Philadelphia! Christmas Village is spreading festive cheer in LOVE Park through December 24, 2025. This beloved, open-air holiday market transforms the heart of the city with charming wooden huts offering ornaments, handmade gifts, artisanal treats, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind crafts.
Did you know? Through the Christmas Village Market Grant Program, the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, provided funding for select nonprofit organizations to help low-to-moderate-income and emerging Philadelphia-based vendors participate in Christmas Village.
This year, three organizations — The Welcoming Center (Immigrant Marché), Walls for Justice, and the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia — were selected to provide end-to-end support to a total of 17 participating vendors, including booth setup and furnishings, scheduling assistance, language support, inventory tracking, and more.
Hear from Walls for Justice
In this series, we are highlighting the experiences of the organizations that supported vendors to participate in Christmas Village. Hear from Samuel Rodriguez (SR), Founder and Executive Director of Walls for Justice.
Tell us a bit about your organization.
SR: Walls for Justice is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that uses art as a powerful tool to uplift social movements and foster vibrant, connected communities. Through this project, we’re supporting local artists who are also small business entrepreneurs. Our mission is to create opportunities where art and community empowerment go hand-in-hand, and this initiative is a perfect example of that.
Why did your organization apply for the Christmas Village Market Grant? Why is this funding important?
SR: This unique opportunity was brought to us by one of the artists we support, Nnennia Mazagwu. She approached us for nonprofit backing so she and other emerging Philadelphia-based vendors could participate in Christmas Village through the Department of Commerce program. We’ve been able to offer these local vendors not just a space to showcase their work, but also the support and visibility they need to thrive during the holiday season. This funding is crucial because it allows us to help these talented individuals get the tools and support they need to connect with a wider audience and grow their creative businesses in a meaningful way.
Tell us a bit about the vendors your organization is supporting this year.
SR: We’re incredibly proud to be supporting a group of talented artists who each bring their own unique style to our Christmas Village booth. Athena Astrea (of Athena Scott)’s beautiful portrait work has a way of drawing people in and inviting them to explore the space. Then, they discover Mazagwu (of NULO ADAEZE) and Winter Scarlet (of Nothing Unwanted)’s magnificent woodwork and home decor style creations, which add handcrafted charm. Edith Zapata (of EZV Design)’s artwork also turns heads, with masterful use of color and surreal shapes that bring a touch of nature-inspired wonder. These artists are part of creative communities we’re connected with — Astrea and Zapata have studios at Cherry Street Pier, while Mazagwu and Scarlet work out of local makerspace NextFab. Supporting them isn’t just about the art they create; it’s about uplifting our local creative economy and giving these emerging vendors a platform to shine and grow.
How did you prepare these vendors to be set for success at Christmas Village?
SR: The preparation process was collaborative. I encouraged each artist to envision how they wanted to use the space and how they wanted it to feel. I shared my own insights from past vending experiences on product staging, customer engagement, and ways to create an inviting atmosphere. I gave them room to collaborate with each other and find creative ways to improve their sales approach. By blending guidance with creative freedom, we made sure the vendors felt confident and well-prepared.
What have been some of the highlights from Christmas Village this year?
SR: One of the highlights for me has been witnessing how beautifully the artists have collaborated with one another. With just a bit of guidance, they developed strong communication, shared ideas about their products, and took genuine pride in how their collective artwork was staged. It’s been amazing to see them focus not just on sales, but also on helping each other adapt and succeed. It’s been beautiful watching them form a real team, support one another, and celebrate their shared success.
What do you think the participation of the vendors adds to Christmas Village?
SR: Our vendors bring a unique and essential local flavor to Christmas Village. Being part of the Department of Commerce’s initiative to feature local artists in some of the larger booths, we’re able to highlight emerging Philadelphia-based talent who might not otherwise have this kind of exposure. Many visitors have told us how much they appreciate seeing and supporting local artists, and it adds a special touch of authenticity to the market. By bringing this local, creative energy into such a large-scale holiday market, we’re not just selling products — we’re celebrating Philadelphia’s artistic community and giving people a meaningful way to connect with it.
Why is it important to help low-to-moderate income and emerging Philadelphia-based vendors participate at Christmas Village and other holiday markets?
SR: Supporting local, emerging artists is crucial because it gives them a foothold in a well-established venue they might not otherwise be able to afford. Being part of Christmas Village offers emerging artists invaluable exposure and a chance to grow their businesses in ways that might otherwise be out of reach. By making it possible for them to participate, we’re not only fostering local talent but also enriching the market with authentic, homegrown creativity. It’s a win for the artists, the community, and everyone who visits the market.
What do you want Philadelphians and visitors to know about the value of this initiative?
SR: This initiative is about capturing and sharing the true spirit of our city. For visitors, buying from local artists means taking home a genuine piece of Philadelphia’s culture and energy. And for Philadelphians, supporting these artists means nurturing the thriving culture of the city we love. It’s a reminder that by investing in local creativity, we play a part in keeping Philadelphia’s artistic soul alive and well.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
SR: When action takes the lead over doubt, meaningful change can happen. The artists approached this opportunity with hope, intention, and belief in themselves. Given the space, support, and opportunity to lead with passion, artists don’t just grow their own dreams — they help strengthen the communities around them. That is what Walls for Justice is all about: using creativity to create opportunity and using art to make positive change.
