The Best Spring Festivals to Check Out in Philly
Eat your way through your neighborhood and soak up the sunshine at these spring celebrations.
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park / Photograph by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
It’s almost spring, which means we are entering peak festival season. Every weekend that it’s nice out, it seems some major Philly street will be shut down to traffic and full of people again. Will there be good eats? Almost definitely. Will there be good music? Of course! Will there be puppies? Sometimes!
Bookmark this page, because here are all the Philly spring festivals you won’t want to miss — and we’ll add some more favorites as they’re announced. Except where indicated, all events are free to attend (and pay-as-you-go for food and other goodies).
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park / Photograph by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
Evil Genius’s Sprung! Block Party
The Fishtown taproom just can’t wait for it to be spring — they’re staking their claim on the first weekend of the season with vendors on Front Street, a DJ, a glitter bar, a food truck, and plenty to drink.
March 21st, noon-6 p.m., 1737 North Front Street.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Head to Fairmount Park to celebrate Japanese culture and the beauty of spring through a weekend of performances, food, shopping, and lots of sakura. On both days of the festival, there will be a full schedule of performances — from taiko drumming to martial arts to fashion — as well as a Japanese vendor fair, kimono dressing, ikebana workshops, tea ceremonies, origami, calligraphy, and more. Sunday will have a pet parade, so be sure to dress your furry friend in their best “Pretty in Pink” fashion. Note that the festival is rain or shine, and tickets are required.
$15, free for kids 12 and under; March 28th & 29th, Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 North Horticultural Drive.
Furry Friends of Frankford Pet Festival
Whether you want to spoil your pets or want to find your fur-ever friend, this is the festival for you. Olde Kensington Boutique and Philadelphia Brewing Company are partnering with local rescues for a day of pet-themed games, pet vendors, and adoptable pets. There will also be a performance by the band Kitty Rotten in the courtyard — they wear cat masks; it’s a delight.
April 4th, noon-6 p.m., Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2440 Frankford Avenue.
Open Streets: West Walnut
Once again, 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut streets and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th streets will be closed to vehicular traffic. From 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on those days, the streets will be open to pedestrians, along with live entertainment (think music, dance troupes, strolling performers), specials at stores and restaurants, and a kids’ zone with free activities. On April 5th, there will be an Easter bunny visit from 10 a.m. to noon, plus crafts and an Easter Treat Trail at participating stores till 5 p.m.
Sundays from April 5th through May 17th, 10 a.m-5 p.m., 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut streets and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th streets.
Open Streets Walnut West / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Rex Manning Day
Is Empire Records your favorite ’90s movie? Then South Street Art Mart has the party for you. On April 11th, their annual Rex Manning Day fest shuts down the 400 block of South Street with live bands, food vendors, a prize wheel, ’90s-themed t-shirts from Repo Records, and more surprises.
April 11th, noon-7 p.m., 400 block of South Street.
World Circus Week Festival
This festival hosted by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts spans 10 days and features performances by emerging and established circus artists, as well as workshops where you can try your hand at circus arts! Check out the full schedule here. It’s part of the 52 Weeks of Firsts series, this time celebrating Philadelphia as the birthplace of the first U.S. circus in 1793. (And, in honor of that connection, adults can try Intro to Circus classes that week for just $5.20.)
April 10th-18th, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.
Northern Liberties Farmers Market Block Party
To celebrate its reopening for the season, the Northern Liberties Farmers Market is kicking things off with a bang. They’ll be having an extra-long day with live music and entertainment, free mini fitness classes, family-friendly activities, plus lots of vendors.
April 18th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 1099 Germantown Avenue.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival / Photograph courtesy of Manayunk
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival
Over 70 food trucks and gourmet food vendors will shut down Main Street so you can eat your way through Manayunk. In addition to the mobile food vendors, Manayunk restaurants and businesses will be offering specials throughout the day, and festival-goers of all ages can enjoy live music from six acts on two stages. They’re also planning an expanded family area for more space to relax and play.
April 19th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Main Street, Manayunk.
Panda Fest
One of the biggest outdoor Asian street food festivals in the country returns to Philly for the third time in two years. A giant inflatable panda will grace Dilworth Park for one glorious weekend as more than 60 food and craft vendors will set up shop. Also: live performances, games, kids’ activities, and more panda-themed fun. (Your ticket also includes panda ears, so you can really look the part.) Tickets are sold by the timeslot online.
$17-$30, plus pay-as-you-go for food and merch; April 18th & 19th, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Flavors on the Avenue
East Passyunk will bring out its best with five blocks of pay-as-you-go food, cocktails and craft beer, live music, sidewalk sales, and free family fun. In addition to all the food, there will be vendors, live bands and entertainment throughout the festival, including kids’ activity zones up and down the street.
April 26th, noon-5 p.m., East Passyunk Avenue from Broad to Dickinson streets.
Photograph by Laura Swartz
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Walnut Street will shut down as Rittenhouse businesses come out to play, showcasing the neighborhood’s shopping, fashion, food and drinks. (Including an entire Stephen Starr block.) There will also be live music, sidewalk cafes, kids’ activities and giveaways. The festival is on, rain or shine.
May 2nd, noon-5 p.m., Walnut Street from 15th to 20th streets, and around Rittenhouse Square.
Maifest and more on South Street
On May 2nd, South Street is home to multiple festivals. First, we’ve got Brauhaus Schmitz hosting its 13th annual Maifest with German beers, live music, dancers and a maypole. (You can get in the spirit by purchasing a flower crown on site.) The event is free to attend, and pay-as-you-go for food and beer, but VIP tickets get you access to indoor bathrooms, a buffet, a giant beer mug, and more. Head east and it’s the Free Comic Book Day festival on the 600 block of South Street (thanks to Atomic City). Keep going and hit up the Renn Faire at Queen & Rook. There’s truly something for everyone.
May 2nd, noon-8 p.m., South Street.
Brauhaus Schmitz’s annual spring festival features a maypole, traditional German dancers, and lots of beer. / Photograph courtesy of Brauhaus Schmitz
Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival
From furniture to art to antiques, find unique and handmade home goods at this annual street fair. In addition to the hundreds of home and garden vendors lining the avenue, you’ll find delicious food, boutique shopping, and live demonstrations and musical performances all day.
May 3rd, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Germantown Avenue between Rex and Willow Grove avenues.
Roxborough Spring Fest and Rockin’ the Ridge Car Show
One neighborhood, two festivals. From main-stage acts to singer-songwriters to kids’ tunes, head to Roxborough’s Ridge Avenue for three stages of music, plus vendors, food trucks, a kids’ zone, and a student art showcase. Meanwhile, find classic cars on display in front of Gorgas Park from Hermitage Street to Fountain Street till 3 p.m.
May 9th, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Ridge Avenue from Lyceum Avenue to Leverington Avenue.
Italian Market Festival
This South Philly festival goes all weekend. And it has everything: saints on parade, greased-pole climbers, every Italian delicacy possible, a half ball tournament, live entertainment, art vendors, and more. Now back to that greased pole: Albero della cuccagna (let’s be authentic here) is a tradition where “teams compete in climbing to the top of a greased pole to reach prizes of meats, cheeses, gifts, and money.” So if you really want to get in the spirit — or if you’re just missing that Super Bowl delirium — sign up to climb a 30-foot pole greased with lard at the 9th and Montrose Piazza.
May 16th & 17th, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater streets.
The Italian Market Festival returns in May. / Photograph by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia
