Things to Do in Philadelphia This Week & Weekend

Through Sunday, April 26, 2026

Seeking to “represent the people around [him],” Noah Davis spent his career capturing the intricacies and beauty of everyday Black life in Los Angeles.

This landmark retrospective pays homage to the full breadth of the acclaimed artist’s life and work, from his dreamlike paintings exploring politics, race and mythology to his interest in sculpture, photography, collage-making and more.

After stops in Los Angeles, Germany and England, the incredible collection of over 60 pieces closes out its world tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this week.

Through Friday, April 24, 2026

On view during library hours, this free, two-phase exhibit looks at the paper trail our ancestors left in their documents ahead of two other big birthday celebrations: America’s 100th and 200th birthdays.

Catch the first half of the exhibit — Pennsylvania in the 1800s — before it closes this Friday, and get prepped for the 1900s exhibit coming this October.

Now on view

What better way to celebrate the Semiquincentennial than by letting freedom ring?

Bells Across PA — a statewide art exhibition in partnership with America250PA and Mural Arts Philadelphia — showcases festively painted Liberty Bell replicas in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, with Philadelphia alone set to display 27.

Philly’s large fiberglass sculptures are now installed at commercial corridors and public parks throughout the city, each designed by artists from across Pennsylvania — from acclaimed professionals to talented amateurs — and each capturing the spirit and identity of a different neighborhood.

Create your scavenger hunt by seeking out each bell with our detailed guide here.

It’s never too early to shout, “Go Birds!” This behind-the-scenes look at the NFL Draft bleeds green with in-person accounts of the NFL journeys by some of the Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest stars.

Jalen Hurts, Jihaad Campbell and Jalyx Hunt take you through their individual drafts — with all the workouts, agent representation and excitement that came with it — along with footage showing how the stars went from college ball to the professional stage.

Tickets are required and include complimentary food and beverages, a live Q&A, and an autographed poster from each athlete.

Visitors come from near and far for the annual week-long Philly Black Pride event, a celebration emphasizing the strength and resilience of Philly’s community of LGBTQ+ people of color.

Themed 250 Reasons to Celebrate Black Queer Changemakers, the 27th annual event brings a stacked lineup of events to venues across the city, including a live podcast taping (Monday), the ever-popular Queerly Beloved open mic (Thursday) , and — new for 2026 —  a video game tournament (Saturday).

Plus, revelers can look forward to tons of epic parties, including an open air block party in the Gayborhood. Check out our day-by-day guide for the full run-down of the event’s biggest happenings.

See the Forrest Theatre transform into the farm-filled fictional heartland of Cob County, USA. When the town’s vital corn crop begins to fail, a young woman must outsmart a con man to try to save her town from economic hardship in this Tony Award-winning musical comedy.

Expect plenty of corn-y jokes throughout, with Grammy Award-winning songwriting team Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally providing the soundtrack.

What better way to celebrate National Library Week than with 250 years of scientists, technologies and ideas?

The Science History Institute opens up its Othmer Library after hours for an evening that honors the nation’s 250th anniversary and all things American ingenuity.

Look forward to rarely seen treasures; interactive pop-up exhibits on topics like light, astronomy, electricity, photography and synthetic materials; a literary (and literal) slice of a book-themed cake; and take-home souvenirs.

Admission is free, but RSVPs are required.

Each year, Dining Out for Life returns to cities across the globe — including Philadelphia — to help raise funds for community-based organizations serving people living with or impacted by HIV. Restaurants donate a percentage of their sales from the event to a local HIV service organization, which in turn fills participating restaurants with diners.

This year’s Philly version, the 36th annual, benefits Action Wellness and features dozens of eateries across Philadelphia and the countryside, including Good Dog Bar, Jack’s Firehouse, Urban Village Brewing, Stina, Positano Coast, all of Stephen Starr’s 16 restaurants and more.

The renowned Penn Relays — the oldest and largest track and field meet in the nation — celebrates its 130th anniversary this year.

Each year, more than 100,000 spectators make the pilgrimage to the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field (which was constructed in 1895 to hold the event) to cheer on thousands of local and global athletes as they compete in more than 300 track and field events.

The meet includes competitions in high school, college, Olympic and masters divisions, along with a Carnival Village featuring music, merch, apparel and food vendors.

Philly Theatre Week returns for its ninth year to celebrate the city’s vibrant theater scene through interactive events, live productions, readings and more.

