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Christmas in Philadelphia is once again eco-friendly this year, with a tree-cycling program running Tuesday, January 3 through Saturday, January 14.

Since trees put out curbside will be collected as trash, you’ll want to be sure you help Philadelphia stay green and drop off your tree for recycling.

The Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers located at 3033 South 63rd Street; Domino Lane and Umbria Street; and State Road and Ashburner Street will be collecting trees from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Christmas trees brought to the site should be free of all decorations, untied and without plastic bags or other wrappings.

You can contact the Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560 for further information.

You have a few additional options for treecycling, included below.

2012 Christmas Tree Recycling Program [Phila.gov]

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The hallmark (so to speak) of Christmas is presents. That fact is no less true of the adorable animals at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium.

Check out the video above to watch a giant pacific octopus, penguins, hippos, terrapins and a porcupine receive their Christmas gifts from biologists at Adventure Aquarium.

We hope you enjoyed your gifts as much as these guys did!

Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden
www.adventureaquarium.com

Celebrate the holiday with a trip to the beautifully adorned Love Park Christmas Tree, a wonderful representation of Philadelphia's city-wide holiday cheer. (Photo by M. Fischetti for GPTMC)

A very, very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from uwishunu!

You can reference our Christmas edition of Weekend Picks for ideas about how to celebrate, whether you’re looking for places to dine or holiday attractions to enjoy with friends and family.

Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday to all our readers!

Celebrate Christmas with a delicious dinner, holiday lights sight-seeing or a visit to the Christmas Village, closing December 24. (Photo by M. Fischetti for GPTMC)

The most wonderful weekend of the year is upon us (actually, we think every weekend in Philadelphia is wonderful), and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

We have a highly curated list of the best options for Christmas Eve and Christmas night dinner, what holiday happenings are worth your time this weekend, and what non-Christmas celebrations are going on as well.

Our top picks for this long holiday weekend, Friday night through Monday, below:

Friday, December 23

ComedySportz Philadelphia’s “A Very Special Ladies and Gentlemen Christmas Special” — Closing Day!

Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping — Closing Day!

Woodmere Art Museum Friday Night Jazz: Holiday Edition

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Escape to Toyland

Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Twelve Nights of Christmas Cocktails at Square 1682 — Closing Day!

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat)

1812 Productions’ This Is The Week That Is (Fri, Mon)

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Saturday, December 24

Our Top Picks For Feasts Of The Seven Fishes In Philadelphia

Roundup: Where To Eat Out For Christmas Eve In Philadelphia

The Moo Shu Jew Show at the Gershman Y

Christmas Village in Philadelphia — Closing Day!

Warm up with our guide to hot drinks

Our Top Picks For Holiday Theater In Philadelphia

Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad (Fri, Sat, Mon)

ToyTime and Under the Tree at the Mercer Museum (Fri, Sat, Mon)

Read on, below.

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Get some last-minute shopping and holiday merrymaking done at this treasured annual tradition. (Photo courtesy Christmas Village)

Of all the holiday attractions we designated as must-see’s, the Christmas Village at Love Park closes first.

You have only until this Saturday, December 24 to stop by the European wonderland featuring more than 50 international vendors selling arts, crafts and seasonal holiday gifts in quaint wooden booths.

There’s also a Life Size Advent calendar, Christkind photo wall where you can take pictures with friends or loved ones and a “Wish Wall” where you can hang a written wish on the wall.

When you’ve built up your appetite, head to the food tent for bratwursts, beer and other German specialties from Brahaus Schmitz, then quench your thirst with some hot German Gluhwien (mulled wine) from Chaddsford Winery. Save room for assorted pastries and European desserts.

Get some last-minute shopping and holiday merrymaking done at this treasured annual tradition.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Where: Love Park, 1500 Arch Street
When: Through December 24; Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Christmas Eve, hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: Free
More info: www.philachristmas.com

The Beer Can Xmas Tree features more than 400 beer cans, a bar specialty at Percy Street Barbecue. (Photo by Drea Rane courtesy Percy Street)

Besides its Texas-style slowly smoked meats and homey side dishes by Chef Erin O’Shea, Percy Street Barbecue is known for its vast selection of canned craft beer.

In addition to five rotating drafts, Percy Street exclusively offers all other beers in can format, and boasts a list of 60+ domestic craft cans.

But now they’ve really upped the canned beer ante, crafting a beer can Christmas Tree out of more than 400 cans.

The tree is eight feet tall, and took General Manager Aric Ferrell and Desiree Howie, a staff member and local artist, more than 12 hours to assemble.

