The spirit of the holiday season is alive in Philadelphia, even in the summer months, as local spots prepare to celebrate Christmas in July.
This year, the festivities are set to bring joy and cheer from July 21 to July 26, showcasing unique events and dining experiences across the city.
Kicking off the celebrations is River Twice, located at 1601 E Passyunk Ave., which will host a special dinner series featuring renowned chefs from around the country.
The dinner series will commence on July 22 with Chef Johnny Spero from Washington D.C.’s Michelin star restaurant, Reverie.
Each evening will feature culinary talent, including Chef Neil Zabriskie from Regards in Portland, Maine, on the second night, who will present his Los Angeles and Mexico City-inspired dishes.
On night three, Chef Nick Tamburo, known for his seafood-centric approach at Smithereens in New York City, will join the lineup, followed by Chef Jacob Siwak, who specializes in Roman cuisine and hails from Forsythia in New York City.
The series will culminate on July 26 with Chef Shola Olunloyo from Studiokitchen in Philadelphia, known for his innovative culinary concepts and global influences.
Guests at River Twice can enhance their dining experience with curated beverage pairings offered each night, featuring selections from Sydney Adams of Pray Tell Wines, Laura Barrett from Clif Family Winery, and Ben Wenk from Ploughman Cider.
Each dinner seating begins at 5 p.m., accommodating 50 guests per night.
Prices start at $150 per person, or $175 for a more intimate experience at the seven-seat chef’s counter.
Reservations can be made through Resy, and guests are encouraged to wear Santa hats for a festive touch.
Please note that River Twice will be closed for regular service on Sunday, July 27.
Across the river at Morgan’s Pier, located at 221 N Christopher Columbus Blvd., Christmas in July celebrations will run parallel to those at River Twice, ensuring plenty of festive activities for locals.
From July 21 to July 26, Morgan’s Pier will embrace the holiday spirit with themed decorations, events, and entertainment.
Owner Avram Hornik notes, “As a seasonal operation, we are closed during the Christmas holidays so we have embraced a new tradition of celebrating Christmas in July.”
The week kicks off on July 21 with a Christmas-themed paint night led by Portable Picasso from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Christmas trivia with Philthy Phil from 7 to 9 p.m.
On July 22, the venue will host Christmas Karaoke with Alyssa Marie from 8 to 11 p.m., inviting visitors to sing along to their favorite holiday tunes.
Wednesday, July 23, will feature a performance by the Soul Cruisers from 8 to 11 p.m., filling the night with lively music and upbeat vibes.
On Thursday, guests can enjoy the sounds of DJ Adub from 5 to 9 p.m., followed by Turning the Tide from 9 p.m. to midnight along with opportunities for festive photo ops dubbed “Christmas in July Eve.”
As the weekend approaches, July 25 invites locals to don their best Christmas outfits and share their festive photos tagged with #ChristmasAtMorgans for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Morgan’s Pier.
Additionally, Santa will make an appearance on this day from 6 to 8 p.m., bringing holiday joy to all.
The festivities will culminate on Saturday, July 26, with an
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