Joy to July: Christmas in July festivities
It’s hot, it’s humid, don’t even mention the word snow—but the Christmas spirit is alive. We’re going to collectively rock around the summer Christmas tree this week during the area’s Christmas in July festivities.
It's hot, it's humid, don't even mention the word snow—but the Christmas spirit is alive. We're going to collectively rock around the summer Christmas tree this week during the area's Christmas in July festivities.
It all starts on Thursday, July 24 upstairs at Revolution House in Old City. Starting at 7 p.m., sip on festive drafts like Slyfox Brewing Company's Christmas Ale and Troegs Brewing Company's Mad Elf Ale and watch some favorite holiday flicks.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "12 Days of Christmas," "Silent Night," you know the tried and true Christmas tunes, but what about the lesser known underground Christmas music scene? (Yes, it exists.) It's all explored in the Awesome Fest's Jingle Bell Rocks!, a film showing Thursday, July 24 at 9 p.m. in Clark Park in University City. Even director Mitchell Kezin will be in attendance.
I hope Santa's got his sunscreen. He's making a few trips down the shore for a some early Christmas celebrations. He'll make an appearance at the Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May, NJ on Friday, July 25. Not only will kids get a chance to get their early present bids in, they'll be able to take part in the other activities held on the lighthouse's grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We all knew Santa was magical, but this is impressive: the same day, Friday, July 25, the bearded guy will also be at the Avalon Community Hall in Avalon, NJ for kids' arts and crafts from 10 a.m. until noon.
The next day, Saturday, July 26, the big man will ride along the North Wildwood beach at the 2nd Avenue Inlet Area through 26th Avenue starting at 1 p.m. He'll hand out candy canes and be playing appropriate music for the momentous holiday.
At Lumberton, NJ's Scotia Acres Alpacas, it's never too early to stock up on some wool goods. On Friday, July 25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., bring your holiday projects—like hats, gloves and scarves—and work on them before you meet the property's alpacas.
Don't forget about the giving spirit of Christmas. Before and during Saturday, July 25's 7:05 p.m. Phillies game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a toy collection will be held at the entrance gates to Citizens Bank Park in South Philly.
Christmas isn't just for those who walk on two legs. A Delran, NJ PetSmart is holding a Christmas in July Pet Party and Adoption on Saturday, July 26. Local animal rescues will have cats and dogs up for adoption from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Get your furry friend's picture taken with Santa, shop the sidewalk sale and grab a bite from the food vendors, who'll have grub for both humans and animals.
All weekend, Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, the Adventure Aquarium hosts a Christmas in July celebration. At various times during the Camden, NJ aquarium's hours, Santa will scuba dive into 760,000 gallons of water and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster will make it snow in the rotunda. Kids can also bring their letters to Santa and drop them off in the aquarium's special mailbox. Check out Scuba Santa at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. and Bumble at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day.