Philadelphia's Christmas Village Is A Picturesque Escape Full Of Authentic German Charm
The Christkindlmarkt (or Christmas market) is a special German tradition that rings in the holiday season with rides, glühwein (mulled wine), and glowing stalls that light up town squares. However, there's no need to travel to Europe to experience the festive event, and there's actually a reason why most Christmas markets around the world are German-themed. In Pennsylvania, the city center in Philadelphia (one of America's top travel destinations) is transformed into a European-style, open-air village set against tinsel trees and the aroma of roasted nuts. Just some of the spectacular features that make Philadelphia's Christmas Village stand out are the 65-foot Ferris wheel, a holiday train that loops by City Hall, and a multi-tiered German pyramid as its centerpiece.
Perhaps part of what lends the Philadelphia Christmas Village its air of authenticity is the fact that it's organized by German American Marketing, Inc. Touches like the Christmas German pyramid — a rotating, illuminated structure whose origins date back to the 16th century in Germany's Ore Mountains — as well as classic cuisine and a visit from the golden Christkind are traditional staples of true German Christmas markets that Philadelphia has adopted. Plus, an endless supply of German beer and glühwein flows for attendees to indulge in as they browse.
The Christmas Village is free to attend — Philadelphia is one of the cheapest spots for tourists in America, after all. As of 2025, the market is spread across LOVE Park, Dilworth Park, and the north apron of City Hall. LOVE Park is located near the Suburban train station, about 20 minutes by train or car from the Philadelphia International Airport. The market is open almost every day starting in late November until Christmas Eve.
What to do at Philadelphia's Christmas Village
When you come to Philly's Christmas Village, expect two things: Festive cheer and cold Northeastern weather. To prepare for your first visit to a European-style Christmas market, make sure to bundle up. If you plan on doing some Christmas gift shopping, it might be good to bring cash — many of the booths take credit cards, but some Yelp reviewers have noted that there are a few cash-only vendors. There are over 120 booths spread throughout the market, set up in wooden cottage-like structures that really give it a village feel. You'll find tons of unique items, from authentic German ornaments by Käthe Wohlfahrt to wool sweaters imported from Ireland at the Irish Shop.
No doubt, your nose will eventually lead you to a grill of sizzling bratwursts or a steaming plate of freshly baked apple strudel. In the LOVE Park section of the market, the Alm is a traditional beer garden sponsored by the German Consulate General. It's fed by a giant swivel grill stacked with bratwursts. Some other hearty German treats you'll find are spätzle (akin to a German mac-n-cheese), schnitzel, and, of course, glühwein, which is supplied by the Pennsylvania-based Mazza Wines. There's also a vegan booth offering a plant-based take on a bratwurst.
The festival's rides and entertainment are concentrated around the North Broad and City Hall sections. Punctuating the courtyard's center is a double-decker carousel. The giant Ferris wheel spins over North Broad, where the City Hall Christmas tree is (the lighting celebration typically takes place in the first week of December). You can also vote for the best decorated conifer during the Festival of Trees at the LOVE Park Welcome Center; the proceeds go to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.