CONTACTS: Cara Schneider (215) 599-0789, [email protected]Donna Schorr (215) 599-0782, [email protected]Tweet Us: @visitphillyPR PHILADELPHIA AND THE COUNTRYSIDE ® CALENDAR OF EVENTS Festivals, Exhibitions And Events In The Greater Philadelphia Region September 2019 Through August 2020 SEPTEMBER 2019 Through September 1, 2019 MADE IN AMERICA. Multi-headliner, two-day, pre-Labor Day outdoor concert, founded and organized by Jay-Z/Roc Nation, returns to Philadelphia for its eighth year. madeinamericafest.com Through September 1, 2019 SARA BERMAN’S CLOSET: A SMALL AND MONUMENTAL STORY. The National Museum of American Jewish History presents its first public art installation (and an indoor exhibit) of the revelatory personal effects of an immigrant grandmother, along with works by her artist-writer daughter, Maria Kalman, and designer-curator grandson, Alex Kalman. (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org Through September 2, 2019 AMERICA TO ZANZIBAR. Through historic artifacts, artwork and interactive technology and programming, the Please Touch Museum exhibit offers a platform for children and families to learn about modern and historic global Muslim communities. (215) 581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org Through September 2, 2019 BUCKS COUNTY QUILT SHOW. More than 100 quilted pieces hanging in the Bucks County Visitors Center reflect the talent and workmanship of the area’s quilters during this annual show, now in its 15 th year. visitbuckscounty.com/quiltshow Through September 2, 2019 GARDEN RAILWAY. Every day from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, Morris Arboretum runs its G-scale model along a quarter-mile track with 12 rail lines, seven loops and tunnels, two cable cars and nine bridges. (After Columbus Day, the Garden Railway operates on weekends only.) (215) 247-5777, morrisarboretum.org Through September 2, 2019 SOULS GROWN DEEP. Work by luminaries Thornton Dial, Lonnie Holley, Ronald Lockett, Hawkins Bolden and Bessie Harvey are part of this Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit of 24 acquisitions from Atlanta’s Souls Grown Deep Foundation. Collage and Assemblage from the Collection, select examples from the Museum’s collection of early to mid 20 th -century Modernist and contemporary art, complements the exhibit. (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org Through September 8, 2019 MAKING ASTRONAUTS: BUCKS COUNTY TO THE MOON. Doylestown’s Mercer Museum marks the 50 th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing this summer with an original exhibit
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highlighting the role of the Warminster-based Naval Air Development Center (NADC) Johnsville in the
development of the United States’ space program. (215) 345- 0210, mercermuseum.org
Through September 8, 2019
THE COLOR OF THE MOON: LUNAR PAINTING IN AMERICAN ART. The Michener Art
Museum presents more than 50 works of art by the likes of Norman Rockwell and Thomas Cole that
depict the moon and reveal its prominence in American landscape painting. (215) 340-9800,
michenerartmuseum.org
Through September 11, 2019
MARVEL: UNIVERSE OF SUPER HEROES. Marvel’s most iconic comics (including original
Spider-Man art), costumes (including T’Challa’s Black Panther, Star-Lord’s Walkman), props and
immersive exhibits (including Doctor Strange’s mirror dimension, a chance to digitally transform into Iron Man) on display in Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes at The Franklin Institute. (215) 448-
1200, fi.edu
Through September 12, 2019
HIDDEN LIVES, ILLUMINATED. Twenty commissioned, animated short films by artists living or
working in prisons look inside the daily life of America’s correctional system. Each film is projected onto
Eastern State Penitentiary’s 30-foot facade and is accompanied by a customized soundtrack. (215) 236-
3300, easternstate.org
Through September 15, 2019
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS I AM LIKE: THE ART OF BILL VIOLA. The Barnes
Foundation brings together a selection of major video works reflecting on the history of painting by
renowned American artist Bill Viola, including large-scale installations. (215) 278-7200,
barnesfoundation.org
Through September 15, 2019
N.C. WYETH: NEW PERSPECTIVES. The Brandywine River Museum of Art brings deserved new
attention to an artist ill-defined in recent decades as merely the father of famed painter Andrew Wyeth by
