Family-friendly events this weekend includes shopping with the Mayor

Still find yourself looking for holiday presents? Or maybe you haven’t even started the process? Don’t panic. Instead, come check out the Winter Holiday Bazaar at the Torchlight Arts & Culture Center in Germantown this Sunday from 2-8pm. With music by Royal Majestic Sound and unique handmade gifts and treats, this experience beats fighting the crowds at the mall. Support your community and have fun while doing it! 45 E. Church Lane, Philadelphia 19144. http://www.facebook.com/events/316851461667016/

Speaking of shopping, whether you want to gush or have a bone to pick, you can shop with the Mayor this Saturday at Weavers Way in Mt. Airy. Join Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter as he works off of his holiday shopping list for unique, locally made gifts. Use #ShopPhilly to let people know you were there!

Wanting to do some shopping downtown? If you haven’t been to the German-inspired Christmas Village in Love Park, you are DEFINITELY missing out on the most charming shopping experience. 50 wooden booths with tastes, treats, and toys from Europe, sparkling lights, a big tree, bratwurst and mulled wine all create a lovely and very anti-mall shopping experience. Open from 11am-7pm S-Th and 11am-8pm Fri & Sat. http://www.philachristmas.com/28-0-About.html

Looking to give, rather than shop? Head over to the Weavers Way in Chestnut Hill to make a donation to the Salvation Army Toys for Tots. Drop a new, unwrapped toy in the donation box by front the registers. All toys are donated to families in need in the greater Philadelphia area.

 

Engine-Loving!

Calling All Engines! Bring your train-lover to the Morris Arboretum’s wonderful Garden Railway display. All decked out for the holidays, and even better, from Dec. 17-31st, the exhibit is open for an extra hour each day (10am-5pm daily). This lets you can see the twinkling lights as they light up the face of your little train enthusiast. If you go this Saturday at 4pm, wear your fancy/funky hat and enjoy the hat parade! http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/holidayGardenRailway.shtml

Or if your budding ferroequinologist prefers an indoor display, you can head downtown to grab lunch at the Reading Terminal Market for their Holiday Railroad. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm & Sundays 10am-5pm at the Piano Court in the Market, you’ll 500 sq.ft. of model railroad displays, twelve working train lines, and scenes from Center City Philly, a Christmas Village, and snow-covered countryside.

 

Show-stopping!

If your kids are feeling kind of punchy and just want to rock out, the Little Treehouse has the perfect event! The Cat’s Pajamas will be performing in concert, with holiday tunes as well as songs from their niw album, Backseat Driver. Come enjoy lots of fabulous local talent wrapped into a kids’ music event that the adults will enjoy too. A buffet lunch will be served following the performance. Pre-registration is required by calling the Treehouse at 215.247.3637. Saturday, December 17th @ 11:00 am. Tickets are $10/ kids and $5/ adults (members enjoy free adult admission). Buffet to follow, with lunch $5 for kids and $8 adults.

This one is not designed for kids, but I’m sure there are some who would be mature enough to enjoy it. Come hear Handel’s Messiah celebrated on original Baroque instruments where bright trumpets, grand voices of choristers and dazzling soloists stir, awaken, excite and uplift. Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes. Saturday December 17, 7pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. http://voxamadeus.org/schedulecomplete.php

And not premiering this weekend, but on Tuesday, December 20, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins will start its run at the Painted Bride Art Center downtown. The production runs through Saturday December 31, and evolved from a Caldecott Award-winning children’s book of the same title. This hobgoblin of a tale is brought to life on stage by the dynamic Gas & Electric Arts. $25 tickets for general admission, $16 for youth tickets (the show is recommended for children 7 and up) http://www.gasandelectricarts.org/Gas_%26_Electric_Arts/Hershel_%26_THe_Hanukkah_Goblins.html

 

Jen Bradley is the Editor of the Germantown Avenue Parents blog. jenbradley4@mac.com