Your 2024 Guide to the Holidays in University City
Get ready to deck the halls with all kinds of holiday cheer! From festive performances to amazing deals at local businesses, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the seasonal spirit. Whether you’re getting your shopping done early, or grabbing a bite to eat, there's plenty of holiday magic to enjoy. Stay tuned for more updates – the fun’s just beginning!
Holiday Performances, Markets, & Events
December 2 – 13 • Shop Penn Days of Deals + Window Decorating Contest
SHOP PENN's Days of Deals brings 12 days of sales and giveaways from its vibrant collection of unique stores and restaurants, all in celebration of the holiday season. Look out for special events, exclusive discounts, and exciting contest giveaways.
December 6 • uCity Square Holiday Fest
The uCity Square Holiday Fest is back for an evening of holiday fun for all ages including West Philly’s only tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, gift shopping with local vendors, an ornament making workshop, s’mores, a special uCity Square Beer Garden, and more!
December 7 • Handmade Holidays at Bartram's Garden
The Bartram's Garden Handmade Holidays is a free, family-friendly event featuring a local artist marketplace, campfires with free snacks and drinks, winter tours, games, live music, and more. Rain or shine, join in on the fun!
December 13 • Penn Live Arts: Grand Kyiv Ballet
Join the Grand Kyiv Ballet at Penn Live Arts for an unforgettable journey into a world of dreams, magic, and triumph over evil. The company includes the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine, inviting you to a heartwarming experience that has thrilled audiences across the world for years. Catch it live and in person!
December 13 - Black Hound West Night Market
Made at Black Hound West Night Market is back again! Come on out to the Black Hound Clay Studio parking lot for food, drink, free s’mores, and of course, beautiful handmade items for sale by our members!
December 14 • Cocoa, Crafts, Holiday Plants, and Photos with the Grinch
Join us at Trolley Portal Gardens for a holly-jolly good time! Bring the whole family for festive crafting fun, a special visit from the Grinch himself, and a cup of Renata’s Kitchen’s complimentary hot chocolate to keep you cozy.
Feeling extra generous? Bring an unwrapped gift to support 3rd District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier's 3rd Annual Toy Drive! The Councilmember's team will be there, spreading holiday cheer and collecting toys to brighten the season for local children and families. Let’s make it a day to celebrate and give back together!
December 14 - Wreath-making Workshop
Don’t miss out on this Arts League/UPenn BioPond collaboration! Participants will learn the basics of wreath assembly, knowledge about local plant life, and be given time to create their own, one of a kind, festive holiday wreath created with materials foraged from nearby green spaces. This workshop would be suitable for children to attend along with supervising adult.
December 14 - GPCA Winter Carnival
GPCA CUA-9 (Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance) is having a Winter Fun Festival! All are invited to come and be reintroduced to the same agency under a new name. There will be food, games, face painting, arts and crafts, movie screening and giveaway's. Please RSVP in advance!
December 14 & 15 - West Craft Fest
Get ready for the West Philly Fest! On December 14 and 15, visit the Rotunda to kick off the holiday season and shop an amazing collection of ceramics, handcrafted housewares, and more! Discover unique pieces from talented local artists. Get ready for a weekend of creativity and one-of-a-kind finds!
December 22 - Children’s Winter Coat and Mitten Drive
Baltimore Avenue is about to get a little brighter. Team Panbo, a group of undergraduates from Penn's Wharton School, have installed a "Winter Adornment" lighting plan at the triangle located at the intersections of Baltimore Avenue, 45th, and Springfield Avenue. The display will feature a mixture of "warm white" and "cool white" solar lights that will charge during the day and turn on at night to enliven a well-trafficked stretch of Baltimore. If you'd like to see the lights yourself and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, you can join members of Team Panbo for a lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 14th from 5:30 - 7 PM.
December 14 - 29 • Explore Live Art at World Cafe Live
As the year winds down, World Cafe Live has a lineup to fill your holiday season with music, art, and celebration! From world premieres to holiday classics and Y2K dance parties, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Deb Callahan Band Holiday Show featuring Roger Girke · Dec 14, 2024, 8:30 PM · Blues and holiday tunes · LEARN MORE
York Street Hustle Holiday Spectacular · Dec 14, 2024, 8:00 PM · Motown and soul classics · LEARN MORE
Come Together - A Trip Down Abbey Road · Dec 20, 2024, 8:00 PM · A live tribute to The Beatles' iconic Abbey Road album · LEARN MORE
Skeletor Karaoke Holiday Spectacular · Dec 27, 2024, 8:30 PM · Free karaoke fun · LEARN MORE
The Hype! Holiday Special with Boy Wonder · Dec 29, 2024, 8:00 PM · Festive performances · LEARN MORE
Riot Nerd Presents: Now That’s What I Call New Year’s Eve - A Y2K NYE Dance Party · Dec 31, 2024, 8:00 PM · Y2K hits for a festive New Year’s Eve · LEARN MORE
Ongoing Holiday Events, Drives, & Deals
Celebrate by Giving!
uCity Square Winter Coat & Mitten Drive • Through December 22
Drop-off boxes are located in lobbies of 3675 Market, 3711 Market, and One uCity Square to collect new or gently used children’s winter coats, jackets, mittens, gloves, socks, hats and scarves. Donated items will benefit the local Morton McMichael School, Powel School, and SLA Middle School. Please drop off by December 22!
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier's Third District Toy Drive • Through December 17
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is running a holiday toy drive to benefit children within the Third District. Purchase gifts through the Councilmember's Target Wishlist and Amazon Wishlist. You may also donate new, unwrapped toys for youths at the Councilmember’s District office, 606 South 52nd Street, Mondays through Thursdays from 9am - 5pm. If you have questions, contact 3rddistrict@phila.gov or 215.686.0460.
Donate to the Ronald McDonald House • Ongoing
Help brighten the holidays for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia (RMHC)! RMHC Philly provides nightly stays, meals, and support for families with children receiving medical care.
How to Help:
Donate from their Wish List
Drop off donations in person
Ship Items: Send directly to RMHC Philly at 3925 Chestnut Street
Upcoming Holiday Deals
Cork and Candles - Buy a $100 gift card and get a bonus $20 gift card used for in-store purchases and candle-making experiences.
Four Worlds Bakery - 15% off coupon code: UCD15 good for online order for pickup or delivery through 12/31
Support Local Businesses with Gift Cards!
Alif Brew and Mini Mart - available in the shop!
CO-OP Restaurant & Bar - available in the restaurant!
Copabanana - available in the restaurant!
Cork and Candles - available in the shop!
Doro Bet - available in the restaurant!
Freebird Greenery - available in the shop!
Hair Vyce Studio - available in the shop!
Jezabel's - available in the shop!
Manzanita - available in the shop!
Renata's Kitchen - available in the restaurant!
Thai Singha House - available in the restaurant!