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Last weekend at the Christmas Village

Next to our great stage program you have the chance to do your Christmas shopping at our 52 international vendor booths who surely have the right idea for you! We even have 6 authentic German vendors bringing their Made-in-Germany products to Philadelphia like handmade glass ornaments, honey, pewter, stollen, gingerbread, Nutcrackers or Schwibbogen!

Take a rest from your shopping and enjoy some bratwurst and Gluhwine (mulled wine) at our food tent. 

We are looking forward to welcome you and your family at the Christmas Village at Love Park in Center City Philadelphia!

Stage Program Saturday Dec. 17th:

12pm Liat

1pm Felicity Dance

2pm Chris Latzke

3pm Donovan Rice

4pm Melissa Clampffer

5pm Diverse

6pm Chris Latzke

7pm Carol singers from Moore Art School

Stage Program Sunday Dec. 18th

12pm Steve Hung accoustic Guitar

1pm Amanda Hewitt

2pm Samantha Aurelio

3pm Amy Verrill

4pm The Jersey Follettes!

5pm Dani Mari

6pm Ruthanna Emilene Ankney

Family Day with the face painter & the balloon artists Sun Dec. 18th

Come to the Christmas Village on Sunday Dec. 18th with the wohle family and enjoy our last Family Day with a special program for kids!

Enjoy a hot chocolate while the little ones have fun in our Kid´s corner with the Face Painter and the Balloon Artists!

Make sure to get a nice photo with Santa in his little hut and tell him your Christmas wishes.

Enjoy with your family music performances on stage (11am-6pm)!

12pm - Steve Hung accoustic Guitar

1pm - Amanda Hewitt

2pm - Samantha Aurelio

3pm - Amy Verrill

4pm - The Jersey Follettes!

5pm - Dani Mari

6pm - Ruthanna Emilene Ankney

German American Day Sat Dec. 10th

On Saturday Dec. 10th the authentic German American Day will be back at Christmas Village! 

This event will bring you even closer to the German culture and traditions by presenting wonderfull German dance groups as well as German music.

Make sure you see them dancing their famous Schuhplattler dances with their Lederhosen and Dirndel and you will feel as if you would stand right in the middle of Germany.

12:00 - Donauschwaben Dancers
1:00 - Christopher Latzke - Baritone Bass - German Christmas Songs
2:00 - GTV Almrausch Schuhplattler Dancers
3:00 - Deutschschüler from Hardford Choir
3:30 - German Hungarian Dancers
6:00 - Christopher Latzke - Baritone Bass - German Christmas Songs

Try our German specialities like, Bratwurst (German Sausage), Gluehwein (mulled wine), Strudel and ginger bread!

Also do not forget to see the Christmas Village Advent Calendar which informs you about German Christmas traditions.

Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 8th at 5pm

Christmas Village and the City of Philadelphia invites everyone to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with Mayor Michael A. Nutter in Love Park on Dec. 8th at 5pm.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter will light City's new LED holiday tree at LOVE Park in annual celebration to kick-off holiday season. Mayor will be joined by The Municipal Employees Choral Ensemble, with guest performances and appearances by The Jersey Boys, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Nutcracker's Mouse King and more!

Family Day with Cris & Lou Sunday Dec. 4th

Come to the Christmas Village on Sunday Dec. 4th with the wohle family and enjoy our Family Day with a special program for kids!

Enjoy a hot chocolate while the little ones have fun in our Kid´s corner with the Balloon artists and the facepainter.

Make sure to get a nice photo with Santa in his little hut and tell him your Christmas wishes. 

Don't forget to see Cris & Lou on stage at 2pm and sing cheerful children's songs with them!  

Cris & Lou and the Virtues is a collection of catchy children's songs attempting to foster social and emotional development in young children. The songs are cheerful, but without being bothersome for the adult ear, and address virtues like good manners, healthy diet, tooth brushing, potty training, tidying up, sharing etc.

Read more about the project at www.crisandlou.com

"Play on, Philly!" Charity Day Sat Dec. 3rd

On Saturday Dec 3rd you will get the great opportunity to support "Play on, Philly!", an out-of-school music education program which seeks to use music as a vehicle for social innovation. This organisation engages children for at least 3 hours each weekday in music lessons after school and gives them with that the opportunity to master a standard orchestral instrument.

"The mission of Play On, Philly! is to foster generational change, develop critical executive functioning skills, provide an environment of opportunities, and increase achievement by providing daily musical training for children and adolescents living in challenging economic and social conditions." says Stanford Thompson, Executive Director.

The brass band from "Play on, Philly!" will play at the Christmas Village at 1PM, 2:30PM and 4PM.

