This Week November 20, 2025 | | IYKYK: Weekly City Council Report | | |
To put it very mildly, there is a LOT going on in Philadelphia these days. The 250th is coming, the Holidays are here, and there is always the daily A.J. Brown drama.
It’s not always easy to keep up-to-date. One way is via the media, both traditional and digital. But to get the low-down on City Council, might we suggest being a bit proactive and checking out the weekly City Council Report? That’s where you’ll find out what’s really happening at the ground level.
And it’s easy: Simply go here, then click on “Weekly Report”. Then you’ll know you’re in the know.
P.S. Ongoing, the Weekly Report link will appear in CCRA This Week along with Police statistics.
| | From the Top: City Council President Johnson to Visit CCRA | | |
Save the Date: City Council President Kenyatta Johnson will be speaking at CCRA’s next Board meeting, which is set for Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7pm at BEX at 2005 Market Street.
Council President Johnson represents the 2nd Council District, which includes parts of Center City. He’ll be giving us an update on important issues facing our neighborhood, the City, and you, all followed up by a Q&A.
All are invited to attend, so bring your questions!
| | CCQ Fans: Say Hello to the Center City Review | | |
To the countless aficionados of the Center City Quarterly: CCRA has made the difficult decision to cut back on the frequency of the CCQ given the tight financial conditions of the current time.
We will now publish semiannually, and the publication name will be updated to Center City Review.
Individual issues continue to be identified according to the season/s when they are published, as we have been doing for years, only now combining them into two per issue (e.g., Center City Review, Spring/Summer).
Should you have any questions or comments, please direct them to Communications Chair Richard Vaughn via email.
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The City of Philadelphia wants your input on the future of the development of the Market Street East corridor, stretching from City Hall to the Delaware River. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has convened a public-private Market East Corridor Advisory Group, consisting of leaders from the community, business and government, to envision the conversion of Market East into a vibrant area, harkening back to the days when it was the city’s premier shopping hub. Whether you live in the city, commute to the area, own a business or work in one along the corridor, or are just visiting, your voice matters. Click here to submit suggestions and comments.
| | What’s With All These New Trees? | | |
Have you noticed all the new trees around town? CCRA Green planted 18 trees in the neighborhood last weekend! Thank you to the property owners who applied, the volunteers who planted and Pizzata Pizza who fed us! Do you know of any spots in need of a tree?
Email us here to let us know.
| | Help Fund Our Programs by Donating to the Fall Campaign Today | | As the colors of fall surround us, we invite you to be a part of something impactful! Our annual fall campaign is crucial for sustaining the programs that enrich our community. Your generous donations directly cover essential costs, enabling us to continue providing valuable services that benefit everyone. Every dollar counts and creates a ripple effect of positive change. Let’s unite in this season of giving and make a lasting difference together. Your support is not just appreciated; it's vital to our community's success. Please consider donating today by visiting our website and selecting “donate.” | | CCRA Zoning Meeting Canceled | | The zoning meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, is canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 23. | | CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE: | | |
CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week, we spotlight a local tour company: Philly Bike Tours!
Learn the Town in Style with Merchant Partner Philly Bike Tours!
One of the very best ways to get to know a city is to be led around town on a bike by a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide, and when it comes to doing so right here in Philly you simply cannot do better than Merchant Partner Philly Bike Tours!
Owner-Operators Jonas and Shelly offer four great tours: Classic City Tour, The Fairmount Park Story, Brewerytown and Murals and Art. And, if you prefer… Private Tours! The bike, the helmet, the bottled water? All provided.
Philly Bike Tours is perfect for newcomers, perfect for visitors and perfect for YOU, as CCRA members receive a full 20% discount on all tours.
| | Plan Ahead…It’s Marathon Weekend | | |
Philadelphia marathon weekend is upon us. Many streets will be closed from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23 to accommodate the 8, 13.1, and 26.2-mile racecourses. Most notably, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed, meaning road closures and parking in and around the Parkway will be strictly enforced. Check out the full list of road closures, detours, and parking restrictions here. Safety is the top priority.
| | ⛸️ Center City's Winter Wonderland Returns to Dilworth Park! | | |
Get ready to lace up your skates! Winter at Dilworth Park is back, transforming the west side of City Hall into a festive, seasonal destination that runs from November 14, 2025, through March 15, 2026. This beloved attraction offers a fantastic lineup of activities perfect for all ages, right in the heart of our neighborhood at City Hall.
Glide, Shop, and Sip the Season Away
The centerpiece of the transformation is the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink, which will be open for skating from November 14, 2025, through February 22, 2026. Timed, 90-minute tickets are encouraged to be purchased online, with walk-up sales based on availability. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids 10 and under, with skate rentals available for $10. For the shoppers among us, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market features over 50 local artisans and small businesses and is the perfect place to find unique gifts. It runs from November 14, 2025, through January 1, 2026.
