The holiday season officially kicks off in just a few days and with it comes the return of the once-controversial Christmas Village to Center City.
In 2010, discussions of religious diversity led to the removal of the word "Christmas" from signs at the annual holiday market event known as the Christmas Village. A day later, Mayor Michael Nutter "saved" Christmas and the old signs including the word "Christmas" were back up. That was the Village's last year at Dilworth Plaza.
Since then, LOVE Park has been home to the Christmas Village, a traditional German Christmas Market featuring more than 60 vendors in decorated booths and tents with all sorts of holiday goodies including presents, ornaments, jewerly, food and more.
Oh, and did we mention the city's official Christmas tree, thousands of lights?!
The Christmas Village opens on Thanksgiving Day and ends, for the first time ever, on New Year's Day. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Admission is free.
Related Stories:
- Philly's Holiday Traditions, Lights Return
- Nutter Rescues "Christmas"
- Meek Mill to Give Away Turkeys to Philly Families
Photo Credit: German American Marketing, Inc.