December 1, 2021 — It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrate the holidays with pop-up markets and gift-giving made easy courtesy of Old City’s Art in the Age, a bevy of fun-filled events and activities on East Passyunk Avenue, and a festive Christmas Day prix fixe feast – prepared by noted locales Urban Farmer, Red Owl Tavern, and Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, with dine-in and to-go options available.
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HOLIDAY MARKETS AND CAN’T MISS EVENTS THIS DECEMBER:
Art in the Age, Old City’s one-of-a-kind tasting room, home bar supply and bottle shop, is a one-stop-shop for gift giving this season with their Holiday Market, held every Saturday and Sunday in December.
Shoppers can expect a variety of local vendors offering books, clothing, plants, and more for sale in addition to Art in the Age’s extensive selection of Tamworth Distilling and New Liberty Distillery craft spirits and curated gift packages, glassware, bar tools, cocktail mixers, and the buzzed about The Cocktail Workshop: An Essential Guide to Classic Drinks and How to Make Them Your Own.
Holiday hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 12 – 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 12 – 7pm, and Sunday from 12 – 6pm.
116 N 3rd Street | 215.922.2600 | http://artintheage.com/
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East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID), home to more than 160 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia, is hosting a slew of festive events this holiday season including the return of the popular in-person annual tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa for children AND pets, pop-up music performances, spirited decorations adorning the Avenue, and much more, during the month of December.
All are invited to take part in the official holiday kick-off and Christmas tree lighting on Thursday, December 2 from 5 – 7pm at The Singing Fountain [East Passyunk and Tasker]. During the tree lighting from 6 – 7pm, children and four-legged pals are welcome to take FREE photos with Santa. Three additional chances for photos with Santa this year will take place on Wednesday, December 8, Saturday, December 18, and Sunday, December 19 at 1904 E Passyunk Ave.
In addition to these merry options, other holiday happenings include Pop-Up Music and Carolers, Letters to Santa, Holiday Concert and Dance at Society Hill Dance Academy, and more.
For more information about Deck the Ave and upcoming holiday happenings on East Passyunk Avenue, click here.
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CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS FOR DINE-IN AND TO-GO:
Red Owl Tavern, the modern American tavern on Independence Mall, offers folks an evening of festive fare courtesy of Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden. This Christmas, dine at Red Owl Tavern and enjoy a robust, prix fixe meal for $65 per person with offerings including Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Local Cheese of the Day, Roasted Amish Chicken, Scallops, and Braised Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shank with sweet potato purée, pearl onions, braised kale, and lamb jus. Pair with a heaping side such as garlic-smashed potatoes, delicata squash, and sautéed mixed veggies for the ultimate holiday feast.
To make a reservation for Christmas dinner, click here.
Hours of operation are Monday from 8am – 9pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am – 3pm, Thursday and Friday from 8am – 10pm, Saturday from 9am – 10pm, and Sunday from 9am – 3pm.
433 Chestnut St | 215.923.2267 | https://redowltavern.com/
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Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, the New Jersey Shore’s quintessential seaside resort located only 50 minutes from Center City, is offering shore-goers a robust prix fixe meal in their elegant main dining room on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25. For $49 per person, offerings include She Crab Soup, Winter Harvest Salad, choice of entrée between Tournedos Rossini, Half Roasted Bell & Evans Chicken, Chickpea Penne Pasta with Garden Meatless Meatballs, Fresh Florida Grouper Piccata, and for dessert, Hot Chocolate Flourless Cake with fresh winter raspberry coulis and caramel whipped cream.
Reservations are required and can be booked by clicking here.
401 S New York Rd., Galloway, NJ | 609.652.1800 | https://www.seaviewdolcehotel.com/
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Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, has a top-notch selection of holiday fare available for take-away and dine-in this Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day. Guests dining at Urban Farmer can enjoy elevated offerings served a la carte including an 8oz. Pennsylvania Ham ($28) prepared with bourbon apple cider glaze, and a 10oz. 1855 Beef Ribeye ($40) crafted with red wine beef jus, and horseradish aioli. Both entrées are served with a heaping portion of Yukon potato purée and roasted winter vegetables. Desserts ($12 each) include Shoo Fly Pie, Apple Almond Crumb Pie, and Coconut Custard Pie – served by the slice and topped with a dollop of spiced whipped cream.
For those looking to celebrate at home, Urban Farmer’s Christmas At Home ($185) feeds 4 – 6 people and is available for pick-up on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25 from 12 – 3pm. Packages include choice of Roasted Prime Ribeye or Bourbon Apple Cider Glazed Ham, Housemade Cornbread, Brussels Sprouts, Yukon Potato Purée, Roasted Winter Vegetables, and choice of Coconut Custard, Shoo Fly, or Apple Crumb Almond Pie for dessert.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday from 8am – 9pm, and Sunday from 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-happenings/
-Nicole Schofield