The Foobooz Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Being Merry at Philly’s Christmas Village
There’s a lot to enjoy at the 2024 Christmas Village. Here are your must-eats and must-drinks.
Christmas Village in Center City / Photography courtesy of Christmas Village
Like pretty much everything crowded and Christmas-y this year, Christmas Village is back. There’s a Ferris wheel, there’s a double-decker carousel, and there’s (of course) ice skating at Dilworth. But most importantly, there is SO MUCH to eat and drink. Here’s our guide to the best food and drink at Christmas Village this year.
The market is open Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Its final day will be Christmas Eve, open from noon to 5 p.m.
Bratwurst
There are two German-style swivel grills in the market, one in the City Hall courtyard and one in LOVE Park. It’s a pretty impressive operation: Huge, circular grill grates hang over a charcoal fire, layered with sausages and buns. Add a little spicy mustard for the full effect.
Belgian Fries
Thick, double-fried Belgian frites served with a variety of toppings, including cheddar cheese, bacon, or classic ketchup. Need we say more?
French Toast Bites
French Toast Bites has become a mainstay of Christmas Village, a breakfast-treat-turned-anytime-treat with your selection of toppings like fruit, chocolate and whipped cream. Vegan French Toast Bites are available … or if you want to go in another direction, they’ve also got snacking bacon on a stick.
Raclette Stube
Raclette is a Swiss cheese that is served in perhaps the most appealing style ever: Half-wheels of the cheese are placed under heating elements that melt and lightly toast the top layer of the cheese. All that melty goodness is then scraped directly onto your carb of choice (in this case, bread). It’s like the most epic grilled cheese sandwich ever.
Spaetzle
Think of spaetzle as Germany’s take on macaroni and cheese. Thick egg noodles are coated in a cheese sauce and topped with fried onions. Choose between classic cheese, caramelized mushroom sauce, and a spinach sauce topped with breadcrumbs. Spatzle Haus will also be serving the ever-important giant soft pretzel.
Spaetzle at Christmas Village
Stroopies
Dutch stroopwafels are a classic European Christmas treat, both for snacking right there or packaged for gift-giving. This version is two layers of crisp, cinnamon-flavored cookie filled with homemade caramel, and made fresh in a waffle iron. They’re ideal for pairing with coffee on Christmas morning — put it on top of your mug to melt the caramel.
Mulled Wine
After years with Chaddsford Winery, Mazza Wines are the new official wine of Christmas Village. (Don’t worry: You can still get Chaddsford’s signature blends at Dilworth’s hut across the street.) They’ve got stalls throughout both parts of the Christmas Village this year, serving warm, traditional mulled wine (Glühwein) featuring Victorian Holiday and Honey Mead blends, and served in adorable keepsake mugs. They’ve also got a new apple-tinged flavor joining the lineup.
From December 2nd to December 18th, you can try ’em all with a Glühwein flight: For $15 you get all three flavors of hot mulled wine and a non-alcohol punch, 1.5 ounces each. Tickets for that are available here.
The winery will also have bottles for sale for last-minute gifts.
Hot Beverages (Spiked and N/A)
If mulled wine isn’t your style, opt for an Irish coffee, hot chocolate spiked with whiskey, or a rum-spiked apple cider from one of a handful of stalls throughout the village. All boozy beverages are spiked with Boardroom Spirits. Get it in a regular to-go cup, or go for the incredibly delightful boot-shaped keepsake mug. Of course, you can also get all these cozy drinks alcohol-free … y’know, for the kids.
For the first time ever, Christmas Village will also feature a hot beverage booth at the North Broad area.
More Drinks!
Christmas Village will also be hosting Thirsty Thursdays, with exclusive spirit tastings of local liquors from Boardroom. A $25 ticket gets you four two-ounce samples of Boardroom products, a bratwurst or one order of fries, a Boardroom Spirits shot glass to take home, and discounts on bottles.
The Alm Beer Garden
Beer lovers can enjoy locally brewed craft beer at “The Alm”, the traditional beer garden located in LOVE Park and presented by the German Consulate General in New York. And, yes, this includes the much-anticipated return of the beloved Christmas Village Kölsc by Techne and a Christmas Bock crafted by Philly’s own Mainstay Independent.
New Vegan Booth
Inside the Alm, you’ll find something new: Christmas Village’s first-ever fully vegan booth, “The Bloom and the Brat.” They’ll be serving up Beyond Meat bratwurst and crispy blooming onions.