At the same time money will be raised in order to support Stanford Thompsons goal to open the "Play on, Philly!" program also on other school in Philadelphia. Come and get your personal heart shaped helium balloon in return of a donation for the kids! Chris Latzke (Baritone-Bass), Leah Smith and Amy Verrill will also join us on this day and perform on our stage!

Grand Opening Ceremony Sat. Nov 26th

Christmas Village will open it´s doors with a huge opening ceremony on Nov. 26th starting at 1pm.

Like in the last year we are proud to present the original Christkind from Nuremberg, German who will open the market with her world famouse prologue spoken in English.

The opening prologue will be embedded in a great show featuring a lot of music and fun:

1:00 Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet

1:30 Moderator Frank Brueckner will lead our visitors through a great show which features the appearances from the Clearview High School Choir, the Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet and the Christmas program from the Philadelphian Baritone-Bass opera singer Christopher Latzke

2:30 Ceremonial opening of the Christmas Village by the traditional prologue spoken by the Christkind in English

3:30 Christmas program from the a cappella choir from Clearview High School

Don´t miss your chance to see the original Christkind from Germany open the Holiday Season 2011!

Drawing contest for kids!

Send your Christmas wishes to the Christkind and win two tickets for the Disney on Ice show! (5x2 tickets)

Christmas Village at Wikipedia

04/26/2011

Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Village,_Philadelphia

2011 Vendor Information

04/22/2011

Vendor Information for the 2011 Holiday Season is available upon request. Please send us an email (info[at]philachristmas.com) including your full contact information to request information.

Raffle raised $ 800 for CHOP

Christmas Village in Philadelphia's raffle raised $ 800 for the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia! We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this, especially the sponsors for prices:

• Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3 at Wells Fargo Center
• Käthe Wohlfahrt of America
• Brauhaus Schmidt
• Russ Brown Photography
• Noel en Provence
• Gifts from Afar
• Studio Fiftyfive
• Nica Art
• MRM
• Sheetman.com
• Camden River Sharks
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Bartram's Garden
• Brandywine River Museum
• Franklin Institute
• Philadelphia Urban Tours
• Artist and Craftsman Supply
• Godiva Chocolatier at The Shops at Liberty Place

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year

Christmas Village 2010 closed its doors yesterday and we wanted to say:

THANK YOU FOR MAKING CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN PHILADELPHIA ONE OF THE BEST ATTRACTIONS IN PHILADELPHIA!

Special thanks to:
• all our visitors, we are glad that over 300.000 people enjoyed Christmas Village in 2010
• all our vendors which made Christmas Village a unique shopping location with their great merchandise and decoration
• all our great performers we had on stage in 2010
• all our media partners the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com as well as the Travelhost Magazine Philadelphia
• all our partners, The City of Philadelphia, Disney on Ice Toy Story 3, The Avenue of the Arts, Brauhaus Schmitz and Chaddsford Winery, Range Records Studios and World Café Life Philly Rising, The German Society of Pennsylvania, The German American Committee and the PPA
• and of course everybody in the Christmas Village organizing team!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

We hope to see you in 2011 when Christmas Village will be open again from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. Make sure you stop by!

Your Christmas Village in Philadelphia Team

Christmas Trees from Christmas Village

12/19/10

Are you still looking for unique gifts? Come and join us at our International Weekend at Christmas Village 2010!

Following the success of our annual Opening Ceremony with the original Christkind from Nuremberg and the German-American Weekend (see our gallery), new this year to the Christmas Village is our first ever International Weekend, on December 18th and 19th. Come experience a weekend full of singing, dancing, food, and fun. Join us is welcoming one of the many performances Christmas Village has scheduled on the main stage, it will be sure to brighten your spirits and put you in the Holiday mood. Special event programs include live performances from local choirs, orchestras and bands.

On Saturday Swedish Museum Singers will be spreading Christmas cheer by belting out holiday classics for all to enjoy, there will also be a performance by the Deutschschueler von Haverford Hartford Christian School. And on Sunday the village will host musicians Chris Latzke and Mary Scholz, the Janosik Polish Dance Ensemble, and Monique Legare International Dance Company. With such an exciting line up planned, there is no better place to be than the Philadelphia Christmas Village!

Friday is Family Day @ Christmas Village!

Come join us every Friday at the Christmas Village for our Family Day! Bring the whole family down to the village for some European food, sweets and drinks. Santa's House and the provision of flavored hot chocolate and German sweets are creating a wonderful environment for kids. The whole family can even take pictures with the new Face-In-a-Hole Wall or take a ride on a wonderful old-fashioned carousel for only $ 2. This Friday, Dec 17th, Pottsgrove High School show choir will dazzle us with tunes, as well as performers Amanda Hewitt and Liat.

