Top Things to Do in Philadelphia in March 2023

Through Sunday, March 5, 2023 

A cold-weather version of the summertime roller skating oasis that is Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest houses an Olympic-size ice skating rink overlooking the Delaware River, a ski chalet-style lodge, an outdoor seating area with fire pits, cozy warming cabins and plenty more. Entry into Winterfest is free, while food and drink are pay as you go. Ice skating, cabins and fire pits can be reserved in advance.

Through Sunday, March 26, 2023

The horticultural minds at Longwood Gardens prove winter is a whole lot more than stark, bare trees during the annual Winter Wonder exhibit. In the Conservatory, hanging baskets and planting beds fill the space while orchids bring pops of color. Outdoors, winter grasses add texture to the winter landscape.

The House of Mouse celebrates a century of dazzling audiences with a brand-new exhibition, making its world premiere in Philadelphia. Disney100: The Exhibition opens the vaults for behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the company’s most popular characters, films, shows and attractions, offering 10 themed galleries with interactive installations covering everything from Snow White to Star Wars. Pro tip: Score complimentary tix to the exhibition (or one of two other great perks) when you book the Visit Philly Overnight Package for stays between February 18 and August 20, 2023.

Restaurants along one of the city’s most delicious streets — known for its diverse dining scene and restaurants helmed by acclaimed chefs — open their doors for prix-fixe lunch and dinner deals during this once-a-year restaurant week. Special menus are available at nearly 30 restaurants at four varying price points: $20, $30, $40 and $55. Participating spots include Stargazy, La Scala’s Birra, Barcelona Wine Bar, Bing Bing Dim Sum and Ember and Ash.

March 2023

Philadelphia shows some sisterly affection during Women’s History Month with celebratory events taking place around the region, including:

• Women’s History Month at the National Constitution Center: Uncover the history of women’s suffrage in America by exploring the National Constitution Center’s exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote. In addition, keep an eye out for daily pop-up talks in the suffragist story corner and an interactive Women Leading the Way show, tracing the suffragist movement from the colonial era to today. Women’s History Month programming is included in regular museum admission. A special Wawa Community Day (March 25, 2023) includes free admission, a kids’ town hall with famous suffragettes, and a make-and-take craft table (March 2023).
• NLM at Night: It is Better to Speak: A Women’s History Storyslam at the National Liberty Museum: Lend an ear — or grab the mic — at this special, women-centered poetry slam. The event features empowering tales from seasoned storytellers and amateurs alike. Tickets are required (March 9, 2023).
• CultureFest! Celebrate Women Artists and Creatives at the Penn Museum: It’s a daylong celebration of femme creativity at the Penn Museum. On tap: live pottery wheel throwing demos, dance performances, drag queen story circles, and a powerful performance by choral musicians from the Marian Anderson Museum and Sister Cities. The festivities are included in regular museum admission (March 11, 2023).

Note: The SZA concert scheduled at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2023 has been postponed. A new date is expected to be announced shortly. Ticket holders are encouraged to hang on to their original tickets.

The St. Louis-born singer-songwriter — who skyrocketed to fame after working with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Beyonce — takes center stage at the Wells Fargo Center to play the hits and tracks from her acclaimed 2022 release, SOS.

Philly goes chic during Philly Fashion Week. This year, the annual fashion-forward celebration features a design competition at Fashion District Philadelphia and two runway shows featuring contestants from Project Runway at Live! Casino & Hotel.

This classic adaptation from Philadelphia Ballet features an iconic score Tchaikovsky and follows the familiar story of a cursed beauty who can only be awoken by her true lover’s kiss.

Held indoors once again after two years in FDR Park, the Philadelphia Flower Show returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center with the theme “The Garden Electric.” Expect breathtaking displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers, as well as musical performances from a slate of artists hand-picked by Philly’s acclaimed brass band, SNACKTIME. New for 2023: Several designers create the largest gardens in the show’s history to transport visitors into immersive, 360-degree floral worlds — blurring the lines between indoors and out.

This new exhibition spotlights Japanese printmaking in the post-war period and celebrates the continued local interest in, and contributions to, contemporary Japanese and Japanese-American print-making and illustration.

The work of South Africa’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Sue Williamson and Lebohang Kganye, who came of age during and post-apartheid, is on display during this much-anticipated exhibition. Utilizing films, photographs, installations and textiles, the artists address legacies of racial violence and social injustice, as well as history, memory and the power of self-narration.

Where my PEEPS® at? Dozens of cute creations dot Peddler’s Village during this annual competition that sees the Pennsylvania-made marshmallow-y sweet treats used in adorable dioramas, intricate sculptures and 2-D wall art.

One of Broadway’s longest-running productions makes a stop in Philly on a criss-crossing national tour. The classic score from Andrew Lloyd Webber and un-furr-gettable costumes are enhanced by all-new lighting and sound designs, and new choreography from Hamilton’s Andy Blankenbuehler.

March 16 & 18-19, 2023

Jilly from Philly returns to the City of Brotherly Love for three soulful shows on North Broad Street. Expect the unexpected from Miss Jill, as she mixes elements of opera, jazz and hip-hop to create her signature sound.

The Philadelphia Orchestra plays Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score during special screenings of the groundbreaking superhero flick that transports viewers to the world of Wakanda.

The English arena rockers bring their synth-y sounds to the Wells Fargo Center for one night only — and they’re not alone. Also hitting the stage in South Philly: Emo-rockers Evanescence and Japan’s One OK Rock.

Mix and mingle, support underrepresented voices, and witness pure alchemy — all with a Latin twist. Back by popular demand, this open-to-the-public event series partners with bars and venues across Philly to showcase some of the city’s finest Hispanic and Latino bartenders. On offer this time around: Each $50 ticket includes a welcome drink, complimentary bites by Condesa, free swag and two drink tickets for elevated spirits, including one-night-only cocktails created by Condesa’s own mixologists.

Henry the VIII’s former wives — all six of ’em — step out of his shadow and onto the stage in this electric Broadway production that channels 500 years of heartbreak into 21st-century empowerment. Before the show, be sure to pop into the on-site Volvér for the Queen’s Sting, a special, brandy-based cocktail created just for the show.

This 10-day regional theatrical festival features live performances, readings and interactive theater events. The best part? All of the performances are either free or cost just $15-$30. Bravo! Stay tuned for more info about what’s on stage in 2023.

“Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?” Nearly two dozen artists interpret that question into new artworks in this collaborative exhibition at both the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and The African American Museum in Philadelphia.

For Future, there’s no time like the present. On the heels of his Grammy-nominated (six times over) 2022 album, I Never Liked You, the Atlanta rapper is joined by famous friends like Kodak Black, Babyface Ray and Doe Boy on a six-city tour that makes a stop in South Philly.

Dates vary by game

The Fly Guys skate into spring with nine home matchups in March, including games against the rival New York Rangers (March 1, 2023), Detroit Red Wings (March 5, 2023), Las Vegas Golden Knights (March 14, 2023), Buffalo Sabers (March 17, 2023), Minnesota Wild (March 23, 2023) and Montreal Candians (March 28, 2023).

Dates vary by game

The Sixers jockey for playoff positioning in March with five big home matchups vs. the Portland Trail Blazers (March 10, 2023), Washington Wizards (March 12, 2023), Chicago Bulls (March 20, 2023), Dallas Mavericks (March 29, 2023), and Toronto Raptors (March 31, 2023)