Weekend Fun With South Street Spring Festival, Rittenhouse Row Spring Fest, Philadelphia Science Festival and More!

‘The Best City in the Country! Enjoy Festivals, Food, Live Music & More!’

Call it festival galore! Some of the best annual festivals in the City of Brotherly Love are this weekend!

This weekend kicks off with the ending of the Philadelphia Science Festival, First Friday, Art Reception at Eastern State Penitentiary, the South Street Spring Festival and the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, and the continuation of the Lego Art exhibit at the Franklin Institute and Beneath the Surface exhibit at Penn Museum. Also enjoy magic shows, farmers’ markets, and much more. The weekend will end with the Broad Street Run!

In upcoming weeks enjoy the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta, Taste of 3 Cities, Night Market, Haverford Spring Fest, Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Festival, 9th Street Italian Market Festival, the 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 updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we 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 1 – 7 ~

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

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~
• Philadelphia Science Festival ~ May 1 & 2 ~ Enjoy 9 days of a variety of events that incorporate everything from family-friendly educational outings to after-dark events that tells us that science lessons aren’t just for kids. ~ Philadelphia Science Festival ~
• The Art of The Brick Exhibit ~ May 1 – September 6 ~ Come explore the largest display of Lego Art at the Franklin Institute. Stop by this afternoon for details to this spectacular attraction. ~ The Art of The Brick Exhibit at the Franklin Institute ~
• Beneath the Surface: Life, Death, and Gold in Ancient Panama ~ May 1 – November 1 ~ Held at the Penn Museum, explore artifacts, gold & much more that came from the banks of the Rio Grande Cocle in Panama. ~ Beneath the Surface: Life, Death, and Gold in Ancient Panama ~ 

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ May 1 – 7 ~

• 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 1 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. – Mexican Dance Party – An all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Flor de Toloache, presents a blend of pop and traditional Mexican music.. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• First Friday’s in Old City~ May 1 ~ 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 1 ~ 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 ~  
• Art & Reception at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ May 1 ~ FREE – From 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Eastern State Penitentiary, enjoy a changing series of artist installations and historic exhibits as part of its ongoing programming and to see a new exhibit highlighting gangs at Eastern State and in prisons today. ~ Art & Reception at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ 
• 4th Annual Spring Fling ~ May 1 ~ 6pm – 9pm – Help support the Philly Free School located in the Graduate Hospital area. With the purchase of a ticket, enjoy delicious food & drink (to include beer), an incredible FunZone, a performance by the West Philadelphia Orchestra, an opportunity to win marvelous prizes in a raffle and a silent auction. ~ 4th Annual Spring Fling at Philly Free School ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 1 ~ 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 ~
• Philadelphia Science Festival ~ May 1 – 2 ~ Enjoy 9 days of a variety of events that incorporate everything from family-friendly educational outings to after-dark events that tells us that science lessons aren’t just for kids. ~ Philadelphia Science Festival ~
• Phila Flea Markets ~ May 2 ~ From 8 am to 5 pm, enjoy vendors that will be selling everything from antique furniture, jewelry, clothing, and more! Held at 22nd & Fairmount Ave surrounding Eastern State Penitentiary. ~ Phila Flea Markets ~
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ May 2 ~ 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 2 ~ 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 2 ~  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 ~
• Kentucky Derby & End of NFL Draft at O’Neals Pub ~ May 2 ~ Enjoy drink & food specials, giveaways & much more at O’Neals Pub off of South Street! ~ Kentucky Derby & End of NFL Draft at O’Neals Pub ~
• South Street Headhouse District’s Spring Festival ~ May 2 ~ From 11 am to 8 pm on South Street, enjoy food, live music, crafts, 40+ vendors & much more. Check out the special food & drinks for this festival! ~ Food & Drinks ~ ~ South Street Headhouse District’s Spring Festival ~
• Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival ~ May 2 ~ From noon to 5 pm! The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, one of Philadelphia’s more popular spring festivals, will attract more than 50,000 people from across the region which takes place each May. Enjoy a day of arts, fantastic food, fashion and entertainment.  ~ Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 2 ~ 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 ~
• Strawberry Festival at Peddler’s Village ~ May 2 & 3 ~ FREE – Strawberries of all sorts, live entertainment and pie-eating contests are just a couple of the festivities.  ~ Strawberry Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ May 2 & 6 ~ 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 ~
• Broad Street Run ~ May 3 ~ Starting at 8 am, watch thousands of runners race this 10 mile route throughout varied neighborhoods of Philadelphia along Broad Street, ending inside the Philadelphia Navy Yard. ~ Broad Street Run ~
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ May 3 ~ 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 ~
• 104.5 Block Party ~ May 3 ~ Starting at 1 pm at the Festival Pier, 601 N. Columbus Blvd, come listen to live music!  ~ 104.5 Block Party ~
• Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ May 3 ~ 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 ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ May 3 ~ 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 ~
• Free Parking! ~ May 6 ~ 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 6 ~ 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 ~  
• Philadelphia Wine and Food Festival ~ May 6 ~ From 6:30 pm to 9 pm at Lincoln Financial Field, representatives will be pouring more than 650 varieties of wines from all around the world will be on hand. There will also be food bites as well.  ~ Philadelphia Wine and Food Festival ~
• 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 Museum. Best 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 8 & beyond

• Art After 5 ~ May 8 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. – Manami Morita – Japanese-born Manami Morita is an award-winning jazz pianist, entertaining audiences around the world with her energetic, impressive technique. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta ~ May 8 & 9 ~ Thousands of athletes from more than 125 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada compete on the scenic Schuylkill River during the annual Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta. ~ Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta ~
• Phila Flea Markets ~ May 9 ~ FREE admission – From 8 am to 5 pm, 50+ vendors will be at (location to be determined). They’ll be selling everything from antique furniture, jewelry, clothing, and more! ~ Phila Flea Markets ~
• Taste of 3 Cities ~ May 9 ~ Taste of Three Cities Annual Food Truck Festival at Xfinity Live. This event is the battle of Philly Food Trucks, to see who is the best and who might conquer the Triple Crown. ~ Taste of 3 Cities ~
• Night Market on South Street West ~ May 14 ~ From 6 pm to 10 pm, not only will there be great foods to taste from local restaurants and Philly food trucks, but you can expect cold local beers and fantastic live music from area bands. It will take place around Broad and South Streets. ~ Night Market on South Street West ~
• Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Festival ~ May 16 ~ 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 & Festival ~
• 9th Street Italian Market Festival ~ May 16 & 17 ~ 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 ~
• Haverford Spring Fest ~ May 17 ~ Stay tuned for more info. ~ Haverford Spring Fest ~
• 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 ~
• 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 ~
• 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 ~ Info posted soon.  ~ HOG Crawl & Opening Tap for 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 City~ June 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 1 – 3

Friday  |  Cloudy  |  High 63°  | Low 49°

Saturday  |  Mostly Sunny |  High 73° | Low 52°

Sunday  | Mostly Sunny  |  High 81°  |  Low 59°

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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