Every holiday season, Philadelphia transforms into a magical wonderland with its beloved Christmas Village. Nestled in LOVE Park and City Hall, the marketplace is filled with twinkling lights, festive vendors and delicious food that my family and I look forward to every year. It opens just after Thanksgiving with the vendors opening their Christmas-themed huts.

One of our favorite activities is selecting a custom ornament to commemorate each Christmas. Over the past three years we’ve built a cherished collection of dated ornaments that tell the story of our holiday memories. We always include our names: Haley, Christian and, of course, our dog, Kahlua, as well. It’s a small tradition that holds so much meaning, and adding these to our tree each year is so special.

Of course, the food is a highlight of our visit. This year we started with a bratwurst, one of our favorites, with sauerkraut and mustard. The melted cheese pull sandwich with prosciutto and pesto is another must-try — so fun to watch them shave the cheese right from the block and spread it onto fresh bread. We also had recommendations to try French toast sticks and an apple strudel for the walk home to our apartment.

No trip is complete without stopping by the dog treat tent to pick up goodies for our girl. This brand has awesome homemade treats and chew toys for your fur babies this season.

The Christmas Village isn’t just a marketplace, it’s where we make memories, keep traditions alive and really soak in the holiday vibes. I hope you all had a chance to dive into the holiday spirit, and I wish you a happy holiday season!

— Haley Fogarty, vice president of sales