South Street Headhouse District Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting

South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) presents their annual extravaganza Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 8, 2013, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Historic Headhouse Square Shambles on 2nd Street, 200 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 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 a holiday shopping market organized by PHAIR. Before or after the festivities, stroll the district and check out holiday displays at 31 businesses competing in the Window Wonderland Storefront Challenge. Winners will be announced during the tree lighting ceremony. Winter Wonderland is free and open to the public. For more information, visit southstreet.com or call (215) 413-3713. During the event, follow along on Twitter at @officialsouthst #WW2013.

Winter Wonderland is a celebration of SSHD’s finest holiday traditions, with free fun for all ages. WXPN’s Kathy O’Connell will cap off her year-long celebration of 25 years of Kids Corner serving as emcee. Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck with our city’s finest, then he will greet children and collect their wish lists. Parents should bring their own cameras for photos with Santa. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from Philadelphia Trolley Works. The highly popular “Nutcracker Mash-Up” dance performance by the Philadelphia Dance Academy is back. The award-winning Society Hill Dance Academy will perform holiday ballroom dances for the crowds as well. Kids (of all ages) will be able to make their own ornaments at the Expressive Hands table. South Street Headhouse District businesses and vendors from PHAIR will be under the Headhouse Shambles to create a Holiday Market that will meet the interests and needs of area shoppers.

Before or after Winter Wonderland, visitors are encouraged to stroll the District and enjoy holiday window displays at 31 businesses (see map). Celebrity Judges who will review the participating windows, include: Philadelphia Inquirer & City Paper journalist, A.D. Amorosi, America’s Next Top Model Season 2.0 finalist, Cory Wade-Hindroff, Councilman Mark Squilla, Lifestyle Editor of Philly Mag & Shoppist, Emily Goulet, Editor & Writer of Glamorosi Magazine, Glomorosi, Project Runways Season 1 Winner, Jay McCarroll, Editor of Uwishunu, Kristina Jenkins & Columnist and Host of Philly.com’s Out & About, Maria Papadakis. The winners of the Window Wonderland Storefront Challenge will be announced during the evening’s ceremonies.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

4:00pm to 7:00pm – Ornament making hosted by The Expressive Hand; Holiday Marketplace with PHAIR
5:00pm – Santa Claus arrives
5:30pm – Society Hill Dance Academy performance
6:00pm – Nutcracker Mashup by the Philadelphia Dance Academy
6:30pm – Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland Storefront Challenge winners announced

Confirmed vendors from SSHD include:

·Society Hill Playhouse
Philly AIDS Thrift
South Street Coins
BarKadelphia
Moon & Arrow

Participating vendors from PHAIR include:

Amy’s Front Door
Calling Card Confections
FrostBittenDesigns
GlamTribale
Just Like Mom Made
Laurea Swartz Photography
Life Art by Stacey Grange
Lionword Illustrations
PB & Jams
Petit Jardin en Ville
Practical & Creative
Stitch Prism
The Quondam Tree

Before or after Winter Wonderland, visits are invited to extend their outing and take advantage of dining and shopping at one of over 400 unique and independently-owned restaurants, retailers, or service providers.

For more information, visit southstreet.com or call (215) 413-3713. During the event, follow along on Twitter at @officialsouthst #WW2013.