The holiday season is in full swing, bringing a wide range of festive experiences to Philadelphia and beyond. From special holiday menus and comforting seasonal dishes to Christmas markets, family-friendly events, and limited-time offerings, there are countless ways to celebrate. Across the region, chefs, bakers, and makers are embracing the spirit of the season with thoughtful traditions, creative programming, and warm, welcoming atmospheres that make every gathering memorable. Highlights this year include seasonal offerings and events from Bolo, Little Walter’s, Red Owl Tavern, Square 1682, and Urban Farmer.
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Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, is celebrating Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) with a holiday dinner rooted in generosity and Puerto Rican tradition. This year, Bolo has partnered with Taller Puertorriqueño to make Noche Buena a special evening for those who need it most. Guests who bring a toy donation on December 24 can enjoy Bolo’s Suckling Pig Dinner for $45 per person (a value of $65 per person). The donated toys will be distributed by Taller Puertorriqueño on January 6 in celebration of The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, one of Puerto Rico’s most cherished traditions.
Bolo’s Suckling Pig Dinner begins with a first course of Verde Salad with coconut vinaigrette, followed by a main course of Slow Roasted Lechón marinated in garlic, oregano, and achiote, accompanied by fried sweet plantains, pigeon peas in a ham broth stew, mofongo with coco garlic sauce, and white rice. This feast highlights Puerto Rico’s staple flavors and traditions, offering a warm and evocative taste of the island’s holiday season.
Reservations are strongly encouraged, and can be made via OpenTable.
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Little Walter’s, Philadelphia’s acclaimed contemporary Polish restaurant and bar from Chef Michael Brenfleck, is offering a streamlined Christmas pick-up menu on December 20 and 21, featuring handmade kielbasa, holiday breads and baked goods, pantry staples, and a selection of frozen pierogi. The menu includes Kiełbasa at $10 per pound, available as Biała (fresh, not smoked) or Wędzona (smoked and fully cooked). The Z Piekarni (bakery) section, priced at $12, features:
- Pierogi Bread made with potato sourdough, farmer cheese, and caramelized onion
- Babka with dark chocolate and black walnut
- Wszystko Biały sourdough with everything spice sold by the half dozen
- Focaccia Żytnia with sourdough rye, shallots, and dill
- Makowiec, a poppy seed roll finished with buttermilk glaze
The Ze Spiżarni (pantry) section, priced at $8 each, includes Ogórki Konserwowe (pickles), Piłsudski mustard (24 oz), and Smalec, whipped lard with crunchy pork skin (12 oz). The frozen Pierogi selection, sold at $25 per dozen and ready to boil at home, features Ruskie (potato and farmer’s cheese), Grzyb (mycopolitan mushroom, limited), Mostek (smoked brisket, limited), and Kapusta (cabbage and sweet onions, limited).
Orders for Little Walter’s Christmas pick-up menu can be placed via Toast.
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall, celebrates the season with special holiday hours and a festive brunch service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Brunch will be offered from 8 AM to 3 PM on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, featuring a dedicated holiday menu alongside seasonal desserts. Holiday Brunch Highlights:
- Chicken and Waffles – $23: buttermilk fried chicken, Belgian waffle, and spicy chile butter
- Tiramisu Waffles – $19: espresso syrup, mascarpone, and white chocolate cream
- Avocado Toast – $19: (2) poached eggs, feta, crispy chickpeas, harissa chili crisp
- Eggs Benedict – $22: prosciutto di Parma, preserved tomato, and arugula
The restaurant is also continuing its seasonal tradition with the Owlidays Bake Shop, available through Christmas Eve. This limited-time pop-up showcases a collection of handcrafted pastries, pies, and holiday treats created by Executive Chef Charles Vogt and the pastry team, including almond, butter, and chocolate croissants, as well as sweet and savory pies like Apple Crisp, Milk Chocolate Mousse, Sweet Potato, and Chicken and Mushroom. A portion of proceeds will benefit Philabundance Community Kitchen, supporting culinary training and food access initiatives throughout Philadelphia.
Reservations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunch are strongly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
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Square 1682, the lively modern American kitchen inside the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, is celebrating the season with special holiday hours and a festive Christmas Dinner Menu. Brunch will be offered from 7 AM to 2:30 PM on December 24 and 25, while the Christmas Dinner Menu will be available December 24–27. Dinner service will begin at 4 PM on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, returning to the regular 5 PM start time on December 26 and 27.
Seasonal starters include Deviled Eggs ($17) with trout caviar and dill, a Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($18) with salsa roja cocktail sauce, and Baked Camembert ($18) layered with ginger cranberry jam, pecan honey, thyme, and sesame crostini. Along with Square 1682 favorites such as Octopus ($18), Squash Soup ($10/$13), Oyster Rockefeller ($19), and the Square Salad ($15). The large plate lineup offers comforting and festive options like Lasagna ($30) with vodka sauce and parmesan, Prime Rib ($50) with crispy onions and jus, Thai Fried Red Snapper ($39) with yuzu sauce, lime, herbs, and cucumbers, and Lobster Risotto ($42) with saffron, chives, and melted leeks. Core dishes including Grilled Ribeye ($46), Chicken and Dumplings ($31), and Cauliflower alla Plancha ($27) round out the menu.
To finish, guests can enjoy a festive Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream with a gingerbread cookie swirl, alongside Old School Crème Brûlée, Vanilla Ice Cream, Philly Tart, and Strawberry Sorbet.
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Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel known for its locally sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop, invites guests to celebrate the season with a selection of holiday dinner specials from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui, available alongside the restaurant’s à la carte menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Guests can enjoy highlights including the Maple-Glazed Ham ($34) with grain-mustard pork jus, and Pennsylvania Angus Beef Ribeye ($56) with glace de viande and horseradish cream. Seasonal sides include Brussels Sprouts ($14) with cider honey, golden raisins, Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes ($13), and Honey-Roasted Heirloom Carrots ($13) with herbed butter. For a sweet finish, guests can indulge in a slice of Sweet Potato Pie ($13), Coconut Custard Pie ($13), or Dutch Apple Pie ($13). Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made here.
For those wanting to enjoy a meal at home without spending time in the kitchen, Urban Farmer is excited to offer a Christmas To-Go, available by pre-order and ready for convenient pick-up. Serving 4-6 people for $280, the menu features a choice of a Pennsylvania Ham or Pennsylvania Angus Beef Ribeye, Brussels Sprouts, Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes, and Honey-Roasted Heirloom Carrots. For dessert, guests can choose from an assortment of indulgent pies: Sweet Potato Pie, Coconut Custard Pie, or Dutch Apple Pie. Pre-order’s for Urban Farmer’s Christmas to go can be made here.