The family can also partake in a special guided tour to enrich the children with the history of Christmas Markets! For more information on special tours contact us at event@philachristmas.com

Travelhost magazine Philadelphia

Win Toy Story 3 Disney on Ice Tickets at Christmas Village

12/07/10

The summer's biggest hit movie Toy Story 3 and memorable moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are hitting the ice in this sensational live production coming to Philadelphia. This year at Christmas Village 2010 you can win several Toy Story 3 Disney on Ice tickets by entering into our raffle. And if you don't win, Disney on Ice tickets are also available to purchase at our information booth on the weekends. Toy Story 3 Disney on Ice will be performed in Philadelphia from Dec 23 until Jan 2. For more information about Toy Story 3 Disney on Ice visit: http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/ or stop by our Information Booth #31.

Christmas Village Light Arches are back at Dilworth Plaza

12/02/10

Statement:

The word "Christmas" was just put back to the light arches at "Christmas Village" at City Hall in Philadelphia.

Mayor Michael A. Nutter called personally at 6 PM on Wednesday evening to ask if there is a possibility to bring back the full light arches. Of course I was happy to immediately agree to reinstall the word "Christmas" first thing Thursday morning.

The removal of the word "Christmas" on Monday caused a lot of controversy this week.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia is an outdoor Holiday market in downtown Philadelphia, located at Dilworth Plaza on the west side of City Hall. For the third year in a row the German American Marketing Inc. is organizing the "Christmas Village". The signs had always been at the event since its first year.

We are proud to be a multicultural event with employees from all different cultural backgrounds as well as vendors from all over the world, and we are sure that our market benefits from this. Christmas Village in Philadelphia is a diverse market that hosts Muslim, Jewish and Christian vendors.

The purpose of Christmas markets in Germany is for everyone to come together and have a good time and to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. In this tradition the event was named "Christmas Village in Philadelphia" - a name that was never intended or planned to be changed.

We hope to see you all at Christmas Village. Don't forget to visit our family day on Friday and our German American weekend starting this Saturday.

Dr. Thomas Bauer
President German American Marketing, Inc.
Organizer Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Light Arches at Christmas Village

11/30/2010

Statement:

The light arches of Christmas Village became of major interest today due a partial removal of signage. This is a statement to clarify the position of the event organizer.

The event name continues to be "Christmas Village in Philadelphia"!

The change of its light arch was not initiated by the event organizer, but was a response to what the Office of the Managing Director at the City of Philadelphia asked for. The event is hosted on Public Property.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia is an outdoor Holiday market in downtown Philadelphia, located at Dilworth Plaza on the west side of City Hall. For the third year in a row the German American Marketing Inc. is organizing the "Christmas Village". Yesterday the word "Christmas" was removed from the archways, but not from any other event communication material (including its website www.philachristmas.com).

"As a city of great diversity, one shouldn't be surprised that there's a difference of views when it comes to symbols and words," said City spokesman Mark McDonald.

We at German American Marketing, Inc. never intended to exclude anyone. The whole concept of Christmas markets in Germany is about joy, fun and entertainment and not a place for religious conflicts. We want to invite everybody no matter what their culture believes to join our Winter Wonderland. We are proud to be a multicultural team with employees from all different cultural backgrounds as well as vendors from all over the world, and we are sure that our market benefits from this. Christmas Village in Philadelphia hosts Muslim, Jewish and Christian vendors. The purpose of Christmas markets in Germany is for everyone to come together and have a good time and not to feel excluded or insulted in any way.

German American Marketing, Inc. will now remove the sign completely as it wants to avoid any kind of misunderstanding. "People have to go to public buildings. They shouldn't feel offended," Bauer said, "we want to stress that the name was not intended to upset anyone".

Along with our most important partner - the City of Philadelphia - we fulfill the request of Managing Director Richard Negrin.

We are still following the tradition of German Christmas markets. That's why the event will keep the name "Christmas Village in Philadelphia".

Dr. Thomas Bauer
President German American Marketing, Inc.
Organizer Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Nuremberg Christkindl at Opening Ceremony of Christmas Village

The Nuremberg Christkind will attend the Opening Ceremony of Christmas Village in Philadelphia tomorrow's Saturday 11/27/2010 at 3pm.

City Representative Melanie Johnson will say welcoming words for the City of Philadelphia and a representative from the City of Nuremberg/ Germany will introduce everyone to the tradition of the Nuremberg Christmas Angel and the Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg.

