This Week December 4, 2025 | | |
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.
Some details: You need to register (here); only members can attend.
And so... if you are not (yet) a member, what better time?
Join here, and see you at the Board Meeting!
| | 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 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 feature men’s fashion oasis Blue Sole Shoes.
Get Your Happy Feet to Blue Sole Shoes
If you’re a man (or if there’s a man in your life), there’s really only one place to go when it comes to shoes, and that would be Blue Sole Shoes at 18th & Chestnut.
But be not misled: this isn’t merely a shoe store; au contraire, this is a premier men’s boutique that harkens back to 2007. And so we’re talking not only fashion-forward shoes here but also stylin’ belts, socks, bags, accessories and yes, gift cards, all delivered with top-notch customer service.
It’s a tough call as to which is more attractive: their website or the store itself, so why not browse both? Oh, and this: CCRA members receive 10% off regularly-priced merchandise.
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Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are bringing extra magic to the Schuylkill River this year with a festive lineup of holiday light displays on iconic Boathouse Row. From early December through New Year’s Day, the boathouses will be lit up each night honoring holidays throughout the season.
All lightings will run from sunset to sunrise. Here is the schedule:
- Dec 5–13: Winter Sparkle — a shimmering blue-and-white light sequence
- Dec 14–21: Hanukkah — classic blue and white
- Dec 22–25: Christmas — cheery red and green
- Dec 26–30: Kwanzaa — red, green, and deep purple accents
- Dec 31: New Year’s Eve — soft white lights building to a sparkling midnight show
- Jan 1: New Year’s Day — a bright, celebratory white sparkle
| | “Open Streets: West Walnut” returns to Center City on Sunday, December 7 to provide residents in Center City and beyond an opportunity to “stroll, shop and socialize” in a “car-free” environment. The free event, co-sponsored by the Center City District and Rittenhouse Row, will take place from 10 through 5, during which time Walnut Street from Broad to 18th and South 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic. And btw, the Eagles aren’t playing that day, so you have NO excuse. Details here. | | Center City is Ready to Dazzle: The Christmas Village is Here! | | |
Get ready to grab your Glühwein, Center City! The authentic European-style Christmas Village in Philadelphia is back for its 18th season, transforming LOVE Park and City Hall into a holiday wonderland. The market is currently open daily and runs through December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve). Regular hours are Sunday-Thursday from 12 PM to 8 PM, and Friday-Saturday from 12 PM to 9 PM. Admission is completely free, so save your cash for the incredible shopping and treats.
You can wander through over 120 rustic wooden cottages filled with unique, high-quality gifts from both local crafters and international vendors, like Käthe Wohlfahrt. It’s the perfect spot to find ornaments, handmade toys, beautiful jewelry, and cozy winter apparel.
And don't forget the food! Satisfy your cravings with German favorites like brats and raclette, or try some of the new offerings for 2025, like loaded baked potatoes and sweet churros.
The Village is bursting with charm this year! The centerpiece is the stunning, authentic 30-foot-tall German Christmas Pyramid—a massive glowing four-level tower sure to be a holiday photo favorite. Grown-ups can warm up with a new lineup of craft cocktails at the Snowflake Cocktail Bar or enjoy local brews from Brewery Techne and Mainstay Brewing at the Alm German beer garden.
For the family, the City Hall side still offers the exhilarating 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a Kids Train, and the classic double-decker carousel. Be sure to also check out the Festival of Trees inside the LOVE Park Visitor Center, featuring its largest selection of decorated evergreens yet. Whether you're coming for a quick hot chocolate, a full day of shopping, or just to enjoy the dazzling lights, the Christmas Village is the perfect way to soak up the holiday spirit right here in our neighborhood!
For full event schedules, transportation details, and more information, be sure to visit the official website.
| | Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | | Your voice matters when WRTI presents a free “Silent Night” sing-in Friday, Dec. 12, from 5:30-6:30 pm at Commonwealth Plaza in the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. Conductor John Conahan will lead the audience in his special arrangement of the classic carol. Hosting will be WRTI’s own John T. K. Scherch. You can download the sheet music showing soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts, along with MP3 listening files, at the website. For more information and to register go here. | | Real Time Real Estate: This Month | Our Homes during the Holidays: What the Season Tells Us About Our Neighborhood Real Estate | |
There’s something magical about our neighborhood during the holiday season. Twinkling lights, festive storefronts, neighbors greeting one another on brisk evening walks, and that unmistakable feeling of “home” that seems to grow stronger this time of year. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved in this past summer to start a new job at Comcast or attend The Wharton School, the holidays offer a beautiful reminder of why we chose this community in the first place. I love where we live and feel so lucky to be a part of it all.
From a real estate perspective, this season is also a fascinating time. While activity typically slows compared to spring and fall, buyers who are actively searching in December are often highly motivated and have less competition. They’re relocating for work in the new year, downsizing before retirement, or planning for life changes. That means fewer “lookers” and more serious decision-makers. Sellers who choose to list during the holidays often benefit from less competition and buyers who are ready to move forward and typically fast.
For homeowners, the end of the year is also a great time to reflect on both lifestyle and long-term value. Many property owners take this quieter season to review building updates, reserve funds, upcoming capital improvements, and insurance coverage—important steps in protecting both comfort, lifestyle, and property value. Strong community, loyal neighbors and engaged associations help preserve the character and stability of our neighborhood for generations to come.
