Visitors / Employees
Celebrate the Holidays in University City
Need a little joy in your life during the holiday season? Below, view our in-progress ways to celebrate the holidays locally and to support local businesses. Want more events and activities? See our community calendar for a comprehensive list. If you have events or promotions to add, please email us!
WEST PHILLY FAVORITES GIFT PACKS
University City District is proud to present the return of West Philly Favorites, a curated series of gift packs filled with handcrafted and locally produced items from neighborhood small businesses. Our first run of unique gift packs will focus on Holiday Favorites, with locally-sourced offerings from Ceramic Concept, Renata's Kitchen, Grant BLVD, the University City Arts League, and Spruce Hill Provisions! Plus, a petite bouquet and holiday wreath are available as add-ons from our friends at Snapdragon Flowers! The sale of these curated items provides support to small businesses still recovering from the impact of COVID-19.
Buy packs for pickup at Trolley Portal Gardens on either Friday, December 10th or Saturday, December 11th. Sales for individual packs close on Thursday, December 2nd at 10 PM. Details on pick-up, as well as reminders, will be sent at the time of purchase. West Philly Favorites packs make great gifts! If you’d like to purchase a pack for someone else, you’ll be sent a gift voucher after your purchase is complete.
SEASONAL DISPLAYS
Ronald McDonald House Holiday Light Display
Each year, our friends at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (3925 Chestnut Street) host a festive lighting ceremony to thank the community for their support and to bring holiday cheer to the neighborhood. For the first time this year, our own Green City Works crew installed the beautiful display. The lights will remain up throughout the holidays for the community to enjoy.
Sansom Street Holiday Display Presented by New Deck Tavern
The folks at New Deck Tavern (3408 Sansom Street) will be creating a winter spectacular on the 3400 block of Sansom starting on Thursday, December 2. They'll have lights, tents, heaters, and multiple blow-up holiday attractions, plus some real-life, Santa Claus appearances. They'll be serving up hot spiked cocktails for your enjoyment and will have live music every Friday and Saturday. New Deck gift cards make a great gift, too! Follow New Deck on social media for up-to-date details of all the happenings!
HOLIDAY EVENTS, SHOPPING DEALS, & MARKETS
Take a look at seasonal and holiday events and markets happening throughout the neighborhood!
December 3rd: First Friday West Philly Hosted by Indie-Life (4626 Baltimore Avenue)
First Friday West Philly, hosted by Indie-Life, is psyched to introduce Joshua Ruggeri as the featured artist for their first solo gallery. Head to Indie-Life at 4616 Baltimore Avenue on December 3 for an intimate look at Josh's work and exclusive access to Indie-Life x Josh Ruggeri merch. Visit the Indie-Life Creative Studio and see how Josh uses a large arsenal of colorful mixed mediums and ‘found objects’ to give life and form to his style. ‘Neo-Pop’ is the term often used for Joshua Ruggeri’s body of work. His artwork examines pop culture while combining the cult of celebrity, comic aesthetics, and musical heroes to paint strong, projective narratives. Register here.
December 3rd-14th: Shop Penn Days of Deals
From December 3 to December 14, Shop Penn will be hosting Days of Deals, 12 days of sales and giveaways from Shop Penn retailers. Watch for special events, discounts, and contest giveaways. Follow Shop Penn on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more details and a chance to win gift cards to their retail locations.
December 4th: Handmade Holidays 2021 at Bartram's Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd)
On Saturday, December 4th, head to Bartram's Garden for Handmade Holidays 2021, their celebration of winter and the holiday season. From the local vendor marketplace to the holiday wreaths, to the winter tree ID tours and pie-making contest, there's a little something here for everyone. Head to the Garden for a day full of seasonal, family-friendly festivities!
- Cross a few items off your holiday shopping list at their marketplace, featuring a wide selection of local artisans and vendors
- Warm up around the campfire with a hot beverage in hand
- Stroll through the Garden for a wintry walking tour or a winter tree ID
- Enjoy a handmade craft workshop or two
- Snap a shot fit for your family holiday card at the photo booth
December 11th: SEPTA Festive Bus and Jolly Trolly Emporium (Baltimore Ave)
On Saturday, December 11 from 10 am to 3 pm, we're will welcome two of SEPTA's festive decorated buses to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore. Take a tour, take some pictures, and get into the holiday spirit! This event coincides with our West Philly Favorites Saturday pickup. If you're looking to do some holiday shopping on Baltimore Avenue, keep an eye out for the festive "Jolly Trolley." Starting at 10am, the Jolly Trolley will run on the 34 line, making stops between 40th and 61st on Baltimore Avenue approximately every 45 minutes. All passengers on the holiday Jolly Trolley will ride for free from 10 am to 3 pm. Please note, all other trolleys will require a standard fee.
The following local businesses will be offering special deals that day, too!