C.H.O.P. Lottery at Christmas Village in Philadelphia

11/24/2010

This year the Christmas Village will be hosting a lottery for C.H.O.P. We have received donations from local and corporate businesses and will be raffling off prizes to give the children at C.H.O.P. a generous Christmas present this year! Please visit our information booth to partake in the lottery or make a donation towards C.H.O.P. If you are a local business and would like to donate prizes please contact us at: event@philachristmas.com

Christopher Latzke, featuring Mary Scholz

11/22/2010

Come watch a dynamic duo of electrifying music perform at the Christmas Village. This year we are extremely excited to have opera baritone-bass, Mr. Christopher Latzke along with singing guest Mary Scholz for a few evenings of great holiday arias and exciting traditional Christmas music. This is an event not to be missed!

Come check them out at our event stage on any of the following dates:

• December 1st at 3:00pm
• December 4th at 4:00pm
• December 19th at 2:00pm

Dilworth Place is getting ready

11/19/2010

The Christmas Village is back with vendors domestic and foreign getting ready for the big event. Dilsworth Plaza is flooded with a fantastic team whom are setting up the 86 booths and tents for the village's third consecutive year. The phenomenal holiday tree brings the smell of Christmas season as each module is put together and decorated. Setting up the main event stage in the middle of City Hall fills the air with joy along with a festive feel. This year's event will be the biggest and grandest yet.

New Carousel in 2010

11/18/2010

Christmas Village at the 20th anniversary of The Shops at Liberty Place

11/16/2010

The Shops at Liberty Place is a magnificent retail complex located between the Liberty One and Liberty Two Office Towers. Located at the heart of the Center City business district, The Shops at Liberty Place is one of the finest urban retail centers in the country. Everyday thousands of shoppers, businessmen and women, lawyers, and city officials pass threw on their way to work, shop, and grab a bite to eat.

On Tuesday, November 9th, the Philadelphia Christmas Village crew set up shop to spread the word about this years holiday festivities. Located in the main court of Liberty Place, was a festive information table decorated for the holidays. Alongside the Christmas Village were other Philadelphia organizations, such as the 76er's, the Flyers, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Philadelphia Soul, and various theater companies from the Philadelphia area.

Event Planning and Marketing directors, Uli and Isabel, along with a few spirited interns, engaged the busy and bustling shoppers with important information about the upcoming winter wonderland. Here, they distributed flyers and exclusive coupons, as well as candy canes, German Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and other traditional holiday treats that will be offered daily once it opens on Thanksgiving. Christmas Village was able to talk about all of the wonderful features of the event in person. Features that include the Carousel, Face-in-Hole picture wall, Santas' house, live entertainment, delicious food, and vendors from all over the map. With only a few days left until the Village opens, Philadelphians are ready to get there fill of hot cocoa, warm Gluwine, yummy Bratwursts, and shop until they drop!

New Partnership with the Avenue of the Arts

11/16/2010

Christmas Village in Philadelphia is proud to announce our partnership with the Avenue of the Arts this year. Avenue of the Arts is the 3.5 mile long premier entertainment and cultural district. The Avenue of the Arts is the portion of Broad Street from Glenwood Avenue to Washington Avenue. Their mission is to "reinvigorate Broad Street as the arts and entertainment heart and soul of Philadelphia. Avenue of the Arts is host to a number of Comedy, Dance, and Musical Performances. Restaurants, hotels, theaters and museums are also located in this district. For more information about the Avenue of the Arts visit: http://www.avenueofthearts.org/

Range Recording Studio and World Cafe Live Philly Rising support the stage of Christmas Village 2010

11/11/2010

For the second year in a row Philadelphia's premiere studio Range Recording Studios and World Cafe Live's "Philly Rising" Open Mic series support us by bringing some of the best up-and-coming local talent to the stage of Christmas Village 2010. Make a trip to Christmas Village to enjoy the live musical and performance acts at our main stage. For more information visit: http://www.rangerecordingstudios.com/ and http://www.worldcafelive.com/.

Food Tent presented by Chaddsford Winery and Brauhaus Schmitz

Christmas Village in Philadelphia 2010 will feature a new food tent. The tent is presented and catered by Chaddsford Winery and Brauhaus Schmitz. Visitors will have the opportunity to sit down in this heated tent to enjoy their bratwursts, potato pancakes, goulash and gluhwine (mulled wine) in a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy German Gemütlichkeit!

Christmas Village in Philadelphia will be offering ornament painting classes this year!

Come join us and learn how to spruce up your Christmas tree by painting your own handmade Yolkstar christmas ornaments! 

