Things To Do In Philadelphia – Weekend of Festivals in Philly

Things To Do In Philadelphia – Weekend of Festivals in Philly

‘Amazing Festivals in Philadelphia’

What a blockbuster weekend of festivals in Philadelphia. With nice weather in the forecast, you’ll be able to enjoy such festivals as the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, the Italian Market Festival, Delaware River Day, and much more.

To add to such a fun-packed filled weekend of events in Philly, the much anticipated opening of the Barnes Foundation takes place on May 18.

Who gets excited about this great City of Philadelphia! Did you know Philly was just named #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure. This city just keeps impressing us, but then why should it. Philadelphia is a city with much pride and is being recognized for much more than its historical events. Just in the last 6 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, #1 in Culture; and we can feel that the list will be growing in 2012.

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share these events and attractions with you. Here are a few highlighted events or attractions for this weekend in Philly and some upcoming attractions or events to put on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  – May 18 – 24

• International Museum Day ~ May 18 ~ The Philadelphia Museum of Art is offering FREE admission today. It’s in honor of International Museum Day. This great offer will allow you access to everything the museum has to offer on Friday. Such as the museums galleries, special exhibitions, public tours and Art After 5. And it’s all Free!!
• Philadelphia 76′ers ~ May 18 ~ at 8 pm – Sixers play the Boston Celtics in game 4. The Celtics lead the series 2-1. ~ Sixers Tickets ~
• The Art of Begonias ~ May 14 – June 1 ~ Are you a hardcore plant nerd? The begonia exhibition at PHS’s (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society) McLean Library will have free lectures & events. ~ The Art of Begonias ~
• 111^th Annual Student Exhibition ~ May 11 – June 3 ~ Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, America’s first school of fine arts and museum, previews the works of third- and fourth-year art students. ~ PAFA’s Student Exhibition ~
• Art in the Open ~ May 18 to May 20 ~ This 3-day free event celebrates the local artists who will be creating artworks from dawn to dusk outside along the Schuylkill Banks. Check out the many free events this weekend placed on the right-hand side of the site. ~ Art in the Open ~
• Art After 5 ~ May 18 ~ Francisco Mela – Cuban-born drummer Francisco Mela is a favorite among jazz’s elite instrumentalists, including Joe Lovano, John Scofield, & others. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall, starting at 5 pm. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival ~ May 19 ~ Returns this Saturday with music, fashion, drinks, shopping and some of the best festival food you’ll find anywhere. ~ Rittenhouse Row Festival ~
• The Trenton Avenue Arts Festival ~ May 19 ~ From 12pm – 6pm.  Check out the Kensington Sculpture Derby, a design competition that features human-powered floats, and enjoy food from a number of eateries, the arts and more. ~ Trenton Avenue Arts Festival ~
• Delaware River Day ~ May 19 ~ 12 pm – 6 pm.  Free – Enjoy the day on the Delaware at Penn’s Landing with family events like face-painting, free sailing trips, tours of a giant Army boat, and much more.  ~ Delaware River Day ~
• 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~ May 19 & 20 ~ The 2 day festival will have music, games, live entertainment and plenty of food. ~ Info on 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~ 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~
• Barnes Foundation Opening ~ May 19 ~  The new building finally opens. You get to explore the world’s largest collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings–including tons of works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, van Gogh and Renoir—inside this new 12,000 square-foot gallery. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• Kimmel Center ~ May 19 ~ Free show. “Live from the Plaza Stage”, Korey Riker  –  Korey is saxophonist & composer, who’s compositional and playing style is unique and has been influenced by many. Don’t miss this excellent show. ~ Free show at the Kimmel Center in Philly ~
• Third Annual Clemente Fest ~ May 19 ~ 2pm to 6pm. Free – Event for all ages which will have a ping pong tournament, a moon bounce, raffles and live music from Puerto Rican ensemble Bomplé, electric-folk artist Gregory Morgan and experimental jazz musician Kaligata. Help support this playground and event. ~ 3rd Annual Roberta Clemente Fest ~
• Northeast Philadelphia Beer Festival ~ May 19 ~ From 1pm – 5pm. Enjoy music from some of the best local bands while getting great food and most of all, great beer from all over the world. 50+ beers will be available to sample from some of your favorite breweries this year. ~ Northeast Philadelphia Beer Fest ~
• Love at First Sight: Fashion meets Music Event ~ May 19 ~ Starts at 4 pm with $7 cover. Wall Street International presents a mix of fashion, live music, DJ’s, live performers, and much more who will be showcasing their skills. There will be food and refreshments for the family.  ~ Event on Facebook ~ ~ About Wall Street International ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ May 19 & 23 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour.~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~
• Philadelphia Phillies ~ May 18 – 20 ~ Series against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. ~ Phillies Tickets ~
• XFINITY Live ~ May 18 – 20 ~ If you aren’t going to the Philadelphia Sixers game tonight or any of the Phillies games this weekend, watch the games live with other Sixers & Phillies fans at XFINITY Live, Philadelphia’s biggest and best sports entertainment complex. ~ XFINITY Live ~
• Brad Presented by Live Nation ~ May 21 ~ 8:00 pm at  World Cafe Live. The Band Brad, sing songs from their new album, ‘United We Stand’. ~ Web Site – The Band Brad ~  ~ Event info ~
• Night Market Philadelphia: Northern Liberties ~ May 24 ~ 7-11 p.m. Celebrating the city’s ethnic restaurants and gourmet food trucks with a half mile. (40 + vendors) After this event, stop by the Standard Tap bar for some more good craft beers. ~ Night Market Philly ~
• Bruce Springsteen ~ Feb. 17 – Sept. 3 ~ Springsteen comes to the National Constitution Center. The first exhibit of Bruce Springsteen to ever be seen outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You will have the opportunity to view more than 150 artifacts, videos of his first successful audition, and much more. ~ Bruce Springsteen exhibit~
• Dead Sea Scrolls ~May 12 – October 14 ~ The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit arrives at The Franklin Institute. Get a glimpse of ancient Israeli culture with more than 600 artifacts and 20 of the rarest scroll. ~ Dead Sea Scrolls ~
• Maya 2012 – Lords of Time Exhibit at Penn’s Museum ~ May 5, 2012 – January 13, 2013 ~ Learn more about that superstition and the culture behind the Mayan prophecy. This exhibit will showcase the fascinating and mysterious Mayan people.~ Maya 2012 Exhibit ~

