Christmas is Coming Early This Year as Love Park’s Christmas Village Opens Soon

The Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by NRG Home will again transform Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily between Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2015 and Sunday, December 27, 2015. For the first time ever, the market will open early for a special preview on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2015. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands of twinkling lights, the LOVE Park Christmas Tree, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa Claus. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot cocoa while enjoying European food and drink. Watch for new decorations, seating, vendors and tasty treats! Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter and Instagram, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.

After breaking attendance records last year with 600,000 visitors, Christmas Village in Philadelphia returns for the holiday season with some special new surprises for the City of Brotherly Love. The special preview weekend will mark the first time ever that the market has opened before Thanksgiving. Other new additions include the beautiful original Herrnhut Stars (Moravian Stars) that will illuminate LOVE Park and the village’s wooden huts, a new food and wine garden behind Independence Visitor’s Center, Santa’s house moving to the middle of LOVE Park for new photo opportunities, and new vendors and tasty treats from around the world.

Now in its eighth year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia has grown into one of the region’s most unique and charming holiday attractions. Organizers expect to attract more than 700,000 people in 2015. Seventy international and local merchants and artists are busy preparing high-quality and lovingly crafted gifts that will be sold in decorated tents and wooden houses that will pop-up throughout Center City’s famous LOVE Park. With ornaments, toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, home goods, artwork and more, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.

For the third straight year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is presented by NRG Home.

“Every year I’m touched by the warmth and holiday spirit shown by everyone who is part of Christmas Village, including vendors, organizers, and visitors,” said Heather Farber, managing director, NRG Retail Northeast. “That is why NRG Home is so excited to be a part of this growing Philadelphia tradition. NRG Home has a lot of wonderful things planned for visitors.“

Follow the smell of gingerbread and waffles to a full menu of European food, sweets and drinks, including mouthwatering German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a warm roll (Brötchen). Look for our special menu additions, including Döner Kebab (a German specialty featuring fresh meat shaved right off the rotisserie spit, placed in a warm pita pocket with tomato, onion, and our delicious homemade sauce). Wash it all down with a warm mug of traditional German Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) or rich hot chocolate.

On top of the great shopping and dining experiences, visitors will enjoy the glorious Christmas Tree in LOVE Park, a Wish Wall in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a kid’s zone on the weekends, the new location of the Santa’s House in the fountain, themed days and weekends, tasting tours with Chaddsford Winery, live music during evenings and weekends on our main stage right in front of the LOVE sign, and other surprises to be announced.

After its preview weekend, Christmas Village will open Thanksgiving Day after Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 26, 2015. Official opening day is set for Saturday, November 28, 2015. Invite your family and friends to come sing-a-long to holiday selections by local choirs, marching bands and other entertainers. Meet the original Christkind from Nuremberg after she officially opens the market by reciting her traditional prologue. Take photos with her as she does her traditional walk of the market. In Germany, she is the person that brings the Christmas gifts to the kids, and she won’t be coming to Philadelphia empty handed!

Daily market hours will be Friday through Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Sundaythrough Thursday 11:00am to 7:00pm. Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving Day hours are11:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Christmas Day).

Vendor lists, food and drink menus, theme weekends, special event details and special promotions will be released in mid-November. Follow @philachristmas on Twitter and Instagram, follow Christmas Village on Facebook and visit www.philachristmas.com for more information.