Mark your calendars for a festive shopping experience that kicks off this year in the heart of Philadelphia’s LOVE Park. Starting November 23 and running through December 24, Christmas Village is returning with its array of wooden huts, each brimming with an eclectic mix of holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, and a cornucopia of arts and crafts to enliven the season.
This year, there’s a concerted effort to bring more diversity to the vendor lineup, courtesy of a grant program from the Philadelphia Department of Commerce in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. These grants are specifically designed to bolster local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) vendors’ presence at the event, providing them with the necessary resources such as furnishings, scheduling, and even language access to ensure they thrive in this bustling marketplace. In a press release shared by the
City of Philadelphia
, the support extends to streamlined weekly inventory processes, easing vendors’ paths to engage with the throngs of eager shoppers.
Three organizations coordinate this vendor support: New Kensington Community Development Corporation, The Welcoming Center, and Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Business Association, commonly known as LA21. They’re behind the scenes, handpicking and prepping the vendors for the winter rush, all fully funded by the aforementioned grants.
The Welcoming Center’s roster includes a diverse array of vendors, such as Meyling Moreno of Cafe Duskaia and Yuli Marcela Vinces with ArtesinA Philly, each bringing a unique taste or craft that transcends borders, according to a recent announcement by the
City of Philadelphia
. New Kensington Community Development Corporation showcases culinary delights like Sunny Phanthavong from Vientiane Bistro and sweet sensations from Loc Pham with Philly Cookie Company. At the same time, LA21 puts a spotlight on artisans like Latoya Johnson of Natural Body Essentials and Fiona Mccoy from Intuitive Crystal Healler LLC. Vendors switch out every week, offering something new on each visit to the village.
Emphasizing the importance of this opportunity for the participating vendors, the city purports that Christmas Village isn’t just about commerce—it’s a venue for cultural exchange, creative expression, and building community through the very act of commerce. By shopping at these booths, customers engage in a larger narrative of support, sustaining the livelihoods of local artisans and contributing to their families, all caught within the ethos of Philadelphia’s diverse tapestry. The
City of Philadelphia
encourages patrons to spread the word using #ShopPHL, sharing their experience and championing small businesses, which are the backbone of communal vibrancy, particularly as this year draws to a close.
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