Think of it like a wine tasting, but for theater, encouraging audiences to sample these productions and venues to find new-to-you places (or old faves!) with a wide variety of offerings, from family-friendly to improv to the classics.

There are dozens of shows and events to choose from this year at theaters like the Sedgwick Theater, the Arden and Suzanne Roberts Theater. All tickets are pay what you can while they last. (Note: Check the venue for regular-price tickets if the pay-what-you-can tickets sell out.)

April 23 – April, 2027

The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History marks the Semiquincentennial by overhauling its space to include two new permanent exhibit spaces and a 4,500-square-foot special exhibition space.

Opening this month, The First Salute exhibit takes a look at never-before-told stories of the Jewish community’s connections to the American Revolution. The exhibit features rare artifacts, original films and immersive videos, all weaving together a story about religious freedom, antisemitism in the Colonial world, trade and life on the high seas.

Gather ’round the T. rex and grab a drink with the fossils. This beloved family-friendly dino party returns, offering special evening access to all of The Academy of Natural Sciences’ exhibits, DJs and hands-on activities led by real-life scientists.

Getting hungry? Pay-as-you-go drinks are up for grabs at the indoor Dino Drafts Beer Garden, and you can snag snacks from Lula’s empanadas and Nini B Sweets.

Tickets are required, and the event is pay what you wish (with a $10 recommendation).

Break out the beads! Stratus’ one-night-only springtime shindig is back, and this year, it’s taking inspo from the Big Easy.

The 15th annual Spring Awakening transforms the 11th-floor lounge at Old City’s Kimpton Hotel Monaco into a rollicking Mardi Gras fete with lavish entertainment, including DJs, aerialists, fire dancer performers and discoball dancers; a 360-degree photo booth and more. It wouldn’t be NOLA without food and drinks. Expect a lineup of themed cocktails and bites, including beignets, boudins, po’ boys, oysters and more.

The VIP party runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includes complimentary food and open bar, followed by the main bash, which goes till 2 a.m. General admission gets you access to the entertainment with pay-as-you-go food and bevvies.

You don’t have to split atoms to be part of this glitzy Marie Curie party at the Mütter Museum.

Dance and sip the night away while celebrating Curie’s groundbreaking science contributions and exploring rarely seen museum collections.

Science-y cocktail attire is encouraged, and tickets include full museum access, complimentary light bites, pay-as-you-go and totally-not-radioactive cocktails, and a toe-tapping live jazz performance by Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society.

Ring the alarm: We got a birthday in the house! We’re screaming, yelling, singing “happy birthday” to the one, the only Tattooed Mom. South Street’s favorite dive bar hits the big 2-9 this year, and it’s celebrating the only way it knows how: with an epic party-meets-art-show.

For the crafty birthday bash, TMoms is lining its walls with artistic love letters to itself (duh!). Some of the dive bar’s biggest fans pour adoration into a series of TMoms-inspired and -themed photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, multidisciplinary pieces and more.

As both a transgender woman and proud Afro-Boricua, the struggle for liberation is intensely personal for artist Hagudeza Rullán-Fantauzzi.

Opening this week at Taller Puertorriqueño, the North Philly resident’s latest art installation, Mi Isla y Yo, is a call to action and road map to breaking patterns of oppression.

The collection of 10 multidisciplinary pieces incorporates movement, video, sculpture and more as well as the Puerto Rican flag to investigate the parallels between the island’s movement for territory sovereignty and her own pursuit of bodily autonomy.

​​Inspired by one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Philadelphia — the Rocky Statue — this brand-new exhibition explores the concept of monuments: Why we make them, who gets one and the role they play in society.

Curated by Paul Farber, co-founder of Monument Lab and the host of NPR and WHYY’s acclaimed podcast The Statue (TL:DR: He knows his stuff), the expansive exhibit covers 2,000 years of history and features over 150 artifacts and works of art by 50-plus artists, including Keith Haring, Carrie Mae Weems and Andy Warhol.

The exhibition officially opens this week with an open-to-everyone, pay-what-you-wish bash, featuring a live DJ, performances, art-making activities and paid refreshments (Friday).

Best described as motocross on steroids, supercross challenges the best dirt bike racers to take their skills to the max, with dedicated fans hanging on every twist, jump and turn.