exhibiting 70 of N.C. Wyeth’s landscapes, portraits, seascapes and murals. (610) 388-2700,
brandywine.org/museum
Through September 15, 2019
PECO MULTICULTURAL SERIES. Penn’s Landing’s celebration of the diverse cultures that make
Philadelphia distinctive holds its final free festival of the season to honor Mexican Independence Day
(September 15). delawareriverwaterfront.org
Through September 29, 2019
FESTIVAL OF FOUNTAINS AT LONGWOOD GARDENS. Longwood Gardens’ fountain turns on
for a third season, bringing with it an impressive showcase of over 1,000 jets. (610) 388-1000,
longwoodgardens.org
Through September 29, 2019
PARKS ON TAP. This popular warm-weather brings barbecue and beer to iconic outdoor spaces, a
different Philadelphia park each Wednesday through Sunday. (215) 568-1616, parksontap.com
Through September 29, 2019
SPRUCE STREET HARBOR PARK. Enthusiasts of riverside chilling enjoy hammocks, patio games,
COLORED PEOPLE TIME: BANAL PRESENTS. This is the final part of the three-part Institute of
Contemporary Art exhibit, Colored People Time: Mundane Futures, Quotidian Pasts, and Banal Presents, Banal Presents, examining the everyday ways the legacy of slavery and colonialism continues
to leave marks on American culture. Banal Presents features new and recent work by Sable Elyse Smith,
Cameron Rowland and Carolyn Lazard. (215) 898-7108, icaphila.org
September 13, 2019-January 19, 2020
JACOLBY SATTERWHITE: ROOM FOR LIVING. A multidisciplinary artist embraces the role of
provocateur with performance, music and animation at the Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM). As
a queer African-American man, Satterwhite addresses issues that affect his personal experience and
explores issues of nostalgia, family, and music; the exhibit features FWM’s first-ever virtual reality
HOSTILE TERRAIN 94. Subtitled A Global Pop-Up Exhibition about America’s Humanitarian Crisis
at the Southern Border, this impactful, participatory installation at the Penn Museum aims to bring
attention to the 6 million people who’ve tried to cross the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona since
1994; participants add toe tags to a map, marking locations where identified and unidentified bodies have
been found. (215) 898-4000, penn.museum
September 24-29, 2019
IN MOTION, IN PLACE: TRISHA BROWN DANCE COMPANY IN FAIRMOUNT PARK. Trish
Brown Dance Company presents three free, outdoor, public performances: Foray Forêt at the Fairmount
Park Horticulture Center, Raft Piece at Concourse Lake in West Fairmount Park and Roof Piece along the rooftops that surround Logan Circle. myphillypark.org
September 26-28, 2019
SCHEHERAZADE.2. Composer John Adams conducts violinist Leila Josefowicz and The Philadelphia
Orchestra in his piece inspired by an art exhibit about The Tales of the Arabian Nights and Nikolai
Rimsky-Korsakov’s original musical composition. (215) 893-1999, philorch.org
September 27-29, 2019
POPS GOES TO HOLLYWOOD: FROM RAIDERS TO GOTHAM. Magic and music come
together when The Philly POPS take the stage to perform signature sounds from Hollywood adventure-
action films (Raiders of the Lost Arc, Star Wars, Batman, more). Audience members are encouraged to
attend in superhero costumes. (215) 893-1999, phillypops.org
September 28, 2019-Janaury 5, 2020
A FORGING LINK. Subtitled Metalsmiths Respond to the Mercer Collection, this exhibit in
Doylestown’s castle-like Mercer Museum highlights works by 23 artists in metal—all responses to the
famed collection of tools and artifacts amassed by 19th-century archaeologist Henry Mercer. (215) 345-
0210, mercermuseum.org
September 28, 2019
ARDMORE OKTOBERFEST. Bavaria hits the Main Line at Schauffele Plaza with beer, German
food, live music, crafts, face painting and cookie and pumpkin decorating. ardmoreoktoberfest.com
September 28, 2019
BLOKTOBERFEST. Several local organizations partner with nearby businesses to produce an outdoor
celebration of neighborhoods, October, beer, food and music that stretches across the afternoon on west
South Street. bloktoberfest.info
September 28, 2019-February 17, 2020
COST OF REVOLUTION. This 5,000-square-foot exhibition at the Museum of the American
Revolution chronicles the untold story of Irish soldier Richard St. George who, after an injury at the
Battle of Germantown in 1777, returned to his native country to find it energized by the revolutionary
