Philadelphia Neighborhoods Light Up with 2014 Tree Lighting Celebrations by South Street, East Passyunk, Mt. Airy, Glen Foerd

Starting tonight, Philadelphia neighborhoods will light up for the 2014 holidays with festive celebrations, parties, parades and tree lightings by South Street Headhouse District, East Passyunk Business Improvement District, Go Mt. Airy, Glen Foerd on the Delaware and Christmas Village.  All events listed below are free (unless otherwise noted) and open to the public. Make sure to bring your family to one or all of them. Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy to the events on South Street and East Passyunk as part of the Joy of Sharing Campaign by CBS Philly. 
 

Photo credit: Visit Philly

Wednesday, December 3, 2014
City Hall and Christmas Village

Head to Philadelphia City Hall for the Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Spectacular with a 35-foot-tall Norway spruce from Linvilla Orchards. Entertainment starts at 6:00pm, with the ceremony at 7:00pm. Tonight is also the first night the Christmas Village Christmas Tree in LOVE Park will be lit. Stop by after today for photos with the twinkling tree and the iconic LOVE Statue.

Thursday, December 4, 2014
East Passyunk's Tree Lighting Party

Kick off the holidays with the annual Tree Lighting Party at the Singing Fountain (Tasker Street and East Passyunk Avenue) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The free celebration will include live music, carolers, holiday sweets, shopping and other surprises. Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped gift for a toy drive to benefit local youth. After the party, stay until 9:00pm for extended shopping hours as the Deck the Ave campaign kicks off with shopping, sales and other festivities during December. 

Friday, December 5, 2014
Go Mt Airy Tree Lighting

Mt. Airy rings in the Holiday Season with events all weekend, kicked off by a tree lighting at the Lutheran Seminary at 4:45pm, with music from the Salvation Army Brass Band, followed by a community run Caroling session down the Avenue. That same evening, take pictures with Santa at Rothe Florists from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  The event is free and includes warm cider, cookies and candy canes for all.  There will be a store-wide sale on all holiday trimmings.

Saturday, December 6, 2014
Gilded Age Christmas at the Mansion

Glen Foerd will partner with Settlement Music School’s Kardon Northeast Branch to bring musical and ballet performances to the family friendly event Christmas at the Mansion. From 1:00pm to 6:00pm the public is invited to experience the mansion in full holiday décor, enjoy performances and children’s crafts. The Dining Car will be selling holiday sweets and cookies. Join Santa at 5:00pm as he makes an appearance at our outdoor holiday tree lighting and joins guests in singing holiday carols, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30pm.

Sunday, December 7, 2014
Winter Wonderland, Tree Lighting and Headhouse Holiday Market

South Street Headhouse District presents their annual extravaganza Winter Wonderland from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Historic Headhouse Square Shambles on 200 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147.  Free family fun will include the annual holiday tree lighting, Santa Claus arriving on a firetruck, free horse-drawn carriage rides, performances by Philadelphia Dance Academy and Society Hill Dance Academy, and the Headhouse Holiday Market in conjunction with PHAIR. Brauhaus Schmitz will serve mulled wine and other treats. Before or after the festivities, stroll the district and check out holiday displays at 30+ businesses competing in the Window Wonderland Storefront Challenge. 

UPDATE: EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL 2015 
Lantern Parade and FREE Concert

The Christmas fun continues after the trees are lit! Help us light up the city with the Lantern Parade at Christmas Village in Philadelphia: Presented by NRG Home. This German-style Lantern Parade starts at 5:00pm. Bring your homemade lantern and meet at the iconic LOVE Statue. The Snow Queen, along with Gerda and Kai fromEnchantment Theatre Company’s The Snow Queen, will lead the parade of lights around LOVE Park and Center City. The parade will end at the Christmas Village stage with a sing-a-long led by children from East Passyunk’s Alphabet Academy Daycare and a free concert by the The Philly POPS Festival Brass.  Join the parade with your family, or simply come to watch! All lanterns should contain battery-operated candles or lights, no flames.