With the help of 26 million pounds of dirt, Lincoln Financial Field transforms into the ultimate motorbike obstacle course when the annual Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship comes to town.

Doors open at 6 a.m. with the FanFest running from noon to 6 p.m., then after a day of anticipation, the main event drops at 7 p.m.

This day-long event opens up studios around this reimagined South Philly high school for visitors to hop, skip and shop around the building, meeting local artists and shopping their wares along the way.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the work of fine artists, bakers, jewelers, photographers, designers, guitar makers and more. Plus, grab a bite at Irwin’s, chef Michael Vincent Ferreri’s Sicilian restaurant, or Bok Bar’s ever-popular rooftop perch while you’re there.

52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city’s many historic achievements — every Saturday, all throughout 2026. Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like the Slinky, cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day and significant locations like the first African Methodist Episcopal church.

The free celebrations take place at the original location of each first (or in spaces that represent where these significant milestones occurred) and include guest speakers, a sculpture, monthly marquee events and historic deep dives by Once Upon a Nation.

This Saturday, don’t miss the celebration of the nation’s first postmaster (1737) — you might know him, Benjamin Franklin — at Franklin Court.

I spy with my little eye … one of Philly’s longest-running Earth Day celebrations. Back for its 61st year, NaturePalooza once again brings free, outdoorsy fun for all to the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

The planet-friendly party promises a full day of festivities, including an awesome scavenger hunt, fun nature-based crafts and activities, guided nature hikes and a special kid-approved concert with Ants On a Log. Local vendors, Frios Gourmet Frozen Pops, Corneey’s and 1984 Cakes, are also on deck serving up pay-as-you-go snacks.

Over 100 local artists, crafters and makers set up shop in the West Philly Woodlands for a day of fun with live music, craft activities and *checks notes* circus performances.

The West Craft Fest features plenty of handmade wares for sale, including jewelry, ceramics, accessories, original art, home decor, apparel, candles and so much more. The event is free to attend, and food and drink are pay as you go.

Pro tip: No cars are allowed on-site, and neighborhood parking is limited, so walking or public transit is highly recommended.

The Philadelphia Zoo, the nation’s first zoo, celebrates the dawning of spring with the joyful Festival of Colors. Presented in partnership with the Council of Indian Organizations, this celebration offers a day of Indian music, dancing, kids’ activities, food and art (featuring artists from around Philadelphia’s Indian-American community).

The festival celebrates the Hindu holiday of Holi, which commemorates the arrival of spring, the end of winter and the blossoming of love. Don’t miss the festival’s highlight, the famous ceremony, which features the throwing of vibrant-colored gulal powders.

The best part? The event is free with zoo admission.

Shhh! The roaring ’20s meet the colonial era for a flashy shindig at a National Historical Landmark.

For one night only, one of the Revolutionary War’s only surviving battlefields, Fort Mifflin — aka Mud Island — becomes a secret underground hideaway for clandestine bootleggers, dazzling flappers and jazz-loving partiers like yourself.

This lively 21-and-over affair features games, interactive entertainment, a hot live jazz revue by Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society, a menu of 1920s-inspired cocktails by local breweries and distilleries, and more. Tickets are required.

Florence Welch has always given off BME (Big Mystic Energy) thanks to an otherworldly voice and ethereal presence, but after overcoming a terrifying health scare, the frontwoman of the No. 1-selling ensemble, Florence + the Machine, is really tapping into her own magic these days.

Florence’s mystic energy is on full display at Xfinity Mobile Arena when the group stages songs from its new album, Everybody Scream.

Opens Saturday, April 25, 2026 

Nordic ingenuity is to thank for some of life’s most delicious (Swedish meatballs), life-changing (Google Maps) and stylish (Marimekko) pleasures.

The American Swedish Historical Museum highlights the great artistic, culinary and tech minds behind innovations ranging from meatballs to Minecraft in the new exhibition, From Taste to Tech: 100 Years of Nordic Innovation & Impact.

You can celebrate its grand opening with Scandy tasting stations, interactive activities like DIY Marimekko-inspired screen-printing, ABBA-themed photo ops, live music and more during a special preview bash (Saturday).

Don’t deny it: Food tastes better when served out of a truck. Still skeptical? Conduct your own research during the summer edition of this pay-as-you-eat food truck festival at Linvilla Orchards.