spirit. (215) 253-6731, amrevmuseum.org
September 28, 2019
SPIT SPREADS DEATH: PARADE. The Mütter Museum precedes its five-year-long exhibit on a
century-old pandemic with a parade up Broad Street (from the Navy Yard to City Hall), tracing the path
of 1918’s Liberty Loan Parade, which has been blamed for spreading the deadly flu to thousands of
Philadelphians. The dusk procession includes four brightly illuminated floats from Britain’s Blast Theory
and original music by David Lang for The Crossing. muttermuseum.org, spitspreadsdeath.com
UPTOBERFEST OKTOBERFEST. Center City’s Uptown Beer Garden holds its fourth German fest
where strong arms come in handy during the liter lift competition. facebook.com/uptownbeergarden
September 29, 2019
DOWNINGTOWN FALL FEST. The Chester County Victory Brewing Company presents a day of live
music, a variety of food and craft vendors and the Victory Beer Garden, all along blocked-off Green
Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. (610) 269-1523, downingtownfallfest.com
September 29, 2019
PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL PARADE. This year marks the 57th anniversary of this music- and
pomp-filled Puerto Rican procession of 1,500 marchers. The parade draws thousands to show island pride on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. elconcilio.net
September 2019 (TBA)
POD PHILLY. The modern, 11-story, 252-room building just two blocks north of Rittenhouse Square
will offer a restaurant and coffee bar by Greg Root and Nick Kennedy of Defined Hospitality and a
rooftop with a greenhouse-style bar and a retractable roof. thepodhotel.com
OCTOBER 2019
Through October 1, 2019
O.T.W. — ON THE WATER: THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER. Work by contemporary artists James
Lancel McElhinney, Patrick Connors, Tom Judd, Deirdre Murphy, Stacy Levy, Jacob Rivkin and Joseph
Sweeney address the Schuylkill as a nexus of American art, science, literature and commerce at the
MURAL ARTS MONTH. All month long, Mural Arts Philadelphia honors their approximately 4,000
works of public art with trolley tours of neighborhood gardens, mosaics and a lineup of free and pay-
what-you-wish events. muralarts.org
October 2-7, 10-13, 2019
DESIGNPHILADELPHIA. The entire city celebrates the nation’s oldest festival of its kind, with events
that highlight local designers, architects, and creative professionals demonstrating thoughtful design,
collaborative business practices, and community engagement. designphiladelphia.org
October 2-19, 2019
SITE/SOUND: REVEALING THE RAIL PARK. For three Saturdays in October, Philadelphia’s
emergent Rail Park and its surrounding neighborhood will host multi-sensory art installations, family
programs, music and performances that honor the past, present and future of the historic viaduct corridor along the famed Reading Railroad. muralarts.org
October 3, 2019
NIGHT MARKET PHILADELPHIA – October is the year’s final pop-up of this outdoor food fair
uniting mobile food purveyors with enthusiastic eaters in a different neighborhood. Point Breeze.
nightmarketphilly.org
October 3, 2019-April 5, 2020
AMERICAN VOYAGER: HERMAN MELVILLE AT 200. The Rosenbach marks what would be
Melville’s 200th birthday with an exhibition of first editions and rare manuscripts (including Moby-Dick),
examined through the lenses of LGBTQ environmental conservation and other contemporary issues.
(215) 732-1600, rosenbach.org
October 3-November 17, 2019
AUTUMN’S COLORS. Thousands of chrysanthemums—shaped into clouds, balls, spirals, columns,
pagodas, a fountain and the astounding Thousand Bloom Mum—along with the more beautiful harvest-
time plantings and colors are in Longwood Gardens’ annual celebration of fall. (610) 388-1000,
longwoodgardens.org
October 3-November 17, 2019
BLOOMS & BAMBOO: CHRYSANTHEMUM AND IKEBANA SOGETSU ARTISTRY. This
year, Longwood Gardens’ chrysanthemum showcase features two large-scale bamboo and natural element
displays by Akane Teshigahara, headmaster of the renowned Sogetsu School of Ikebana headquartered in
Japan. (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org
October 4-November 3, 2019
GHOST SHIP. When a 90-foot, site-specific, 18th-century ghost ship appears along the Delaware River
between Race Street Pier and Pier 12 (near the Ben Franklin Bridge), the eerie, three-dimensional
installation will recall the free and forced migration people made on these American waters.
