Happy New Year my people!! People always fret over how long can they wish each other Happy New Year!! It’s how ever long you feel comfortable in doing it. I usually say it all month long as I see people for the first time.
One New Year’s Eve Michael Newmuis and I stopped by the Penn’s Landing waterfront to say hello to Joe Forkin, Delaware River Waterfront President. Thank him for the fantastic job he does every year. It’s really such a treat for Philly to have the rink, and lodges along Penns Landing. We also caught the 6pm fireworks show, featuring three barges this year instead of one. It was spectacular. It’s become a tradition for my Mike, Michael, Kevin and I.
Lady B, Mayor Cherelle L Parker and Patty Jackson
Then we headed over to the parkway, where The City of Philadelphia and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker presented a free New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks spectacular, ushering in the countdown to America’s 250th birthday.
The evening featured Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy Award–winning hip-hop icon LL COOL J (an everyone wants to know how they can get a hold of this fantastic jacket),
with special guests Philadelphia’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff sporting another awesome jacket, Emmy Award–winning music director and Grammy Award–winning writer Adam Blackstone, hard rockers Dorothy, and Technician The DJ. Produced by Scott Mirkin
I saw today the City was disposing their holiday tree, I should ask them what they’re doing with it. You can recycle yours in various neighborhoods, but here is the info for the Fairmount area.
Happy Birthday to Philly’s own Top Chef Jen Carroll. I have heard so many wonderful things about Dinner at Jen’s & Billy’s. This year I am going to make a resy. Here’s their Instagram with all the info.
Just popping on to say hi. I still have a few fabulous parties from 2025 that deserve some love, and I’ll be sharing those shortly. Then it’s full speed ahead into 2026.
I’ll admit, the sheer number of events and experiences ahead feels a bit overwhelming—in the best possible way. It’s exciting to see how fully Philadelphia has come into its own. Even late-night dining is back.
I’ll be putting together a list next week of spots open late for those after-hours bites, which means no more midnight drives to Live Casino for a slice, as convenient as that 2 a.m. option has been in the past.
Socially yours, xoxo HughE