More than 20 local food trucks set up shop for the day at the 300-acre family farm in Delaware County, serving up sweet and savory treats like barbecue, crepes, dumplings, crab fries, water ice and cupcakes. Plus, the 21-plus crowd can grab a drink or two at the on-site beer garden, and the littles can ride around on a train, hitch a ride on a pony or hop aboard a hayride.

The event is free to attend, but advanced tickets are recommended for the activities.

Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most prestigious arts institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum and the Barnes Foundation.

That same artistic energy spills into the surrounding streets during the Fairmount Arts Crawl. Artists of all stripes showcase their work in and outside restaurants, shops, cafes and bars during this eclectic (and free!) festival. The family-friendly fest also features music and activities for kids.

South Philly comes alive each spring during the annual Flavors on the Avenue fest, bringing East Passyunk’s top restaurants together for a five-block outdoor extravaganza along East Passyunk Avenue (from Broad Street to Dickinson Street).

The free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go event offers an array of shopping and sidewalk sales from dozens of local makers and shops, a craft market, live music, kid-friendly activities, craft beer, seasonal cocktails and plenty of food — from barbecue to burgers to dim sum — served as specials from a bevy of the neighborhood’s critically acclaimed restaurants.

April 1-30, 2026 (dates vary by event)

This April, cultural institutions across the city  — in collaboration with the Histories Collaborative of Philadelphia — have teamed up for the first-ever Philadelphia Histories Month, a citywide celebration featuring special events, tours, exhibitions and more. This week:

• Hands-on History: Daily Life in the New Nation at the Founder’s Hall Museum at Girard College: Long before bequeathing his wealth to build his namesake school, famed Philadelphia banker and merchant Stephen Girard had a front-row view to the making of a nation. This intimate hands-on tour invites guests to explore life in the Early Republic through beautiful ceramic and silver artifacts from Girard’s post-war estate (Wednesday).
• Walking Tours at Laurel Hill: For Philadelphia Histories Month, Laurel Hill — the historic garden cemetery and 265-acre arboretum — offers a slate of public programs with history and horticulture themes. This week, don’t miss walking tours highlighting the long history of Laurel Hill East, the can’t-miss moments at Laurel Hill West, and the many artists and art-lovers at rest at Laurel Hill East (Friday through Sunday).
• Opening: Homecoming: The Journey of a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Na̱ʼwiti House Post Exhibition at Atelier Gallery: It’s been a long journey for this Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Na̱ʼwiti House Post, but now the stunning example of First Nations art finally returns to its ancestral home in British Columbia. Before leaving, the sculpture makes one final appearance as part of this free exhibition, opening this week (Friday through Sunday, May 31, 2026).
• Makers of Revolutionary Philadelphia Living History Day 2026 at the Museum of the American Revolution: You know the Founding Fathers who kicked off America’s campaign for independence; now, meet the makers who made the Revolution possible. Over a dozen historical tradespeople, from pepper-pot soup sellers to woodworkers, set up shop for the day to show off their skills and give a peek into Colonial life (Saturday).
• Astronomy Day 2026 at The Franklin Institute: The Franklin Institute invites astronauts-in-training to try on a space suit, take an up-close (and 100% safe!) look at the sun with the help of special equipment, experience an explosive trash-can rocket launch, and more in honor of International Astronomy Day  (Saturday).

As the birthplace and hometown of some of the most notable figures in jazz history, including Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Ethel Waters and Dizzy Gillespie, Philly’s jazz roots run deep — and the city is celebrating this April with Philly Jazz Month. Here are some of the city’s top jazz events this week:

• Untethered in Motion at Dilworth Park: Jam out to the sounds and stylings of the dynamic dancers and musicians of the Untethered ensemble. Grab a happy hour drink, sit back, relax and enjoy the free music and dance concert in Dilworth Park (Wednesday).
• Wise Women: Jazz Composer Showcase at Black Squirrel Club: Jazz is alive and well in Philly. Join three rising stars of Philly’s jazz scene, Lora Sherrodd, Bell Thompson and Shawntae Atenzia Cerda, for an evening of all-original compositions at the Black Squirrel Club (Thursday).
• Germantown Jazz Festival 2026: Following 2025’s grand introduction, the second annual Germantown Jazz Festival brings three electrifying days of music, art, culture and community — all celebrating Germantown’s jazz history and paving the way for the future of jazz. Along with music performances, attendees can join workshops, refuel with local food vendors and enjoy rich cultural experiences (Friday through Sunday).
• Dendê Macêdo’s Recycled Sounds at Borski Park: Who knew pure musical magic could be found at the intersection of art and sustainability? Afro Brazilian rhythms fill Philly’s newest waterfront green space, Borski Park, as internationally renowned musician Dendê Macêdo transforms buckets, bottles, tires and scrap metal into rich and expressive percussion instruments (Saturday).
• A Night at the Savoy at the African American Museum in Philadelphia: Step back in time to the height of the jazz era at this roaring, all-ages celebration of music and fashion. Ladies, don your best pearls, feathers and flapper dresses, and fellas, rock a mean pinstripe and fedora. Guests can expect live music, delicious fare and themed cocktails (Saturday).

