City guides
Philly Spring Festival Guide
Nothing like an outdoor festival to kick off Spring Fever. This year, there is a street party almost every week throughout Philadelphia, offering great food, music, and opportunities to get to know local craftsmen and shops. If you are new to Philly, start by attending a festival in your own neighborhood to get to know your local community. If you are a Philadelphia native, we encourage you to venture to parts of the City you have yet to explore.
Flavors on the Avenue – Sun., April 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bring your appetite to this free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go, foodie, beer, and cocktail extravaganza along East Passyunk Ave. from Broad Street to Dickinson. Featuring culinary treats from over a dozen top restaurants, live entertainment, plus sidewalk sales, and a pop-up craft market displaying the creations of over 100 local makers. Bring the kids for free family activities up and down the Avenue.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival – Sat., May 6, noon – 5 p.m.
Touted as “Philly’s Most Upscale Street Festival,” this annual celebration of fashion, art, food, music, beer, and cocktails draws huge crowds. Get there early! Walnut Street from Broad to Rittenhouse Square.
South Street Festival – Sat., May 6, 11 a.m. -7 p.m.
“Hurry on down to the hippest street in town.” Dance around a giant Maypole, participate in an eating contest, or join in a German beer and dancing event. Enjoy international food and drink, live music, a family-friendly kid zone, crafts, and vendors. On South St. from 2nd to 8th St.
Girard Avenue Street Fest – Sat., May 6, 11 am-5:30 pm
This annual free family event showcasing businesses across the Brewerytown, Sharswood, and Fairmount communities features over 90 vendors and food from Brewerytown restaurants, games, DJs, live local bands, and a kid’s zone with bounce houses. West Girard Ave., 26th to 29th St.
Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival – Sun. May 7th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This festival is a breath of fresh air. Enjoy an outdoor marketplace full of vintage goods, terrariums, and garden art with live music, food, and drinks. This upscale, Northwest slice of the City tends to be more family-oriented and dog-friendly. Germantown Ave., between Willow Grove Ave. and Rex St.
Fishtown District Kensington Derby & Arts Festival – Sat., May 13, Noon – 6 p.m.
Where else but Kensington would present a derby festival featuring fantastical human-powered kinetic sculptures running an urban obstacle course? This surreal and super fun event is combined with an arts festival, food vendors, and local musicians. Trenton Ave., Frankford Ave. to Norris St.
Ardmore Outdoor Beer Festival – Sat, May 13, 1-4 p.m.
Drink your way through 30 craft brews while listening to live music and chowing down on local food vendors in Ardmore. Tickets are $55 for general admission; $85 for VIP. The event will be held in Schauffele Plaza across from AMH on Cricket Ave., just off Lancaster Ave.
Made on American Street Festival – Sat., May 20, 2-6 p.m.
This is the 17th year of this South Kensington-based beer and music festival with mini-golf, plus vendors of cocktails and wine. Olde Kensington Boutique has crafted a bustling market of local art vendors to shop and local restaurants and cafes will be offering food for purchase. A special VIP ticket offers early access to sampling, a one-of-a-kind tasting glass, and special pours. Tickets are $40-$250. American Street between Master and Cecil B Moore
New Hope Pride Fest & Fair – Sat., May 20, 11 a.m.
While not technically Philadelphia, New Hope is a short drive away and is a small town that has celebrated its LGBTQ community long before most cities. This is why this annual event draws over 15,000 people! The festival features a grand parade from 11 a.m. to noon with over 1,000 participants, beginning in Lambertville, NJ, and crossing over the Delaware River into New Hope, PA. Presenting local and national marching bands, floats, and nonprofit organizations. After the parade, follow the crowd to Pride Park at the end of South Main St. for a craft fair and dancing to local and national performers. This is a family-friendly event. $5 suggested donation. Kids free.
Italian Market Festival – Sat. & Sun, May 20-21, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bring the entire family and enjoy all the events, including live music, arts and crafts, the Grease Pole contest, the 12th Annual John Marzano Halfball Tournament, Cornhole At The Festival, the traditional Procession of Saints, and so much delicious food throughout the market. South 9th St, Wharton to Fitzwater.
Northern Liberties Night Market – Thurs., May 25, 5-10 p.m.
Come for an evening of shopping, eating, live music, art, and street performers under the stars with over 30 of Philly’s top food trucks. N. 2nd between Fairmount and West Laurel St.
Whichever festival you choose to attend, we encourage you to explore new neighborhoods, support local craftspeople and shops, chat with vendors, and make new friends.
