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Stag & Doe Nights take place on Wednesday evenings in December in Chestnut Hill and are an awesome holiday tradition. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill Business Association)

The holidays are the perfect time to tap into the virile community spirit in Philadelphia, which permeates every neighborhood from South Philly to Chestnut Hill to Fishtown, University City and more.

Below, we’ve picked out a few great ideas for neighborhood social activities during the holidays. Get some local shopping done, mingle with others and enjoy this most wonderful time of the year.

Our top picks:

• Chestnut Hill’s Stag & Doe Nights: Every Wednesday through December 21 from 6-9 p.m., Chestnut Hill truly shines as its one-of-a-kind shops open their doors and welcome you with wonderful gift ideas, refreshments and personalized service. Stroll Germantown Avenue and savor the festive decorations, including lights twinkling in the trees, carolers singing on the street and fresh pine boughs decorating the shops.

• Center City District Shopping Saturdays: In honor of the holidays, Center City merchants are offering great specials and events every Saturday through December 17. Each week a different neighborhood will be highlighted, and that area’s shops will host special holiday parties, huge sales and more. Plus, each week, you’ll find the special Shopping Saturday team in that Saturday’s featured neighborhood from noon-2 p.m., handing out hot chocolate, shopping bags and offering you a chance to enter to win a $500 Center City shopping spree. This Saturday, December 10, features The Gallery at Market East and next Saturday, December 17 spotlights Rittenhouse Row. Check out a complete list of specials right here.

• East Passyunk Super Sized Second Saturday: This Saturday, December 10, noon-10 p.m., is East Passyunk’s biggest Second Saturday of the year! In addition to the usual fun art openings, psychic readings, cocktails, yoga classes and great holiday sales, there will be Christmas carolers and Santa will be strolling the Avenue. Also look out for the Spirits & Suds with Santa pub crawl, Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-11 p.m.

• Kensington’s Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar: On December 10, 11, 17 and 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., head to the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar for local, handmade gift ideas from some of the neighborhood’s most talented crafters and artists. The nursery will also be bursting with fresh, local holiday greens, including Pennsylvania trees, garlands & wreaths, fragrant rosemary trees and tabletop evergreens, holiday decorations and ornaments as well as winter flowering plants.

• Fairmount Reindeer Romp: Head out to Fairmount for the 14th Annual Reindeer Romp on Thursday December 22, starting at 6 p.m. While not necessarily shopping focused, the Romp is a great excuse to get out to Fairmount to experience the neighborhood’s bounty of great restaurants and bars.

• University City Arts League Holiday Craft Show & Sale: Running through December 15, UCAL helps you shop for the holidays in the neighborhood with its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale. Daily hours are 3-9 p.m. Weekend hours are noon-6 p.m. The show takes place at 4226 Spruce Street, and it’s a great opportunity to tap into the West Philadelphia community spirit.

• Peddler’s Village’s Gingerbread House Competition and Display: The Philadelphia countryside has neighborhood charm, too. A visual delight, these gingerbread house entries are displayed throughout the holiday season in the Village Gazebo. While you’re there, enjoy all the village has to offer in the wintertime. Bonus: it’s beautifully decorated, Victorian-style, with fruit wreaths and greenery.

• Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping: On Friday nights through December 23, the streets will be aglow with holiday warmth for the town’s annual Candlelight Shopping, complete with light-lined streets, in-store holiday events, live entertainment and an appearance from Santa.