A Guide to Old City Fest in Philadelphia

The Experience

Old City Fest celebrates the art, creativity, food and culture of Philly’s Old City neighborhood, the bustling heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District.

The festivities include live performances all day, with local artists jamming out on the Main Music Stage and musicians, jugglers, circus acts and other pop-up street performers throughout the neighborhood.

  — Photo courtesy Old City Fest

And get ready to knock out your holiday shopping early: More than 100 vendors fill the streets during the festival.

Along with over a dozen food and drink vendors, look forward to booths featuring galleries, design houses, artisans and independent retailers selling art, jewelry, textiles, apparel, garden décor and plenty of other goods and services.

2023 Highlights

The eighth annual Old City Fest brings back plenty of festival staples, along with several new or improved attractions. 2023’s highlights include:

• • a wine garden by the Main Music Stage, featuring popular dishes from City Winery and their signature wine on tap (pay as you go)
  • food vendors representing some of the city’s top restaurants, including the 2023 James Beard Award-winner Fork, along with Buddakan, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Khyber Pass Pub, Sassafras, Oishii, Las Bugambilias, Cafe Tolia and more
  • live mural-making by local artists from Streets Dept Walls, producing two mini-murals throughout the course of the festival to be displayed in Old City

  — Photo by Wandering Lens Photography

• a Family Fun Zone, featuring magic acts by magician and entertainer, Doug Wonder; soccer activities and giveaways by the Philadelphia Union; shows by the Give & Take Jugglers and the Philadelphia Dance Academy; and events by the Betsy Ross House, including tours, a “Meet the Women of 18th Century Philadelphia” history program and storytimes at the Once Upon a Nation bench, and
• a chance to visit dozens of newly-opened Old City businesses, like the part-vintage, part-spiritual gift shop Casa Vida, or the custom candle bar and wine-lovers haven, Wax + Wine.

Getting There

Admission to Old City Fest is free. Food, drink and vendor shopping are pay as you go.

  — Photo courtesy CJ Dawson Photography

Getting to Old City couldn’t be easier. But with festival street closures, public transportation is your best friend.

SEPTA’s 2nd Street station stop on the Market-Frankford subway line leaves you just minutes from all the action, and buses run throughout the neighborhood all day, including routes #57, #48, and #5 — just watch out for detours.

And pro tip: As of September 2023, SEPTA buses, subways and trolleys all now accept contactless payment, like RFID credit cards, smartphone wallets or Apple Watches.

For more information on Old City Fest, click the button below.