Welcome to spring, Philadelphia! There are all kinds of things to do to celebrate the new season, whether you want to be outside, in the theater, at a studio, or eating our best cuisine.
The Israeli film festival continues this week, as does the Free Library Foundation Author Series with rock legend Peter Wolf. The hit musical & Juliet debuts at the Academy of Music, Davin Youngs brings The RESET to the Perelman Theater, and The Weitzman hosts The Shvesters.
Fairmount Park Conservancy’s spring season begins with a volunteer cleanup at Concourse Lake, while The Muhibbah Dinner Series’s next event supports immigration legal services. And the Navy Yard Week kicks off the celebrations for its 25th anniversary.
Magic Gardens has a big week ahead with a new exhibit opening and the Watkins Street Studio space opening for tours. The other big opening within the week — officially next week — is at Citizen’s Bank Park … when the Phillies host the Colorado Rockies.
Enjoy the weather!
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY
Israeli Film Festival, Muhibbah Dinner Series, Watkins Street Studio tours, & Juliet, The Shvesters, meet artists Diane Pieri and Erin Elman, Peter Wolf at the Free Library, Concourse Lake cleanup.
SEE THE FINEST IN ISRAELI CINEMA. The 29th season of the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia runs through March 30. $15-38. Showtimes and locations vary.
TAKE AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF ISAIAH ZAGAR’S OTHER SPACE. The two-story warehouse purchased by the Zagars in 2007 is now a fully decorated creative space for hands-on workshops, classes, and other community programming called Watkins Street Studio. Guided tours are offered Tuesdays at 10am and other select dates. The next is March 25. $25. 1002 Watkins Street
EAT WELL, SUPPORT IMMIGRATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE. The Muhibbah Dinner Series, celebrating the diversity of Philadelphia’s cultures, cuisines, and communities with local master chefs, continues at Rex at the Royal on March 25 at 6pm. This meal will benefit Esperanza Immigration Legal Services, an organization dedicated to providing low-cost and pro bono legal assistance to immigrants and their families. $160. 1524 South Street
MEET THE JULIET WE ALWAYS KNEW EXISTED. Ever wonder what would have happened if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Find out when the hilarious hit Broadway musical & Juliet comes to the Academy of Music from March 25 through April 6. Evening and afternoon performances available. $85-$209. 240 S. Broad Street
DON’T MISS THE PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE OF THE SHVESTERS. The Weitzman hosts the Philadelphia debut of The Shvesters and their unique jazz-infused takes on traditional Yiddish melodies March 26 at 6:30pm. $50-$54. 101 S. Independence Mall East
MEET THE MAKERS AT THE EDGE OF ABSTRACTION. Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia hosts a “Meet the Makers” opening reception on March 27 from 6 to 8pm where you can meet Diane Pieri and Erin Elman, the artists behind the Women’s History Month exhibit The Edge of Abstraction. Free. 1620 Chancellor Stree
BE THERE FOR ROCK N ROLL HISTORY WITH PETER WOLF. See legendary rock frontman Peter Wolf discuss his new memoir, Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses, with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt on March 27 from 7 to 8pm at the Parkway Central Library in the next installment of the Free Library foundation Author Series. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
VOLUNTEER WITH FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY. On March 27 from 9am to noon, Fairmount Park Conservancy hosts Concourse Lake Open Volunteer Workday for tree care (weeding and mulching), trail cleanup, woody cleanup along the lake edge, and trash removal. All tools, including gloves, will be provided. Free. S. Concourse Drive
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Stone Soup exhibit opening, The RESET, Philadelphia Cocktail Festival, Navy Yard Week, Phillies home opener.