Special Events and Easy Access
Be sure to check out the special events scheduled throughout the season! For the full list of events and more details, please visit the official website.
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | | Native North America Gallery Opens Nov. 22 at Penn Museum | | |
Showcasing over 250 objects from the Penn Museum’s North American collections alongside contemporary Native artworks, this 2,000-square-foot interactive exhibition highlights the complex histories and ongoing relationships Indigenous peoples maintain with their ancestral homelands.
Co-developed with eight Indigenous consulting curators, the new Native North America Gallery explores political, religious, linguistic, and artistic self-determination. Featuring first-person perspectives from four culturally connected regions, the gallery affirms the resilience and thriving presence of Native communities today. All details here.
| | Giving a Hoot About Autism | | |
The 5th annual “Owls for Autism” at Lincoln Financial Field kicks off this Saturday, when Temple grapples with Tulane on the gridiron. This free event for children with autism will include a stadium tour, tailgate party, a sensory-friendly zone, face painting, free T-shirt and a high-five tunnel. Click here for tickets and more information.
| | Community News and Events | | Philadelphia’s Iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade Turns 106 | | |
Did you know Philadelphia’s 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade is the longest-running Thanksgiving parade in the country? The parade kicks off at 8:30 am on Thursday, November 27. Starting at 20th and JFK and ending in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, experience singing, creative floats, and fun balloons, and an all-time favorite Philadelphia tradition. Go here for more information on the route, road closures, and fun activities the parade has to offer.
| | 🎄 The Historic Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village Return! | | |
Get ready to be dazzled! A true Philadelphia holiday tradition, the Wanamaker Light Show presented by PECO, is returning for the 2025 holiday season. Housed in the historic Wanamaker Building at 100 E. Penn Square, this spectacular and free attraction transforms the Grand Court atrium into a festive wonderland. Using over 100,000 LED lights, the show projects enchanting images like snowflakes, ballerinas, and reindeer onto a four-story velvet curtain, all set to festive music from the world-renowned Wanamaker Grand Organ.
Step Into Dickens Village
Located on the floors above the Grand Court is another cherished holiday tradition: Dickens Village! This 6,000-square-foot walk-through experience will instantly transport visitors to 1840s London, featuring 26 heart-warming scenes from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Entry to Dickens Village is also free, but requires timed tickets which will be made available online five days in advance of each date, starting on November 24, 2025.
Plan Your Visit
The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village run from November 28 through December 24, 2025. From November 28 to December 11, 2025, hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm From December 12 to December 23, 2025, the attraction is open daily from 12 pm to 8 p.m. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, hours are shortened to 12 pm to 4 pm This classic event is a must-see, and you can find more information about the show, live organ performance times, and the Dickens Village ticket link here.
| | Rittenhouse Square Tree Lighting and More | | |
It’s the most wonderful time of year! The Rittenhouse Square tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 5. Starting at 2pm with crafts and music performances from 3pm onwards, don't miss this festive event. Looking for more tree-lighting events around Philly? Go here for a comprehensive list including ceremonies at the Peddler’s village and the Philadelphia Zoo.
| | Make the Comcast Center Your Holiday Stop | | |
Experience the magic of the holidays brought to life at the Comcast Center Campus. Beginning Thanksgiving Day and running through January 2, 2026, the Comcast Center will be hosting its beloved “Comcast Holiday Spectacular,” “DreamWorks Shrek's Festive Flight,” visits with Santa, a holiday fair, and so much more. Mark your calendar! Go here for details on show times and dates.
| | There’s no place like “Om” | | |
Meditation isn’t only for adults. The Philadelphia-based wellness company Yous has developed a successful after-school meditation program for young children that unifies fitness, yoga and mindfulness into each session. Called “fitfulness” by founder and Philadelphian Pete vonGlatz Nicholson, the program currently operates in nine area schools. This January, Yous will launch an independent after-school program on Tuesdays from 3-6 pm, at Trinity Church, with participating children being picked up at the Greenfield School and the Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy. Click here for more details.
| | Free tickets this Sunday to Philadelphia Youth Orchestra | | |
A friendly reminder that you’re invited to the Kimmel Center this weekend, Sunday, November 23, at 3 pm as Philadelphia Youth Orchestra opens their 86th Season!
Louis Scaglione and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra open their 86th season with an all-Italian program, joined by world-class soloists in arias and ensembles by Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini, alongside Respighi’s radiant Pines of Rome. This special all-Italian concert program celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Italian American Foundation.
For tickets, go here. Use code PYOPARTNER86 for free tickets; as capacity allows.
| | Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program | | Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a deal or discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification. | | CCRA assumes no responsibility, and makes no representations or warranties, regarding any product and/or services sold by any Merchant Partner. | | | | |