Yolkstar specializes in handmade ornaments, each having their own distinctive warmth and beauty. They produce lasting heirlooms and this year they are inviting you to become a master ornament-maker along with them! You can watch this video for a quick preview!

Classes will be held at the Christmas Village from November 25th to December 24th, Monday thru Friday from 1-2 pm and Saturday and Sunday 11- 12 am.

To register please email to event@philachristmas.com.

More than 600 friends on Facebook!

Christmas Village now has more than 600 friends in Facebook!

Become a friend of Christmas Village now to receive event invitations for our special events at Christmas Village: http://www.facebook.com/philachristmas

New Media Partner 2010

Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com are the new media partners of Christmas Village in 2010. Christmas Village is proud to announce the partnership with the region's leading newspapers. Visitors of Christmas Village will have the opportunity to book their newspaper subscriptions at our information booth.

Sponsoring Opportunity: Christmas Village

04/22/10

Christmas Village in Philadelphia is looking for sponsors who are interested in prominent presentation in Center City Philadelphia at the most relevant shopping time of the year! For the 2010 Holiday season but also for an ongoing partnership, Christmas Village offers highly attractive sponsorship packages for very reasonable prices.

With an attendance of more than 200,000 visitors, more than a million ad impressions (sponsors are included in all print/online ads and brochures) and a great press coverage, Christmas Village is one of Philadelphia's major events and the biggest event in the City between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Please get in touch with Thomas Bauer at 215-268-7606 or info@philachristmas.com for more information.

Official Christkindl from Nuremberg in Philadelphia

07/23/10

Christmas Village in Philadelphia is proud to annouce a new cooperation with the City of Nuremberg, the home of the most traditional Christkindlmarket in Germany.

Within this new cooperation, the official Nuremberg Christkindl, Rebekka Volland will come to Philadelphia for a new opening ceremony of Christmas Village.

The traditional prologue, spoken by the Nuremberg Christkindl will be part of this opening ceremony on Saturday, November 27, 2010. This new highlight will be framed by musical performances at Chistmas Village's central stage.

So save the date - 3PM on Saturday, Nov 27!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Village 2009 ended today and we wanted to say

THANK YOU FOR MAKING CHRISTMAS VILLAGE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS IN PHILADELPHIA!

A special thanks to

• all our visitors, we are glad that so many people enjoyed Christmas Village,
• all our vendors which made Christmas Village a unique shopping location with their great merchandise and decoration,
• our media partners Philadelphia Weekly / South Philly Review and WFIL AM 560 - Philadelphia's Christian Radio and WNTP 990 AM News Talk,
• and our partners, The City of Philadelphia, The German Society of Pennsylvania, The Steuben Day Observance Association and PPA
• and of course all our employees which did a great job!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope to see you back in 2010 when Christmas Village will open for its third annual Holiday event.

Your Christmas Village Team

Winter Wonderland

After the heavy snow and Philadelphia's snow emergency caused Christmas Village to close for a day on Saturday, Christmas Village is open again since Sunday.

With the snow still there and all paths cleared, Christmas Village now presents itself as a Winter Wonderland. So if you want to experience this special White Christmas Village for your last Holiday shopping, you are invited to do so from 11am-8pm daily and until 5pm at Christmas Eve.

Winter Wonderland Impressions: click here!

New Photo Galleries Available

New Photo Galleries from regular Christmas Village Days and performances of our German American Weekend are online now.

Impressions 2009: click here!

German American Weekend 2009: click here!

Radio Spots at WFIL AM560 and WNTP 990AM

Our radio spot is currently on air at WFIL AM 560 - Philadelphia's Christian Radio and WNTP 990 AM News Talk .

Listen in: Christmas Village Radio Spot

Photo Galleries Available

12/05/09

New photo galleries for our Grand Opening and Christmas Tree Lighting 2009 are available now!

Grand Opening 2009: click here!

Christmas Tree Ligthing 2009: click here!

Santa's House

12/04/09

Santa's House at Christmas Village in Philadelphia has probably the most authentic Santa in the Philadelhia Region.

Kids are welcome to meet our Santa every Saturday until Christmas 11 to 5pm and every Sunday from 11pm to 4pm.

Santa however does not only welcome kids, but you can also bring pets for photos with Santa:

Christmas Tree Lighting on Wednesday 12/02/09

11/30/09

Christmas Village and the City of Philadelphia invites everyone to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with Mayor Michael A. Nutter. At 5pm the tree at Dilworth Plaza will be lit.

The City's program with the actual ceremony and school choirs will be surrounded by performances at the Christmas Village stage. Cara Mia Big Band - The Jump City Jazz Orchestra will perform at 4pm and Peter Nero's Pops Festival Brass will add another special highlight at 6.15pm.

