s Victorian London style and follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he figures out the true meaning of Christmas. The Dickens Village also has time-period actors strolling through the pathways caroling for extra holiday cheer.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedParents
Apr 22, 20244 Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day fast approaches, and all mothers and mother figures deserve something extra special this year. Treat the mom in your life, whether she’s an outdoor enthusiast or host extraordinaire, to these four great gifts.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Multigenerational
Apr 19, 2024Family-Friendly Offerings from Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection
Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection includes the largest portfolio of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the world — many of them perfect for family travelers. And two current offers might entice your family even more.
Cruising
Apr 15, 2024Some of Europe’s Best Day Cruises
A week cruising along the Danube or the Rhine may be the stuff of dreams for many, but family travelers can enjoy views from the water in ways kinder to the family budget. Many riverside cities offer scenic cruises, and some Baltic or Mediterranean ports have daytrips to nearby islands or coastal attractions. In several cities you can cruise the canals, and in Switzerland you can spend a day cruising on Lake Geneva, with sightseeing stops in lakeside towns.
Sponsored Content
Make the Most of Hamad International Airport When Transferring
Making travel plans can be exciting; did you know planning on how to spend time at the airport the right way can enrich the overall trip experience? As a transfer hub, traveling through Doha's Hamad International Airport is a unique experience, as waiting never feels like waiting at one of the best airports in the world.
Multigenerational
Apr 15, 2024Enjoy Multigenerational Travel in New York with Motto by Hilton
Family Travel Agent recently found family travel will continue to grow this year, as 81 percent of families expressed their likelihood of traveling in 2024. Of that group, more than 50 percent plan to take part in multigenerational travel. If that multigen travel is taking place in New York City, two hotels, Motto Times Square and Motto Chelsea, prove ideal options.
ShareThis