Goodbye turkey, hello Philly holiday events: a BSR roundup

Want something better to do than circle the mall parking lot once you finally polish off all that leftover turkey (and, admit it, top off the dog or cat’s bowl), looking for that lucky space just a little closer to the entrance? Put your coat on and get ready to see how much hot chocolate (or Glühwein) you can hold.

Waterfront Winterfest

Your own little fir or spruce can’t hold a candle to the 43-foot, 5,000-pound Christmas tree now at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. The Winterfest (201 S. Columbus Boulevard) kicks off this year on Black Friday (November 28), and it runs all the way through March 1. On Friday, December 5 from 6:30-8:30pm, there’ll be a free tree lighting ceremony (coffee and hot chocolate included) with performances from groups like Olde Towne Carolers, the Philadelphia Youth Ballet, Sister Cities Girlchoir, and many others.

The Winterfest offers public skating (join Santa himself if you come on December weekends from 12-4pm), a winter forest from Groundswell Design Group, fire pits, a twice-hourly light show, and The Lodge, a pair of giant “ski chalet-style” heated tents with fireplaces, couches, rocking chairs, arcade games, a bar for local craft beers and hot spiked drinks, food from Garces Events, and an Art Star holiday market.

Christmas Village

Also make time to get your Glühwein in Love Park, with the seventh annual Christmas Village shopping extravaganza. No, you won’t be outsmarting the holiday shopping crowd: 550,000 people are expected to pack this year’s artsy roster of 65 merchants. Get in line for bratwurst, schnitzel, and meaty Döner Kebabs.

The Christmas Village’s grand opening is on Saturday, November 29 from 4-5pm, featuring local choirs and marching bands.

Franklin Flea

And if you need something a little more local, vintage, handmade, or “upcycled,” the Franklin Flea Holiday Market is coming back this year at 801 Market Street (the old Strawbridge's Building). It’ll be open on Saturdays through December 20 from 10am-5pm.

There’ll be handcrafted wooden furniture and bowls from Yacovella Furniture Designs, soy candles, clothing and jewelry, and one-of-a-kind goods from stuff as hip as Alpaca wool and beeswax. And if bratwurst or other European delicacies aren’t your thing, find your way from Love Park to Franklin Flea food vendors like PB & Jams and Luke’s Lobster.

Getting there

Wait til the in-laws hit town and do it all in one holiday-glut weekend, or plan enough outings to keep the kids properly exhausted till Christmas Eve (or maybe even till they’re back in school). And don’t worry about parking: Starting November 28, the Philly Phlash bus is operating a special Holiday Evening Loop. Ride right in from the ‘burbs and catch the Phlash from Suburban or Jefferson (formerly Market East) Stations. It’ll carry you to spots including the Waterfront, the Franklin Square Holiday Festival, the Love Park Christmas Village and Dilworth Park, Rittenhouse Square, and the Macy’s Holiday Light Show at 13th and Market.

At right: young love at last year's Winterfest. Photo by Douglas Bovitt.