Annual Philadelphia Events
March 13, 2023
Plan your Philadelphia visit, meeting or event around one of these can’t-miss annual experiences, including parades, cultural celebrations, concerts, sporting events, and more.
Mummers Parade
Annually on January 1
Watch this annual Philadelphia tradition as the charismatic Mummers strut along Broad Street, celebrating the New Year for the Mummers Parade. The colorful and extravagant costumes and performances are judged at the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
2020 Mummers Parade. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
Lunar New Year Parade and Celebrations
Annually in January or February
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an authentic dragon parade and enjoy traditional food and festivities in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
2020 Chinese New Year Parade. Photo by A. Lee.
Philadelphia Auto Show
Annually in February or March
At the Philadelphia Auto Show, hundreds of vehicles showcasing the latest models and trends will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Philly Auto Show at Pennsylvania Convention Center. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
Philadelphia Flower Show
Annually in March
The largest and longest running flower show in the nation features acres of dazzling floral displays and gardens, with a new theme each year. After being held outdoors in the spacious FDR Park in South Philadelphia for the past two years, the Philadelphia Flower Show returned to its long-term home at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2023.
The 2023 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show’s theme was ‘The Garden Electric.’ Photo by Pel Productions for the PHLCVB.
Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Annually in March
A Philadelphia tradition since 1771, Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, noted as one of the best parades of its kind in the U.S. by Thrillist takes place annually on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) to honor the patron saint of Ireland and to celebrate Irish heritage and culture. Spectators line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to watch the event.
Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade is hosted by the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association. Photo by D. Foley for Irish Philadelphia.
Philly Home and Garden Show
Annually in March
Held inside of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philly Home and Garden Show offers busy homeowners a one-stop shop. With more than 200 booths to discover and learn from, attendees will find everything they need to inspire or complete their next home project, as well as expert advice.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
Annually in April
Celebrate spring and Philadelphia’s rich cultural connection to the art, music, food and beauty of Japan with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival that culminates in Sakura Sunday at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park.
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival takes place annually in April. Photo courtesy of Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.
Penn Relays
Annually in April
At the Penn Relays, watch high school, college and masters-level track stars as well as Olympic athletes compete in the oldest and largest track and field competition in the U.S. — and one of Philadelphia’s signature annual sporting events — at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
April 2022 – Penn Relays. Image © Ross Dettman. Photo courtesy of Penn Relays.
The Philadelphia Show
Annually in April
A premier showcase of the country’s top dealers of antiques and fine art, The Philadelphia Show features 41 exhibitors and a brilliant selection of art from the 17th century to the present.
Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run
Annually in May
The Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run is a 10-mile race along historic Broad Street, attracting local and international athletes for over 35 years.
Broad Street Run. Photo by D. Gehosky.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Annually in May
An annual festival highlighting fashion, arts, eats, and shopping at businesses and restaurants in Rittenhouse Square.
Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains
May 11 – September 24, 2023
During Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains, daily performances at the Main Fountain Garden are set to music with water jets shooting 175 feet into the air. Visit in the evenings on weekends to experience the fountain shows paired with colorful lights.
An illuminated evening fountain show at Longwood Gardens. Photo by B. Mathias.
Dad Vail Regatta
May 12 – 13, 2023
The Dad Vail Regatta is an annual collegiate regatta that draws participants from more than 100 North American colleges and universities.
Photo by K. Rossi for Dad Vail Regatta.
The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival
May 20 – 21, 2023
Take part in The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, an annual tradition where delicious Italian favorites, both sweet and savory, are available along with great music, shopping and more.
Italian Market Festival. Photo by K. Kuo.
Philadelphia Latino Film Festival
May 28 – July 9, 2023
The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival is an annual festival that showcases the innovative work of emerging and established Latin American and Latino filmmakers.
PrideDay
Annually in June
One of the largest celebrations of LGBTQ pride in the nation, PrideDay attracts more than 25,000 people each year to the city’s Gayborhood.
