PHOTOS: Opening Weekend at the Christmas Village in LOVE Park
After lots of buzz and a two-day sneak peek, Philly’s Christmas Village in LOVE Park is officially open. The German-inspired holiday attraction kicked off Thanksgiving Day and, according to organizers, drew a record number of visitors throughout the first weekend. Check out photos from the festivities below:
This year’s Christmas Village at LOVE Park is mostly like the ones you’re used to, with booths full of handmade gifts and decorations, and food vendors selling mulled wine, hot cocoa and other European snacks, like waffles and bratwurst. The park is decorated with lights, and the LOVE Park Christmas tree is front and center. New additions on the decoration front include glowing Moravian Stars that hang throughout the park and on the wooden vendor booths. There is also a new food and wine garden just behind the Independence Visitor’s Center.
Besides all the shopping and eating, the next big event at the Christmas Village is Friday’s first-ever glowing Lantern Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. The festivities kick off at 4:45 pm outside the Comcast Center at 17th and JFK Boulevard. There, you can join the procession with your lantern that you can either make yourself and bring along or pick up one at the parade’s start. Entertainment will be provided by children’s carolers from Walnut Street Theatre, guiding the parade around LOVE Park and finishing up at the Christmas tree. The Philly Pops Festival Brass Quintet will play holiday tunes as the tree gets lit around 6:20 pm.
For more on what’s happening this year at the Christmas Village, go here.
