At the Christmas Village and Made in Philadelphia markets this year, shoppers will not be allowed to enter booths. Instead, vendors will sell items over a counter to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This change affects the holiday event at Dilworth and LOVE parks in Center City.
According to an email from German American Marketing, the event organizer, sales counters and barriers will be added to most booths, making them inaccessible to shoppers. Vendors will need to assist customers in selecting merchandise. Thomas Bauer, CEO of German American Marketing, stated that for shoppers to enter the booths, each would require an 8-foot-long ramp, which is only feasible for some wider booths.
Bauer noted, "We tried all reasonable solutions to avoid this step... But at the end of the day, we can't avoid it. Simply put, we have to make the booths inaccessible — as we have observed at other Holiday Markets in New York City and Denver." A few booths along City Hall may be able to utilize the ramps to allow shopper access.
Bauer expressed that the organization is "not thrilled" with the change, having spent 32 months working with legal experts, the city, and disability rights advocates. Last year, temporary ramps were used to accommodate shoppers with mobility aids.
Vendors pay between $8,500 and $16,500 for their booths, and many have already signed contracts and paid fees for this year’s market. Some vendors, like Lindsay Gradel, who sells children's clothing, expressed concerns that the new counter layout could deter sales. Gradel stated, "Somebody who thought, 'I'm going to make $50,000 for my family this year at the Christmas Village,' is no longer going to make that money."
In October 2025, City Council held a hearing on improving accessibility for people with disabilities at city events. Vicki Landers, founder of Disability Pride Pennsylvania, highlighted Christmas Village as an example of the need for better accessibility. She noted issues such as uneven ground, booth height, and a lack of navigation resources for visually impaired individuals.
Approximately 17% of Philadelphia residents have some form of disability. Landers criticized the city for not incorporating accessibility into event planning processes, stating, "These are not minor oversights, these are barriers... that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in city life." A city representative did not respond to a request for comment.