The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade has been cancelled. (Photo West Philly Local)

As was expected the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has cancelled its annual Halloween Tot Parade, a tradition that goes back 23 years. The post-parade block party at the “Little Osage” where neighbors offer sweets and treats to children, has also been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

However, folks will still be able to celebrate in a socially distanced manner, according to SHCA Board President Evan Johnstone. Some alternative plans are currently in the works to help keep the Halloween spirit alive, including  house decorating, a kid-friendly, Halloween themed activity, and trick-or-treating options while maintaining a safe distance. We’ll let you know when plans are finalized and more details are available.  Continue Reading

Juneteenth will be celebrated as an official city holiday in 2020, following an executive order signed by Mayor Jim Kenney yesterday. City offices will be closed to the public on Friday, June 19 to observe the holiday and municipal services, like trash collection, will be postponed until Saturday.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date considered as the end of slavery in the United States, and it’s an important, big step for Philadelphia officials to finally recognize it.  Continue Reading

If you’re looking for something to do this New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day, check out information below on New Year’s Eve fireworks and the 2020 Mummers Parade. If you’re planning to use public transportation for any of these events, check out information on SEPTA’s Holiday service. More events can be found here.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

2020 is coming and you can ring it in twice on the Delaware River Waterfront on Tuesday. As always, there will be two firework shows  – at 6 p.m. and midnight, each about 15 minutes long. The best places to watch the fireworks are the Delaware River Waterfront, both Philadelphia and New Jersey sides. On the Philly side, you can get a great view from Penn’s Landing, at the Blue Cross RiverRink WinterFest, near the Battleship New Jersey, and more locations. One of our favorite places to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks is Race Street Pier near Ben Franklin Bridge (check out the map here).  Continue Reading

Check out information on holiday hours and closings at some popular local stores and cafes. This post will be updated as more information becomes available. Businesses are also welcome to post their holiday hours in the comment section. For information on SEPTA’s holiday service go here. For holiday events, please visit our Events page. Happy Holidays!

Grocery & Liquor Stores, Gift Shops

Mariposa Food Co-op (49th and Baltimore): Christmas Eve: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Christmas Day: Closed; New Year’s Eve: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; New Year’s Day: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.  Continue Reading

Due to the holidays, SEPTA buses, trains and trolleys will have some service changes or special schedules beginning Tuesday, Dec. 24 on the following days:

Tuesday, Dec. 24: City transit routes will operate on a Modified Weekday schedule.

Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Buses, trains, and trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule due to the holiday.

Thursday – Friday, Dec. 26 – 27: Buses, trains, and trolleys will operate on a Modified Weekday schedule.  Continue Reading

Cedar Park based gift shop, VIX Emporium, has recently gotten its own product line, just in time for holiday gift shopping! Made by a local black-owned business, Urban Essence, exclusively for VIX the Cedar Park Soap line features vegan, all-natural body products. The collection includes three scents of handmade lotion and detergent-free liquid soap, and 10 types of bar soap. The products are unisex and make a great gift for just about anyone.

If you want to check it out, stop by the store located at 5009 Baltimore Ave. For information on their holiday hours, go to: www.vixemporium.com.