Thank you for making 2016 another amazing year for Philadelphia! We hosted over 660 festivals, over 240parades, walks and runs, and countless number of flag raising's, cultural and special events. Our office iscontinuously impressed with the thoughtfulness of its citizens and work ethic of our OSE staff and thetremendous task force that makes our City a recognized World Festival & Event City. Below are a few of ourfavorite 2016 moments and we cannot wait to make more memories next year!

2016 NCAA Championship Parade

2016 New Years Fireworks Philadelphia Flower Show

Philadelphia International Festivalof the Arts

Made in America Festival

Philadelphia Bike Race

Democratic National Convention 2016 AFL Championship Celebration

Last Thoughts from 2016…By: Olivia Gillison

For our 2016 recap I sat down with our Director and Deputy Director fora few questions…

What was your most memorable event in 2016? Why?Jazelle: The Democratic National Convention! OSE worked tirelesslyto craft the response to the Democratic National ConventionCommittee RFP on time and win the bid for such a historic event.Having attended several Democratic National Conventions myself, thisone was the most exciting and relevant being here in Philadelphiabecause I was personally able to be a part of the planning process.Mechelle: The Democratic National Convention VolunteerAppreciation Party held on 7/21/16 at The Great Plaza.   It was a “ThankYou” party for the volunteers and it felt so good to see thosevolunteers being appreciated in that fashion because often time theydon’t get the recognition they deserve.

What are you most looking forward to in 2017?Jazelle: Definitely the National Football League Draft. The Easternseaboard is big on football and Philadelphia hasn’t held a “Draft Town”since 1961.Mechelle: Working on the NFL Draft and the Roots Picnic.  Two newbut challenging events ahead of us.

What is your proudest moment of 2016?Jazelle: Receiving the International Festival & Event AssociationAward for the World Festival and Event City, the 3�� straight year in arow.Mechelle: My proudest moment was attending/working the 2016Democratic National Convention.  It was a historic event and one that Iwill remember for the rest of my life.

What is the best advice you have looking towards the new year?Jazelle: Seize the moment and make every daycount!Mechelle: Don’t be the same, be better!  Mylife goal is to be better in everything I do.

Any last comments?Jazelle & Mechelle: Best wishes for a happyand healthy holiday season! We look forwardto working with you next year!

Photo by: O. Gillison

These photos represent a few of the biggest events in

Philly in November. Above is a photo from the 2nd

annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade. To the left is

Taylor Ward, the women’s first place finisher in the

2016 Philadelphia Marathon! Below that is one of the

many captivating and high-spirited performances that

took place during the 2016 6abc/Dunkin Donuts

Thanksgiving Day Parade. Last, is a scene from the

beautiful tree lighting that took place at City Hall. Not

pictured, and definitely worth the visit, is the

illuminating tree stand, depicting 22 different

neighborhoods within our lovely City of Brotherly Love

& Sisterly Affection!

This month kicked off the holiday celebrations around

the city and its communities through annual holiday

lightings at Rittenhouse Square, holiday bazaars and

ice skating. Dilworth Park was transformed into

Wintergarden complete with the Rothman Ice Rink, a

beautiful garden themed maze, and a Made in

Philadelphia Holiday Market. In light of the current

development of Love Park, the annual Christmas

Village has been relocated to City

Hall Courtyard, but is still just as

magical and worth the trip as

always.

As Seen in the Streets

The Long & Short of November

Photo by: N. Faragalli

Photo by: N. Faragalli

December 1�� – 7��Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market – Dilworth Park (11/19-12/24)Christmas Village – City Hall Courtyard & North Apron (11/24-12/24)8th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony – 1500 Wadsworth Ave(12/2)East Passyunk Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – 1500 EastPassyunk Ave (12/2)"Deck the Alley" – Elfreth's Alley (12/3)Mayfair CDC Christmas Village & Holiday Tree Lighting Festival –3500 Ryan Ave (12/4)South Street Christmas Parade – 11th & South St to 2nd & LombardSt (12/4)

December 8�� – 14��Toys for Tots Charity at Valanni – 1200 Spruce St (12/8)Running of the Santas at Field House – 1100 Filbert St (12/10)Chestnut Hill Holiday Parade – Rex & Germantown Ave to TheFareway (12/10)Arctive Ave Ice Festival – 1200 East Passyunk Ave (12/10)Mt. Airy Holiday Parade – Sedgwive and Germantown Ave to AllensLn and Germantown Ave (12/10)

Mission of St. Joan Arc Religous Pilgrimage – 3546 Frankford Aveto 17th and BFParkway (12/11)St. Thomas Aquinas Religious Procession – 1719 Morris St to 18thand Vine St (12/11)

December 15�� – 21��Ugly Sweater Run – Fairmount Park (12/17)Hot Toddy Run – Xfinity Live (12/17)Holiday Toy Drive – 1800-1900 Cherry St (12/17)

December 22ⁿ� – 31��Parade of Lights – Eakins Oval to 5th and Market St (12/26)

Looking Ahead...New Years Day Annual Mummers Parade – Broad and Washingtonto City Hall (1/1/17)

For a full detailed list of events, please visit the Calendar on our website!

www.phlevents.org

Special Fact of the Month:The U.S. Postal Service delivers 20 billion cards and packagesbetween Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.