Merry Market

More than just shopping! Come discover a holiday tradition everyone can enjoy.  

There’s nothing like the city this time of year — the lights, the people, the energy. Also the traffic, the walking, the lines. No worries! Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas Village provides all the seasonal fun and vibes in one easy location with on-site parking and robust SEPTA service.

Philadelphia’s Christmas Village has returned to Love Park and the City Hall Courtyard for it’s 17th exciting season. The Village attracts over 100 local vendors and thousands of visitors each year to the iconic wooden stands to shop for gifts, jewelry, fashion, decorations, holiday ornaments, and more. Admission is free for all ages! Even better, the streets surrounding this immersive event also get into the seasonal spirit, so you’ll find Holiday cheer at every turn.

So many food and drink options! Wine, cheese, chocolate, beverages, and authentic German and Eastern European treats and delicacies — even vegan specialties. As a food blogger, you know I had to try all this great local cuisine with an Old World spin. Here are some of my favorite new and returning options at this year’s Christmas Village (open until December 24th).

Start off with a full tummy! There’s a dazzling array of authentic European cuisine here, you’ll find brats and kraut, pork schnitzel sandwiches and potato pancakes, German mac ‘n cheese (aka “Spatzle”), and cones of Belgian fries with all the toppings. There’s also delicious apple strudel and Nutella puffs at Helmut’s Austrian Strudel.

Speaking of sweets, one of my favorite returning snack vendors is French Toast Bites. This local hot food stand makes mini french toast sticks topped with your choice of various drizzles and flavors for every palate. 😋 Nearby, you can find Carmella’s Italian pastries, Hope’s handmade caramels, and authentic Belgian “Liege waffles” made to order.

Key for vendors at philachristmas.com

Time to warm up! In these cold winter months, it’s good to have a hot beverage in your hands. If you’re over 21, there’s quite a choice of  toasty beverages to enjoy — including the best Irish Coffee in town, warmed up nicely with Boardroom Spirits’ popular Northbound Bourbon Whiskey. There’s also spiked hot chocolate, spiced run, and the hot toddy (a festive favorite).

You’ll also discover various vendors selling wines and spirits to gift, bring to a holiday party, or enjoy yourself. Mazza Wines, from Erie, PA, is offering mulled wine (both red and white), plus honey mead. Other take-home artisan food vendors scattered around the park and City Hall sell honeys, pickles and kimchi, bao buns, hot sauces, and bacon jams. These offerings are usually homemade and can serve as unique, thoughtful gifts for those in your life.

In addition to great food & shopping, Christmas Village also offers lots of other ways to soak in the holiday cheer. Take in the Philadelphia Christmas Tree at City Hall, and enjoy some skating at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink nearby. The City Hall Courtyard features classic rides for kids (and kids at heart): a Ferris wheel, choo choo, and a double-decker merry-go-round with horses, carriages and reindeer to ride on. There’s also a whole calendar of special events, tastings and other activities to add to your yuletide fun.

If you want to extend your adventure a little longer, pop into one of the many surrounding Holiday-themed bars and beer gardens for refreshments and fantastic photo ops. And don’t miss Macy’s nearby on Market Street, where their decades-old light show — narrated by Julie Andrews! — delights generations with daily showtimes at 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm in the store’s dramatic, multi-level atrium. Fun Fact: the noon and 6pm shows feature the “Wanamaker” pipe organ, the largest still playing in the whole world.

Upstairs, the magic continues at Dicken’s Village, a Victorian dreamscape that tells the story of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, with lights, music, and animatronics. Santa meet and greets are also available in the store. I have been coming with my family to Macy’s at Christmas for years, and it still brings me joy coming with my parents as an adult! Make your free reservation online at least five days in advance (BOOK HERE).

Christmas in Philadelphia is an amazing time, and has a lot to offer in the holiday department. If you’re looking for something to do (and something to eat) to get yourself in the holiday mood, look no further than Center City!

🙌🎄🎁🎠 Visit the authentic German Christmas Market in Philadelphia 🥨🍺⛄🌟
Love Park & City Hall (1500 JFK Blvd) 
NOV 23 – DEC 24 (Open 12pm – 8pm Sun thru Thurs; 12pm – 9pm Fri/Sat)
philachristmas.com
Follow @PhilaChristmas on Facebook & Instagram 

LEASHED DOGS WELCOME — Crowds can be a little overwhelming for many dogs, though, so the Village recommends coming on weekdays when there’s much less hustle and bustle.

LOVE Park Garage is conveniently located below LOVE Park with an elevator that takes you right up to the market.

SEPTA also services the Christmas Village via the Market-Frankford Line or the Broad Street Line (City Hall), and also Regional Rail to Jefferson Station (lots of trolley & bus routes too). 🎁 Special Treat for Senior SEPTA Fare Riders! From Monday through Friday, senior riders can warm up their winter days with a FREE cup of delicious hot chocolate at Christmas Village! ☕❤️

This post was originally published December 2, 2022 and has been updated for the 2024 season. 🎄❄️🎅

About Eleni Finkelstein 31 Articles
Eleni Finkelstein (aka @gingersliketoeat on Instagram) is a South Jersey and Philadelphia-based food blogger and journalist. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cheering on Philly sports teams. You can check out her book, "Eat Like a Local: South Jersey" on Amazon.

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