🪕 Roots Picnic weekend is here | Things to do

I mean, what’s not happening this weekend?

JAŸ-Z and Erykah Badu are headlining this year’s Roots Picnic, which boasts another star-studded list of performances and activations at a new location.

Then, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band returns to South Philly for the first time since 2024.

Let’s not forget about West Philly Porchfest and the explosion of comic and film experiences, plus celebrity guests popping in at the Fan Expo.

Believe me when I say that’s only a fraction of the fun. Read below to see what else is happening this weekend.

— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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The return of Philly’s biggest hip-hop and R&B festival is happening this weekend.

The annual Roots Picnic festival officially kicks off on the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park on Saturday, with JAŸ-Z headlining day one of Roots. Erykah Badu, the Queen of Neo Soul, will close out the two-day extravaganza on Sunday night.

The lineup also features R&B stars such as Kehlani, Destin Conrad, Mariah the Scientist, and cultural icons Brandy, T.I., De La Soul, and others.

Read my colleague Dan DeLuca’s overview of the festival before its in full swing.

🎭 The Outsiders come to Philly: The beloved 1980s classic is brought to the theater stage at the Academy of Music. The Tony Award-winner will run through June 7.

🦸 Comic fans and film buffs rejoice: Fan Expo, billed as the world’s largest comic-con producer, will be jam-packed with panels, workshops, screenings, and fan experiences across three days. The event will also welcome special guests Orlando Bloom, Tom Welling, Mr. T, and Elijah Wood.

🎶 Top notch porch performances: Local music lovers will be going rowhome to rowhome this Saturday. West Philly Porchfest is back, so prepare to soak in free concert-level performances right in your neighborhood.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Frankford Fish Fest, Festival de la Calle de San Sebastian, Radical Americana Bus Tour, and Bachata Brunch at City Winery.

The last time Bruce Springsteen played Philadelphia with the E Street Band, pop music critic Dan DeLuca wrote, “mortality was on his mind.”

The centerpiece of his two Citizens Bank Park shows in 2024 were inspired by the death of George Theiss, leader of Springsteen’s teenage band the Castiles.

Two years later, Springsteen, who returns to South Philly on Saturday to play Xfinity Mobile Arena, returns “with renewed clarity of vision and a clear sense of purpose.”

That purpose, DeLuca writes, is to express his concerns for the state of American democracy.

His concert won’t just be a marathon of his hits, DeLuca predicts Springsteen will exercise his voice and influence to decode what’s going on in today’s world — just as he’s done throughout his music career.

Read more about Springsteen’s upcoming performance here.

🍺 Step into Rodin Museum for fresh brews: Along with the beautiful site of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures, visitors at Rodin Museum can enjoy a relaxing summer cocktail when the garden bar returns on Friday.

🍓 Down for a sweet time? At Shady Brook Farm, you won’t be the only one seeing red this week. The Strawberry Festival will be home to (you guessed it) strawberry-themed drinks, bites, live music, family-friendly activities, and even a petting zoo.

🎉 A new party destination arrives in South Philly: The South Philadelphia Sports Complex just added another party destination to the plaza. Stateside Live!, a massive indoor and outdoor entertainment venue, officially opens its doors this weekend.

🎥 Award-winning films at Clark Park: Clark Park will be home to cinéSPEAK Under the Stars Festival 2026, which will feature a lineup of award-winning features and shorts all summer.

While Roots Picnic and Springsteen fans likely have their itineraries filled, there are other notable concerts happening this week

🎸 Friday: Mountain country singer-songwriter Colby Acuff drops into MilkBoy early Friday evening. While tickets are sold out, resale tickets may pop up on verified sites.

🎤 Sunday: Jersey R&B and soul singer Alex Isley takes over the Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia for her “When The City Sleeps” tour.

🎤 Also Sunday: Jamaican rapper Skillibeng, best known for his work with island treasures such as Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, and Sean Paul, will bring his Caribbean flair to Theatre of The Living Arts.

There’s a lot of music this weekend, which means you have a lot of hard choices to make. But between picking which performances to see (and miss), make room to enjoy all the other happenings that will be in full bloom.

– Earl Hopkins