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VeloJawn Bike Shop |
3946 Lancaster Ave |
Winter tune-up 30% off our package deals! All bikes welcome and 3 tiers of service |
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Renata's Kitchen |
3940 Baltimore Ave |
Tony's Drink Specials |
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World Cafe Live |
3025 Walnut St |
Stop by the World Cafe Live Box Office and get a coupon for 15% off your next meal with any ticket purchase! |
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PHilthy PAWS |
806 South 47th Street |
We will give out free dog bag dispensers & offer $5 off all nail trims |
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Baltimore Pet Shoppe |
4532 Baltimore Ave |
10% off all Holiday items |
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Spruce Hill Provisions |
4529 Baltimore Ave |
10% off! |
December 11th: The West Craft Fest (The Lawn at 37th and Filbert)
The popular West Craft Fest returns for the holiday season to a NEW location: The LAWN & Pivot Park, at 37th & Filbert (1 block north of Market) in University City on Saturday, December 11 from 10 am to 4 pm. Find handmade holiday gifts galore, like warm hand knits, artisan jewelry, ceramics, holiday cards & stationery, ornaments, homewares, candles, soaps & body care, art prints & originals, clothing, accessories, children's gifts and more, all by local, independent makers. Also, SEPTA's festive decorated buses will be on hand to spread holiday cheer.
December 17th: Made at Black Hound Night Market (715 S. 50th Street)
Join Black Hound Clay Studio for their Made at Black Hound Night Market, where you can buy holiday gifts made in your neighborhood by your neighbors! They'll have handmade items for sale by their members, staff, and friends of the studio, plus a mystery grab bag fundraiser with items donated by vendors. Proceeds will benefit local arts organizations. This event is outdoors and wearing a mask is required.
December 19th: Hair Vyce Studio & Between Friends Boutique Holiday Pop-Up Shop (4828 Baltimore Ave)
Come join Hair Vyce Studio as they reflect, celebrate, and bring a little joy to the end of this year. They will have light appetizers, beverages, and giveaways! Hair Vyce Studio has partnered with Between Friends Boutique for this special event and will be featuring some of their latest designs and fashion pieces for purchase to gift that special someone or to just treat yourself! We will be following CDC Guidelines and require all guests to wear facial masks whenever not actively eating or drinking food. Register here.
December 20th: Winter Solstice Bird Walk at The Woodlands (4000 Woodland Ave)
Avian expert Toribird is back for a Winter Solstice Celebration at The Woodlands on Monday, December 20th from 3:30pm - 5:00pm. Join her for a Winter Solstice Bird Walk to Center Circle at 3:30pm, then learn about the species you’ll see while winter birding and make a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Feel free to bring your own pine cone, there will also be some available that have been collected from the grounds. Learn more and register.
New Hours and Options at Lil' Pop Shop (265 S. 44th Street)
Our friends at Lil' Pop Shop have announced new items, pop-ups, hours, and store details. They have decorated for the holidays and will now be open Thursday and Fridays from 3PM - 9PM, and Saturday and Sundays from 12 PM to 9 PM. See details on cookie pre-order kits and boxes, a pop-up coffee shop in partnership with Persimmon Coffee, and more on their website.
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Both Penn Live Arts and World Cafe Live have multiple holiday performances scheduled for December. Click here for Penn Live Arts' calendar and explore what's happening at World Cafe Live here. Below are three highlights!
December 17th: The Crossing @ Christmas (Annenberg Center, Zellerbach Theatre at 3680 Walnut Street)
“America’s most astonishing choir” (The New York Times) reflects on this unique time in history as we begin to emerge from isolation and resume experiencing music together. To mark the holiday season and celebrate the value of life, conductor Donald Nally and The Crossing commissioned new works by 12 composers of diverse background, style, experience, identity and race who will collectively contemplate our recent past. Known for an “embrace of the new, a social conscience and fearless technique,” (The New York Times) The Crossing seeks to find the right words to fit this moment of our lives. Purchase tickets here.
December 18th: The Philly Pops Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia Holiday Celebration (Annenberg Center, Zellerbach Theatre)
The Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia returns to the stage with its annual holiday tradition—The Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia Holiday Celebration. For the first set, the JOP, under the direction of POPS Artistic Director for Jazz Terell Stafford, will present Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s Harlem Nutcracker. In the second half of the show, the JOP will celebrate the 100th birthday of jazz saxophone legend Charlie Parker. For this set, Terell has selected guest artists Charles McPherson and Jaleel Shaw, along with JOP saxophonist Dick Oatts, to represent Charlie Parker’s style. Purchase tickets here.
December 23rd: Jim Henson Holiday Tribute at World Cafe Live
Rev. TJ McGlinchey & Friends are playing a special Holiday Concert Tribute to Jim Henson & Company at World Cafe Live on Thursday, December 23. This very special event features over a dozen of Philadelphia's most-Muppety singers, songwriters, musicians, and puppeteers to celebrate togetherness, traditions, and families of all types. Philly's finest will serenade you with their favorite tunes from The Muppet universe! Join World Cafe Live for a warm night of holiday cheer with your favorite songs from The Muppets played by Philly's favorite musicians! Purchase tickets here.
GIFT CARDS
Looking for gifts for friends and family and want to support local businesses at the same time? Consider purchasing gift cards! Here's a list of select local retailers and restaurants offering gift cards this winter:
- Acupuncture with Monica
- Aksum Cafe
- Baltimore Avenue Pet Shop
- Black Hound Clay Studio
- Booker's Restaurant and Bar
- Dock Street
- Everybody Movement and Wellness
- Honeygrow
- PHIlthy Paws
- Spruce Hill Provisions
- Renata's Kitchen
- World Cafe Live
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