Most of the cans used on the tree are from Percy Street’s Six Pack Program, where guests select five beers and the sixth can is on the house.

The beers are served in custom galvanized steel buckets (see the top of the tree.)

You can celebrate the holidays at Percy Street by letting them host your party, or purchasing a gift certificate. For more info, check out their website.

Percy Street Barbecue
900 South Street
www.percystreet.com

The museum's most popular family program for more than 30 years running continues in 2011 with old favorites and new fun. (Photo by Scott Weiner courtesy NMAJH)

The National Museum of American Jewish History is giving the Hanukkah celebrants of Philadelphia a fun-filled day of festivities this Christmas.

On Sunday, December 25, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., there will be six floors of fun at “Being Jewish at Christmas,” the museum’s annual day of family activities.

Returning this year is Jon Nelson’s Rockin’ Kids Revue and Wondergy, who will present a new interactive show, LaserScience, which celebrates the Festival of Lights and the contributions of Albert Einstein, who is honored in the Museum’s Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame.

Also new this year, children can make dreidels with professional artists from The Clay Studio and listen to stories read by volunteers. Families will be able to enjoy board games in the museum classrooms, in addition to episodes of The Goldbergs in the Museum’s 200-seat Dell Theater.

The Museum Store will be open with a 10% discount, and Pomegranates Café will be open from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with special child-friendly options.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be a new after-hours program for adults including cocktails, Chinese food and a special screening of the Mel Brooks classic History of the World: Part I.

Get tickets to either program online.

“Being Jewish At Christmas” at the National Museum of American Jewish History
When: Sunday, December 25, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; young friends program start at 5:30 p.m.
Where: 101 S. Independence Mall East
Cost: Free with museum admission; young friends program $15 in advance and $20 day of
More info: www.nmajh.org

Leave your holiday meal to the pros this Christmas. Consult our guide to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining in Philadelphia. (Credit: iStockPhoto)

You’ve spent the past few weeks preparing for the holidays by wrapping presents, hanging stockings and decorating the tree, so it’s time to take a break and let some of the region’s top chefs take care of your holiday meal.

From extravagant brunches to fanciful feasts, restaurants throughout the Philadelphia area will make your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal one to remember.

Check out a few of our top picks for holiday meals, below:

Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 24

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert: Celebrate the season at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert with a special six-course Christmas Eve dinner from 5:30–10 p.m. that includes lobster bisque, rack of lamb and chocolate gingerbread mousse cake from 2–8 p.m. ($110 per person; $55 for children 4–12)

• Bistrot La Minette: Sit down to a luxurious traditional French Christmas Dinner at Bistro la Minette (December 15–24). Feast on a six-course meal including oysters on the half shell, roasted chestnut soup and butter-poached lobster and cap off your meal with a chocolate yule log with toasted bread ice cream. ($65 per person; $100 including optional wine pairing)

• Bistro St. Tropez: Let Chef Patrice Rames and his team at Bistro St. Tropez do the cooking this Christmas Eve with a special five-course degustation menu which includes split pea soup with smoked Virginia ham, seared duck breast, assorted cheeses, desserts and more. ($48 per person; wine paring for an additional $30. A three-course meal is also available for $28 per person)

• Fork: Enjoy the treasures of the sea with Fork’s four-course seafood menu on Christmas Eve including crispy calamari with smelts and caper sauce, Zuppa di Vongole with fennel and tomato broth and a surprise Christmas dessert. ($65 per person; optional wine pairing for $25)

• Le Virtù: Head to East Passyunk Avenue for a comforting Italian meal at Le Virtù featuring Timballo, layered crepes with pork sausuage and Torcinelli, fried anise-and-raisin dough tossed in sugar with eggnog sauce. ($65 per person)

• Positano Coast: Get a taste of the Mediterranean during a five-course dinner at Positano Coast. Highlights include Fritto Misto with calamari, baby shrimp, flounder and zucchini, sea urchin pasta and seafood risotto and a sampler of homemade desserts. ($55 for two. Optional wine paring available for $15 extra).