delawareriverwaterfront.com
October 4, 2019-January 12, 2020
NOTORIOUS RBG: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG. The National
Museum of American Jewish History hosts the first East Coast stop for an exhibition about the second
woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org
OUTFEST. The world’s largest coming out day features 10 blocks of drag shows, games, bar crawls,
music, shopping and a high-heel race, with the main stage at 13th and Locust streets. (215) 875-9288,
phillygaypride.org
October 17-19, 2019
GREAT PUMPKIN CARVE. An annual Chadds Ford Historical Society event offers hayrides, live
music, a kid-friendly haunted trail and more than 70 carved pumpkins on view. greatpumpkincarve.com
October 17, 2019-August 5, 2024
SPIT SPREADS DEATH: THE INFLUENZA PANDEMIC OF 1918-19 IN PHILADELPHIA.
Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia opens its most ambitious exhibition to date in a multi-disciplinary recounting of a global pandemic that took thousands upon thousands of local
lives in two years—only 100 years ago. (215) 560-8564, muttermuseum.org
October 17-27, 2019
PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL. This annual festival showcases the best in independent and
foreign cinema—shorts, features, animated and guest-accompanied films—in theaters and venues around
Philadelphia. (267) 239-2941, filmadelphia.org
October 18 & 19, 2019
23rd STREET ARMORY OKTOBERFEST. The 23rd Street Armory transforms into a bierhall for this
annual Oktoberfest shindig, starring traditional fare—including homemade Bavarian pretzels—and
German Hofbräuhaus beer. (267) 909-8814, brauhausschmitz.com
October 18, 2019
WILLIAM PENN’S 375TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. City Hall Courtyard fetes the birthday of the man
who gave the city (and state) its name; the late-afternoon event features live music, mural arts, readings
and a book-signing by Penn biographer Alexander R. Murphy. (610) 506-3024
October 26, 2019
SOUTH STREET PUMPKINFEST. Headhouse Plaza’s fall festival is a day of shopping, live music,
seasonal bites and brews, straw bale maze, circus performances, horse and wagon hayrides, face painting
and, along South Street or trick-or-treating for children 12 and under. (215) 413-3713, southstreet.com
October 26, 2019
DAY OF THE DEAD. The Penn Museum, in conjunction with Mexican Cultural Center, present the
rich traditions of Día de los Muertos at this family-friendly afternoon of costumes, music, dance,
storytelling, arts and crafts and a traditional Day of the Dead altar for dedications. (215) 898-4000,
penn.museum
October 26-27, 2019
HEAD OF THE SCHUYLKILL REGATTA. In one of the nation’s largest and most festive rowing
events, athletes of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to Olympic-level racers, meet and compete on
LIBERTY MEDAL AWARD. The National Constitution Center awards its highest honor to
individuals who strive to secure liberty for people all over the world; this year, that person is former
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org
October 27, 2019-January 12, 2020
30 AMERICANS. The Barnes Foundation showcases painting, sculpture and photography by important
and influential African-American artists of the past three decades. (215) 278-7200, barnesfoundation.org
NOVEMBER 2019
Through November 3, 2019
GHOST SHIP. When a 90-foot, site-specific, 18th-century ghost ship appears along the Delaware River
between Race Street Pier and Pier 12 (near the Ben Franklin Bridge), the eerie, three-dimensional installation will recall the free and forced migration people made on these American waters.
delawareriverwaterfront.com
Through November 3, 2019
JACK’S PUMPKIN GLOW. On select autumn evenings, visitors can stroll through hand-carved jack
o’lanterns lighting up West Fairmount Park while master carvers demonstrate their skills—and enjoy
the beer and wine garden. glowpumpkin.com/philadelphia
Through November 9, 2019
TERROR BEHIND THE WALLS. Thrill-seekers celebrate the Halloween season by testing their
nerves at Eastern State Penitentiary’s annual haunt, one of the country’s most popular, inside an
LOOK UP! LOOK IN & LOS TROMPOS. Commonwealth Plaza in the Kimmel Center for the
Performing Arts offers a free dual exhibition featuring 10 colorful, 3D spinning tops (Los Trompos)
made from a traditional weave fabric by Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena, and Look
Up! Look In (Papel Picado), 53 hand-cut aerial panels by Mexican Philadelphian artist Karina Puente.
