Christmas Village
It’s perfect timing that the annual Christmas Village in Love Park opens up on Turkey Day, the day before Black Friday. Call it serendipitous shopping. The open-air market offers some of the most unique shopping opportunities this holiday season along with the backdrop of twinkling lights, German-styled decorations and the wafting smell of roasted nuts and Raclette cheese. Vendors range from Christmas Souvenir Ornaments, Nordic Dreams (offering Scandanavian ornaments and souvenirs), Vellum St Soap Company/ Philadelphia Bee Company, Mexican Art Crafts, Astro Vinyl Art, Chopstick Art, Edible Birdhouses, Walking Toys (from Russia) and much, much more. Walking through Christmas Village offers opportunities to shop around the world without ever leaving the city limits. Now in its 14th season, Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by Bank of America has grown into one of the region’s largest and most unique holiday destinations — and one of the largest and most celebrated authentic German Christmas markets in all of America.
1501 John F. Kennedy Blvd., philachristmas.com
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Located right across the street from Love Park’s Christmas Village, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market offers a similar set-up with vendors lining the courtyard outside of City Hall. However, instead of showcasing crafts from around the world, this market puts a spotlight on local crafters and makers. Technically, the market doesn’t open until the day after Black Friday, but it offers a great opportunity to support small businesses on Small Business Saturday. According to a release, more than 50 local artisans, designers, crafters and confectionaries will offer unique selections for gifts and special holiday foods in white, festively-lit tents topped with original Herrnhuter Stars. In contrast to the authentic German Christmas Village with international vendors, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market offers a wide variety of arts and crafts from local vendors from the greater Philadelphia area. With such a wide selection, visitors will be sure to find the perfect gift for their loved ones and themselves, like fashionable jewelry and clothes, unique decor and so much more. At the same time, a wide choice of locally-made sweets and foods will be available for visitors’ enjoyment, as well as the beautiful Wintergarden presented by TD Bank, the ice skating at the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink and the Rothman Orthopedics Cabin, all conveniently located in Dilworth Park. Admission is free, so come by and enjoy the vibrant holiday atmosphere and shop local to find unique gifts for your family and friends.
Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St., madeinphila.com
Kin Boutique
The women’s clothing store recently moved to a new location, which means expanded offerings and a lot more to shop for in the city. For Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, however, there will be a few sales to indulge in from this retailer. On both days from noon to 7 p.m., shoppers can check out everything this inclusive store has to offer with the added bonus of 10% off $100-plus, 15% off $250-plus, 20% off $500-plus and 25% off $750-plus. While at the store, Philadelphians can sift through accessories, bottoms, dresses, gifts for the home, jackets/outerwear, jewelry, jumpsuits, shoes, swimwear, tees/tops and much, much more.
1010 Pine St., shop-kin.com
The Clay Studio
This holiday season, you can shop local and choose from a variety of handmade specialty gifts crafted by Philadelphians and national artisans at the Clay Studio. Located in Philadelphia’s Old City district, the Clay Studio’s gallery shop offers patrons a diverse array of unique ceramics, including decorative plates, mugs, jewelry, vases and boutique items. As a release states, the Clay Studio’s ‘Ornaments from the Artist’s Studio’ collection celebrates the holiday season with handmade ornaments starting under $20. The decorative pieces come from Kip O’Krongly’s colorful farm animal ornaments or Nicole Aquillano’s intricate blue and white hand-drawn designs depicting the Ben Franklin Bridge, Eiffel Tower, snowflakes and more. At the Clay Studio, there’s also rare, higher-priced gifts made by Philly artists: Works from Jordan McDonald, Kevin Snipes, Joshua Hebbert, Ruth Easterbrook and Don Nakamura are offered both online and in-person. On top of everything else, the release also states that the Clay Studio offers certificates so your loved ones can pick out their next statement piece or book a class run by professional Philadelphia artists. Gift certificates can also be used to reserve one of the Clay Studio’s popular Date Night events, which are set to return in 2022. Fifty percent of all purchases from the Clay Studio go directly to the artists, and 50% of proceeds return to the non-profit operations of The Clay Studio, which serves 35,000 people, including 2,000 underserved schoolchildren each year. For the shopping holiday, patrons using the discount code “CYBER” will receive free shipping for all purchases made between Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
139 N. 2nd St., theclaystudio.org
