Get shopping, Philadelphia! The season for festive outings to holiday shopping destinations has arrived, and this city’s retailers are stepping up with special sales, holiday-themed events and more. (Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia)
Holiday shoppers looking to purchase creative and sure-to-be-coveted gifts this season have plenty of special markets, bazaars and pop-up shops to choose from in Philadelphia.
Pop-up holiday markets and events are cropping up all over town for a single day, a weekend, for several weekends or even for an entire month.
Gift givers can shop 'til they drop at such holiday-only destinations as the Franklin Flea Holiday Market, the PHS Pop-Up Shop in Chestnut Hill, the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest's Art Star Holiday Shop, the Pennsylvania Ballet's Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and more.
Here's a look at where shoppers can get in on the holiday pop-up shopping action, at both ongoing markets with multiple shopping days and special shopping events that come around just once a year.
HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS
Art Star Holiday Shop at Winterfest
November 28-March 1, 2015. Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Opening to the public right after Thanksgiving Day on Friday, November 28, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest takes the perennial good times of the rink to a whole new level, transforming Penn's Landing into a winterized riverfront park for the entire season. In addition to a skating rink, winter beer garden and light show, the Winterfest also hosts the crafty folks behind the Art Star Gallery & Boutique for a winter-themed retail experience with goods housed inside a repurposed shipping container. MORE INFO
PHAIR at Franklin Square
November 28-December 23. Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street. Come Friday, November 28, the new Franklin Square Holiday Festival will open a daily Holiday Market with an array of vendors curated by PHAIR. As with the PHAIR maker market at the Shambles at Headhouse Square, the Franklin Square market will include a selection of artisans selling jewelry, clothing, toys and more. Also, open daily, the Franklin Square Holiday Gift Shop will stock a small selection of accessories and gifts. MORE INFO
Christmas Village at Love Park
November 27-December 28. Love Park, 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. With its medieval-village type setting, the German-style Christmas Village has become a favorite tradition for holiday shoppers who can peruse more than 50 decorated booths selling international seasonal gifts, traditional German Christmas ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts. Hot mulled wine, gingerbread and bratwursts are also among the offerings. MORE INFO
Mark your calendars! Christmas Village brings an open-air German holiday market to Love Park from November 28 through December 28. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
More holiday markets and events, below.
Franklin Flea Holiday Market
Saturdays, November 22, 29, December 6, 13, 20. Historic Strawbridge’s Building, 801 Market Street. The Philadelphia-centric Franklin Flea Holiday Market returns for six Saturday shopping days this season. At the wintertime market, shoppers can expect a finely tuned selection of around 50 vendors set up amid the antique chandeliers and marble columns of the historic space, selling everything from fine antiques and vintage clothing to handmade decorative arts and gourmet street food. MORE INFO
PHS Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Through December. 8514 Germantown Avenue. In Chestnut Hill, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society produces yet another crowd-pleasing attraction this month with the launch of its annual PHS Holiday Pop Up Store. The temporary holiday shop situated right on Germantown Avenue deals in a lovely range of goods for the kitchen and garden savvy during the holiday season through December. MORE INFO
Head to Penn’s Landing this season to enjoy all of the offerings of the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, including an Art Star pop-up shop, a winter beer garden, ice skating and more. (Photo by Matt Stanley for DRWC)
AIA Bookstore Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Through December. AIA Bookstore and Design Center, 1218 Arch Street. The Center for Architecture’s AIA Bookstore and Design Center’s annual holiday pop-up shop is open for the season. Throughout the year, the curated bookstore stocks a variety of Philadelphia-centric items, as well as notebooks, books, iPhone cases, lighting, toys for children, shopping totes and more. For the special holiday shop, guests can also browse ornaments (including miniature architectural ornaments!), holiday cards, holiday calendars, decor and more. MORE INFO
Holiday Market at National Liberty Museum
November 28-December 26. National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street. Old City's National Liberty Museum is set to transform its gift shop into a pop-up art market. The holiday market opens to the public on Black Friday, and will display and sell everything from blown glass and sculptures to locally made jewelry and more. Note that no admission is required when only visiting the shop. MORE INFO
Byers’ Choice Christmas Market
Through Wednesday, December 31. 4355 County Line Road, Chalfont. A traditional German Christmas market fills Byers' Choice in Bucks County with with stalls selling nutcrackers, ornaments, gingerbread houses, advent calendars, toys and authentic Christmas fare, too. MORE INFO
Visit Franklin Square this holiday season to check out the Electrical Spectacle light show and shop the PHAIR-curated holiday market. (Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia)
HOLIDAY MARKET DAYS & EVENTS
Chestnut Hill Stag and Doe Nights
Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17. Multiple locations in Chestnut Hill. On the Wednesdays leading up to Christmas, Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill transforms into a winter wonderland for the annual Stag & Doe shopping nights. From 6 to 9 p.m., Chestnut Hill shops will be full of holiday spirit. Shopkeepers will help you figure out what to get picky gift receivers with gift suggestions, all while you're enjoying treats from each shop. As you travel from shop to shop, carolers will serenade you with favorite Christmas carols. MORE INFO
NoLibs & Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree
December 6-7. Multiple locations in Northern Liberties and Fishtown. More than 15 local, independent boutiques in Northern Liberties and Fishtown team up to host a two-day shopping event. The NoLibs and Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree is a progressive sale in Northern Liberties and in Fishtown during which customers get increasing discounts the more they shop. MORE INFO
Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar Shop
December 6-7 and 13-14. 2501 E. Cumberland Street. Head to Kensington to shop this festive neighborhood annual sale over two December weekends. At the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar, get your tree or holiday greens, handmade crafts, homemade treats, homegrown bulbs and wreaths and other one-of-a-kind gifts. MORE INFO
On the hunt for vintage finds? Check out the Franklin Flea Holiday Market housed in the former Strawbridge & Clothier department store every Saturday through December 20. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
American Swedish Historical Museum Christmas Market
Saturday, December 6. American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue. Join in the festive family fun at the American Swedish Historical Museum's Lucia Fest and Christmas Market, a one-day ode to the tradition of the Festival of Saint Lucia, which marks the start of the Christmas season in Sweden. Swedish baked goodies and other bites will be served up at the Swedish Christmas Cafe, and the Christmas Market will be open all day, selling Swedish holiday items, perfect for gifts and holiday decor. MORE INFO
Superfantastic Craft Bazaar
Saturday, December 6. Philly Free School, 2001 Christian Street. Teaming up once again, East Passyunk Avenue's Nice Things Handmade and The Philly Free School are set to host the Superfantastic Craft Bazaar, a day-long holiday market to benefit the nontraditional school in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. Many local artisans and crafters are on tap to peddle handmade wares in the school's roller-skating rink. MORE INFO
Bartram's Handmade: Greens Sale & Holiday Market
Saturday, December 6. Bartram's Garden, 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard. The annual Holiday Greens Sale at Bartram's Garden is the perfect occasion to pick up those boughs of holly. During the sale, find a collection of fresh wreaths (decorated and undecorated), handcrafted centerpieces, pine roping and loose greens. Pair shopping with caroling, cider, card-making workshops and s'mores and browse through pottery, poinsettias, local honey, beautiful bulbs, ornaments and stocking stuffers for everyone on your list. MORE INFO
Chestnut Hill hosts festive Stag and Doe shopping nights in Chestnut Hill on Wednesdays this season with gift advice, extended store hours, Christmas carols and general holiday cheer. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill Philadelphia)
Mt. Airy Holiday Craft Bazaar
December 6-7 and December 20-21. Mt. Airy Art Garage, 11 W. Mt. Airy Avenue. Support local businesses at the Mt. Airy Holiday Craft Bazaar. Choose from glassware, ceramics and jewelry made by Mt. Airy's vendors, which will fill the 5,000-square-foot Mt. Airy Art Garage with one-of-a-kind items for both adults and children. Plus, the art space will provide refreshments, as well as live music from local favorites Saint Mad and Art Miron. MORE INFO
Nutcracker Market
December 11-15. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets. Shoppers stock up on one-of-a-kind, artisan-made gifts at the Pennsylvania Ballet's Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. More than 70 selected artists and craftsmen offer hand-made American crafts and gifts, including ornaments, jewelry, photography and dance-inspired pieces. Shoppers can also enjoy interactive activities, visits from the characters of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker and more. MORE INFO
Punk Rock Holiday Flea Market
December 13-14. The Punk Rock Flea Market Dome, 461 N. 9th Street. The holiday Punk Rock Flea Market lands in Callowhill on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Browse the goods of more than 300 tables of vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, food, junk, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and lots of other stuff. For this holiday edition, Punk Rock Flea Market runs for two days, and the $3 entry donation provides access throughout the whole weekend. MORE INFO
All throughout the holiday season, the AIA Bookstore + Design Center hosts its annual pop-up holiday shop complete with holiday decor, gifts and more. (Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)
Annual South Philly Handmade Brigade
Saturday, December 13. 1241 Carpenter Street. Support local artists at the annual South Philly Handmade Brigade. Shop locally made clothing, sculptures, jewelry, soaps and more. There will be more than a dozen unique vendors at the show, including Jessica Kourkounis and her moon-booth photo display. MORE INFO
Go West’s Holiday Craft Fest
Sunday, December 14. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street. This year, the Go West! Craft Fest will have dozens of Philadelphia based vendors many of which based right out of West Philly. Find treasure after treasure as you browse through the candles, cards, hand blown glass, jewelry, gift baskets and more. The array of items at the craft fest will satisfy your shopping need and the immense talent is bound to impress you, too. MORE INFO