Dates vary by event

Treat yourself at one of these food-related happenings in Greater Philadelphia. Hungry for more? Chow down on our guide to Philly’s newest restaurant openings this spring.

• Basque in the Spring at Grace & Proper: This easy, breezy Bella Vista eatery embodies the spirit of spring with a Basque-style golden hour celebration filled with sunsets, soccer matches and a steady stream of Spanish sips and eats. On the menu: pintxos, like jamon Iberico, Manchego cheese, Spanish tortillas and more, plus Txakoli wines, rosés, ciders, and Spanish-inspired cocktails (Tuesday).
• Scotch & Snacks: Cheese at Carpenters’ Hall: Pour one out for the Founding Fathers during this monthly after-hours tour series, offering rare access to typically off-limit areas of historic Carpenters’ Hall, Scotch samplings paired with local cheeses from Perrystead Dairy, pop-up exhibits featuring historic artifacts and more (Thursday).
• Creek-i-Tiki Luau 2026 at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co: Imagine it: The warmth of the afternoon sun spreads across your face. You’ve got a tiki cocktail in one hand and a snack in the other. But this isn’t a beach day in Honolulu — this is Creek-i-Tiki Luau at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co., the Bucks County brewery’s annual tropical-themed bash featuring live music and DJs, an exotic new IPA and handcrafted tiki drinks, food truck fare and shopping (Saturday).
• Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at the Fashion District: Enjoy a Sanrio Saturday in Center City when the Hello Kitty Cafe truck pulls up to the Fashion District. The iconic pink truck doles out the cuteness with plenty of treats and merch for sale, including macarons, madeleines, giant Hello Kitty chef cookies, apparel and more. All Hello Kitty items are available while supplies last (Saturday).

Dates vary by event

Soak up these live performances at venues across Greater Philadelphia. Looking for an encore? Pump up the jams with our seasonal guide to Philly’s biggest concerts.

• Calum Scott at The Fillmore: From British TV talent competitions to the Phillies’ locker room, the world has caught on to the gift that is Calum Scott. The Dancing on My Own singer (and honorary Philadelphian?) stops by The Fillmore for an intimate performance this week (Wednesday).
• Ain’t That Good News Spirituals Concert at Settlement Music Hall: Musicians from the Marian Anderson Scholar artists join the Intermezzo Choir’s choral director Carrie Lessene for a moving evening of traditional spirituals, presented by the Marian Anderson Historical Society (Saturday).
• No Name Pops Everything I Know with Mandy Gonzalaz at the Kimmel Center: Lin-Manuel Miranda creates whole worlds on stage and screen, from the streets of Washington Heights to the battlefields of revolutionary America. One of the icon’s earliest and closest collaborators, Mandy Gonzalez, takes the stage with the Philly Pops, performing Miranda’s most legendary hits from Hamilton, Moana and more (Saturday).
• Dog Man: The Musical at the Miller Theater: Two fifth-grade besties sit down to write a musical based on their favorite comic book character, the part-dog, part-man Dog Man. Can our hero save the city from a cyborg fish and the world’s most evil cat before the young playwrights’ lunchtime? Find out in this romp from the creator of Captain Underpants (Saturday & Sunday).

Dates vary by tour

Are you with the tour? (You should be.) Check out our picks for some of the top guided tours in Philly this week. Looking for more? Go at your own pace and head out on one of these self-guided tours.