Perhaps most importantly, the holidays highlight something we don’t always measure in dollars and cents: Community. The familiar faces at local cafés, the neighbors who decorate common spaces, and the ones who check in during cold fronts all contribute to the true value of living here. Real estate is ultimately about people—and this season showcases the best of that.
As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors to close out the year, it’s a wonderful time to appreciate not just our homes, but the community that surrounds them. Here’s to warm lights, strong folks, thoughtful planning, and a neighborhood that continues to feel like home—season after season. Happy Holidays.
| Community News and Events | | Music Lovers, Have We Got a Book for You | | |
And speaking of Holiday gift ideas (We were, weren’t we?), the second edition of The Philadelphia Music Book: Sounds of a City has been released. Edited by Philly concert impresario Larry Magid, the book includes over 300 biographies of local Philadelphia artists and traces the city’s influence in a wide and eclectic range of genres. Read all about it here.
| | Calling all local yogis…..Trinity Memorial Church is host to River Flow Yoga. Join Lora for a special evening filled with movement, music and community. Joel Gleiser will be on piano, while Lora leads a vinyasa flow. This special donation based event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. BYOM(mat). Get your ticket here. Namaste. | | Don’t Be Square, Go To The Rare Book Print Fair | | |
Looking for unusual Holiday gifts? Look no further! The Philadelphia Rare Book Print Fair will be held this Thursday through Sunday at Trinity Memorial Church @22nd & Spruce, bringing together dozens of dealers and thousands of books, prints, historic documents and other works on paper. Talk about great gift ideas….
Tickets cost $15 ($10 for students and under 16s go free). They allow for unlimited entry on Friday and Saturday. Get tickets and learn more here.
| | Center City Retail Continues to Shine | | |
The latest Retail Report from the Center City District shows continued strength in the retail sector of Center City.
Here are some highlights:
- The Open Streets program has led to a 39 percent increase in sales and a 65 percent increase in overall foot traffic.
- Neighborhoods in and around Center City make up eight of the top 10 wealthiest U.S. ZIP codes in our region, with 19103 ranking 10th nationwide and first locally in terms of wealth concentration.
- Retail storefront occupancy from South Street to Vine and River-to-River is at 84 percent.
- While the city’s population may be on the decline, Center City’s is up 4.4 percent since 2020.
- Approximately 74 percent of Center City storefronts are occupied by independent and local businesses; 19 percent are national, 7 percent are regional.
- The first-ever location for Nike’s new sports/fashion store Jordan World of Flight opened at 16th and Walnut in October.
Read the full report and learn more
| | NYT Names Joan Shepp Among 50 Best Clothing Stores. Of Course It Did | | |
Joan Shepp has been on fashion’s cutting edge since its eponymous founder started the business in a Philadelphia suburb more than five decades ago. Now it’s on Rittenhouse Square and in its second generation of family ownership. But the place hasn’t lost its underground cool. A mini department store with flavors of Barneys New York in its heyday, its selection accounts for most every age and price point.
The latest designs by global brands like Rick Owens, Comme des Garçons and Avant Toi are displayed alongside those of smaller makers like John Wind, a local jewelry artist; Heyne Bogut, a women’s wear designer in New Jersey; and students at the nearby Moore College of Art & Design.
| | Catch the Stars of Tomorrow: Free Concerts at Curtis Institute! | | |
Get ready for some truly phenomenal music right in our neighborhood! The Curtis Institute of Music is opening its doors for a series of incredible free student recitals throughout December. This is your chance to see the next generation of world-class musicians perform classic and contemporary chamber works and solo pieces.
This Week’s Spotlight Performances (Starting Tonight!)
The series kicks off tonight, Thursday, December 4th, with an evening of chamber music featuring a variety of talented students.
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Tonight! Thursday, December 4th at 7:30 P.M.: Enjoy the works of Prokofiev, Strauss, and Stravinsky. The program includes Prokofiev’s Quintet in G minor, Strauss's Concerto in D major (oboe), and Stravinsky's Suite from L'Histoire du soldat.
- Friday, December 5th at 7:30 P.M.: The program is Brahms and Schubert. This student recital is also scheduled for a broadcast.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
Be sure to plan for these three fantastic recitals next week, running Monday through Thursday:
- Monday, December 8th at 7:30 P.M.: A Voice Department Recital will feature students like Shikta Mukherjee, Maya Mor Mitrani, Yulin Yan, and Benjamin Riverón performing.
- Tuesday, December 9th at 7:30 P.M.: Hear music from Brahms, Dvořák, Hindemith, and more. Further program details will be available closer to the date.
- Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 P.M.: Experience Composers' Chamber Music. This is another free department recital performed by Curtis students.
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Thursday, December 11th at 7:30 P.M.: The week concludes with Brahms, Arensky, and more. This recital will include Brahms’s Concerto in D major and Arensky’s Trio No. 1 in D minor.
Curtis students perform over 100 free recitals during the school year, and admission is complimentary, although advance registration is required for tickets. All performances take place in the Gould Rehearsal Hall at the Curtis Institute, 1726 Locust Street.
Performances are subject to last-minute changes, so it's always best to check. For full program details and to reserve your complimentary tickets, please visit the Curtis Institute of Music Calendar.
| | 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. | | | | |
