PHIADELPHIA, PA - Follow the smell of gingerbread to Center City—Christmas Village in Philadelphia, presented by Bank of America, is returning for its 17th season. Organizers are aiming for the largest season on record as the authentic, open-air German Christmas market once again transforms LOVE Park, the City Hall Courtyard, and North Broad into a festive wonderland.
The market will feature over 120 booths for holiday shopping, a variety of European culinary delights, live music, and thousands of twinkling lights. Here’s your complete guide to the 2024 season.
What’s New for 2024?
This year brings several exciting additions to the familiar festive layout:
- New Vegan Booth: For the first time, the market will feature a fully vegan booth, "The Bloom and the Brat," offering plant-based options like Beyond Meat Vegan Bratwurst and crispy Blooming Onions.
- New Collector's Mug: Get ready to collect the new exclusive purple boot mug. The traditional dark blue Glühwein mug and cream-colored beer mug will also be available, all with a new 2024 design.
- Upgraded Booths: The City Hall and North Broad sections will feature newly designed and updated wooden booths, enhanced by new festive lighting.
- Weekday Glühwein Flight: A new exclusive weekday deal, available Wednesday-Friday from December 4-20, allows guests to sample three festive Mazza Wines (Victorian Holiday, Apple & Spice, Honey Mead) plus a non-alcoholic punch.
- New Glühwein Flavor: A new Apple & Spice flavor of hot mulled wine will debut.
Food & Drink Highlights
You can't visit Christmas Village without indulging in the food. The market will be packed with German classics and festive treats.
- German Classics: Don't miss the flame-grilled Bratwurst, Helmut's Strudel, and gooey Raclette cheese sandwiches.
- Warm Drinks: Grab a mug of Glühwein (hot mulled wine) or hot chocolate to stay warm. A new Hot Beverage Booth will also be featured on North Broad.
- The Alm: The traditional German beer garden in LOVE Park, presented by the German Consulate General in New York, will return, featuring craft beer from Brewery Techne.
- Sweet Treats: Look for French Toast Bites, Stroopies, Liege waffles, and pastries from Carmella's.
Attractions & Family Fun
Beyond the shopping, the village is a full-on festive destination with rides and activities for all ages.
- 65-foot Ferris Wheel: Get the best views of the market and the Center City skyline from the top of the majestic Ferris Wheel on North Broad.
- Double-Decker Carousel: A family favorite, the carousel will be spinning in the City Hall Courtyard.
- Kids Train: All aboard the Kids Train, presented by SEPTA, in the North Broad section. (SEPTA Key Card holders get a $1 discount).
Meet Santa at the Village
Santa Claus will be at Christmas Village, setting up shop inside the LOVE Park Welcome Center (the "flying saucer"). Families can capture holiday photos and share their wish lists.
- Santa's Schedule: Santa arrives on December 6 and will be available every Friday and Saturday (12:00pm - 8:00pm) and Sunday (12:00pm - 7:00pm) through the end of the season.
- Special Hours: He will also be available on Monday, December 23, and Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) from 12:00pm to 7:00pm.
Key Events & Returning Traditions
Mark your calendars for these special events and beloved returning traditions:
- Preview Weekend (Nov 23-24): Get a first look at the market before it officially opens.
- Christkind Ceremony (Dec 1): The original Christkind from Nuremberg, Germany, will officially open the market with a traditional prologue.
- Festival of Trees (Dec 5-24): Held in the LOVE Park Welcome Center, this fundraiser features beautifully decorated trees, with all proceeds benefiting Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
- Family Weekend (Dec 7-8): Enjoy special appearances from beloved princesses, superheroes, and the village mascot, Phil the Reindeer.
- German American Weekend (Dec 14-15): Celebrate with traditional German dance performances and the "German Games," including a Bratwurst-eating contest and a Beer-stein-holding competition.
- Thirsty Thursdays: Starting December 5, enjoy exclusive spirits tastings from local distillery Boardroom Spirits.
Know Before You Go
- Dates:
- Preview Weekend: November 23-24, 2024
- Official Season: November 28 (Thanksgiving) – December 24 (Christmas Eve), 2024
- Location: LOVE Park, City Hall Courtyard, and North Broad (1400-1600 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107)
- Hours:
- Sunday - Thursday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Friday - Saturday: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
- Thanksgiving: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Christmas Eve: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Cost: Free to enter. All food, drink, and shopping are pay-as-you-go.
- Getting There: SEPTA is the official transportation partner. All lines (Market-Frankford, Broad Street, Trolleys, Regional Rail) lead to or near the City Hall and 15th Street stations.
