Weekend Fun In Philly: 9th Street Italian Market Festival, Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival, Haverford Spring Fest and More!

Things To Do In Philadelphia

‘Enjoy Tasty Foods & Watch Humanized Vehicles!’

One of the most anticipated festivals of the year, the Italian Market Festival, will certainly bring a smile to your face this weekend!

This weekend also kicks off with the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Festival, Plaza Palooza, and the continuation of the Lego Art exhibit at the Franklin Institute and Beneath the Surface exhibit at Penn Museum. Also enjoy LOVE Your Park activities, Wall Ball 2015, magic shows, farmers’ markets, and much more. The weekend ends with Haverford Spring Fest and the last day of the Italian Market Festival.

In upcoming weeks enjoy the opening of Spruce Street Harbor Park & Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, Fourth Friday in South Street Headhouse District, HOG Rally, Opening Tap, Philly Beer Week, Root’s Picnic and much more.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

Did you hear? Philadelphia was named one of fifty-two places to visit in 2015 by the New York Times. It gets better! Philly was listed number 3 overall! For the article, Click Here. #PhillyRocks #WhyILovePhilly

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updatesMyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlivewe like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ May 15 – 21 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”. Also, check back daily for updates!

Informational Posts For Things To Do Year Round or Seasonal

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ May 15 – 21 ~

  • Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of May ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for May 2015 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
  • Art After 5 ~ May 15 Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. – A Taste of Opera – Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Clef Club pay tribute to bebop virtuoso Charlie Parker and preview the World Premiere of the new opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, a free-form expedition into the mind, heart, and personal purgatory of a musical genius.. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
  • Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 15 ~ At 8:00 pm, enjoy magic with Dan Hauss! Dan brings us the new, unusual, and wildly amazing impossibilities that he’s been working on for the past few years. If ticket sales have ended, call South Street Magic at 215-450-7193. ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
  • 4th Annual LOVE Your Park ~ May 15 & 16 ~ Presented by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy and neighborhood park groups. Help clean up your Philly parks! ~ 4th Annual LOVE Your Park ~
  • Phila Flea Markets May 16 ~ From 8 am to 5 pm, enjoy vendors that will be selling everything from antique furniture, jewelry, clothing, and more! Held at Broad & South Streets. Phila Flea Markets ~
  • Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ May 16 ~ From 9 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 23rd and Pine Streets. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~
  • Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ May 16 ~ From 10 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 43rd St and Baltimore Ave. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~  
  • PHAIR Open Air Market ~ May 16 ~  From 10 am to 5 pm at the Shambles in the South Street Headhouse District, come enjoy shopping. Find locally-made items such as jewelry, pottery, photography prints, clothing, home decor and much more. There will food as well & some Philly food trucks. ~ PHAIR Open Air Market at the Shambles in Headhouse District ~
  • Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival ~ May 16 ~  Noon to 6 pm: Formerly two events, the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and Kensington Kinetic Derby, is a day-long celebration of the creative spirit and community pride. This one-day event is part-shopping festival featuring a variety of local artists and part-human-powered vehicle competition. ~ Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival ~
  • Plaza Palooza ~ May 16 ~ From 1 pm to 7 pm, enjoy food and drink from Grace Tavern as well as food trucks including Poi Dog PhillyVernalicious and Phoebe’s BBQ! Also live music hosted by Jeff from South Street Sounds and his band, Tall Trees, along with Dreaming Tree, HalfroNew Pony, and Natural Selection! Family activities including games like ping pong, bean bag toss, kanjam, giant jenga, and MORE, with kids crafts at the Odunde 365 table! ~ Plaza Palooza ~
  • Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 16 ~ At 7:30 pm, enjoy Saturday Night Wonders of Magic as South Street Magic will feature different local and visiting magicians as they provide a fun and amazing show of magic, mind reading and variety skills. ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
  • 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~ May 16 & 17 ~ 11 am to 6 pm both days: One of the best annual festivals in Philadelphia. Enjoy tasty food, treats, crafts, live music & much more from the oldest market in the country. ~ 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~
  • Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours May 16 & 20 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 115-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 ~
  • Haverford Spring Fest ~ May 17 ~ Noon to 7 pm: Enjoy 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.  ~ Haverford Spring Fest ~
  • Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 17 ~ At 1:30 pm, enjoy Family Fun Magic Show. Music, dancing, laughing and amazement. Tons of audience participation… you’re gonna love it. The show stars the one and only Mr. Messado!! ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
  • Art Museum Day ~ May 18 & 19 ~ FREE admission in celebrating Art Museum Day at Brandywine River Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum on May 18, and the Penn Museum on May 19. ~ Art Museum Day ~
  • Music in the Park at John F. Collins Park ~ May 19 ~  FREE – From 12 pm to 1:30 pm, come listen to music at John F. Collins Park at 1707 Chestnut Street. Listen to Elliot Levin, Sax. Music in the Park at John F. Collins Park ~ For more info, Click Here.
  • Pictures in the Park ~ May 19 ~ FREE – Enjoy a different movie at Dilworth Park every Tuesday evening starting around dusk (8 pm). Tonight’s movie is The Imitation Game (PG-13). The last movie takes place June 30. ~ Pictures in the Park ~
  • Free Parking! ~ May 20 ~ Philadelphia Parking Authority offers FREE meter parking Center City at 5 pm; rush-hour zones at 6:30 pm. The boundaries are from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River and from Bainbridge to Spring Garden Streets. Free Parking ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ May 20 ~ 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 ~  
  • Music in the Park at John F. Collins Park ~ May 21 ~  FREE – From 12 pm to 1:30 pm, come listen to music at John F. Collins Park at 1707 Chestnut Street. Listen to the Rittenhouse String Quartet. Music in the Park at John F. Collins Park ~ ~ For more info, Click Here. ~
  • Wall Ball 2015 ~ May 21 ~ From 7 pm to 10 pm, enjoy a fantastic night of cocktails, delicious food, auctions and live entertainment, and together we can make great things happen! ~ Wall Ball 2015 ~
  • String Band Music Under the Stars ~ May 21 ~ FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Every Thursday through September, join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers MuseumTonight, Gloucester City String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI – BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
  • Franklin Square Now Open for 2015 ~ Franklin Square has many things to do for the kids and with upcoming events! ~ Franklin Square ~
  • Dilworth Park ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy seating areas for relaxation, food & live music. ~ Dilworth Park ~
  • Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy this 2,000 foot new extension bridging the South Street Bridge & the Locust Street bike trail. ~ Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~
  • “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ Now Open ~ A permanent exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Travel through a two-story tall neural network climbing structure with dynamic lighting and sound effects that are triggered by your footsteps. Kids can act as a Doctor by scanning the brain with an MRI machine, explore your brain, challenge your brain & much more.   ~ “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ 
  • Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~ Now Open ~ Stop over at Penn Museum in University City and learn about contemporary issues in Native America. Uncover the rich history and identity of the Native American people through 200 plus objects on display & much more. Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~
  • The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn MuseumBest of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~

Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many 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.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia ~ May 22 & beyond

  • Art After 5 ~ May 22 Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. – Rick Lowenberg – Guitarist Rick Lowenberg is a veteran of the Philly jazz scene. World-class local musicians join him for unique interpretations of jazz standards. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
  • Spruce Street Harbor Park ~ May 22 – September 27 ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park and RiverRink Summerfest will include a floating restaurant, boardwalk, hammocks, tons of colorful LED lights, new planted greenery, an outdoor roller rink, more Philadelphia restauranteurs, seating options, and a new family entertainment area! ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & Summerfest ~
  • Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ May 22 – September ~ Details to follow this weekend. ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
  • Fourth Friday in South Street Headhouse District ~ May 22 ~ From 5 pm – 9 pm, come enjoy art, music, food & shopping along Historic Fabric Row in South Street Headhouse District. ~ Fourth Fridays in South Street Headhouse District ~
  • Pictures in the Park ~ May 26 ~ FREE – Enjoy a different movie at Dilworth Park every Tuesday evening starting around dusk (8 pm). Tonight’s movie is Edge of Tomorrow (PG-13)The last movie takes place June 30. ~ Pictures in the Park ~
  • Philly Beer Week’s HOG Invades Fishtown ~ May 28 ~ Gearing up for Philly Beer Week at the end of May, the HOG, aka the Hammer of Glory, will visit several bars in South Philly. Stay tuned for which bars will be participating. ~ Philly Beer Week’s HOG Invades South Philly ~ 
  • String Band Music Under the Stars ~ May 28 ~ FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Every Thursday through September, join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Avalon String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI – BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
  • HOG Rally & Opening Tap for Philly Beer Week ~ May 29 ~ Info posted soon. ~ HOG Crawl & Opening Tap for Philly Beer Week ~
  • Philly Beer Week ~ May 29 – June 7 ~ 10 days of excitement surrounding Philadelphia & beer, with beer events, activities & much more. ~ Philly Beer Week ~
  • Philly Beer Week Events ~ May 29 – June 7 ~ Info posted soon. ~ Philly Beer Week Events ~
  • Roots Picnic ~ May 30 ~ Starting at 11 am at the Festival Pier, enjoy live music from talented musicians. ~ Roots Picnic ~
  • Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of June ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for June 2015 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
  • First Friday’s in Old CityJune 5 ~ 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 ~ June 5 ~ 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 ~  
  • First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ June 7 ~ 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 ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ June 7 ~ 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 ~

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 Weather for the weekend of May 15 – 17

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 55°  | Low 60°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 85° | Low 68°

Sunday  |  60% PM Thunrderstorms  |  High 88°  |  Low 68°

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 ~

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