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Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Philly loves a good open-air affair, and year after year, Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival stands out as one of the biggest (and most stylish) fests around.
Promoting “accessible luxury,” the upscale bash annually takes over Walnut Street and brings more than 50,000 people to the neighborhood for a day filled with live music, family-friendly activities, locally made goods, specialty cocktails and delicious food from some of Philadelphia’s top eateries.
The annual springtime tradition — this year scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025 from noon to 5 p.m. — is free to attend, with pay-as-you-go food, drinks and merchandise.
The ultimate block party, Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, the festival area begins at 15th & Walnut streets before stretching across multiple blocks of Rittenhouse Square, each with a different vibe.
This year, expect tunes from the likes of The Paul Green School of Rock (made famous by the 2003 movie) and the band Huge in Europe, DJ Kenny, DJ Lady FX, DJ Eddie Tully and more.
Festivalgoers are treated to a preview of Rittenhouse Row’s luxury offerings, but one of the main highlights of the bash is — you guessed it — the food.
Savor dishes from over 30 of Philly’s acclaimed restaurants and food purveyors, including sate from Kampar, slices from Pizzata Pizzeria, ice cream sandwiches from Weckerly’s, sangria from Jet Wine Bar and free spirit samples from BOTLD.
Ready. Set. Gooooo.
The family fun gets off to a lively start with music from two Philly staples: the Paul Green School of Rock and Paul Green’s adult cover band, Huge in Europe.
Some of the neighborhood’s major destinations and staples — including go-to table tennis spot SPIN Philadelphia, the newly rechristened Bellevue Hotel alongside its top-of-the-line fitness center, Levain bakery, restaurant Oyster House, bottleshop BOTLD and more — are on deck to welcome festivalgoers.
Ellen Yin’s Sisterly Love Collective also returns with a special area showcasing over a dozen local woman-owned businesses, including Art by Alicia, El Merkury, Fishtown Pickle Project, Kampar, and Flakely Gluten Free (the bakery behind the super-cool baked goods ATMs).
Beloved Rittenhouse Favorites Meet Neighborhood Newcomers
Center City staples Pizzeria Salvy, Spice Finch, Happy Rooster, Square 1682 are joined by neighborhood newcomer Weckerly’s on the 1600 block of Walnut.
Also, expect appearances by the newly opened Flight Club Social Darts, locally based spirits company Top Dog Cocktails, live entertainment destination Ensemble Arts, businesses like Pretty on You boutique and other organizations.
— Photo courtesy Rittenhouse Row
Heaven on Earth for a Philadelphia Foodie
Food and drinks are the name of the game here. Fine dining restaurants like Lacroix and Oltremare, hip bars like Bolo and Wilder, and casual hotspots like HipCityVeg and Pizzata Pizzeria all set up shop on this stretch of Walnut Street.
The culinary options are rounded out by Bar Bombon, The Ground Rittenhouse, Pizzata Pizzeria, Village Whiskey, BOTLD and Walnut Garden, while a variety of other shops, services and partners add to the block’s goings-on.
— Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia
Dive Into Warm-Weather-Inspired Fun
Splish splash, festivalgoers! Music and vibes spill out of the Philadelphia Distilling Pool Party at the corner of 18th & Walnut streets as guests enjoy Bluecoat cocktails, yard games and dancing. Nearby, a.Bar, a.Kitchen and Parc offer refreshing selections from their award-winning offerings.
Also, keep an eye out for booths by the Friends of Rittenhouse Square and Triple Tree Flowers along this block.
A Constellation of Starr-worthy Eateries & More
Treat yourself to a taste of the finer things in this world — and maybe the next — with special treats from some of Stephen Starr’s beloved spots, including Barclay Prime, Butcher & Singer and the Continental Midtown.
The luxurious vibes continue with a booth by Rescue Spa and a special VIP Lounge.
Over on the south side of the park, the Rittenhouse Square Farmers Market vendors are set up with their market staples and wares.
The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival spans several blocks of Rittenhouse Square, shutting down Walnut Street between 15th Street and 19th Street, as well as 18th Street from Locust Street to Sansom Street.
While driving is an option (and there are several parking lots in the area), stretches of Walnut Street will be closed to traffic for the event. The easiest way to get to the festival is by foot, by bike or by public transportation via SEPTA.
The Walnut-Locust subway stop on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line leaves you at Broad and Walnut Streets, just a few blocks from the action. Those arriving by SEPTA’s Regional Rail can hop off at Suburban Station and walk to the festival in under five minutes.
For updates and more info about the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, follow the official Rittenhouse Row Instagram account or click the button below.
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Which will you choose?