Saturday: Eat, Drink and Party Outdoors


Photo by E. Mencher for Visit Philadelphia

Photo by E. Mencher for Visit Philadelphia

We really don’t know exactly why every outdoor festival has to take place on the first Saturday of May but it sure seems that is always the case. This year, we have the Rittenhouse Row Festival which shuts down Walnut Street between Broad and 19th for food, drink and fun. And as we’ve mentioned, it will also be the first time you’ll be able to try the vegan bar bites that Rich Landau’s V Street will be serving. There will also be lamb burger sliders from Avance, meatball and sausage sandwiches from Russet, smoked pork from Village Whiskey and one of our yearly favorites, the Kobe beef sliders from Barclay Prime.

On South Street, the Spring Festival will close the street from Front to 8th and also north of South on 2nd. Thirty restaurants and bars will be serving up dishes outdoors. And then there’s the Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest, which anchors one end of the festival with a block long German festival. 

At 23rd and South Streets Plazapalooza is happening from 1 to 7 p.m. The celebration of the Grays Ferry Triangles will include food, drink, live music and games for young and old. Four food trucks including Phoebe’sUnderground DonutsPoi Dog, and Tacos Don Memo will be on hand.  Grace Tavern will also be selling beer and food from outside their storefront. Frozen treats from the Igloo will also be available. Live music hosted by Jeff from South Street Sounds and his band, Tall Trees, along with New Pony, The Rosemary Fiki Band, Clef Club Youth Jazz Ensemble and Odunde 365 will make it a musical day. It will also be the official opening of Green Aisle Grocery on Grays Ferry Avenue.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway sees two festivals. There’s the Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival which sounds cool but not too much food and drink. However, at Logan Square, the Sister Cities International Festival will certainly make for it as the festival celebrates Philadelphia’s ten sister cities. Sample, food, wine and beer from our sister cities while traditional music and dances are performed.

Sister Cities Park International FestivalNoon-5 p.m. Logan Square, 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Running alongside the Philadelphia Science Festival Carnival on the Parkway, the Sister Cities Park International Festival celebrates Philadelphia and its 10 sister cities. Sample food, wine and beer from our sister cities and enjoy free live performances that honor traditional dances and musical performances from each country.

For even more Saturday festivals, check out Ticket’s Spring Festival Guide.