Center City workforce welcome for Business Lunch

This year, Christmas Village especially invites everyone who works in Center City to taste German specialties at the Grilling booth. Changing weekly specials together with a side of potato salad and a soft drink invite to experience German delicatessen. Fleischkuchle (German burgers) are the special offer for this week. Our business lunch meal comes for only $ 6 (incl. sales tax) and is available from 11am to 2pm.

Of course our variety of German sausages (Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Octoberfestwurst) will also be available at the grilling booth.

Christmas Village thanks everyone for a great weekend

Wonderful sunny weather attracted a nice crowd on Saturday and Sunday. About 20,000 visitors enjoyed Christmas Village and shopping in unique and tasteful decorated vendor booths.

The likely most authentic Santa in the City welcomed a lot of kids in his house and parents had the chance to take pictures home of their children giving Santa their wish list.

Even with the mild temperatures hot beverages and gluhwine (mulled wine) were a great hit so that Christmas Village was temporarily sold out of its popular Christmas Village mug. From Monday on, our mugs will however be available again at both Hot Beverages and Chaddsford Winery booths.

People visited Christmas Village even late, as the experience with thousands of lights is especially impressive at nighttime.

Grand Opening of Christmas Village

11/28/09

After a Sneak Peak right after the Thanksgiving Day parade on Thursday, Christmas Village in Philadelphia had its Grand Opening on Friday.

Various performances of piano player Justin Barron, Boy Wonder, a string ensemble from Cara Mia, Serena SolBrown and other artists invited people to take a break from Black Friday shopping bustle.

A lot of people gave very positive comments about the improved decoration of Christmas Village with REAL Christmas trees and about 1,200 lights per booth. A wider variety in arts and crafts offers and the new food court area with authentic gluhwine (mulled wine) from Chaddsford Winery was also very well received.

CBS3, NBC10, FOX29 and KYW Newsradio covered Christmas Village in their local program and passed the joyful impressions on to the whole region.

Happy Thanksgiving

11/26/09

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.

After a great Sneak Peak today, we are opening tomorrow from 11am to 8pm. You can start to look for your holiday presents at Christmas Village! 

I hope everybody who visited us, enjoyed the wonderful day at our market! 

Dilworth Plaza gets busy

11/14/09

Today the setup of Christmas Village 2009 started.

The two big Christmas Village light arches arrived at the Westside of City Hall anouncing the arrival of Christmas Village to the Philadelphians. 

On Monday the construction of the wooden booths starts and from than we are looking forward to a beautiful Christmas season. We can't wait for our Grand Opening on Black Friday (11/27). 

We started to distribute our brochures

11/10/09

Range Recording Studio and Philly Rising support the stage of Christmas Village

11/07/09

Philadelphia's premiere studio Range Recording Studios and World Cafe Live's "Philly Rising" Open Mic series support us by bringing some of the best up-and-coming local talent to the stage of Christmas Village 2009 in Philadelphia. 

Kathe Wolfahrt comes back bigger

10/27/09

Our biggest vendor Kathe Wolfahrt will be even bigger this year.

They come back in a 60'x40' tent and will bring christmas from Germany to your home. As a premiere source of finely crafted German Christmas treasures, they will sell Incense Smokers, Nutcrackers, Pyramids, Schwibbogen, Music Boxes, Wooden Ornaments and Glass Ornaments.

Vendorlist for 2009 is online

10/23/09

The updated List with all Vendors and their places on Christmas Village in 2009 is here available.

We looking forward to see so many from last year and welcome all of the new vendor, who join us this year for the first time. 

Sincerly,

Your Christmas Village Team

Philadelphia Christmas Village and Philadelphia Weekly signed a Media Partnership

10/20/09

Philadelphia Weekly and South Philly Review are the new Print Media Partner of Christmas Village in Philadelphia in 2009.

But they will not only be a Print Media Partner. The two Newspaper will support Christmas Village to enrich the market with special events on the stage as well as off the stage in their own booth. 

Local Winery sells Gluhwein (mulled wine)

10/19/2009

The local Chaddsford Winery will sell traditional Gluhwein (mulled wine) at the Christmas Village this year.

As our partner the Chaddsfors Winery will sell the traditional hot beverage in original Christmas Village mugs. So you will not only warm yourself up while resting from Work or Christmas Shopping, you also have a wonderful memory to take home from Christmas Village in Philadelphia.

New Media Partner

Christmas Village has two new Media Partner.

The Radiostations WFIL AM 560 Philadelphia's Christian Radio and WNTP 990 AM News Talk are the new official Radiopartner of Christmas Village in Philadelphia in 2009.