• Susanna Foo: Start a new holiday tradition with the award-winning Asian dishes at Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen, open from noon–9 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

• The Twisted Tail: Carnivores rejoice! In addition to their regular menu, the Twisted Tail will be celebrating with a Christmas Carvery, featuring stations of sliced roasted beef and pork and sides including roasted potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes and more from 5-10 p.m. ($25 per person)

• Verdad: Head to the Main Line’s preeminent Latin-influenced tapas and tequila bar Christmas Eve for an evening of traditional Spanish holiday cuisine including seafood pasta, patatas brava and churros from 4–8 p.m. ($35 per person)

• Village Belle: The Village Belle is celebrating Christmas Eve with a four-course meal featuring escarole soup, Patricia’s Seafood Cioppino and Buche de Noel. ($45 per person)

• Meme: Chef David Katz will be preparing a Christmas goose, served family-style along with his famous buttermilk biscuits and free eggnog. ($35 per person)

Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25

• 10 Arts by Eric Ripert: Chef de Cuisine Nathan Voltz at 10 Arts by Eric Ripert is offering a four-course tasting menu on Christmas Day that includes lobster bisque, rack of lamb and chocolate gingerbread mousse cake from 2–8 p.m. ($110 per person; $55 for children 4 – 12)

• Balcony Restaurant: Sit high above the Avenue of the Arts on Christmas Day and enjoy a special holiday breakfast, brunch and dinner at Balcony at the Doubletree by Hilton Center City.

• Bridget Foy’s: Bridget Foy’s on South Street has your traditional Christmas dinner covered with favorites like turkey, glazed ham and filet mignon from 2–9 p.m.

Hungry yet? Continue reading for additional delicious Christmas Day dining options, below.
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'Tis the season for critter ornaments, an ornate lifesize dollhouse and a 2,000-foot railroad at Brandywine River Museum's beloved season-long Christmas celebration. (Photo courtesy Brandywine River Museum)

The Brandywine River Museum is celebrating the holiday season with its annual Brandywine Christmas display, now through January 8.

This year is the debut of life-long doll collector Ann Wyeth McCoy’s dollhouse, measuring 8 x 10 feet and standing 9½ feet high, its rooms filled with Mrs. McCoy’s antique dolls and hundreds of miniature furnishings.

A Brandywine Christmas isn’t complete without its traditional critter ornaments, a three-decades-old tradition at the museum. The ornaments are hand-crafted starting in March by 120 volunteers from plants, seeds and other natural materials.

Don’t miss the annual Critter Sale on December 3-4; all proceeds benefit the Volunteers’ Art Purchase Fund, which has added more than 200 paintings, drawings, and prints to the museum’s holdings since 1975.

In addition, you can check out the popular O-gauge model train display covering 2,000 feet of track and comprised of 150 locomotives and 300 freight cars dating from 1915 to the present. The cars wind past a village, stone quarry, oil refinery, mountains, a Herr Foods plant and running waterfall, as Santa and his sleigh fly overhead.

Catch the train in action right here.

“A Brandywine Christmas” is free with museum admission.

A Brandywine Christmas
Where: Brandywine River Museum, 100 Creek Road, Chadds Ford
When: Now-January 8
Cost: Adults $10; Seniors (65+), students and children 6-12 $6; Free for children under 6
More info: www.brandywinemuseum.org

Browse for the perfect gift, enjoy European food, sweets and drinks, and watch live performances each night of the holiday season against the beautiful backdrop of City Hall. (Photo courtesy Christmas Village)

The annual Christmas Village in Philadelphia is back in a new venue, Love Park, to enrich the holiday season beginning Thanksgiving Day, this Thursday, November 24. A few highlights:

Holiday Gift Shopping

The European wonderland includes more than 50 international vendors selling arts, crafts and seasonal holiday gifts in quaint wooden booths and a 2,400 square foot Kathe Wohlfahrt tent selling a huge variety of special German Christmas ornaments and plenty of special events.

Other Attractions

There are new attractions this year including a Life Size Advent calendar, a Christkind photo wall where you can take pictures with friends or loved ones and a “Wish Wall” where visitors can write down a wish and hang it on the wall.

Special Events

Events include the Grand Opening Ceremony on November 26 with the original Christkind from Nuremburg, Germany; German American Day on December 10 featuring food, face painting and balloon-making; plus daily live performances by local choirs and bands at the central stage. The full event schedule is available online.

Food & Drink

When you’ve built up your appetite, head to the food tent for bratwursts, beer and other German specialties from Brahaus Schmitz, then quench your thirst with some hot German Gluhwien (mulled wine) from Chaddsford Winery.

Be sure to save some room for assorted pastries and European desserts, like Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Cookies), Stollen (traditional German Holiday Cake), Cinnamon Stars and Spekulatius (traditional German spicy Cookies).

The new, charming atmosphere at Love Park filled with thousands of lights, the Philadelphia Christmas tree and friendly vendors will get you and your friends and family into the holiday spirit.

Check out a map of the site, below.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Where: Love Park, 1500 Arch Street
When: November 24-December 24; Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: Free
More info: www.philachristmas.com

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