As the winter season approaches, Philadelphia becomes a city brimming with festive cheer and historic charm. Whether it’s ice skating beneath the tall buildings of City Hall, taking in a classical performance of “The Nutcracker” or enjoying seasonaopping at neighboring markets, Philadelphia ensures something unique for everyone to enjoy during the holidays.
The feeling of a calm, chilly breeze brushing your skin can be enjoyable, and City Hall’s ice rink has just the place.
“My favorite memory in Philly was going to the ice rink back in sixth grade with my friend,” Aerin Kwon ‘28 said. “I like how Philly has all these community-related activities you can do despite it being such a big city.”
As mentioned, Philadelphia offers this and much more. Philadelphia offers walkable paths for you to enjoy the festive atmosphere. During the holidays, the streets are decorated with colorful lights and decorations to commemorate the start of the winter season. Fun activities are planted anywhere one can step, and it is quite a showing of the culture and what Philadelphia has to offer during this joyful time.
Philadelphia also offers holiday foods in the winter season to help set the mood. The farmer’s market provides many shops that supply a variety of foods, Christmas-themed and not. However, the crowded market space is only one place to spend time, and just walking around the streets of Philly with a warm cup of hot chocolate can be satisfying.
While the festive environment is enjoyable, many others find a heartwarming performance of “The Nutcracker,” a story following a young girl’s hopes and dreams on Christmas, a pleasing experience.
“I watched it, and [I] was really warm and inspired by this story,” Kwon ‘28 said.
In addition to Philadelphia’s famous theatrical performances, Philly offers a variety of other shows. Parades on the main streets are quite popular, as they fill the decorated streets with much liveliness and joy. The music played is wonderful and the parade floats are a splendid sight to see.
“Macy’s used to have, and still has, a light show in Center City, and so does Comcast,” Ms. Allison Rader, Upper School math teacher and Roberts House Head, said.
A lot of popular stores that receive many visitors during the holiday season might have a fun little festive extravaganza. Not only that, many nearby parks offer outdoor light shows for people to enjoy.
The city environment isn’t the only place to spend the holidays, as there are places right outside of Philadelphia that have just as much to enjoy.
“I’ve done Peddlers’ Village, which isn’t necessarily the city of Philadelphia, but Peddlers’ Village can be a really good time, there’s lights everywhere. It’s a very walkable area,” Ms. Rader said. “There’s lots of good restaurants and fun shopping too.”
The Charles Dickens Village is also a place to go, where an old-school-styled wand makers’ light show can be found.
“We’d go visit this and we’d have cousins that would come in from Atlanta, and we’d see them once a year and go do it with them,” Ms. Peggy Bradley, US math teacher and Alcott Day House Head said. “It was a really special moment for all of us.”
All in all, Philadelphia provides a place where the GA community can celebrate the holiday season.