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Events Advisory: Visitor health and safety is a top priority for the entire Philadelphia region. In an effort to limit the impact and spread of COVID-19, many events have been suspended or rescheduled. For information on COVID-19, click here.
In 2020, residents and visitors have lots of opportunities to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the region with welcoming festivals and special events throughout Greater Philadelphia.
At these special events — many of which are free — attendees learn about the cultures that make up the city while also taking part in the celebrations that define these diverse groups of people.
There are movie festivals dedicated to minority filmmakers (Philadelphia Latino Film Festival), outdoor block parties that bring flavors from around the world, (Odunde Festival, Puerto Rican Festival and Parade), waterfront festivals that spotlight authentic dance performances (ACANA African Festival, Festival of India) and so much more.
Read on for a guide to multicultural festivals in Philadelphia in 2020.
May 2020 (TBA)
Every May, the Mexican Cultural Center presents a slew of celebrations for Semana Mexicana, or Mexican Week. Previous year’s festivities have included a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, special exhibitions, Mexican Restaurant Week and performances. Stay tuned to the official site for more details.
Where: Various locations including City Hall, 1 S. Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
As part of the PECO Multicultural Series, the Philadelphia Irish Festival brings Irish traditions and culture to the spotlight at a day-long festival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Guests can enjoy performances of traditional Irish step dancing, authentic cuisine and shopping.
Where: Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
During the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, films by both up-and-coming and established Latino filmmakers are celebrated with screenings across the city. The lineup includes documentaries, shorts, animations, feature-length films and panels that attract diverse groups of people.
Where: Locations TBA, Philadelphia, PA
This June, the Odunde Festival — the country’s largest African American street festival — returns for its 45th year of celebrations. A week of cultural events concludes with the namesake festival that covers 15 blocks of Graduate Hospital. With the epicenter at 23rd and South streets, the festival promises hip-hop dance performances, live music, food inspired by the flavors of the African diaspora and shopping.
Where: Centered at 2300 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
A celebration of the Caribbean’s Carnival festivities, Philly Carnival brings exciting costumery, upbeat music and a marquee parade to Fairmount Park. Last year’s festivities included dance parties, musical celebrations and a huge parade. Stay tuned for more on this year’s event.
Where: Belmont Mansion & South Chamounix drives, Philadelphia, PA
In honor of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, the Johnson House Historic Site hosts its annual Juneteenth festival along Germantown Avenue. Enjoy a day of historical re-enactments, tasty food and drinks, a cultural marketplace, and a variety of activities for children.
Where: Germantown Avenue between Washington Lane and Johnson Street, Philadelphia, PA
With its epicenter at Malcom X Park, the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade and Festival brings a variety of happenings to West Philly to commemorate the ratification of the 13th Amendment. Activities include music in the park, an ancestor-honoring breakfast and a high-energy parade throughout the neighborhood.
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
More than 10,000 people from around the world are expected to attend this year’s epic display of Lithuanian culture and dance at The Liacouras Center in North Philly. The colorful festival — now in its 16th year — includes more than 2,000 dancers showcasing traditional dances, extraordinary cultural storytelling and stunning costume design.
Where: The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The weekend-long Hispanic Fiesta welcomes crowds of more than 15,000 people each year for a festival complete with traditional performances, authentic food, a cultural marketplace and fun music, all celebrating the people and culture from several Latin American countries.
Where: Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
The freshest, most exciting music out of Latin America is the focal point of Nuevofest, a summertime music festival presented by AfroTaino Productions and WXPN. The festival takes place at World Cafe Live and promises music from a range of musical genres. Stay tuned for more info on this year’s event.
Where: World Cafe Live Philadelphia, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
July 2020 (TBA)
Islamic culture and traditions are celebrated every year at the PECO Multicultural Series’ Islamic Festival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Guests can look forward to an afternoon of giveaways, shopping from global vendors and music.
Hailed as “the black Sundance” by Ebony magazine, BlackStar Film Festival celebrates works by talented Black filmmakers about the Black experience. The four-day film festival honors Black culture with screenings across the city, panels, discussions and parties.
August 2020 (TBA)
Dance and music groups inspired by traditional performance of the African diaspora take the stage at the annual ACANA African Festival at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The festival promises six hours of live performances, ranging from Afropop to reggae and everything in between. Guests can also enjoy fare from African food vendors, shopping and crafts.
In observance of Jamaica’s independence, the Jamaica Pennsylvania Association presents an all-day festival with a range of happenings, including Jamaican food and drinks, music, and giveaways.
Where: Location TBA, Philadelphia, PA
At the Festival of India — a celebration of India’s Independence Day — attendees enjoy traditional Indian dance performances, delicious food, live music and more.
Philadelphia’s Caribbean Festival transports guests to the tropical islands through a slew of special events like musical performances, dancing, food and a marketplace of Caribbean-inspired goods. The event is free to attend.
September 2020 (TBA)
Celebrate the anniversary of Brazilian independence during the Brazilian Day Festival, held along the Delaware River waterfront. The day offers traditional Brazilian dance performances like the samba, forro and capoeira, in addition to shopping and food options that bring a taste of Brazil to Philadelphia.
A celebration of Mexican heritage and Mexican independence, the annual Mexican Independence Day festival hits Penn’s Landing with authentic food and drinks, live music from Mexican bands, performances by talented dancers and other traditions that accompany the holiday in Mexico. The festival marks the final PECO Multicultural Series event of the summer.
A two-fold celebration, The Blue Corn Lifestyle: Organic and Green Fest spotlights the importance of living a sustainable lifestyle while also honoring Mexican indigenous traditions and modern-day Mexican Farmer culture through food tastings, demonstrations and plenty of samples.
September (TBA)
Celebrate the diverse groups of people that in the Upper Darby community during the daylong Upper Darby International Festival. Global music, food, shopping and performances make up the festival, in addition to the Parade of Nations ceremony where residents’ native countries are celebrated.
Where: Market & S. 69th streets, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
More than 5,000 people come out annually to watch the Puerto Rican Festival and Parade, in which 1,500 people march along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in an exciting outdoor street party. The celebration of Puerto Rican culture promises traditional music, dance performances, poetry readings and lots of island pride.
Where: 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Traditional Ukrainian folk music, traditional Ukrainian dance, authentic food, and exciting arts and crafts go into the Ukrainian Folk Festival in North Wales. The event returns on October 18, 2020, for its 29th year of festivities.
Where: Ukrainian American Sports Center, 1 Lower State Road, North Wales, PA
As the largest East Coast film festival dedicated to spotlighting the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival returns from November 5 to 15 with enticing film screenings all around town. The event showcases a variety of films — documentaries, feature-length, animated and more — that were created by Asian filmmakers or for the Asian community.
Where: Various locations including Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA
This fall, the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival returns for its 40th year of screenings, panels and parties that honor and celebrate the Jewish experience. Last year’s event featured a range of films that aimed to share Jewish culture with other communities.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.
A month-by-month guide to the biggest, can’t-miss events in the City of Brotherly Love...