24 Philly festivals, street markets, and events you need to go to this spring

Spring time marks the beginning of outdoor markets and street festivals in Philadelphia and its environs, meaning date ideas and weekend outings got a whole lot easier to plan.

From now through early June, explore East Passyunk’s culinary scene, take part in Philadelphia’s Pride celebrations, and witness the wackiest mobile sculpture race in Kensington. Not to mention all the eclectic vendor markets, food truck jamborees, and showcases from the region’s burgeoning artists that all support local makers and businesses.

Here are 24 festivals, markets, and events you should go to this spring in Philadelphia.

Parks on Tap transforms the city’s breathtaking natural green spaces into traveling beer gardens, encouraging Philadelphians to get closer to each other and nature over quality drinks and grub. The season kicks off April 17 at the Azalea Garden behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art and rotates to a new park every week.

⌚Wed.-Fri., 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun., noon-10 p.m., 📍various locations, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 pay as you go

Ever feel like joining the circus? Now you can learn what it takes during the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts’ World Circus Day Festival. Every third Saturday in April, the annual celebration is observed internationally by those in the profession. Considered the city that made circus popular in America, Philadelphia takes center stage for spectacular live shows and lessons with the region’s best circus performers. Many of the classes are free, but some cost between $10-$45 per person. The full schedule and pricing are available online at phillycircus.com/upcoming-shows-events.

⌚April 20, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 📍6452 Greene St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119, 🌐 phillycircus.com, 💵 Free to $45

A treasured natural resource nestled among some of the city’s oldest industrial areas, Bartram’s Garden kicks off the spring season with a festival and native plant sale. Join gardeners on tours of the city’s garden oasis, peruse the vendor marketplace, and take your kids on family-friendly activities.

⌚April 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 📍5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19143, 🌐 bartramsgarden.org, 💵 Free

The Philly neighborhood of Manayunk plays host to this annual food festival, which transforms the main strip into an outdoor food marketplace with live music and shopping vendors. Perfect for a lively Sunday stroll.

⌚April 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍Main Street in Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pa., 19127, 🌐 manayunk.com, 💵 pay as you go

» Read more: How to have the perfect staycation in Manayunk

The TD Pavilion at the Mann brings two nights of dance and live music to Philadelphia’s ballet, R&B, and orchestral communities. See Natasha Adorlee dance to live music by Jac Ross, the Philadelphia premiere of Takehiro Ueyama’s Heroes with music by Kato Hideki, and Jamar Roberts’ Eros & Psyche, accompanied by a Philip Glass score performed by ensemble132.

⌚April 26-27, 7:30 p.m., 📍5201 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 balletx.org, 💵 $15-$50

Not only is the Linvilla Orchards Food Truck Frenzy a smorgasbord of good street bites, there are also musicians performing live, face-painting booths, hayrides, train rides, and pony rides. Plus, drinks for those 21 and over at the beer garden.

⌚April 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa. 19015, 🌐 linvilla.com, 💵 pay as you go

A half hour south of Philadelphia is Gibbstown, home to a food truck and music festival that shouldn’t be missed. Enjoy gourmet food trucks, activities for families and kids, live music, and a beer and sangria garden. There’s also plenty of fun to enjoy with mini golf courses, bounce houses, and petting zoo.

⌚April 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 📍46 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown, N.J. 08027, 🌐 facebook.com, 💵 pay as you go

East Passyunk Avenue is one of South Philadelphia’s prized thoroughfares, consisting of locally owned businesses, picturesque homes, and some of the most highly regarded restaurants in the city. Stroll along the avenue to breathe in the scent of grill fires crackling, browse the wares from dozens of shopping vendors, and take in the live music among friendly neighbors.

⌚April 28, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍from Broad to Dickinson Streets along East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com, 💵 pay as you go

This outdoor music festival in Manayunk celebrates the spirit of Philadelphia with local country and rock music performances. Acts include Dave Hause & The Mermaid, the Loved Ones, Langhorne Slim, the Jayhawks, and Amythyst Kiah, among others.

⌚May 3-5, 📍15 Cotton St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19127, 🌐 singushomefestival.com, 💵 $50+

Philadelphia’s answer to Comic Con is Fan Expo, a weekend that welcomes characters and creatures from various works of popular media, including Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher, Star Wars’ The Mandalorian, and monsters from your favorite video games. Dress up and meet actors from iconic movies like Hayden Christensen, Rosario Dawson, and Marisa Tomei, among others.

⌚May 3-5,📍1101 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 fanexpohq.com/fanexpophiladelphia, 💵 $38-$139,

Rittenhouse Row hosts a premier artist showcase and marketplace around Rittenhouse Square, free to the public.