Website under construction

We want to apologize, that some parts of the Website are under construction at the moment.

They will soon be available again.

Christmas Village is now on Facebook

Christmas Village now has a Profile on Facebook to stay in contact with all Fans of the Christmas Market.

Please Visit the Profile and become our Friend to get the latest news about vendors, program and special offers.

http://www.facebook.com/philachristmas

Christmas Village is coming back to town

09/24/2009

First of all we want to say thank you for visiting our Christmas Village and making the event so wonderful last year. All vendors and artists also enjoyed the event and we are proud to announce, that the event will take place this year again.

 After a successful first year with 150,000 visitors Christmas Village is coming back to Philadelphia. As last year we will be located at Dilworth Plaza on the west side of Philadelphia City Hall. From November 26th through December 24th about 40 vendors will turn the plaza in a medieval village and sell Christmas ornaments and various types of arts and crafts along with delicious European food specialties such as bratwursts, pretzels, waffles, frosted nuts, chocolate covered fruits and lebkuchen.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Village 2008 is closing today and we want to say thank you very much to all of you!

A special thanks to

• our visitors, hopefully you enjoyed the first Christmas Village in Philadelphia,
• our vendors which helped to create a festive wonderland in Center City,
• our Sponsor Lufthansa,
• our Media Partner The Philadelphia Inquirer,
• and our partners, The City of Philadelphia, The German Society of Pennsylvania, The Steuben Day Observance Association and PPA
• and of course our employees which did a great job!

Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! We hope to see you in 2009 when Christmas Village will open again on Thanksgiving Day.

Your Christmas Village Team

7,000 Lebkuchen (German gingerbread cookies) handed out

Sponsored by Lufthansa, we handed out 7,000 free Lebkuchen (original German gingerbread cookies) from Nuremberg, Germany to our visitors.

A special thanks from all visitors who enjoyed the cookies goes to Lufthansa. So many people tried Lebkuchen and were really excited. There is still a selection of Lebkuchen available at our Lebkuchen booth at the west portal of City Hall.

But hurry, they are selling very fast and the market is almost over! 

Even Santa helped to hand out the Lebkuchen, in this case to the great performers of the Pottsgrove Highschool Choi

Downtown Christmas Village at City Hall Resists the Chill

Press Release 03/2008 - 12/16/2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA - 12/16/08 - The starlings have settled in at City Hall for the night, ruffling feathers against the crisp December chill, atop the naked trees of Dilworth Plaza. From down inside SEPTA's Concourse, a karaoke enchantress belts out an unforgotten Motown hit on the Village stage; the notes rise from the subterranean amphitheater into the still deepening night. read more

Christmas Village keeps on growing...

Three more vendors and their products enrich from now on our Village.

NEW in the Village are:

• Philadelphia Book Co. - Assortment of Books (Booth #12)
• Exclusivly Yours - Men Accessories (Booth #31)
• Planet Clare - Turkish folk art (Booth #33)

If your are interested in becoming a vendor in 2009 please click here.

Light Arches for the Christmas Village

12/08/08

Two gigantic arches with the lettering Christmas Village surrounded by blinking snowflakes located at the entrances to Dilworth Plaza welcome from now on our visitors.

Christmas Village is growing..

12/05/08

From this Friday on Christmas Village welcomes 4 new vendors which enrich with their products the the wide variety of what Christmas Village has to offer.

NEW in the Village are:

• Glass by Novelteeze - Glass Jewelry
• At-the-Beach Gallery - Designer Shirts & headbans
• Power Windows & Siding - Windows, Siding, Roofing & Doors
• J & J Specialty Items - Sports Merchandise

If you are interested in becoming a vendor in 2009 please click here.

Christmas Village attracts more shoppers to Center City Philadelphia

Press Release 02/2008 - 12/04/2008 

Philadelphia - Two big light arches that can be seen from Pennsylvania Suburban Station and all the way down Market Street tell visitors about the new holiday attraction at City Hall Philadelphia: Christmas Village. Charming wooden booths at both levels of the apron on the west side of City Hall invite Holiday shoppers to look for gifts from more than thirty vendors with unique high end merchandise. Traditional gifts like model trains, jewelry, designer clothing can be found at Christmas Village, as well as international Christmas ornaments from Germany, Russia, Mexico and Israel. Food stands offer German bratwursts, Belgian waffles, French crepes and Bavarian pretzels. Big magnets are two tents from Kathe Wohlfahrt and Lauschaer Glaskugelhaus that sell popular wooden and glass ornaments from Germany. read more

Sneak Peak and Grand Opening

Christmas Village in Philadelphia opened its gates on Thanksgiving Day; on Black Friday took the official Grand Opening Ceremony place.

