Free and Exciting Things To Do In Philly This Week, April 30 – May 6

‘Festivals Galore In Philadelphia’

Spring is now in the air! Many of the fountains have been turned on and it’s going to be a fun packed week of terrific festivals, events, exhibits and more in Philadelphia!

With Philly Tech Week, many museum exhibits, the Chinese Lantern Festival, Taste Of The Brewvitational, the Parks on Tap, Beer Gardens, the South Street Spring Festival, Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest, the Broad Street Run, Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival and so much more, you might need a vacation after this week!

Philly Tech Week ~ April 30 – May 5 ~ Philly Tech Week is a week-long celebration of technology and innovation throughout the Philadelphia region. Enjoy a kick-off party at The Schmidt’s Commons and an after party at SPiN. Opening weekend events include the second-annual Penn XR Day — featuring companies like Google, Daydream and more! ~ Philly Tech Week ~

Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World Exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences ~ April 30 – May 6 ~ Held at The Academy of Natural Sciences, come face-to-snout with live crocodilians, a group of reptiles that has evolved and thrived for 200 million years thanks to their brute strength, keen senses, and murderous instincts. ~ Cros Exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences ~

Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~ April 30 – September 2 ~ Held at the National Museum of American Jewish Museum. Audiences may be familiar with many of Bernstein’s works, notably West Side Story! The exhibition consists of a collection of artifacts, films and sound bites that not only celebrate the talented composer’s 100th birthday, but also bring to light the stress, fear and eventual hopefulness of an American Jew living through the Holocaust, World War II and the Vietnam War.  ~ Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~

Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~ April 30 – September 3 ~ Held at The Franklin Institute. Game Masters showcases the work of over 30 innovative game designers and takes visitors on an interactive journey inside their favorite video games, from the trailblazing arcade era through today’s web and console games. Visitors can challenge themselves to achieve a high score on more than 100 playable games!  ~ Opening: Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~

Design in Revolution: A 1960′s Odyssey Exhibit ~ April 30 – September 9 ~ Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From Pop Art and psychedelia to the civil rights and anti-war movements, the 1960s was a decade of liberation—and of great loss. See how designers, artists, and architects responded to the tumultuous period that still looms large in the American imagination. ~ Design in Revolution: A 1960′s Odyssey Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ~

Parkway 100 Celebration ~ April 30 – November 16 ~ The Ben Franklin Parkway is turning 100 and Philadelphia is set to mark this milestone with a year of special events, promotions, and family-friendly experiences through November 18, 2018.  ~ Parkway 100 Celebration ~

Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~ April 30 – December 31 ~ Held at the National Constitution Center.  The exhibition focuses on Alexander Hamilton and the challenging relationships and friendships he had with some of our country’s history makers such as James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Aaron Burr. ~ Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~

PHS Pop-Up Garden ~ April 30 – until fall ~ Relax while enjoying food & beer at two different locations! South Street, 1438 South Street and University City Square, 36th & Filbert streets. ~ PHS Pop-Up Garden ~

Franklin Square Opened for 2018 Season ~ 2018 ~ Enjoy mini-golf, a carousel, food and drink options and an outdoor space for kids or to simply hang out at Franklin Square. ~ Franklin Square ~

Chinese Lantern Festival ~ May 1 – June 30 ~ Take pleasure in the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square! The square will come alive and glow with 28 larger-than-life illuminated displays such as a huge 200-foot Chinese dragon, pandas, sea creatures, mythological creatures and more. Enjoy special food, shopping, live performances as well.  ~ Chinese Lantern Festival ~

Pay-What-You-Wish ~ May 2 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~

Taste Of The Brewvitational ~ May 2 ~ From 7 pm to 10 pm at Reading Terminal Market. Calling all beers lovers! Guests will get to sample 30 plus local brewers at the Brewvitational. ~ Taste Of The Brewvitational ~

Parks On Tap At Lovett Park ~ May 2 – 6 ~ Held at the Lovett Park. Located along Germantown Ave, Lovett Park is a one-acre park adjacent to Mt. Airy’s branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

Opera Philadelphia: Carmen at the Academy of Music ~ May 2, 4 & 6 ~ The classic show tells the story of Carmen, a seductive Spanish gypsy who wins the affection of every man around her, resulting in jealousy and deceit. ~ Opera Philadelphia: Carmen at the Academy of Music ~

