Warning! This list will make you hungry!

This holiday season, the heart of the city will once again transform into an authentic, open-air German Christmas Market. The 2021 Christmas Village will bring cherished traditions and new additions to LOVE Park and City Hall.

The festivities begin after the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25. They continue through Christmas Eve, December 24. The event is one of the largest and most authentic German Christmas markets in the United States. Admission to Christmas Village is free. Shopping, food, and drink are pay-as-you-go.

Be sure to check out the Preview Weekend—November 20 to 21, 2021. The Preview runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 20 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 21.

Glass ornaments from Egypt. Photo by Kory Aversa.

In honor of the event’s 14th year, here are 14 ways to enjoy Christmas Village in 2021:

  1. Explore the upgraded layout with expanded event space to shop and stroll.
  2. Shop for unique gifts and decorations from 80 international and local merchants and artists.
  3. Attend the holiday season kick off “Willkommen Zurück” (Welcome Back) on November 28. It takes place from 3pm to 5pm. Phil the Reindeer, the event’s mascot, will appear with some special guests on stage.
  4. Take part in the German American Weekend—December 11 and 12. Grab a German style Bratwurst. Watch German dance groups perform in traditional garb.
  5. Taste local wine, beer, and spirits.
  6. Kick back at The Beer Garden—a new open-air outdoor seating area with traditional German decorations.
  7. Ride the Christmas Village Carousel in the City Hall Courtyard.
  8. Take a spin on the Ferris wheel and enjoy other children’s attractions on the North Apron of City Hall.
  9. Check out the Made in Philadelphia market at Dilworth Park.
  10. Enjoy traditional German bratwurst and schnitzel right off the grill.
  11. Try Käsespätzle—German style mac n’ cheese topped with crispy fried onions.
  12. Quench your thirst with draft local beers from Fairmount-based Brewery Techne and Mainstay Independent Brewing Company of Northern Liberties.
  13. Warm up with hot chocolate, hot cider, a hot toddy. Or enjoy traditional German Glühwein–spiced mulled wine served hot.
  14. One of the market’s most popular dishes is also back this year. Try it for yourself at the “Raclette Cheese Stube.” Raclette is an Alpine Cheese that’s melted and scraped onto a crispy baguette. It’s topped off with cornichons, scallions, and/or dijon mustard.
Melted Swiss cheese is carved onto a piece of bread at the Raclette Cheese booth.
Learn more about Christmas Village.
Check out the event website for detailed information on craft and food vendors, special events, themed weekends, and more.