• Park after Dark: Moonwalk + Stargazing at Belmont Mansion Drive & Army Road: Who’s in for a little nighttime adventure? Let the moon, stars and astronomer Buddy Muhler guide you on a moonlight hike of the historic Trolley Trail. End the evening with a mini-astronomy session with help from a high-powered telescope (Tuesday).
• Tour & Talk with Santiago Galeas at the Magic Gardens Museum: Peek inside the mind of Santiago Galeas, the artist behind the Magic Gardens Museum’s newest exhibition Entre Raíces y Alas: Obras de Santiago Galeas (Between Roots and Wings: Works by Santiago Galeas). Discover the inspirations and stories behind the fantastical exhibition and go behind the artmaking process with the artist himself on this guided tour (Tuesday).
• Guided Walking Tour of Historic Independence Hall & More: PhillyCam teams up with WHYY to celebrate 250 years of democracy with an afternoon of conversation and tours. Explore how historic landmarks like Independence Hall, Independence Square and The President’s House help us remember — or forget — the nation’s early history during this one-hour guided walking tour (Saturday).

Dates vary by event

Can we get a “whoop whoop”? Can we get an “oh yeah”? Philly nightlife is looking cooler than cool with these dance parties this week:

• Puppy Girls vs Cat Girls Party at Kung Fu Necktie: It’s a rivalry as old as time: cat people vs. dog people. Which side do you claim? Everyone is welcome to this purr-fect dance party at Kung Fu Necktie this week. Grab a pair of ears and get ready to tear the (dog) house down to club hits, remixes and more (Thursday).
• Depeche Mode vs Nine Inch Nails Dance Party at Milkboy: Break out your black boots and let your inner emo out to dance at this 21-plus party. Milkboy transforms into your dark-synth pop fantasy world with DJs only spinning your favorite Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails hits all night long (Saturday).
• The Basement R&B Block Party at Stateside Live!: Block parties and R&B go together like Ashford and Simpson or K-Ci and JoJo. DJs and live entertainment transform Stateside Live!’s four indoor venues and outdoor locales into soul music central for the day with live DJs spinning all the classics and performances from talented artists (Sunday).

Ongoing

Give the City of Brotherly Love a standing ovation: The internationally renowned TKTS ticket booth service is now here in Philly. Joining the ranks of New York City, Tokyo, and London, TKTS Philadelphia offers an unbeatable deal: 30% to 50% off tickets to select Philly theater and performing arts shows within 72 hours of the performance.

Tickets must be purchased in person at the Independence Visitor Center and include shows by Ensemble Arts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Wilma Theater and many more. Want the full scoop? Read on in our guide.

Ongoing

Now that Philly has officially thawed for springtime — or as we like to call it, outdoor dining season — you can’t let the warm-weather days, sultry nights and moments of sunshiney bliss go to waste.

Take your meal alfresco at one of Philly’s uber-popular outdoor venues, like

• cozy Old City hangout Liberty Beer Garden
• buzzy Rittenhouse Square escape Walnut Garden
• ever-popular rooftop attraction Bok Bar
• lively waterfront hot spot Liberty Point, or
• PHS Pop Up Gardens’ lush urban oases on South Street and in Manayunk.

Ongoing

Visitors to the National Constitution Center can now experience the highly anticipated America’s Founding gallery, offering high-tech snapshots of Revolutionary America in dramatic detail.

The new permanent gallery tells the story of how early Americans fought for independence, created the U.S. Constitution, drafted the Bill of Rights and ultimately laid the groundwork for our democracy. Visitors can explore immersive corridors, interact with tactile installations, watch engaging videos and view real-life artifacts.

In addition to other artifacts, the new space includes an original copy (!) of the U.S. Constitution — one of only 14 surviving — on display throughout 2026, along with rare first printings of 17 constitutional amendments.

Ongoing

Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s work takes center stage at the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s latest exhibit, Afrofuturism in Costume Design, which explores how Carter’s hand-drawn costume images helped define iconic film characters.

The modular exhibition — which features interactive elements — showcases award-winning costumes and artifacts from Carter’s esteemed career, including a rare glimpse of the artist’s personal sketches and costumes from Carter’s private collection.

Carter — aka the most nominated Black woman in Oscar history — won Oscars for her costume designs for the Black Panther films and is the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category.

Through Sunday, May 3, 2026

Spring has officially sprung at Longwood Gardens, Philly’s largest horticultural display garden.

The familiar colors and fragrances of the season are ready to be experienced during the annual Spring Blooms event, offering opportunities to take in the world-renowned thousand-acre attraction’s early spring bulbs, vibrant blooms of aromatic tulips, beloved wisteria, flowering trees and more.

