Philadelphia’s LOVE Park, featuring the iconic “LOVE” statue is known as one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots, as it offers visitors a lively blend of history, public art, along with year-round entertainment, writes Kristin Conard for the Islands.
Nestled in the heart of Center City, the park is just across from City Hall and near Logan Square.
Built in the 1960s, it became home to the LOVE statue, designed by Robert Indiana, in 1976. Two years later, the sculpture was removed, which sparked outrage among residents. This resulted in a wealthy Philadelphian purchasing it and returning it to its original spot.
During a major renovation of the plaza in the 2010s, the statue was refurbished and finally installed in its current location.
Entertainment is never in short supply at the park. Highlights include the Kimchi Festival celebrating Korean culture, the Make Love Market on Valentine’s Day with vintage items and dating advice, and free salsa lessons on Friday evenings during the summer.
One of the signature events is Philadelphia’s Christmas Village, an annual German-style holiday market with more than 100 vendors offering crafts, gifts, and seasonal treats like raclette and schnitzel.
You can even get married at the base of the LOVE statue on Wednesdays between March and November.
Read more about the lore of LOVE Park in the Islands.
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