⌚May 5, noon-5 p.m., 📍1800 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 rittenhouserow.org, 💵 pay as you go

Philly’s top German bar has celebratedMaifest, a traditional German celebration to mark the arrival of spring, on South Street for more than a decade. Wash down bratwurst with German lagers while the state’s largest maypole is displayed, a liter lift competition ensues, and live music cheers it all along.

⌚May 4, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 📍718 South St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 brauhausschmitz.com, 💵 pay as you go

» Read more: Here’s what to eat, drink, and do on Philly’s South Street

Inside the 23rd Street Armory is a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring expertly-crafted margaritas, Mexican beers, and taco and food trucks. If your stomach can handle it, hop on the mechanical bull ride. If a thrill-seeking spectacle is more your speed, catch former Mexican bull fighter Pedro Villaseñor’s performance. There’s plenty of fun to be had with friends at cactus ring tosses and more.

May 4, noon-10 p.m., 📍22 S. 23rd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $19-44

Now that spring planting season is upon us, it’s time to spruce up that garden. At the Chestnut Hill Home & Garden festival, dozens of garden and home decor vendors will be showcasing their newest products and plants.

⌚May 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍8514 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 chestnuthillpa.com, 💵 pay as you go

Be prepared for a day filled with physical feats and audible bleats from goats as the Sly Fox annual Bock Fest & Goat Race comes to Pottstown, Pa. The day kicks off at 11 a.m. and will feature live music, a stein-hoisting competition, goat races, and dancing. Of course, craft beers are served along the way. Entry includes unlimited beer and other benefits.

⌚May 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 📍331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown, Pa. 19464, 🌐 slyfoxbeer.com, 💵 $40+

Mount Airy is a breath of fresh air compared to more densely-packed areas of Philly, and its festival brings food and drinks, live music, and activities for the whole family.

⌚May 11, noon-5 p.m., 📍7000 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119, 🌐 mtairyday.org, 💵 pay as you go

This wacky and creative race brings unique sculptures on wheels to East Kensington for a day of laughs, local food and drinks, and a vibrant race to see who can bring home the glory.

⌚May 11, noon-6 p.m., 📍Frankford Avenue & York Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19125, 🌐 kensingtonkineticarts.org, 💵 pay as you go

American Street is home to local cafés, restaurants, and breweries alongside a diverse neighborhood that continues to grow with charming small businesses. Celebrate American Street’s food, beer, and live music through the Made on American Street beer and music festival.

⌚May 18, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., 📍1445 N. American St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19122, 🌐 facebook.com, 💵 $45+

Sip rosé among red pandas at the Philadelphia Zoo’s Philly Wine Fest, taking place on the zoo’s Impala Lawn alongside live entertainment and more than two dozen wineries. The festival is broken into two sessions, with complimentary access to the zoo prior to the wine festival session.

⌚May 18, 1-3 p.m. or 4:30-6:30 p.m., 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 $49+

One of the top 10 street festivals that you need to attend in Philly, the South Ninth Street Italian Market Festival highlights the city’s gourmet and artisan food purveyors, alongside cuisine from Italy, Mexico, and beyond, plus the famous greased pole climbing competition.

⌚May 18-19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍Washington Avenue & South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 italianmarketphilly.org, 💵 pay as you go

In the heart of Brewerytown is a street festival extravaganza with more than 100 neighborhood restaurants, breweries, and vendors — essentially one big party for families and friends.

⌚May 18, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 📍Girard Avenue & 26th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 fairmountcdc.org, 💵 pay as you go

Roxborough’s annual Spring Festival brings street art, live music, and vendors to Ridge Avenue for a day of cultural enrichment and great bites.

⌚May 18, noon-6 p.m.,📍Ridge & Lyceum Avenues, Philadelphia, Pa. 19128, 🌐 roxboroughpa.com, 💵 pay as you go

For the past 52 years, Philadelphians have gathered in June to celebrate the achievements and joy of Philly’s LGBTQ+ community. Thousands take part in the march and festival that includes vendors, educational tables, live performances, and the goal of unveiling Pennsylvania’s largest Pride flag — all in the Gayborhood.

⌚ June 2, noon-7 p.m.,📍Locust & 13th Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 🌐 phillypride365.org, 💵 pay as you go

Round out the end of spring with one of the country’s oldest outdoor art shows (dating to 1928). For three days, artists descend upon Rittenhouse Square to line the walkways with their latest works, all free to the public to view.

⌚ June 7-9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.,📍1800 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 🌐 rittenhousesquareart.com, 💵 pay as you go