Philly lights up the season with tree lighting at City Hall’s Christmas Village
Thousands flocked to City Hall Friday to watch the lighting of the city’s official Christmas Tree and ring in the start of the holiday season.
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File photo: Ice skaters glide around the rink installed at Dilworth Park. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The Mahogany Essentials stand sells soaps and body essentials near the ice skating rink at Dilworth Park Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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A carousel installed in the City Hall courtyard for the Christmas Village. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The man who calls himself Philly Jesus quotes scripture in the City Hall courtyard before the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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A carousel installed in the City Hall courtyard for the Christmas Village. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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File photo: The City Hall Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Christmas Village draws thousands to Center City. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Shoppers browse a stand at the Christmas Village in Dilworth Park Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Shoppers browse stands at the Christmas Village in Dilworth Park Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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A reindeer made of plants is a featured decoration in the garden maze at Dilworth Park. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Ice skaters glide around the rink installed at Dilworth Park Friday evening during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and opening of the Christmas Village. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Ice skaters glide around the rink installed at Dilworth Park Friday evening during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and opening of the Christmas Village. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Students from Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary sing Christmas carols before the lighting of the City Hall Christmas Tree Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The City Hall Christmas Tree stands waiting to be lit Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The "Beaucycled" stand sells repurposed and vintage items in Dilworth Park Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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File photo: The City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Village drew thousands to Center City Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Shoppers stand in front of a shop selling oversized Christmas tree ornaments at the LOVE Park Christmas Village Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Young ice skaters look up at City Hall while gliding around the Dilworth Park skating rink. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Shoppers browse stands at the Christmas Village at LOVE Park Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Kristine Santos stands among her wind spinners at her stand "Persnickety," at the Christmas Village in LOVE Park. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The facade of City Hall is lit by spotlights for the Christmas season. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The facade of CIty Hall is lit by spotlights for the Christmas season. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney reads The Night Before Christmas before the lighting of the Christmas tree outside of City Hall Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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Singer Kathy Sledge performs at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony outside of City Hall Friday. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The lit Christmas tree outside of City Hall Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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The lit Christmas tree outside of City Hall Friday evening. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)
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.
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