Pierre du Pont’s tranquil botanic oasis showcases nearly 10,000 varieties among its indoor and outdoor grounds. Timed admission tickets are required.

Through Sunday, May 17, 2026 (Sundays only)

Roam the streets and shop till you drop. For seven Sundays this April and May, one of Philadelphia’s top shopping and dining destinations transforms into a car-free oasis.

During Open Streets: West Walnut, pedestrians can shop, dine and mosey along seven car-free blocks while enjoying acoustic music, strolling performers and family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music — more specifically, jazz — is in the air as the outdoor fest joins the Philly Jazz Month festivities. Four talented local musicians are popping up throughout the day to serenade guests with swinging melodies and jazzy riffs (Saturday).

The Open-Streets zone runs on Walnut Street between Broad Street and 19th Street, and on 18th Street between Locust Street and Chestnut Street. Check out the official website for an entertainment schedule and a list of retailer and restaurant happenings.

Through Sunday, May 24, 2026

The tiniest creatures come alive in Eric Carle’s iconic children’s books, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The illustrations of these Small Living Things take center stage at the Michener Art Museum’s latest exhibit, showcasing the author-illustrator’s art.

The exhibit at the Doylestown museum features original art from beloved Carle titles like: The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Busy Spider and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Visitors also have the opportunity to see Carle’s early sketches along with a peek into the artist’s process.

Nearly a half-century before Hamilton, Broadway debuted another iconic show focused on the Revolution. And in 2026, Walnut Street Theatre hosts a new production of the 1969 classic 1776: The Musical.

The award-winning retelling recounts the story — set right here in Philadelphia — of Adams, Franklin and Jefferson as they fight for independence against a deadlocked Continental Congress, with humor, romance and nail-biting tension.

Need more historical significance? Walnut Street Theatre remains the oldest continuously operating theater in the entire English-speaking world, opened just 30 years after the events depicted.

Through Sunday, July 5, 2026

To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Clay Studio — the nation’s largest ceramic arts organization — creates an expansive exhibition showcasing work from 27 artists across 16 arts and culture sites. Artists ground their creative work in historical research conducted at these sites to inspire pieces that explore themes of independence throughout the evolution of America.

Look out for Radical Americana exhibits at places like The Clay Studio, Cliveden, Taller Puertorricaño and many more. Dates and times vary by location with the exhibition running through July.

Through Saturday, September 5, 2027

With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (the country’s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history for this blockbuster exhibition, timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.

Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection — which includes pieces from Phillies Owner John Middleton and his wife Leigh’s incredible personal collection — features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents.

Bonus: Bring the kiddos with you to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for interactive crafts and free museum admission with advance registration during Family Day (Sunday).

Through Sunday, July 12, 2026

When the world tried to erase them, their work and their subjects, these Philly-based artists claimed their space — on their own terms, through their own work.

Unfolding across not one, but two Philly museums — Woodmere and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts — Bodies and Souls explores how artists’ work asserted the complexities of the human experience, tackling gender, sexuality, relationships and more; cultivated compassion; and imagined a better world.

The powerful exhibition showcases over 130 paintings, drawings and sculptures, by artists such as Barbara Bullock and Marta Sanchez, and from Philadelphia art collectors Robert and Frances Coulborn Kohler’s collection.

Through Sunday, August 9, 2026

You can tell a lot about a person from their home. For the Shakers — a religious community that originated in 18th-century England and flourished in the United States — their strong beliefs around community, labor and equality extended to every facet of life, including their furniture, architecture and everyday goods.

Pairing historical Shaker-made artifacts straight out of the Testament of Ann Lee with contemporary artworks inspired by the community, this new exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art explores how the group developed a distinctive visual language marked by simplicity, innovation and purpose.

Wanna learn even more? The exhibition was recently featured in this article from The New York Times.

Through Monday, September 7, 2026

No need to leave the city to enjoy a Universal theme-park experience. This world-premiere exhibition, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.

Spanning 18,000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the interactive experience showcases more than 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows. And, in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.

Through Sunday, October 11, 2026 (Wednesdays through Sundays)

Back for 2026, Philly’s beloved roving beer garden, Parks on Tap,  brews and bites at urban parks and green spaces across Philadelphia, with a new neighborhood featured each week.

