Philly lights up the season with tree lighting at City Hall’s Christmas Village

Thousands flocked to Philadelphia City Hall Friday to watch the lighting of the city’s official Christmas Tree and ring in the start of the holiday season.

The 52-foot Canaan Fir was adorned with oversized ornaments, a banner a with the word “peace” in multiple languages, peace signs, and a Liberty Bell at the top. The lighting ceremony featured Christmas carols performed by local students, Grammy-award-winning singer Kathy Sledge, and a reading of “Twas The Night Before Christmas” by Mayor Jim Kenney.

In Dilworth Park the ice skating rink was once again up and running for the enjoyment of skaters of all skill levels. And the City Hall courtyard features a carousel — with both horses and reindeer for children to ride.

The Christmas Village features shops and food vendors sprawled across Dilworth Park, and to the finished portions of the newly-renovated LOVE Park across the street. Additionally, a garden maze was installed in Dilworth Park with raised beds of seasonal plants, and reindeer made of organic material standing up right throughout the maze.

The Christmas Village, based on traditional German Christmas Markets, will play host to different events throughout the holiday season including music, wine tastings, and the German American Weekend Saturday and Sunday December 9th and 10th.