Philly Beer Week
June 2 – 11, 2023
Philly Beer Week gives you a chance to try locally made brews and participate in beer tours, prix fixe beer-pairing dinners, pub crawls and hundreds of events in restaurants and bars across America’s Best Beer Drinking City.
Independence Dragon Boat Regatta
June 3, 2023
Watch teams (from novices to experienced racers) compete along the Schuylkill River in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta to help raise money for a number of worthy charities during this spectacular annual tradition.
Roots Picnic
June 2 – 4, 2023
Held at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Roots Picnic is a weekend of music and performances handpicked by Philadelphia natives: The Roots.
Odunde Festival
Annually on the second Sunday in June
With live entertainment, 12 blocks of vendors along South Street, arts-and-craft booths, and African and Caribbean soul food, Odunde Festival is a huge festival that celebrates the Yoruba New Year.
Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival
June 18, 2023
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Celebrate freedom at the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival, which is the largest Juneteenth celebration in the nation produced by Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative.
Wawa Welcome America
Annually June – July
During Wawa Welcome America, celebrate America’s Independence with a multi-week-long festival featuring family-friendly fun, free concerts from chart-topping entertainers, and a patriotic parade traveling past America’s most historic sites, all capped by a spectacular fireworks show above the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
4th of July fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Annually June – August
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival transforms Philadelphia’s Franklin Square at 6th and Race Streets into a dreamlike garden filling it with massive lantern displays that celebrate the cultural traditions of China.
Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB
Made in America Festival
Annually on Labor Day Weekend
The Made in America Festival is an exciting music festival curated by Jay-Z and featuring dozens of artists across three stages along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including a main stage at the base of the iconic Rocky Steps.
Made in America 2018. Photo by H. Brink.
Fringe Festival
Annually in September
More than 1,000 experimental performances take over neighborhoods throughout the city during Fringe Festival, an annual arts festival. Performances include theater, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word and more.
Opera Philadelphia Festival O
September 21 – October 1, 2023
Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O includes over a week’s worth of opera across Philadelphia from the world-renowned and cutting-edge Opera Philadelphia.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Annually, on select evenings in late September through early November
From the creators of the famed Terror Behind the Walls haunted attraction, the new Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary fills the cellblocks of America’s most historic prison with 15 attractions, including two haunted houses, four immersive walk-through environments, two live performances, four themed bars and lounges, and a new Steve Buscemi-narrated audio tour recorded especially for Halloween Nights.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. Photo by Erin Davis, courtesy of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.
Ciao Philadelphia
Annually in autumn
Greater Philadelphia has one of the largest Italian-American communities in the United States. Ciao Philadelphia is an annual festival that celebrates Italian cultural heritage and connects the city with contemporary Italy.
Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival
Annually in October
Hundreds of paddlers gather to race down the scenic Schuylkill River during the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, a 2,000-year-old tradition that involves beautiful boats, drumming and more.
OutFest
Annually in October
Outfest celebrates “National Coming Out Day” with the largest event of its kind in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood.
U.S. Open Squash
October 8 – 15, 2023
International teams compete in the Professional Squash Association’s annual championship, U.S. Open Squash, hosted by Drexel University.
Philadelphia Film Festival
Annually in October
The Philadelphia Film Festival is a world-renowned annual event hosted at various locations, premiering everything from Oscar contenders to breakthrough local films.
Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show
November 3 – 5, 2023
The Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show is held inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center and features close to 200 talented artists.
Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend
November 17 – 19, 2023
The Philadelphia Marathon is one of the fastest courses in the country and a great way to see America’s Historic Mile while making some history of your own.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Annually on Thanksgiving Day
For more than 100 years, Philadelphia has kicked off the holiday season with this family-friendly parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway featuring giant floats, balloons and marching bands from across the country.
2019 Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront
Annually on New Year’s Eve
Philadelphia continues the tradition of two sets of fireworks on New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m. and midnight over the Delaware River. Launched from barges in the river, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront are choreographed to unique soundtracks that can be heard from Penn’s Landing.
New Year’s fireworks at the BlueCross River Rink. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