(215) 790-5800, kimmelcenter.org
Through November 17, 2019
PAT STEIR SILENT SECRET WATERFALLS: THE BARNES SERIES. In the first installation of
paintings on view in the Annenberg Court, the Barnes Foundation presents 11 seven-foot-tall oil paintings by American artist Pat Steir. (215) 278-7200, barnesfoundation.org
November 1-10, 2019
CRAFTNOW PHILADELPHIA. This multiday event returns for its fifth year of featuring events
showcasing work by many of the talented and hardworking craftspeople in and around Philadelphia.
craftnowphila.org
November 2-3, 2019
APPLE FESTIVAL. At Peddler’s Village, visitors indulge in old-fashioned country apple butter, apple
cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters, caramel-dipped apples and pie-eating contests. (215) 794-4000,
peddlersvillage.com
November 2, 2019
THE GREAT HARVEST CIDER AND BEER FESTIVAL. Hard ciders, lagers, pumpkin ales, as well
as food trucks with cozy fall favorites, apple bobbing, a pie-eating contest, music and more take over 11th
Street between Fitzwater and Catherine streets in front of Hawthornes Beer Cafe. (215) 627-3012,
hawthornecafe.com
November 3-19, 2019
FIRST PERSON ARTS FESTIVAL. Venues throughout the city host the only event in the world
dedicated exclusively to art based on personal experiences, a multidisciplinary festival featuring
storytelling shows, memoir readings, film screenings, performances, experiential tours and workshops.
(267) 402-2055, firstpersonarts.org
November 7-17, 2019
PHILADELPHIA ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL. The largest East Coast film festival
dedicated to celebrating and elevating the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders also
includes theatrical and musical performances at various locations throughout the city.
phillyasianfilmfest.org
November 8-10, 2019
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART CRAFT SHOW. Museum-quality handmade jewelry, textiles,
and mixed media are on display and for sale during this annual event at the Pennsylvania Convention
THE RAINBOW FISH. The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia uses puppetry, beautiful scenery and
original music to bring to life this Marcus Pfister story and two others at the Merriam Theater. A noon
performance will be sensory-friendly. (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
November 28, 2019
THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. The 100th running of America’s first Thanksgiving Day parade,
sponsored by 6abc and Dunkin’, wows crowds with Disney characters, fancy floats, giant balloons,
marching bands and other festive entertainment along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 6abc.com
November 28-December 24, 2019
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN PHILADELPHIA. The German-style market returns to JFK Plaza,
better known as LOVE Park. For the 12th year, more than 80 wooden booths of local and international
merchants sell Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments, Hernhut Stars, wintry apparel and all manner of edible and drinkable treats, while entertainment keeps things festive. (215) 268-7606, philachristmas.com
November 28, 2019-January 1, 2020
THE COMCAST HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. The Comcast Center lobby’s super high-res LED
display shows a magical sleigh ride over the city and a sing-along in 15 minutes of fun.
comcastcorporation.com
November 29, 2019-January 5, 2020
BRANDYWINE CHRISTMAS. The train display and critter ornaments make their annual holiday-time
appearance at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. (610) 388-2700, brandywine.org
November 29-December 31, 2019 (closed December 24 & 25)
GARDEN RAILWAY. Over the winter holidays, from the Friday after Thanksgiving through New
Year’s Eve, Morris Arboretum presents G-scale model trains running along a quarter-mile track that
features 12 rail lines, seven loops and tunnels, two cable cars and nine bridges. (215) 247-5777,
morrisarboretum.org
November 29-December 31, 2019
MACY’S CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW. The Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker department store
(now Macy’s) offers a free show of dancing lights, set to the famed Wanamaker Organ; performances
every two hours during store hours. (215) 241-9000, wanamakerorgan.com
November 29-January 1, 2020
WILD LIGHTS HOLIDAY FESTIVAL. Norristown’s extra kid-friendly Elmwood Park Zoo
illuminates its 16 acres, adds Santa and his reindeer, runs a vintage carousel and opens its zipline for
WINTER WONDERLAND. The South Street Headhouse District celebrates the arrival of winter with
its annual festival, which promises performances, crafts, food and drinks and holiday decor. (215) 413-
3713, southstreet.com
Winter 2019 (TBA)
MAINSTAY SUITES/ASCEND HOTEL COLLECTION. Dual hotels debut at 917 Arch Street,
featuring locally inspired art and a fitness center on the edge of Chinatown. choicehotels.com/mainstay,
choicehotels.com/ascend
JANUARY 2020
Through January 1, 2020
A VERY FURRY CHRISTMAS. Sesame Place in Langhorne, Bucks County hosts Christmas Parades, holiday plays and a kid-centric marketplace—all featuring Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and friends.
