Cool Things to Do in Philly This Spring

The gloom of winter has finally lifted and, collectively, the city has learned what sunshine feels like again. As the weather warms, so does Philly’s events and entertainment scene—so there’s plenty of fun to be had in the months ahead.

From outdoor events galore to roller skating, we’ve got all the details on how to maximize the season. Here’s everything cool you can do in Philly this spring.

Ongoing
Various locations
There’s no better way to explore neighborhoods in all corners of the city than through grand fetes of food, entertainment, and shopping during spring festival season. South Street Fest (May 6) has global food and drink, vendors, live music, and a festival-within-a-festival, Brauhaus Schmitz’s German Maifest. Local establishments in Rittenhouse Square post up along the bustling area’s streets during the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival (May 6), spotlighting fashion, eats, art, and shopping. Homemade human-powered vehicles will parade around Kensington—and then plummet into a pit of mud—at ​​the Kensington Derby & Arts Festival (May 13). Cannoli, pasta, pizza, and cured meats will be showcased at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival (May 20-21). The country’s largest African American street festival, Odunde, returns for food, music, and international vendors selling merchandise from African nations, the Caribbean, and Brazil (June 11). Celebrate Juneteenth Philly-style in West Philly with a parade, marketplace, and music festival in Malcolm X Park (June 18).
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Various locations
Nothing signals the changing of the seasons quite like outdoor concerts. Open air venues like The Mann and Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (FKA BB&T Pavilion) welcome artists like Luke Bryan (as part of the XTU anniversary show on June 23), the epic Roots Picnic (June 2-4), local heroes Low Cut Connie and Chill Moody (June 29) and, if you can somehow magically obtain tickets, Taylor Swift (May 12-14).
Cost: Varies per event

Ongoing
Logan Square
A recently opened exhibit proves Mickey Mouse looks good for his age. The media behemoth that is Disney celebrates a century of entertainment with a world premiere exhibition at the Franklin Institute. Containing rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia, Disney 100: The Exhibition is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes info. From the company’s beginnings to the inspiration for the popular movies, the show covers it all and you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for your favorite childhood characters.
Cost: $18-51

Ongoing
Various locations
Why simply go to a restaurant when you can eat at all the restaurants? Spring is rife with food and drink festivals giving you plenty of opportunities to taste what the city’s cooking. Restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue offer cheap street eat versions of their best dishes during Flavors On The Avenue on April 30. Enjoy food truck fare in the spring evening air at the Northern Liberties Night Market on May 25. Kick off the Old City Eats season, celebrating neighborhood restaurants, with a block party on June 1, complete with discounted dishes and drinks. Celebrate—and taste—the city’s thriving beer scene during Philly Beer Week, running from June 2-11.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Various locations
While summer is known as peak beer garden season, outdoor drinking festivities start to ramp up this spring. Parks on Tap returns to its full roving beer garden schedule, popping up at a different location every week until October 1. Head to the top of the Bok building in South Philly to Bok Bar for events, food, and beers. Jet Wine Bar’s wine garden heats up with wines by the glass, cocktails, global spirits, and beer. Drink like the Founding Fathers intended: in front of the Liberty Bell at Independence Beer Garden. Relax in Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s urban gardens on South Street or in Manayunk, packed with flora and fauna, plus beer. Of course, no summer of outdoor imbibing would be complete without a visit to Morgan’s Pier on the Delaware River waterfront. Oh, and did we mention Center City Sips is returning on June 1? Expect plenty of downtown beer gardens to offer discounted drinks and apps on Wednesdays.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Center City and Delaware River Waterfront
The city boasts two particularly picturesque outdoor roller rinks: one by City Hall, and the other at Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River Waterfront. The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink is open until July 16 and offers skate rentals and hour-long skating sessions, as well as roller-rink inspired snacks and adult bevs. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest opens for the season on May 12 complete with boardwalk games, carnival rides, mini golf, and plenty of funnel cake to go around.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Delaware River Waterfront
It’s the perfect time of year to take in all the Delaware River Waterfront has to offer. Open year round, but particularly amenable in the spring, Cherry Street Pier welcomes visitors to take a look at work in progress from local artists as well as to purchase goods from these creators, and to grab a bite with seating overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Later in the season, the famed Spruce Street Harbor Park will reopen on May 12 for casual hangs, beer, and eats in artistic environs.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Various locations
Grab a tote and an iced coffee and hit local farmers markets. Pick up produce from local farms on Saturdays at Clark Park’s farmers market; Tuesdays and Saturdays in Rittenhouse Square Park, pickles, mushrooms, flowers, baked goods, and more are available at the Rittenhouse farmers market; one of the city’s longest-running and largest farmers markets takes over Headhouse Square on Sundays; across from Eastern State Penitentiary on Thursdays is the Fairmount farmers market with vendors offering vegan baked goods, coffee beans, fresh bread, pasture-raised eggs, chicken, and sausage, and more.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Ongoing
Various locations
See nature spring to life at any one of the area’s most picturesque gardens. Longwood Gardens’ Spring Blooms features budding tulips and wisterias out in Kennett Square. Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum welcomes visitors back to the property overlooking the Delaware River. Fairmount Park Horticulture Center grounds and greenhouses are meticulously manicured for spring foliage-gazing. At Bartram’s Garden, you can take a leisurely stroll through a hillside meadow, a medicinal plant display, and the stylish Ann Bartram Carr Garden.
Cost: Varies per location

May 25 through September 3
Fairmount
Sure, you could tour Eastern State Penitentiary by day, but there’s something a little more spooky and atmospheric when you do it at twilight. All summer long, the prison offers evening tours giving guests the chance to see Al Capone’s cell and listen to Steve Buscemi narrate the audio tour as the sun sets. Afterward, grab a beer at Triple Bottom Brewery’s Fair Chance Beer Garden within the penitentiary’s walls.
Cost: $21-30

Ongoing
Old City
An exhibition at the Museum of the American Revolution focuses on James Forten and his ancestors. Forten was born a free man of African descent who came of age in Revolutionary-age Philadelphia and went on to become a successful businessman, philanthropist, and abolitionist. Objects, documents, and immersive environments help detail a century of the Forten family’s life and role in history.
Cost: Included in museum admission

Ongoing
Fairmount Park
The country’s oldest zoo—that would be the Philadelphia Zoo—is home to some 1,900 animals housed in exhibits like African Plains and Big Cat Falls. Embrace the warmer weather and wander around the zoo and marvel at exotic birds, animals typically found in the Australian outback, and reptiles. Don’t forget to look up: Animals will roam overhead throughout the park on mesh trails for a truly immersive experience.
Cost: $20-25

Ongoing
2146 E Susquehanna Avenue
After launching in 2021 in Kensington, Mural City Cellars now has a temporary Fishtown tasting room where you can sip wines made from locally sourced grapes. Until the permanent space is ready, cozy up in a string-light adorned Frankford Avenue-adjacent location and try pinots, cabs, and rosés.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

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