CNBNews

Philadelphia, PA - Manayunk Development Corporation presents Holidays in Manayunk featuring five weeks of festivities that have you thinking you stepped right into a Hallmark movie. Starting on November 14, Manayunk kicks off the season with their Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring performances by The City Belles, John Gilbride, & Emily Drinker along with SNOW on Main Street, a brand new tree, glow giveaways, hot cocoa stand, crafts, and Santa himself at a meet & greet and photo-op in front of the tree! Manayunk Gets Lit lights up Main Street as 50+ businesses compete to see who has the most bling on the block. Get Lit weekends start December 6th and run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through December 21. Each weekend will feature all the twinkling lights, food and drink deals, shopping specials, carolers, festive live entertainment, visits from Santa, the Grinch, elves, & Rudolph, and the return of the complimentary Manayunk Jolly Trolley! Take in the lights and get ready to shop, dine, and be merry as you ride down Main Street in the Jolly Trolley that will stop along Main Street at your favorite businesses. While visiting, shop small and shop local and support dozens of small businesses throughout the charming Philadelphia neighborhood that are offering deals, events, and features for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. New to 2024 is the Manayunk Small Business Saturday Passport where you can shop your way to exclusive giveaways and prizes. Shoppers will receive a Small Business Saturday Passport where they will earn stickers from different stores, restaurants, and businesses for purchase. With six stickers, shoppers will win c ertificates from Main Street businesses and be entered into a larger giveaway. While visiting Manayunk, stop at one of Philadelphia’s top Christmas Pop-up Bars. Taqueria Amor transforms itself into Senor Grinch for the fifth year in a row - with thousands of lights and decorations outside, and a head-to-toe make-over inside that will warm the heart of the Grinch-iest Grinches in all of Philadelphia. Look for over-the-top decorations, holiday movie clips and projections, special holidays dishes, theme cocktails, photo-ops, and more. Santa Paws Pet Photos is back on Sunday, December 8th with pet photos with the man in red. Bring fear into your holiday cheer with Lincoln Mill Haunted House’s Twisted Christmas on Friday, December 13th & Saturday, December 14th. The holiday attraction will be decked out with lights, tinsel, and ornaments along with plenty of scare actors. On Saturday, December 14th, come dressed in your holiday finest for the 10th Annual Rudolph Run. Starting at Philadelphia Runner at 8:30am, race organizers will be collecting donations/canned goods to benefit North Light Community Center. At 9:00am, the race will start off at Manayunk Canal View Park.  While visiting, help families in need all season long by donating to Operation Santa. Donations can be dropped off at 106 Grape Street. Pick an item off the gift tree to donate. Back again this year is Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah kicking off on Wednesday, December 25th and running through January 1st. In celebration of the Festival of Lights, Manayunk will be hosting ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ of Instagram giveaways with prizes from Manayunk restaurants, stores, and specialty businesses. Manayunk will also be hosting a candle lighting with Mt Airy Chabad and give away treats and gelt in the Manayunk Welcome Center during the Festival of Lights.  For more about these and many other happenings for Holidays in Manayunk visit manayunk dot com/events/holidays-in-manayunk.html

"Every holiday season, we take pride in showcasing the true heart of our district—our vibrant local businesses and the incredible community that supports them,” says Manayunk Development Corporation Events Coordinator Caitlin Marsilii. “With the collaboration of residents, local shops, and visitors, Main Street transforms into a festive, one-of-a-kind experience that feels straight out of a movie."

MANAYUNK TREE LIGHTING

Manayunk lights up for the holidays on November 14th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Canal View Park (4418 Main Street). The night will host special guests and live performances by The City Belles, John Gilbride, Emily Drinker, Santa Claus! There will be tons of family fun with letters to Santa, ornament decorating, hot cocoa, North Pole Elves, and a Santa meet & greet in front of the tree. This year, Manayunk is debuting a brand new tree with festive lights, ornament, and topper. There’s a good chance Santa will be bringing some magical North Pole snow too, so get ready for a Manayunk winter wonderland! With the Eagles game following the Tree Lighting at 8:15 p.m., Santa will lead an Eagles cheer, and guests are encouraged to wear their Eagles green by the Manayunk Tree! Better yet, the most spirited Eagles fan decked out in gear will win a $100 Manayunk gift c ertificate and swag. November 14th also marks the official launch of the Annual Manayunk Gets Lit Decorating Competition between 50+ businesses in the district.

