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 annual South Street Easter Promenade is is just one of Philly’s fun spring festivals to look forward to this season. / Photograph by HughE Dillon
It’s finally 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. But how to choose? 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 announce. Except where indicated, all events are free to attend (and pay-as-you-go for food and other goodies).
Easter Promenade on South Street
Come dressed in your Sunday best and strut down South Street for this Philly tradition. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail and their bunny friends for photos before making your way to Headhouse Square for best-dressed contests including various age groups, best Easter bonnet, best-dressed pet, and something called “Best South Street Razzle Dazzle,” so bring it! Also, friend of Philly Mag and drag queen extraordinaire Miss Brittany Lynn will be walking in the promenade this year! We can’t wait to see her ensemble.
April 9th, 12:30 p.m., parade starts at 5th and South streets; Headhouse Square for best-dressed contest.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Head to Fairmount Park to celebrate Japanese culture and the beauty of spring through a weekend of performances, food, shopping, demonstrations 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, and a pop-up beer garden by Triple Bottom Brewing. Saturday’s performances will also feature Black artists, to better reflect the Parkside community in which the festival takes place. Sunday will have a “sushi samurai” contest, plus a pet parade — be sure to dress your furry friend in their best Barbiecore, as the theme is “Prettiest Pet in Pink.”
April 15th and 16th, Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, 100 North Horticultural Drive.
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park / Photograph by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
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 the PSPCA for a day of pet-themed games, pet vendors, a pet parade through the neighborhood (at 4 p.m.), and adoptable pets. From 1:30 to 4 p.m., there will also be a performance by the band Kitty Rotten in the courtyard — they wear cat masks; it’s a delight. Even better, anyone who adopts an animal at the festival also gets a free gift basket filled with products from the day’s vendors.
April 15th, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Philadelphia Brewing Company, 2440 Frankford Avenue.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival
Over 50 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 festivalgoers of all ages can enjoy live music from six acts on two stages.
April 23rd, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Main Street, Manayunk.
Everyday Futures Fest Block Party
Da Vinci Art Alliance’s annual community arts and science festival runs the entire month of April with exhibits, workshops and interactive experiences focusing on sustainability and the arts. While there is plenty to see and do, definitely don’t miss out on the block party on April 23rd. The festival will take over the 700 block of Catharine Street with temporary installations, vendors, performances and art activities for all ages. Expect a fashion show with Saul Agricultural High School, kids’ activities with PlayArts, collaborative art projects, music, storytelling, workshops and more. Check out the rest of the Everyday Futures Fest schedule here.
April 23rd, noon-5 p.m., Catherine Street between 7th and 8th streets.
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. Small plates will be specially priced in the single digits, so you can try a little of everything. In addition, there will be craft vendors, live bands and entertainment throughout the festival, including kids’ activity zones up and down the street.
April 30th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. POSTPONED till June 11th, East Passyunk Avenue from Broad to Dickinson streets.
Photograph by Laura Swartz
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is finally back in its pre-pandemic form. (It was a “stroll” last year.) Walnut Street will shut down as Rittenhouse businesses come out to play, showcasing the neighborhood’s shopping, fashion, food and drinks. There will also be live music, sidewalk cafes, kids’ activities and giveaways. The festival is on, rain or shine.
May 6th, noon-5 p.m., Walnut Street from 15th to 20th streets, and around Rittenhouse Square.
South Street Fest
A giant, all-ages outdoor block party takes over South Street with food, live music, and artists selling their creations. In conjunction with the festival, Brauhaus Schmitz will host its annual Maifest, with German beers, music, dancers and a maypole. There will also be a kids’ zone with fun games and play areas for little ones.
May 6th, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., South Street from 2nd to 8th streets.
Shop unique home goods in Chestnut Hill. / Photograph by Elizabeth Ferguson
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 over 150 home and garden vendors lining the avenue, you’ll find delicious food, boutique shopping, kids’ activities, and live music. You can also visit the Sustainability Hub, which features makers and organizations working for a more sustainable Philly.
May 7th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Germantown Avenue between Rex and Willow Grove avenues.
Kensington Derby & Arts Festival
Fresh off its Best of Philly win last year, the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Derby & Arts Festival is back with the craziest, messiest festival in town. The centerpiece of this festival is the derby portion where teams drive their human-powered vehicles through a three-mile obstacle course that includes challenges like a mud pit — and spills do happen. Prizes are awarded for categories like Best Costume and Best Engineering. The festival also features over 100 local arts and food vendors. And it’s rain or shine, because rain only makes the pièce de resistance even muddier.
May 13th, noon-6 p.m., Trenton Avenue from Frankford Avenue to Norris Street.
The mud pit at the end of the Kensington Derby and Arts Festival / Photograph courtesy of New Kensington Community Development Corporation
Roxborough Spring Fest
From main-stage acts to singer-songwriters to kids’ tunes, come to Roxborough to rock out all day. Head to Ridge Avenue for the main stage, plus more than 50 vendors, including food trucks and arts and crafts. You can also catch kids’ music and activities in Gorgas Park.
May 20th, noon-6 p.m., Ridge Avenue from Lyceum Avenue to Fountain Street.
Italian Market Festival
This South Philly festival goes all weekend. To paraphrase Stefon, 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 20th & 21st, 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
Made on American Street Festival
This annual Kensington street fair hosted by Original 13 Ciderworks, Punchbuggy Brewing and Home Brewed Events features local beer, cider, wine, cocktails and music. Tickets to the event include unlimited tastes of beer, cider, wine and cocktails; mini-golf by Libertee Grounds, live entertainment and pay-as-you-go food. There will also be a vendor marketplace with local artisans. You can purchase general or VIP tickets online.
$35-$65, May 20th, 2-6 p.m., North American Street between Master Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
