Philly's Christmas Village Opens On Thanksgiving Day

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's Christmas Village is returning this year but with a considerably modified layout and extensive safety precautions due to the coronavirus.

The open-air German-style Christmas market will open Thursday, Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day. It will remain open through Thursday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve in Love Park and City Hall.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve.

A preview weekend will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22.

In response to the coronavirus, Christmas Village will meet and exceed all local and state guidelines in terms of health and safety protocols.

The village will be set up in a socially distanced and safe way featuring only half the amount of vendors.

This year, visitors can still dine on and enjoy their favorite European dishes including Bratwurst, Raclette Cheese and Schnitzel in a fenced-off and crowd-controlled outdoor food court with spacing between tables, as well seasonal drinks including hot chocolate, mulled wine by Chaddsford Winery and local craft beers courtesy of Bar Hygge/Brewery Techne.

The outdoor shopping area will be set up with a one-way system around the outer limits of LOVE Park for a linear and spaced walking concept allowing proper social distancing. All vendors will be ten feet apart from each other at minimum.

Vendors around the outer permitted will also all face outward toward the street. Waiting areas for access to the food court and shopping will all be socially distanced.

The market will run at 50 percent of exhibitors but still with more than 60 vendors offering seasonal decorations and unique gifts for the holidays.

In addition to LOVE Park, the Christmas Village will also take over the North Apron of City Hall and the City Hall Courtyard to bring back additional vendors and the beloved Holiday Carousel in a socially distanced way.

LOVE Park is located at 1500 Arch St. and City Hall is at 1400 JFK Blvd.