Tree Lighting Schedule

5:30PM | SJU City Belles
5:45PM | Santa Fire Truck Arrival
6:00PM | John Gilbride
6:30PM | Emily Drinker
7:00PM | Tree Lighting & Manayunk Gets Lit Kick Off!

MANAYUNK GETS LIT DECORATING COMPETITION

Manayunk businesses are decking out their storefronts, windows, roofs, and more with over 80,000 lights during Manayunk Gets Lit! Stroll Main Street or hop on the Jolly Trolley to take in all the lights, and cast your vote for your favorite light displays. We’ll need your help deciding who will win Most Creative, Most Lit, and Best Overall. Voting will run November 14th through December 17th with winners being announced on December 18th. All voters will be entered for their chance to win a $200 MNYK Shopping S pree.

SENOR GRINCH CHRISTMAS POP-UP BAR

Taqueria Amor - Senor Grinch Pop-Up
4410 Main St, Philadelphia PA 19127

Senor Grinch is back for its 5th festive season at Taqueria Amor! Cheers to the start of the jolliest time of year with themed cocktails and Grinch-inspired dishes! Christmas lights adorn the outside and inside of the cozy space. Once you are settled into your seat, enjoy classic holiday movie clips on the projector show. Spend the season eating and drinking with those you bring you holiday amor!

For menu and more information: www.taqueriaamor.com/

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Shop small and shop local at over 50 small businesses in Manayunk! Find something for everyone on your list as the neighborhood kicks off the holiday season with Small Business Saturday happening all day on November 30th. Many businesses will host events, promotions, and in-store specials including The Little Apple, Minor Details, Lila Philadelphia, Philadelphia Runner, Main Street Music, Orbit Gallery, Valerio Coffee Roasters, and many more. New to 2024, is the Manayunk Shop Small Passport where visitors can shop their way to various prizes and surprises. Leading up to November 30th and day-of, shoppers will be able to pick up a passport from the Manayunk Welcome Center (106 Grape Street) or in one of the participating businesses. Day-of only, shoppers can earn stickers from different stores, restaurants, studios, cafes, and businesses with purchase. With six stickers, shoppers will be able to redeem their prize from the Manayunk Welcome Center and be entered into a larger giveaway.

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

Also launching on November 30th is Operation Santa Claus, a collaborative program between the Manayunk Development Corporation and North Light Community Center that will support local families in need this holiday season. Residents and visitors can stop by 106 Grape Street to pick a gift item off of the holiday tree to donate to a North Light Family.

GET LIT WEEKENDS & MANAYUNK JOLLY TROLLEY

Starts December 5th!

Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Get Lit Weekends which will feature food and drink deals, shopping specials, festive live entertainments, and of course, the complimentary Manayunk Jolly Trolley.

The festively decorated Jolly Trolley will run up and down Main Street making several stops at your favorite businesses. Decked out with lights, decorations, and holiday movies/music, the trolley is truly the best way to take in all the twinkling lights. Secret Santa will give away swag bags and prizes during select weekends, so keep an eye out for prizes and surprises.