Philadelphia Magazine’s Wine Festival ~ May 3 ~ Held at Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Experience more than 500 of the world’s highest rated premium wines at this annual festival, all while enjoying cuisine from Philadelphia’s top restaurants.  ~ Philadelphia Magazine’s Wine Festival ~

Movie Night at Schmidt’s Commons: Star Wars – The Last Jedi ~ May 3 ~ FREE – Held at Schmidt’s Commons, 1001 N. 2nd Street from 7 pm to 9 pm. ~ Movie Night at Schmidt’s Commons: Star Wars – The Last Jedi ~

Asian Arts Initiative’s 25th Anniversary Celebration ~ May 3 – 6 ~ Held at various locations including Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street. Asian Arts Initiative advances racial equity and understanding, activating artists, youth, and their communities through creative practice and dialogue grounded in the diverse Asian American experience. During the 25th celebration, the art center features dozens of events citywide that showcase the work of more than 30 acclaimed local, national and international artists over the course of four days.  ~ Asian Arts Initiative’s 25th Anniversary Celebration ~

Friday Nights at The Philadelphia Museum of Art ~ Art After 5 ~ May 4 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Final Fridays – Body Language –​​ Get body-positive with a night dedicated to celebrating forms and figures of all shapes and sizes. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~ 

First Friday’s in Old City~ May 4 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~

First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ May 4 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~

Eastern State Penitentiary Reception for the 2018 Season ~ May 4 ~ FREE – Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a changing series of exhibits and artist installations as part of its ongoing programming. Preview three new artist installations and meet the artists themselves. Light refreshments will be served. ~ Eastern State Penitentiary Reception for the 2018 Season ~

Fishtown Flea at Evil Genius Beer Company ~ May 5 ~ Free to attend – From 10 am – 4 pm at Evil Genius Beer Co, 1727 N. Front Street. Shop local designers and artisans as they sell their creations! There will be live music while Evil Genius Beer Company provides the refreshments. Pay-As-You-Go. ~ Fishtown Flea at Evil Genius Beer Company ~

South Street Spring Festival & Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest ~ May 5 ~ Held on South Street from 2nd to 8th streets from 11 am – 8 pm ~ The festival includes live concerts, eating contests, a Kids’ Zone and nearly 200 vendors. It also includes Maifest, Brauhaus Schmitz’s German beer and dancing extravaganza, complete with a giant traditional Maypole. ~  South Street Spring Festival & Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest ~

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Broad Street Run ~ May 6 ~ Starts at 8 am & the starting point is Broad Street and W. Fisher Avenue. The run, 10-miles, makes its way down Broad Street from North Philadelphia to the Navy Yard. ~ Broad Street Run ~

First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ May 6 ~ FREE – On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Barnes Foundation will enjoy free admission, family entertainment and informative seminars from 10 am to 6 pm. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation beginning at 9 am. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays. ~ First Sunday’s at Barnes Foundation ~

First Sundays for Families at Brandywine River Museum of Art ~ May 6 ~ FREE – From 11 am – 2 pm at Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford. Enjoy storyteller and musician Tahira’s performance of “Folktale Fun,” a meet-and-greet with Rapunzel and arts and crafts activities. ~ First Sundays for Families at Brandywine River Museum of Art ~ 

Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival ~ May 6 ~ From 11 am – 5 pm at 8000 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue. Visitors can learn about landscaping, home design, gardening and tree care while browsing goods from more than 150 vendors. There will be live music and food as well.  ~ Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival ~

5th Annual Haverford Spring Fest Music & Arts Festival ~ May 6 ~ The Haverford Spring Fest will bring live music from bands, artisan and craft vendors, food, beer, and a fun zone for kids of all ages. All proceeds will be donated back into the community, particularly for music education. Come check out the fun! ~ 5th Annual Haverford Spring Fest Music & Arts Festival ~

Pay As You Wish ~ May 6 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 1st Sunday of the month from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~

Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~ May 6 – September 3 ~  FREE on every 1st Sunday. Held at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The exhibit explores the relationship between impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir and master filmmaker Jean Renoir by juxtaposing the father’s paintings and drawings with the son’s films, costumes, photos and ceramics. ~ Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~

Photo Courtesy of South Street Headhouse District