Visiting Philadelphia

Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too many of the historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

• The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
• Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
• Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell~
• Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall~
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art~
• Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House~
• Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
• National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
• Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Are you Visiting Philadelphia and need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more. Try the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours Company ~ Philly Sightseeing Company ~

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Memorial Day Weekend ~  ~
• Philly Beer Week ~ June 1 – 10 ~ This years 10-day event(s) is the fifth annual celebration of the city’s beer culture that will allow beer lovers to go on tours of some of the best pubs and breweries and will feature events ranging from beer tastings, beer-pairing dinners, lectures, and other activities and specials. ~ Philly Beer Week ~
• Philadelphia International Cycling Championship ~ June 3 ~ Watch some of the most competitive cyclists from the World while they race through the beautiful streets of Philadelphia, starting at Benjamin Franklin Parkway, cycling down Kelly Drive, up the feared Manayunk Wall, through Farimount Park, before they head back to the finish line on the Parkway.
• Beauty and the Beast ~ June 4 – 10 ~ Coming to the Academy of Music. More info next week, so stay tuned.
• 2nd Annual Race Street Pier Promenade ~ June 7 ~ Details to follow this week.
• 4th of July events in Philadelphia – June 25 – July 4th – Do we have 10 days of fun activities and events for you, thanks to Wawa Welcome America and the city of Philadelphia. ~ 4th of July in Philadelphia & events ~
• Labor Day Weekend in Philly ~ September 1 & 2 ~ The “Budweiser Made in America” concert will have Jay-Z to Headline the Musical Festival.  The two day festival will feature 30 acts on three stages.

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out.

If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive

If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weekend Weather for the weekend of May 18 – 20

Friday  |  Mostly Sunny |  High 76  | Low 50

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 85 | Low 55

Sunday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 78 |  Low 60

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

picture is courtesy of Trenton Arts Festival –  Trenton Arts Festival