Get Lit Weekends:
December 5th through December 21st
Thursdays & Fridays: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturdays: 1:00pm to 9:00pm

Entertainment & Special Guests:

Schedule could change -

Dec. 5- Santa (5-8PM)
Dec. 6 - Buddy the Elf & Jovie (5-8PM)
Dec. 7 - North Pole Elf (1-3PM)
Dec. 12 - Philadelphia Freedom Band (5-8PM)
Dec. 13 - The Grinch (5-8PM)
Dec. 14 - Philly Accents (Carolers) (1-3PM)
Dec. 19 - Santa (5-8PM)
Dec. 20 - Rudolph (5-8PM)
Dec. 21 - Santa (1-3PM)

Entertainers will both ride the trolley and be strolling on Main Street during each entertainment block. If visitors don’t see them on the Trolley, then look out along the main retail strip

SANTA PAWS

Capture paw-some memories at Pet Friendly Dog Bakery on December 8th from 9:00am to 1:00pm! Bring your furry friend out, and watch them strike a pose with Santa at this pet friendly photoshoot. Reservations are $15, and proceeds will benefit an adoption organization. Furry friends can also expect in-store sales and specials.  

Sign-ups will be available in mid-November: petfriendlydogbakery.com/?srsltid=AfmBOootc27rfdz_ktHbNkQJmL7kZ_88WAEb61SW5czu2Lqn663RaQys

RUDOLPH RUN

Philadelphia Runner will host their annual Rudolph Run on Saturday, December 14th with check-in starting at 8:30am and the run at 9:00am. Dress to impress for this three-mile fun run along the towpath. Special treats include Brooks footwear testing, red noses, jingle bells, post-run goodies, hot chocolate, and more!  The only cost to join the run is a canned or non-perishable food item to be donated to North Light Community Center’s food cupboard.  

Register: findtherun.com/race/48437/rudolph-run

8:30AM: Donation Drop, Gear Check & Runner Check In at Philadelphia Runner Manayunk (4358 Main Street)

9AM: Run Start at Canal View Park

LINCOLN MILL HAUNTED HOUSE’S TWISTED CHRISTMAS

Bring fear into your holiday cheer with Lincoln Mill Haunted House’s Twisted Christmas on Friday, December 13th & Saturday, December 14th. Make your way through the haunted holiday attraction decked out with lights, tinsel, ornaments, and plenty of scare actors.

Pre-sale tickets on sale now: lincoln-mill-haunted-house-2024.fearticket.com/frontapp

MANAYUNK MEALS AND MORE

For Manayunk Meals and More, the Manayunk Community, including 15+ local restaurant owners, work together annually to prepare and deliver more than 700 holiday meals to their neighbors in need at the Northlight Community Center. In preparation for the December 15th delivery, each restaurant will provide a different component - entrees, salads, and desserts - 2,100 components total. Manayunk restaurants have been doing this for over 26 years. Bruce Cooper, owner of Jake’s & Cooper’s Wine Bar, worked with Manayunk Development Corporation to organize the event in 1996. Since then, his leadership has continued for a new generation of restaurateurs and is now something that is in the DNA of the small business community. The North Light Community Center is an important part of the Manayunk community and restaurant owners have always been involved from volunteering, fundraising, and serving on their board of directors.

HANUKKAH CELEBRATIONS

Hanukkah Candle Lighting: Manayunk Shines bright for the Festival of Lights. Join us on Thursday, December 26th (tentative) for a magical Hanukkah candle lighting in Canal View park with Mt Airy Chabad. Enjoy candles, delicious latkes, and so much more!

Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah Giveaway: Back again this year is Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah kicking off on Wednesday, December 25th and running through January 1st. In celebration of the Festival of Lights, Manayunk will be hosting ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ of Instagram giveaways with prizes from Manayunk restaurants, stores, and specialty businesses.

Hanukkah Giveaways: During the Festival of Lights, stop by The Manayunk Welcome Center at 106 Grape Street for tasty treats, giveaways, and gelt!

CONNECT

For updates and more festive happenings, visit Manayunk Development Corporation’s website at manayunk.com and social at @manayunk.com

ABOUT MANAYUNK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Manayunk Development Corporations (MDC) is a nonprofit corporation with both a primary business development mission and a cooperating community development mission. As a business development organization, MDC takes primary responsibility for the management, promotion, and positive business development of the Main Street business district. As a community development corporation, MDC cooperates with other civic and community organizations in the Manayunk area to plan and carry out community programming and physical improvement projects of interest to both businesses and residents in Manayunk. manayunk.com