Christmas Village Lights Up Philadelphia with New Lantern Parade and Concert by The Philly POPS Brass - EVENT CANCELLED

EVENT CANCELLED Update 12/10 -- Christmas Village in Philadelphia: Presented by NRG Home invites you to a traditional German-style Lantern Parade on Thursday, December 11, 2014.  At 5:00pm, bring your homemade lantern and meet at the iconic LOVE Statue. The Snow Queen, along with Gerda and Kai from Enchantment Theatre Company’s The Snow Queen, will lead the parade of lights around LOVE Park and Center City. The parade will end at the Christmas Village stage with a sing-a-long led by children from East Passyunk’s Alphabet Academy Daycare and a free concert by the The Philly POPS Festival Brass.  Join the parade with your family, or simply come to watch! All lanterns should contain battery-operated candles or lights, no flames.

For more about Christmas Village, visit:
http://www.philachristmas.com

For more about The Snow Queen, visit: http://enchantmenttheatre.org

For info about The Philly Pops, visit:
http://phillypops.com
 

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns to LOVE Park for 2014 Holiday Season with Festive Sights, Sounds and Shopping

The Christmas Village will again transform Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily between Thanksgiving and Sunday, December 28, 2014. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousand of twinkling lights, the LOVE Park Christmas Tree, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa Claus. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot cocoa while enjoying European and American food and drink. Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.

Now in its seventh year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia has grown into one of the region’s most unique and charming holiday attractions. It expects to attract more than 550,000 people in 2014. Sixty-five international and local merchants and artists are busy preparing high-quality gifts that will be sold in decorated tents and wooden houses that will pop-up throughout Center City’s famous LOVE Park. With toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, homegoods, artwork and more, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.

For the second consecutive year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is presented by an NRG company.

“NRG Home is once again proud to be the presenting sponsor of Christmas Village in Philadelphia, a growing tradition that brings the community together,” said Heather Farber, Managing Director, NRG Retail Northeast. “We look forward to connecting with consumers at Christmas Village, listening to what their energy needs are, and sharing how NRG Home can help power their holidays both at home and on the go.”

Follow the smell of gingerbread and waffles to a full menu of European food, sweets and drinks, including mouthwatering German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a warm roll (Brötchen). Look for new menu additions this year, including Döner Kebab (a German specialty featuring fresh meat shaved right off the rotisserie spit, placed in a warm pita pocket with tomato, onion, and our delicious homemade sauce). Wash it all down with a warm mug of traditional German Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) or rich hot chocolate.

On top of the great shopping and dining experiences, visitors will enjoy the glorious Christmas Tree in LOVE Park, a Wish Wall in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a new kid’s zone on the weekends, theme days and weekends, tasting tours with Chaddsford Winery, live music during evenings and weekends, and other surprises to be announced.

The Christmas Village previews for two days on Thanksgiving Day (9:00am to 5:00pm) and Black Friday (11:00am to 7:00pm). Stop over after Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 27 and beat the mall crowds on Black Friday, November 28, 2014.

Daily market hours starting Black Friday through the last Sunday in December will be Friday through Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday through Thursday 11:00am to 7:00pm. Christmas Eve hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Christmas Day).

The market will have a Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Invite your family and friends to come sing-a-long to holiday selections by local choirs, marching bands and other entertainers. Meet the original Christkind from Nuremberg after she officially opens the market by reciting her traditional prologue and rings in the official lighting ceremony of the Chritmas Village Fountain (not the tree), presented by NRG Home. Take photos with her as she does her traditional walk of the market. In Germany, she is the person that brings the Christmas gifts to the kids, and she won’t be coming to Philadelphia empty handed!

Vendor lists, food and drink menus, theme weekends, special event details and special promotions will be released in mid-November. Follow @philachristmas on Twitter, follow Christmas Village on Facebook and visit www.philachristmas.com for more information.

ABOUT NRG HOME

NRG Home empowers residential energy customers with a new way to think about, buy and use energy. Innovative, exclusive energy products give customers unprecedented choice and control through customized electricity plans with unique rewards and access to emerging energy technology solutions. NRG Home is part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 company that serves almost three million retail customers across the country. NRG Energy creates value through reliable and efficient conventional power generation, while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric energy solutions.

