Shop Hyper-Local With These Neighborhood Holiday Events
Get merry and support Philly businesses with these special shopping events on Small Business Saturday and beyond.
Festive holiday shopping around Philly / Photograph by Daryl Moran for Chestnut Hill Business District
This holiday season, beginning with Small Business Saturday on November 30th, neighborhoods throughout the city are getting festive and highlighting their unique businesses with pop-up events, loads of lights, Santa sightings and more. If you’re looking for extra merriment with your holiday shopping (a jolly trolley, perhaps?) hit up these Philly neighborhoods for everyone on your list.
Chestnut Hill
This charming neighborhood’s annual Holidays on the Hill is full of old-timey Christmas cheer. Think Victorian street carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and Santa visits. On Small Business Saturday (November 30th), Santa will be roaming the Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. for photos — along with plenty of shopping, of course.
Chestnut Hill’s popular Stag & Doe Nights will take place every Wednesday in December from 5 to 9 p.m. The events feature extended store hours, holiday specials, a roving brass quartet and free refreshments. You may even catch a glimpse of Santa strutting down the Avenue. Parking will be free at six public lots on these nights, as well.
Then, on December 7th at 9 a.m., come for the holiday parade featuring floats, marching bands, antique cars, Santa and the Phanatic.
And while you’re hanging around Chestnut Hill, head to Morris Arboretum to see the Holiday Garden Railway (even better if you can snag nighttime tickets to see it all lit up).
East Passyunk
Tree lighting on East Passyunk / Photograph courtesy of EPABID
Kick off the season on Small Business Saturday (November 30th) with specials at boutiques up and down the Avenue. East Passyunk is home to some of Philly Mag’s favorite stores including the irreverent South Fellini, Tildie’s Toy Box (giving out double rewards), the sustainable Good Buy Supply (giving out coupons to the first 100 shoppers), vinyl haven Latchkey (giving 10 percent off if you have a receipt from another Avenue business), Occasionette (get a tote full of freebies with a $75 purchase) and more.
Plus, Nice Things Handmade is hosting their 14th annual ornament show featuring local artists through January 9th.
Grab a punch card from November 30th to January 1st. Receive a punch for each $10 spent at participating businesses; once you get 10 punches, submit the completed card to Latchkey or the EPABID office to be entered to win a gift card in the prize raffle.
Aside from the shopping experiences, East Passyunk will be “Decking the Avenue” all season long with photo-worthy decorations and lights, pop-up musical performances. Come to the Singing Fountain on December 4th for the tree lighting and holiday celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be photos with Santa that night. (If you miss out, he’ll be back on December 14th from 4 to 6 p.m.at the EPABID office and December 19th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Urban Jungle.)
Manayunk
The Manayunk Jolly Trolley / Photograph courtesy of Manayunk
Head to Main Street to check out the dozens of small businesses. On November 30th, shop specials for Small Business Saturday. New for this year, grab a Manayunk Shop Small Passport at any participating business. When you make a purchase, you’ll receive a passport sticker for that store — collect six stickers from different businesses, and you’ll be eligible for a special prize from the Manayunk Welcome Center.
And stick around to see the businesses all lit up for the holidays. Be sure to vote for your favorite display in the “Manayunk Gets LIT” competition, where Main Street businesses deck their storefronts with thousands of lights for merriness and bragging rights. Voting runs through December 17th.
To make things a little easier, there will be free Jolly Trolley rides up and down Main Street. The trolley begins its run on December 5th and will run through December 21st on Thursday and Friday nights (5 to 9 p.m.) and Saturdays from 1 to 9 p.m. Those nights, there will also be live entertainment on Main Street, including carolers, Santa, and the Grinch! (See the schedule online.)
Bring your pups for Santa Paws photo sessions at Pet Friendly Dog Bakery on December 8th. Then, on December 14th, dress in your holiday best for the three-mile Rudolph Run. And to round things out, gather on December 26th for a Hanukkah lighting in Canal View park with Mount Airy Chabad.
Old City
Photograph courtesy of Old City District
Historic Holidays in Old City kick off on Small Business Saturday (November 30th) with sales, pop-ups and special offers throughout the day. In addition to neighborhood stores, a number of Old City restaurants have deals on gift cards.
Stop by the Betsy Ross House on December 4th. for the annual tree lighting including live performances and special guests. Betsy Ross House’s menorah lighting will take place on December 30th.
In addition to season-long specials, don’t miss the Holiday Shopping Sip & Stroll on December 7th. The shops will stay open late — until 8 p.m. That same day, swing by Elfreth’s Alley for their “Deck the Alley” holiday celebration, and Independence Seaport Museum for Winter on the Waterfront, a day of family-friendly holiday activities including gingerbread-boat-building, a photobooth, and more.
Roxborough
Photograph courtesy of Roxborough
Start off your Small Business Saturday (November 30th) by picking up your Snowflake Passport at Art on the Ridge (6133 Ridge Avenue) or at any of the participating shops on this list. Collect snowflake stamps by spotting the ROX Snowflakes in each location, then return your passport to Art on the Ridge for a chance to win a prize.
Then come back for their tree lighting on December 6th and the holiday market on December 7th. The festivities kick off on Friday, December 6th, with the tree lighting and live music in Pocket Park. The next day, from noon till 6 p.m., the park will host a holiday market — plus visits from Santa and Elsa.
South Street
South Street tree lighting / Photograph courtesy of South Street Headhouse District
On December 7th, come to the Headhouse Shambles starting at noon for the Sisterly Love Collective holiday market, culminating in the annual tree lighting at 4:15 p.m.
Northern Liberties
Photograph courtesy of Northern Liberties Business Improvement District
NoLibs kicks off the season with their tree lighting on December 3rd at Figo. The event features live music, Santa, vendors, and snacks.
Then, they’re getting festive with the second annual Northern Liberties Holiday Shopping Stroll and Vendor Market on Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th. Grab a map and punch card, then visit participating businesses to collect punches — no purchase required, but if you spend $20 or more at a store you get two punches. Each store will also have fun surprises and events like discounts, free snacks, and demos. Shoppers that get six or more punches, or spend over $100, will be entered to win one of three grand prizes — just bring your card to the Northern Liberties Holiday Pop-Up Market at the old Heritage building (914 North 2nd Street). You can also stop by Laser Philly’s Winter Wonderland (829 North 2nd Street) for photos with Santa and other festive activities.