(215) 752-ELMO, sesameplace.com
Through January 1, 2020
THE COMCAST HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR. The Comcast Center lobby’s super high-res LED
display combines the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a magical sleigh ride over the city and a
sing-along in 15 minutes of fun. comcastcorporation.com
Through January 1, 2020
DECK THE HALL HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW. The western façade of Philadelphia City Hall serves
as the backdrop for a nightly light display synchronized to holiday music. dilworthpark.org
Through January 1, 2020
MADE IN PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY MARKET. Outside Philadelphia City Hall, 50 local makers
of apparel, gifts, art glass and more display and vend their locally made wares for the gift-giving season.
(215) 268-7606, madeinphila.com
Through January 1, 2020
MIRACLE ON SOUTH 13TH STREET. A South Philly tradition brings neighbors along the 1600 block
of South 13th Street together to decorate their homes with holiday lights and over-the-top decorations
enjoyed by both pedestrians and car passengers. facebook.com/themiracleonsouth13thstreet
Through January 1, 2020
WILD LIGHTS HOLIDAY FESTIVAL. Norristown’s extra kid-friendly Elmwood Park Zoo
illuminates its 16 acres, adds Santa and his reindeer, runs a vintage carousel and opens its zipline for
MUMMERS PARADE. Thousands of festooned strutters kick off the New Year by marching along
Broad Street in this festive daylong event. One of the Mummers divisions, the Fancy Brigades, puts on
two elaborate, Broadway-style performances for ticket holders at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
phillymummers.com
January 10 & 11, 2020
DRUMLINE LIVE. The energy, rhythm and musicality of the Historically Black College and University
(HBCU) marching bands hit center stage at the Merriam Theater. (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
January 17-19, 2020
HAMLISCH: WITH LOVE. In dedication and tribute to the late composer Marvin Hamlisch, The Philly POPS perform renditions of his award-winning songs from Broadway (A Chorus Line) and
Hollywood, The Way We Were, with help from vocalist Ashley Brown. (215) 893-1999, phillypops.org
January 18-March 22, 2020
ORCHID EXTRAVAGANZA. Longwood Gardens creates an absolutely transcendent experience for
orchid lovers, perching and planting the rarest and most beautiful of flora from conservatories to
outdoors. (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org
January 21, 2020
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE. Greater Philadelphia holds the country’s largest
day of service every Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with tens of thousands of volunteers doing community
projects throughout the city and region. mlkdayofservice.org
January 21-26, 2020
RIVERDANCE – NEW 25th ANNIVERSARY SHOW. This brand-new production reinvents the Irish
and international dance and music stylings of the worldwide sensation at the Merriam Theater. (215)
893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
January 25, 2020
LUNAR NEW YEAR. The celebration of the Year of the Rat includes a parade through Chinatown,
midnight lion-dance performances and special events at Reading Terminal Market, the
Independence Seaport Museum and The Rail Park.
January 2020 (TBA)
CENTER CITY RESTAURANT WEEK. Select restaurants in the Center City District will offer
signature three-course dinners for $35 per person, and three-course lunches for $20 per guest.