We cordially invite you all to come and see what this year's Christmas Village has to offer you.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia runs from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Eve from 11am until 8pm daily (exception Sunday: until 7pm)

Banners for Christmas Village

Christmas Village is now also visible for people passing City Hall through two big banners hanging in the West and East portal of City Hall.

Christmas Village is being setup

11/19/2008

Setup of Christmas Village is almost completed.

63 wooden booths, 2 timberhouses and a central stage for live performances create from Thanksgiving Day until Christmas Eve a winter wonderland at Dilworth Plaza.

Come and discover Christmas Village's variety of crafts and tasty treats.

Click here to see more pictures of the setup.

Kick off for setup of the Christmas Village in Philadelphia

11/17/2008

On Monday, 11/17/08 the setup of Christmas Village began with the two timberhouses: Kathe Wohlfahrt and Lauscher Glaskugelhaus.

Traditional European Christmas Market is coming to Philadelphia

Press Release 01/2008 - 11/14/2008 

Philadelphia - One of Europe's most popular holiday traditions, a Christkindlmarket will come to Philadelphia this holiday season. A German event promoter will bring this event to Dilworth Plaza on the west side of Philadelphia City Hall. From November 27th through December 24th about 50 vendors will sell Christmas ornaments and various types of arts and crafts along with delicious European food specialties such as bratwursts, pretzels, crepes and lebkuchen. read more

$2 DISCOUNT at The AutoPark at JFK Plaza

10/31/2008

In cooperation with Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) visitors of Christmas Village in Philadelphia receive a

$2 DISCOUNT at The AutoPark at JFK Plaza*

Directions:

The AutoPark at JFK Plaza (underground)

15th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Entrances on Arch Street at 16th, and Cherry Street

For further information about The AutoPark at JFK Plaza please click here.

*ONLY at the AutoPark at JFK Plaza (underground).  Discount stamp available at Information Booth of Christmas Village. Only from Nov 27 till Dec 24. Only one stamp per ticket.

Santa's House website

Firefly Photography of Rittenhouse Square is proud to present Santa’s House 2008 at the Philadelphia Christmas Village located at City Hall. Santa will be waiting to meet all of the children of Philadelphia starting on Thanksgiving Day. He will be there until Christmas Eve this holiday season.

Children will be able to drop off their letters to Santa and get their pictures taken with him. Portrait packages, along with photo keychains and snowglobes, will also be available.

Santa’s House will be open daily between

November 27th - December 24th

from 11:00 am until 8:00 pm

Singing German Christmas carols

11/01/2008

Everybody is cordially invited to join singing German Christmas carols!

Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church (14100 Worthington Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116)

Date: 12/07/2008

Time: from 11am

Please click here for detailed information

German American Day 2008: Participation with Christmas Village booths

First prototype booths of Christmas Village in Philadelphia can be visited at German American Day 2008 at the premises of the German Society of Pennsylvania in 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. A cooperating team of the German Society and Christmas Village will offer bratwurst, pretzels and cool drinks at Wednesday October 1^st and from Friday October 3^rd through Monday October 6^th. Events at the German Society of Pennsylvania for German American Day include:

• Wednesday, October 1^st: “Ben and the Germans”, a historic play
• Friday, October 3^rd: Songs of the Minnesingers and Instrumental Dances, concert
• Saturday, October 4^th: 5K and 10K Walk with the Liberty Bell Wanderers, Oktoberfest celebration and “Group motion”, modern dance performance
• Sunday, October 5^th: Landesjugendorchester Rheinland-Pfalz, concert
• Monday, October 6^th: “Amerika gibt es oder gibt es nicht”, play from the KRESCHtheater Company from Krefeld/Germany.

For a full schedule of events at German American Day 2008 visit www.germanamericanday.org.

Steuben Day Parade 2008: Participation with handing out flyers

First information flyers about Christmas Village have been handed out to the visitors and participants of Steuben Day Parade 2008. As Christmas Village is a holiday tradition after the example of German events, the German community is enthusiastic about the upcoming event.

Media Partnership with the Philadelphia Inquirer

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com agreed upon a media partnership for Christmas Village in Philadelphia. This media partnership includes a participation of the Philadelphia Inquirer with an own promotion booth at Christmas Village and advertising for Christmas Village in all three major channels of the Philadelphia Media Holidngs: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and philly.com.

Lufthansa will sponsor Christmas Village

Lufthansa the great German airline agreed to act as a sponsor for Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Lufthansa will, besides others, enrich Christmas Village by handing out free lebkuchen, a popular sweet German gingerbread.