Taproom on 19th Hosts One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular with Pigheaded BBQ, Gin Canaries, Tap Takeover and Fatties

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) celebrates its one year anniversary with a special night of brews, barbecue and live music. This Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 4:00pm to 2:00am, owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry will host the “One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular” featuring a chef pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ, performance by the Gin Canaries, tap-takeover with Bella Vista Beer Distributor, and visits with representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask. Admission is free. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

One year ago, on November 8, 2013, current owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry took over ownership of Taproom on 19th and revamped the South Philadelphia staple into a top destination for local and seasonal upscale pub fare, 14 rotating taps of craft beer (including a cask engine), a classic cocktail menu, a knowledgeable staff and a warm vibe.

“What a long and strange trip is has been,” said Strauss. “Pete and I are grateful for all the people that have supported us. We truly love South Philadelphia and our neighborhood. We are also honored to be part of the city’s thriving food and beer scene.”

Taproom’s Anniversary specials for the SpecTAPular will include:

• Anniversary Burger - Lafrieda beef patty with collard greens, black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats, barbecue fried chicken skin ($13.00)
• Mac and Cheese - Fontina and sharp cheddar, bacon bread crumbs and stewed tomato ($11.00)
• Collard Greens - Featuring black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats and pork jus ($6.00)
• Anniversary Chili - Chef’s family recipe with venison ($8.00)

The national barbecue competition team Pigheaded BBQ will pop-up in the kitchen with:

• BBQ Fatties - House-rolled sausage stuffed with bacon and mac-n-cheese, coated in barbecue rub and smoked with peach wood for 2.5 hours ($5 half Fattie $10 whole Fattie)
• Pulled Pork Nachos - Kettle cooked potato crisps smothered in slow-smoked barbecue pulled pork, topped with brisket and pork studded baked beans, slathered in cheese sauce and dressed with barbecue sauce, sour cream and jalapenos $8.00)
• Brisket - Full packer cut brisket, rubbed with salt and pepper, smoked low and slow using peach wood for 12 hours, sliced to order ($10 for half lb. and $20 for full lb.)

Taps during the anniversary event will be taken over by Bella Vista Beer Distributor’s Jason A Miller. The night’s selection will feature:

• Clown Shoes - Pecan Pie Porter
• DuClaw - Retribution (2013 Vintage!)
• Stillwater - Classique
• Evil Twin - Femme Fatale Kabuso
• Pizza Boy - Sunny Side Up
• Carton - Boat Beer
• Cigar City - Good Gourd
• Ballast Point - Sculpin
• Prairie - Cherry Funk
• Traunstein - Pils

Representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer will also be on hand to discuss their beers. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask.

The Gin Canaries will perform from 7:00pm to 11:00pm with a full set of jazz age and American songbook. The concert is free. Food and drink are pay as you go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink (with identification). For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

ABOUT PIGHEADED BBQ

Pigheaded BBQ is an award-winning KCBS Competition BBQ Team based in Middletown, DE. Retired Philly Police Diver turned pitmaster Ron Templeman co-founded Pigheaded BBQ in 2006 with his son Ron Templeman, son-in-law Mike Sadgwar and nephew Brian Milito. Other team members include Norma Templeman (Ron Ron's wife), Trina Sadgwar (Ron's daughter & Mike's wife) and Stephanie Sadgwar (Mike's sister). Pigheaded also provides catering services and collaborates with restaurants in the tri-state area for pop-up barbecue events.

THE STORY BEHIND TAPROOM ON 19TH

What happens when two longtime friends from Central Jersey become disillusioned with their respective careers, and decide to follow their shared passion for good food and drink?

In 2012, after 25+ years in the printing business, Pete Fry decided he had had enough and needed to do something that he actually loved as opposed to just paying the bills. A quick call to good friend Michael Strauss consisting mainly of “hey, so I hate my job, want to open a bar?” and they were on their way, with Strauss leaving behind his career in commercial real estate.

With no specific locale in mind, and after checking out several locations, they homed in on the current 19th the solid neighborhood, and the good bones of the tavern that was there at the time. With Strauss being the driving force behind the overall food style and Fry putting his extensive

knowledge of craft beer into play, they brought on some of Philadelphia’s best young talent in Chef Christina De Silva, Sous Chris Myers, and Bar Manager Brian Padgett to complete the team. Taproom on 19th opened in its current format on November 8th, 2013.