A holiday pop-up, Chanukah Wonderland, opened on Wednesday at the corner of 47th and Pine Streets, in the ground-floor commercial space of Garden Court Towers. The pop-up, hosted by Chabad House at Penn, is open daily (except Saturday) through Tuesday, Dec. 31., from 12-6 p.m. It is offering fun activities for the whole family, including games, crafts, giant menorah lighting daily at 5 p.m., a story time daily at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., traditional Jewish food and treats, and more (see picture).

Admission is $5 per person, $10/family.

Here’s information on holiday hours and closings at some popular local stores and supermarkets. But first, check out SEPTA’s holiday service schedule in case you’re planning some trips around the city.

SEPTA’s Holiday Service Schedule

On Christmas Eve, Metro (Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines and trolleys), buses and Regional Rail will operate on a weekday schedule. On Christmas Day, Metro and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus routes 204, 310, 311 and LUCY will not run on Christmas Day. All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules (see more info here).

On New Year’s Eve, all metro lines and bus routes will operate on a weekday schedule. Additional trains on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line will operate before and after the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing, with late night trains available. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features two shows, one at 6 p.m. and the second at midnight, over the Delaware River.

Continue Reading

Organizers of the annual West Holiday Craft Fest, scheduled for this weekend at The Rotunda on Penn’s campus, have moved the event after they say the university demanded that vendors omit some pro-Palestinian art and sign a written agreement.

Penn owns The Rotunda, the 115-year-old distinctive round building on the south side of Walnut Street near 40th. The venue hosts hundreds of events a year mostly focused on the arts.

Some 30 vendors from the Fest will move instead to the Black Hound Clay Studio at 50th and Baltimore on Dec. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an Instagram post Friday evening detailing the changes (see below).

The conflict began when an individual contacted Penn, West Holiday Craft Fest and management from The Rotunda objecting to politically-themed art and naming pro-Palestinian vendors in particular, according to organizers.

Continue Reading

The Friends of Walnut Street West Library is hosting a Huge Holiday (INFLATION FREE) Book Sale at Walnut West Library on Monday, Dec. 16, noon to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is an annual fundraising event and its priced-to-sell policy remains: most books are still $1 and $2.

As usual, the Friends of Walnut West will use the proceeds to support programs, equipment and supplies at this library branch located at 40th and Walnut. For example, their 2022 sale funds went toward purchasing new desk chairs for the library staff, a new beanbag chair in the Teen Corner, and supplies for several children’s programs.

You can find more details about the library, including events, on the Free Library of Philadelphia website, and the Friends’ Facebook page.

If you’d like to join or volunteer with the WWL Friends, leave your name at the checkout table.

Winter holidays are approaching fast, and residents have a chance to make them brighter for local kids by donating toys. The Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) is again hosting a toy drive for West Philadelphia children. There are two ways to participate in the drive – toys can be purchased directly through one of the registries or dropped off at the District Office located at 606 S. 52nd Street.

“Every child deserves to feel the warmth of the holidays,” Councilmember Gauthier said in a statement. “By participating in the 3rd District Toy Drive, you’re not just giving gifts— you’re sharing hope, joy, and the magic of the season.”

Please note that only new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the District Office. The hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Here are the links to the registries:

Target Toy Registry

Amazon Toy Registry

Continue Reading

Swing by uCity Square at 37th and Filbert this Friday, Dec. 6, between 4 to 7 p.m. for the annual uCity Square Holiday Fest! Free family-friendly activities include photos with Santa, live music, ornament decorating, s’mores and firepits, holiday movies, and West Philly’s only tree lighting ceremony at 5:15!

Grab the perfect gift at the West Philly Bizarre vendor marketplace and sip on hot cocoa and cider from Beach Beans Coffee Co. Learn more here: ucitysquare.com/holiday-fest.

Continue Reading