Reading Terminal Market is Celebrating the Holidays With Venue-Wide Displays & Special Events
Reading Terminal Market is kicking off the winter holidays with a building-wide display of seasonal cheer. A Time for Joy, a holiday celebration, includes a spectacular holiday décor display featuring a life-sized gingerbread house, Santa’s throne, and giant snowflakes and ornaments.
Running through December 31, A Time for Joy will feature “Thoughtful Thursdays” in partnership with local non-profits, free chef demonstrations every Friday, live entertainment for “Jingle Mingle Sundays”, pop up craft vendors, a special visit from Santa Claus and one of SEPTA’s Festibuses, and a Kwanzaa Celebration.
A full list of programming is available below:
· Holiday Décor (Ongoing)
o In an extra special display of holiday cheer, Reading Terminal Market will deck its halls starting Tuesday, November 30. Market Court will be transformed into a space of seasonal celebration for the perfect photo opportunity with a life-sized gingerbread house and Candyland, giant snowflakes and ornaments, and more. Enjoy a meal in Center Court underneath spectacular décor.
· Thoughtful Thursdays (Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23; 12 – 6 p.m.)
o On Thursdays in December, Reading Terminal Market will host local non-profits to encourage customers to learn more and consider making a donation. During Thoughtful Thursdays, patrons can enjoy live entertainment in Center Court and purchase specialty Holiday Crafted Cocktails from Molly Malloy’s.
o Nonprofit partners for Thoughtful Thursdays include Reading Terminal Market Corporation, Beat the Streets, After School All Stars which is requesting donations of after school snacks, games, and art supplies, and Families Forward Philadelphia.
o Entertainment for Thoughtful Thursdays will be Aijee Cello and the Elegance String Quartet.
· Free Chef Demonstration Fridays (Dec. 3, 10, and 17; 12 – 1 p.m.)
o Beginning Friday, December 3, the Market will host chefs in City Kitchen for free weekly demonstrations. The programs will be in-person on a first-come, first-served basis while also being live-streamed via the Reading Terminal Facebook page.
o Free cooking demonstrations topics will be:
§ Traditional Guatemalan Holiday Dish with Sofia DeLeon of El Merkury
§ Traditional Filipino Holiday Dish with Kathy Mirano of Tambayan
§ Italian Fusion Holiday Dish with Jennifer Quinn and Robb Limm of The Head Nut
· Jingle Mingle Sundays (Dec. 5, 12, and 19; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
o Celebrate Sundays at the Market in December with a special pop up of craft vendors and local artists in the Rick Nichols Room from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and live entertainment from Sidestory
o Jingle Mingle Sunday craft vendors will include Artists in the Market which consists of artists employed at Reading Terminal, Trudi Clark Pottery, Tenangos Philly, Xiqu
· A Visit from Santa (Dec. 18; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
o The jolly old elf is paying a visit to Reading Terminal Market on December 18, arriving by horse and carriage. Come see Santa for a meet and greet, family photo opportunity, and write a letter to the North Pole.
· SEPTA Festibus Display (Dec. 18; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
o Visitors are invited to tour one of SEPTA’s Festibuses as part of their All District Holiday Vehicle Competition. The bus will be decked out and on display on Filbert St. between 11th and 12th streets.
· Kwanzaa Celebration (Dec. 26; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
o Support Black-owned businesses during the Market’s Kwanzaa Celebration happening December 26. Special discounts will be offered at select Black-owned businesses including Amazulu, De’Village, and Careda’s Caribbean Cuisine. A pop-up shop of local, Black-owned craft vendors will also take place in the Rick Nichols Room from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Live Kwanzaa entertainment will be featured at Reading Terminal Market through December 29.
