Your 2021 Guide to the Holidays in University City

A graphic for holiday happenings
Nov 30, 2021 2 years ago

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! 

 


 

SEASONAL DISPLAYS & TOY DRIVES

 

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!

Third District Toy Drive (Through December 17th)

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is running a holiday tour drive to benefit children within the Third District. You may donate new, unwrapped toys for youths at City Hall, Room 586 at 1400 JFK Blvd., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 am - 5 pm. If you have questions and require additional information, contact Alexis Wright-Whitley at [email protected] or at 215-782-7497. 

 

 

Cedar Park Holiday Basket Drive (Through December 18th)

The annual Holiday Basket Drive has returned to Cedar Park in its usual format after taking a break last year due to the pandemic. This is a great chance for neighbors to help other neighbors in need during the holidays. CPN is accepting donations from its members and everyone who would like to help. The suggested donation this year is $45. Support at this amount will help feed two families and foster the organization’s commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” Please go to this page to make a donation. The baskets will be packed and distributed on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Avenue. For more information or if you would like to volunteer, please contact the event organizer, Michelle Lewis ([email protected]). Please also feel free to contact Michelle if you’re interested in donating bulk items.

 


 

HOLIDAY EVENTS, SHOPPING DEALS, & MARKETS

Take a look at seasonal and holiday events and markets happening throughout the neighborhood (updated 12/13/21)! 

 

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 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.

 

All of December: Alfajor Gift Boxes For Sale at Jezabel's

Alfajores are the quintessential Argentine sweet treat. Two crispy shortbread cookies sandwiched between authentic Argentine dulce de leche and rolled in flaked coconut. They are mildly sweet and are an excellent pairing to tea or coffee. We offer a variety of gift boxes and platters perfect for holiday gift-giving.

  • Alfajor Gift Box- 3 Alfajores de Maizena and 3 Chocolate Alfajores $25
  • Alfajor Gift Box with POP Card- 3 Alfajores de Maizena and 3 Chocolate Alfajores with a card fromPhiladelphia Orchard Project(POP) $32
  • Alfajor Gift Box with Chai Tea & Coffee - 3 Alfajores de Maizena and 3 Chocolate Alfajores & a 2oz bag of The Chai Bar Astrakadir Tea, & Vamo Coffee Whole Beans bag$50
  • Alfajor Gift Box with Cutting board- 3 Alfajores de Maizena and 3 Chocolate Alfajores with a hand-crafted cutting board by Jezabel $58

 

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

 

12 Paws of the Holidays at PHilthy Paws (806 S. 47th Street) 

Through December 24th, customers at local pet wash PHilthy Paws who use any of their services (self-wash, premium wash and dry, grooming, retail purchase) will have a chance to win a holiday gift! Simply drop a receipt into the holiday bucket for a chance to win. Learn more here. 

 

Dock Street Gift Baskets (701 S. 50th Street) 

This holiday season, treat the beer fans in your life with gift baskets from Dock Street! Grab one of two basket options: 1) a standard basket featuring 8 16 oz beers, a Dock Street T-shirt, and a wooden crate for $60, or 2) a Winter Warmer Gift Bag, with goodies from Bean2Bean roasters and Dock Street Bean2neam Espresso Stout cans for $42. 

 

Christmas Dinner from 48th Street Grille (310 48th Street) 

Take some of the stress out of your holiday planning this year by pre-ordering a Christmas dinner from 48th Street Grille! Pick-ups are available on Friday, December 24th only. Options range from dinners that can feed 8-10 guests (including a classic turkey breast dinner, jerk marinated turkey breast dinner, or prime rib), or individual dinners for smaller parties. See the full menu here and click here to order

 


 

 

NEW YEARS EVENTS 

Celebrate New Years' Eve in University City! Below is a rolling list of events happening in the neighborhood to help you ring in 2022. 

  • New Years Eve Bash at City Tap House (3925 Walnut Street)
    • Grab your friends to experience the very best in service, craft beer, food, party favors, and music while ringing in the new year right!  Upgrades to VIP Reserved Seating are available (quantities very limited). General admission tickets get you a premium open bar from 9pm to 1am including craft beers, mixed drinks, wine, champagne, and soft drinks, a delicious light buffet of meats & cheeses, pizza, and pasta, party favors, a DJ and huge dance floor, outdoor fire pits, and a champagne toast at midnight.  Tickets start at $79.95 and are available here
  • New Years Eve at The Post (129 S. 30th Street)
    • Ring in the new year with arcade games, dancing, and watching the ball drop on 11 TVs. DJ BRY will spin from 9 pm-1 am. General admission is $55/ person and includes an open bar from 9pm-1am. Each table comes with a complimentary bottle of bubbles, party favors and $10 of quarters to play games! Learn more and grab tickets here
  • NYE Dinner at Walnut Street Cafe (2929 Walnut Street)
    • Enjoy an upscale meal at Walnut Street Cafe, featuring a multi-course menu for $79 per person. See the menu here and visit their website to make a reservation. 

 


 

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 17th: Musings and Music: Al-Bustan's Homey Holiday Show

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is excited to put on an annual holiday celebration featuring a dance performance, writing presentations, and a professional violist musical performance. The event will be taking place online on Friday, December 17th from 7pm to 8pm. Register here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ape2/event/842010/ 

   

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 (3025 Walnut Street)

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

 

 

All December: Drexel Basketball Holiday Flash Sale (3315 Market Street)

Live in the 19104 zip code and love hoops? Pick up $5 tickets by showing a state-issued ID with a 19104 zip code at the ticket office to redeem $5 tickets to any home basketball game in December of 2021. Call 866-437-3935 with questions.

 


 

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: