It took Christmas some time to catch on in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s original Christmas tradition was — well — not to have one. In the mid-1680’s, with the promise of William Penn’s Philadelphia having come to fruition and a sanctuary for his Quakers, who didn’t celebrate Christmas preferring instead to not confine the cheer to just one day.
In 1913, all that would change.
It’s been just over a century since Philadelphia’s first public Christmas. With the shadow of World War I looming, Philadelphia’s Independence Square erected a towering 63-foot Christmas tree on Dec. 24, 1913. The tree was accompanied by music from the First Regimental Band, Moravian trombonists, and the singing of traditional Christmas songs by the United Singers of Philadelphia to the enjoyment of 20,000 — nearly the same number of people who attended Benjamin Franklin’s funeral in the city 123 years before.
Forty-three years later, Philadelphians ushered in another city tradition—the Wanamaker Christmas Light Show. For decades since 1955 — Philadelphians and people from all over the country have enjoyed fountains illuminated by multi-colored lights, a retelling of Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol, and of course— a musical accompaniment of the 28,750 pipes of the Wanamaker Organ. When Wanamaker’s became Macy’s in 2006, the Holiday celebration remained and became the Macy’s Holiday Light Show — keeping the tradition alive between the end of November and New Year’s Eve each year.
Just in case you didn’t get a chance to shop while the kids were enjoying the Macy’s Christmas Light Show, you might want to enjoy an over 40-year South Philadelphia Christmas Shopping tradition — Kindy’s Christmas Factory Outlet. Located on South 20th Street, Kindy’s has great prices and plenty of selection on everything Christmas — from trees to lights to all of the tree trimmings.
That gigantic Christmas tree in Independence Square was the start of something really good. In 1914 — one year after the impressive Christmas celebration in Independence Square — British soldiers in Belgium observed German soldiers signing and displaying small Christmas trees in their entrenched positions. For one night, troops from both sides called a truce and shared Christmas Eve together. For the American troops who received Red Cross packages throughout the war — they were packed right here in Philadelphia.
Merry Christmas, Philadelphia.
Michael Thomas Leibrandt is member of the York Road Historical Society and lives and works in Abington Township.
