Candis R. McLean
The 2020 Philly Home Show begins Friday, Jan 10 and runs through Sunday, January 19. DIY enthusiasts come out for a showcase of more than 300 exhibitors during the six-day gathering. The Pennsylvania Convention Center will be bursting with home design experts, celebrities, and more at this home and garden improvement convention. This year, visitors can enjoy more do-it-yourself projects, a greater selection of special events, and onsite recycling of their small electronics, plus a day at each show devoted to bridging the skilled labor shortage, among other highlights. Garden savants will not have to wait long for a showcase of their own. The 5th annual, three-days-only Philly Home + Garden Show will take place February 14-16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
“The Philly Home Show provides ideas and solutions geared towards city dwellers, who often have space challenges, while the Philly Home + Garden Show provides home and garden options sought by suburban residents,” said Jenna Naffin, Show Manager for both. “We work throughout the year in order to find and present the features, exhibitors and experts that each show’s visitors will find most useful.”
New this year at both the Philly Home Show is an emphasis on the building trades, through a partnership with Mike Rowe and his mikeroweWORKS Foundation. To spotlight the skilled labor shortage and support the home improvement industry, “Trade Day” on January 12 at the Philly Home will offer free admission for all home building and renovation tradespeople (with ID). Exhibitors will post available jobs, and experts from Lowe’s will provide vocational information.
New to the Philly Home Show
- VIP Make-It, Take-It Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 11 led by master craftsman and local resident Jeff Devlin, known from HGTV and DIY Network shows “Stone House Revival”, “Spice Up My Kitchen”, “I Hate My Bath” and ABC-TV’s “Ellen’s Design Challenge”
- Trade Day– on Sunday, Jan. 12 spotlighting the building trades, and providing free admission for home building and renovation tradespeople (with ID), available jobs postings by exhibitors, and experts from Lowe’s providing vocational information
- Just the Two of Us – Philly Style– Inspiration for bringing some of the City of Brotherly Love into your home decor, from Philly designer Tommi Mischell
- Petite Retreats – Intriguing ways to create a cozy, comfy getaway spot in your home, from local designers representing Ethan Allen and The Painted Home
- Ultimate Backyard – Ideas for spicing up outdoor spaces include Barnco’s locally-made furniture, firepits, pergolas, and more
- Electronics recycling – Manayunk nonprofit electronics recycler PAR-Recycle Works (which provides transitional employment to people returning from prison) is accepting show visitors’ old electronics for responsible e-cycling (see accepted items at phillyhomeshow.com)
- Herr’s Family Lounge– Come get samples of Herr’s famous chips and snacks on Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11, and a fun, welcoming space for the family to relax and recharge throughout the show
- Happy Hours– From 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 17 featuring premium, locally-distilled Kiki Vodka
- SEPTA Days– On Friday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 17, when SEPTA Key Cardholders get one free admission
- Doggy Fashion Show– On Saturday, Jan. 18, featuring some of Pennsylvania SPCA’s adorable, adoptable dogs strutting in style
…
Returning Events
- Make-It, Take-It workshops, presented by The Painted Home: Popular, free hands-on workshops that teach visitors new project skills while they make handcrafted decorative items to bring home
- Plant Bar by Vault + Vine– A large selection of striking indoor plants and decorative containers with which to create customized, indoor planters to bring home
- Habitat for Humanity’s 8th Annual UpCycle Challenge– Inspired ideas and examples from local DIYers who’ve re-fashioned old items into new and useful bar carts
- The Barking Lot– Pet market filled with treats, toys and accessories for furry family members, with a portion of all sales benefiting Pennsylvania SPCA
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore Pop-Up Shop– One-of-a-kind, hard-to-find, and unique items for home improvement and decor
- Hero Days– On Friday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 17 offering free admission for ID-bearing active or retired military, nurses, first responders, firefighters and teachers
Tickets for the Philly Home Show are available in advance online or at the entrance. Parking and shuttle info. is at https://phillyhomeshow.com/
For Philly Home Show updates, click here
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
Subscribe, rate, and review all Philly Influencer podcasts here. Follow Philly Influencer onTwitter, Facebook, and Instagram.