What We Love: Window Gazing

South Street is getting ready for the holidays

South Street Headhouse District’s annual winter extravaganza is back again this year (Dec. 2). In case you missed it, each year hundreds of people get together to not only shop in the neighborhood, but to also attend the official Holiday Tree Lighting. There’s even a festive market underneath at the Historic Headhouse Square Shambles.

WXPN host Kathy O’Connell of “Kids Corner” will be emceeing the lighting this year. There will also be free horse-drawn carriage rides from Philadelphia Trolley Works. And the popular “Nutcracker Mash-Up” dance performance by the Philadelphia Dance Academy is also on tap.

And as featured in the latest issue of G Philly, the award-winning Society Hill Dance Academy is scheduled to perform holiday ballroom dances – keep in mind that the academy is gay-friendly and offers classes for same-sex couples (in case you want to work on your fancy footwork).

Also on the agenda this season: a brass quartet, ornament making for kids at the Expressive Hands table, and more than 20 South Street Headhouse retailers and restaurants opening their doors.

G Philly’s editor is also among several judges who will be strolling the district to check out more than 28 Window Wonderland displays. Other judges include 6ABC’s Lisa Thomas-Laury, Councilman Mark Squilla, WXPN’s Robert Drake, Uwishunu.com‘s Allison Stadd and PhillyChitChat’s HughE Dillon.

Here’s the lowdown of events on Dec. 2:

  • 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Ornament making hosted by The Expressive Hand; Holiday Marketplace
  • 4:30 p.m. – Brass Quartet Seasonal Music
  • 5:00 p.m. – Santa Claus Arrives!
  • 5:30 p.m. – Society Hill Dance Academy performance
  • 6:00 p.m. – Nutcracker Mashup by the Philadelphia Dance Academy
  • 6:30 p.m. –  Tree lighting