PHILADELPHIA - Christmas Village in Philadelphia, presented by Bank of America, is officially returning to LOVE Park and City Hall, and this year's programming lineup is absolutely massive. For the first time ever, the beloved holiday market will run through December 27, 2026, giving visitors two extra days of festive magic after Christmas. From traditional cultural ceremonies that draw over 10,000 attendees to weekly wine tastings and live choir performances, there is an incredible event schedule waiting for you in Center City.
A First Look at the Major Events and Concerts Coming to Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Here is a breakdown of the major themed weekends, live concerts, and special activations coming to the market this year.
Major Themed Weekends & Ceremonies
- Preview Weekend (Nov 21 - 22): Get an early look at the 2026 vendor lineup. Saturday features the Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia’s Red Kettle Kickoff campaign with a "T’was the Night Before Kickoff" theme.
- Christkind Ceremony and Pyramid Lighting (Nov 29): The traditional Christkind from Germany will arrive to deliver her prologue in English at 2:30 p.m. before officially illuminating the 30-foot Christmas Pyramid and its 3,000 lights at 3:00 p.m.
- German American Weekend (Dec 5 - 6): Presented by the German Consulate General in New York, this weekend is packed with traditional music, dance performances (including the United German Hungarian Schuhplattlers), and the highly competitive German Games, featuring Beer Stein Holding and a Bratwurst Eating Contest. St. Nikolaus will also make a special appearance on Sunday for a festive storytime.
- Family Weekend (Dec 12 - 13): Saturday features the Letters to Santa activity, where children can write postcards to the North Pole with the help of Miss Philadelphia titleholders. On Sunday, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania will host a public tree decorating contest.
- Homecoming Weekend (Dec 26 - 27): Keep the party going after Christmas with Home for the Holidays on Saturday, December 26. The evening features hometown trivia, throwback karaoke, and free hot chocolate for anyone wearing their favorite university gear.
Signature Concerts and Live Entertainment
Live entertainment is a massive staple of Christmas Village. The Main Stage, located inside The Alm authentic German Beer Garden, will host choirs, bands, and performers throughout the entire season.
A few of the major early-announced performances include:
- Saturday, November 28: Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus (5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, December 5: Not another Oompah Band (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, December 10: Temple University’s Pitch, Please (7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
- Sunday, December 13: BC Discoveries Dance & Theatre Arts Co (2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, December 17: Cherry Hill HS East - The Bells of East and Voce (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Weekly Tastings and Activities
Beyond the weekend highlights, the market is packed with weekday events for both adults and children:
- Wine Tastings with Mazza Wines (Dec 3, 10, 17): Sample a curated selection of Pennsylvania wines every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Cocktail Tastings with Boardroom Spirits (Dec 9, 16): Discover locally crafted spirits during these brand-new Wednesday evening tasting sessions.
- Storytimes with the Free Library of Philadelphia: Join special guests for classic holiday tales every Tuesday starting December 1 at 1:30 p.m.
- Kids Attractions & Mascots: Take a ride on the double-decker Carousel, hop aboard the Kids Train presented by SEPTA, or snap a free photo with the beloved mascot, Phil the Reindeer, on weekend afternoons.
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