Your Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Being Merry at Philly’s Christmas Village
There’s a lot to enjoy at the 2025 Christmas Village. Here are your must-eats and must-drinks.
Christmas Village in Center City / Photography courtesy of Christmas Village
Like pretty much everything crowded and Christmas-y this year, Christmas Village is back. There’s a Ferris wheel, there’s a double-decker carousel, and there’s (of course) ice skating at Dilworth. But most importantly, there is so much to eat and drink. Here’s our guide to the best food and drink at Christmas Village this year.
The market is open Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Its final day will be Christmas Eve, open from noon to 5 p.m.
Bratwurst
There are two German-style swivel grills in the market, one in the City Hall courtyard and one in LOVE Park. It’s a pretty impressive operation: Huge, circular grill grates hang over a charcoal fire, layered with sausages and buns. Add a little spicy mustard for the full effect.
Loaded Baked Potatoes
New for this year, you can head to the new churro booth at LOVE Park and get a loaded baked potato — varieties include cheesesteak, Mediterranean, barbecue, and spinach-artichoke. Because who doesn’t love a walking potato?
Belgian Fries
Want even more potatoes? Grab some thick, double-fried Belgian frites served with toppings including cheddar cheese, bacon, and various dips. Need we say more?
Carmella’s at Philly’s Christmas Village / Photograph by Laura Swartz
French Toast Bites
French Toast Bites has become a mainstay of Christmas Village, a breakfast-treat-turned-anytime-treat with your selection of toppings like fruit, chocolate and whipped cream.
More Sweets!
LOVE Park’s got an entire stand devoted to Austrian-style strudel with various fillings — including cheese, apple, and apricot-almond. Or you can indulge in some Italian goodies from Carmella’s, including bomboloni and lobster tail pastries. Not enough? Head to the liège waffle stand, grab some Belgian chocolates, or stand in line for stroopies hot off the waffle iron. Dutch stroopwafels are a classic European Christmas treat, both for snacking right there or packaged for gift-giving. This version is two layers of crisp, cinnamon-flavored cookie filled with homemade caramel, and made fresh on site.
Raclette Stube
Raclette is a Swiss cheese that is served in perhaps the most appealing style ever: Half-wheels of the cheese are placed under heating elements that melt and lightly toast the top layer of the cheese. All that melty goodness is then scraped directly onto your carb of choice (in this case, bread). It’s like the most epic grilled cheese sandwich ever.
Spätzle
Think of spätzle as Germany’s take on macaroni and cheese. Thick egg noodles are coated in a cheese sauce and topped with fried onions. Choose between classic cheese, caramelized mushroom sauce, and a spinach sauce topped with breadcrumbs. Spätzle Haus will also be serving the ever-important giant soft pretzel.
Spätzle at Christmas Village
Mulled Wine
Mazza Wines has stalls throughout both parts of the Christmas Village this year, serving warm, traditional mulled wine (glühwein) featuring Victorian Holiday, Apple & Spice, and Honey Mead blends, served in adorable keepsake mugs — regular or boot-shaped. (And you should buy the keepsake mug, because you’ll get discounted mulled wine refills all season long if you bring it back.) The winery will also have bottles for sale for last-minute gifts.
In addition to Mazza’s booths throughout the Village, you can also buy their mulled wine from the brand-new German Christmas Pyramid in the center of LOVE Park — it’s a tradition dating back to the 16th century, but this one has some hidden Philly details, including a rotating cast of sports mascots up by the windmill.
A boot mug of mulled wine at Christmas Village / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Hot Beverages (Spiked and N/A)
If mulled wine isn’t your style, opt for an Irish coffee, hot chocolate spiked with whiskey, or a rum-spiked apple cider from one of a handful of stalls throughout the village. All boozy beverages are spiked with Boardroom Spirits. Get it in a regular to-go cup, or go for the incredibly delightful boot-shaped keepsake mug. Of course, you can also get all these cozy drinks alcohol-free … y’know, for the kids.
Christmas Village will also feature a hot beverage booth in the City Hall courtyard.
Beer
Beer lovers can enjoy locally brewed craft beer at LOVE Park and City Hall, including the much-anticipated return of Christmas Village Kölsch by Hygge Bar’s Brewery Techne. They’ve also got a Christmas Bock, a pilsner, and a lemon meringue IPA.
Even More Drinks!
New for this year, Boardroom Spirits’ Snowflake Bar has a variety of cold cocktails — served in snowglobe sippers for some added merriment. Christmas Village will also be hosting Thirsty Thursdays, with exclusive spirit tastings of local liquors from Boardroom. Tickets are $28, available on the Christmas Village website.
Additional reporting by Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé.