Expect cans and drafts from Mainstay Independent Brewing, Conshohocken Brewing, Dogfish Head and more, as well as sippable seasonal cocktails, and bites ranging from cheeseburgers and pulled pork sandwiches to raspberry cheesecake cups and adult Lunchables (!).

This week’s stop: Columbus Square Park.

Through Fall 2026

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Philly PHLASH! Everyone’s favorite way to conveniently travel from one iconic Philadelphia attraction to another is back for a brand-new season.

All-day passes run just $5 (free for SEPTA Key holders) and stops include Reading Terminal Market, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo and many more. For the first time ever, the distinct purple bus also stops at 30th Street Station, the Mütter Museum and the Fashion District.

Through Saturday, October 31, 2026

This beloved culinary treasure returns to the heart of South Philly’s FDR Park, ushering in outdoor market season. A nationally renowned seasonal market, the Southeast Asian Market pops up every weekend (except for occasional special events), showcasing some of the best Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine in the city.

Last year’s market saw over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, authentic street food and culturally specific produce, plus plants, jewelry and clothing. Pack a picnic blanket and don’t forget to bring cash — some vendors are cash-only, and there’s no ATM on site.

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

“When in the course of human events …” The document from which that seminal phrase originates is the centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming. The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of America’s founding charter and its continuing influence, inspiring over 100 independence movements worldwide.

The Declaration’s legacy is explored through records, art and artifacts, including Thomas Jefferson’s chair, a Marquis de Lafayette-annotated draft of the French Declaration of Rights, the prison bench where Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a spinning wheel presented by Gandhi and more.

March 28, 2026 – February 14, 2027

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with exploring the nation’s western territories following the Louisiana Purchase. But did you know that Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences holds nearly all the explorers’ original journals and preserved specimens related to their botanical research in its Lewis & Clark Herbarium?

The museum’s new Botany of Nations exhibition reexamines that rich collection through an Indigenous lens, blending botany (the study of plants) with ethnobotany (the study of how people use plants) to reshape the way we interpret the colonial journey.

Through Monday, January 3, 2028

We all know how the American Revolutionary War ended. Now, a brand-new exhibition — timed to coincide with the year-long Semiquincentennial celebration — at the Independence Seaport Museum explores how our new nation built its economy back up in the aftermath.

Featuring roughly 150 rarely seen objects and artifacts, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade and the Making of America examines how the dream of America survived (and thrived) through new economic relationships and international trade alliances — and how China helped build America into the global superpower it is today.

It’s true: Philly is an award-winning, headline-grabbing kinda town. Need help keeping up with all the buzz? Get the scoop with this weekly roundup of our favorite Philly stories. Hot off the presses:

• We’re over the moon about the very Philly item astronaut Christina Koch brought to space.
• Proud AF: A new Philly festival joins the city’s already-lit spring arts scene.
• Flyers fever spreads in Philly as the Fly Guys head back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
• TED Democracy Live is coming soon to a library near you. Here are the details.
• Meet the artists who are (probably) behind your favorite Philly restaurant’s sign.

If you made it this far, you deserve a gold star — and even more brand-spanking new content from visitphilly.com. Enjoy:

• North Philly’s sweeping avenues can be traced back to Lenni-Lenape trails, becoming a major hub for Black culture, jazz and civil rights activism and the center of a vibrant Spanish-speaking community. This rich history shines in larger-than-life murals paves North Philly’s dramatic architecture, all ripe for exploring. Find out where to start with our updated area guide.
• Did you know that before July 4 was known as Independence Day, John Adams predicted the nation would celebrate the occasion on … July 2? Inspired by the Founding Father’s vision, Philly’s favorite day of “pomp and parade” is back this summer with concerts, games, extended hours at historic attractions and more. Get all the details in our freshly updated guide to Red, White & Blue To-Do.
• In case you haven’t heard, it’s a hell of a year to visit Philadelphia. With so much going on from World Cup matches to massive citywide fests, one day isn’t nearly enough time to get your fill of fun. Make the most of your Philly vacation (or staycation) with these 12 money-saving hotel experiences.
• Philadelphia is, undoubtedly, one of the best restaurant cities in America, but don’t take our word for it. You may, however, want to heed the word of the James Beard Foundation Awards. Get the skinny on the nearly 60 (!) Philly establishments that have caught the Beards’ attention in the last five years alone, including the recently announced finalists for 2026, here.