ccdrestaurantweek.com
FEBRUARY 2020
Through February 17, 2020
COST OF REVOLUTION. This 5,000-square-foot exhibition at the Museum of the American
Revolution chronicles the untold story of Irish soldier Richard St. George who, after an injury at the
Battle of Germantown in 1777, returned to his native country to find it energized by the revolutionary
AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR. One of the oldest and largest single-day events
for African American children’s books in the country, the 28th annual African American Children's Book
Fair at the Community College of Philadelphia features nationally known and bestselling authors and
illustrators, representatives from the multicultural literary community, enriching children’s books, and
activities that promote the power and joy of reading. theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org
February 1-June 7, 2020
VOTES FOR WOMEN: A VISUAL HISTORY. The Brandywine Museum of Art commemorates the
100th anniversary of women’s right to vote using drawings, illustrations and posters expressing the
message of the suffragists, as well as costumes, clothing, sashes and emblems worn by the women
activists. (610) 388-2700, brandywine.org
February 1-June 14, 2020
WITNESS TO HISTORY: SELMA PHOTOGRAPHY OF STEPHEN SOMERSTEIN. This exhibit
on display at the Brandywine Museum of Art documents the historic 54-mile march for civil rights from
Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. (610) 388-2700, brandywine.org
February 6-16, 2020
PHILLY THEATRE WEEK. A 10-day regional theatrical festival promises 100 events, including
panels, concerts, meet-ups and loads of live theater. (267) 761-9950, theatrephiladelphia.org
February 7-9, 2020
NICK JR. LIVE! MOVE TO THE MUSIC. Friends from Bubble Guppies, Paw Patrol, Dora the
Explorer, Shimmer and Shine, Blue’s Clues and You, Blaze and the Monster Machines, and Top Wing lead a singing-and-dancing adventure at the Academy of Music. (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
February 8-17, 2020
PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW. The automotive industry’s latest creations are on a 750,000-square-
foot display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the showplace for more than 700 pre-production,
classic, luxury and exotic cars. phillyautoshow.com
February 14-16, 2020
ARETHA: RESPECT. To honor the Queen of Soul, The Philly POPS features Broadway powerhouse
Capathia Jenkins and R&B singer Ryan Shaw in a program that includes renditions of Bridge Over
Troubled Water, Respect and Chain of Fools. (215) 893-1999, phillypops.org
February 16, 2019
MUMMENSCHANZ: YOU & ME. The mesmerizing Swiss theatrical troupe performs their brand-new
show at the Annenberg Center creating shapes, forms, sounds and stories that delight audiences of every
age. (215) 898-3900, annenbergcenter.org
February 21-March 14, 2020
#GLASSFEST. This three-week festival presented by the Annenberg Center celebrates Philip Glass’
career and includes the Philadelphia premiere of the composer’s Music in Twelve Parts and the world
CITADEL COUNTRY SPIRIT USA. The Brandywine Valley’s three-day country music festival takes
place at Ludwig’s Corner House Show Grounds in Glenmoore and features country music stars and
includes attractions, food and drinks. countryspiritusa.com
August 2020 (TBA)
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER. Plenty of pet-friendly vendors and activities are on tap at the Levering Lot
in Manayunk, as well as food trucks, pet adoptions and a Pup Crawl where businesses offer drink
specials and activities for furry friends and their owners. (215) 482-9565, manayunk.com
August 2020 (TBA)
PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL. Philadelphia’s answer to Woodstock, now in its 59th year, attracts musicians, storytellers and craftspeople for a weekend of song and merriment at Old Pool Farm
in Schwenksville. (800) 556-FOLK (3655), pfs.org
August 2020 (TBA)
PHILLY FREE STREETS. Now in its fourth year, this popular Saturday event closes down a main city
thoroughfare to vehicular traffic—this year, an eight-mile stretch of North Broad Street between City
Hall and Erie Avenue—so people can bike, walk and play in the street. (215) 686-5552,
phillyfreestreets.com
August 2020 (TBA)
PHILLY NAKED BIKE RIDE. Now in its twelfth year, this two-wheeled, 10-mile, clothes-free, car-
free, citywide ride expects to attract thousands of participants—and more than a few onlookers.
philadelphianakedbikeride.wordpress.com
August 2020 (TBA)
UKRAINIAN FOLK FESTIVAL. Tryzub, the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham,
celebrates the country’s independence with a full afternoon and evening of folk dancing (hopak), folk
music, kids’ activities and homemade Ukrainian foods. (267) 664-3857, tryzub.org
August 2020 (TBA)
MADE IN AMERICA. Multi-headliner, two-day, pre-Labor Day outdoor concert, founded and
organized by Jay-Z/Roc Nation, returns to Philadelphia for its ninth year. madeinamericafest.com
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing
agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors
can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling
photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-
planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly
with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional
information and tickets.
Note to Editors: For high-resolution photos and high-definition B-roll of Greater Philadelphia, visit the
Photos & Video section of visitphilly.com/mediacenter.