ATTEND THE OPENING RECEPTION OF THE MAGIC GARDEN’S LATEST EXHIBIT. On March 28 from 6 to 9pm, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) hosts the opening reception for their new immersive exhibit, Stone Soup: Works by Eustace Mamba, which will be open through June 1. Pay-As-You-Wish. 1020 South Street
TAKE A SOUND BATH. Experience a non-traditional concert where music transcends sound to take you on a relaxing journey of renwal when Ensemble Arts Philly presents The RESET – An Immersive Sound Experience with Davin Youngs at the Perelman theater March 29 at 1pm. $90. 300 S. Broad Street
ATTEND PHILLY’S OFFICIAL COCKTAIL FEST! The 23rd Street Armory hosts Philly Cocktail Festival March 29 from noon to 6:30pm. The cocktail-tasting experience is 21 and over only and features over a dozen bars plus a live DJ. The festival and competition have partnered with The Trauma Survivors Foundation, a nonprofit that supports individuals affected by trauma. $39-$59 22 S. 23rd Street
SPEND THE WEEK CELEBRATING THE NAVY YARD! Navy Yard Week begins March 31 and ends April 6, with a daily lineup of giveaways, food and fitness. It’s first-come, first-served for soft pretzels, coffee, and cupcakes, so check the schedule and plan ahead. Free and pay as you go. Locations vary.
SEE THE PHILLIES HOME OPENER. Technically next week — March 31 at 3:05pm — our Phils kick off their season at Citizens Bank Park against the Colorado Rockies. You can still find tickets, or enjoy the game with friends at your favorite sports bar, or from the comfort of your home by watching on NBC 10 or listening on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680. $103-$455+. 1 Citizens Bank Way
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street
TAKE A TROLLEY TOUR OF PHILLY’S GRITTIEST PAST. Through March 29, Founding Footsteps presents the Philly Mob Tour Trolley at 6 and 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 2 and 4pm on Saturdays. Great for true crime and history buffs 21 and older (BYOB). $55+. 901 N. Delaware Avenue
HOP ON THE TROLLEY WITH HARRIETT’S! Running Saturdays through March 29, Harriett’s Bookshop’s annual A Deeply Rooted Trolley Tour takes guests on a curated, immersive tour of Philadelphia’s food, art, music and culture scene. $50. 258 E. Girard Avenue
CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH A ROOFTOP PARTY. Every Wednesday through March from 5 to 7pm, Stratus Rooftop Lounge celebrates Women’s History Month with Women’s Way Wednesdays featuring good eats, tunes supplied by notable female DJs and pay-as-you-go craft cocktails, local beer and wine. Profits from Women’s Way Wednesdays will benefit both Women’s Way and Sisterly Love Collective. $35. 433 Chestnut Street
JOIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PHILADELPHIA’S RICH ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE. Back in November, the Cultural Alliance organized Cultural Dynamics: Co-Creating a Vision for Philadelphia, and now continues their efforts with their Community Conversations series in partnership with PA Humanities and Creative Philadelphia, bringing together a diverse group of cultural leaders, creators, community members, business and government leaders, and local stakeholders to co-create a vision for the city’s cultural future. The last meeting is March 31 from 5 to 8pm at FringeArts. Free. 140 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
SEE THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE. This March, Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia launches its second annual Black History Month Showcase through mid-March, featuring a mix of artwork by local Black artists. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street
SEE A GRIPPING DRAMA DIRECTED BY A PULITZER PRIZE WINNER. The Arden Theater presents August Wilson’s King Hedley II directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner James Ijames, tells the story of an ex-convict’s struggle to rebuild his life in 1985 Pittsburgh. Open through March 30, showings at 2 and 7pm. $32-$62. 40 N. 2nd Street
SEE NEW EXHIBITS AT THE CLAY STUDIO. Through March 30, The Clay Studio premieres three new exhibitions highlighting the work of its Resident Artists, hosting Doesn’t It Feel Warmer Just Knowing the Sun Will Be Out by Danish-American ceramicist Josephine Mette Larson, Dreams by ceramic artist Liisa Nelson, and Palimpsest by South Korean ceramic sculptor Jinsik Yoo. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Second Thursday hours of each month are 5 to 8pm. Free. 1425 N. American Street
SEE A STUDENT ART EXHIBITION. Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery presents Storyburst, an exhibition by After School Arab Arts students from John Moffet and Samuel Powell schools, on view to April 11. The students created mixed-media projects drawing inspiration from Arabic folktales and artists like Iasmin Omar Atta and Diana Al-Hadid. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 5pm. Free, registration required. 310 Master Street
WEST PHILLY RESIDENT? GET THOSE TAXES HANDLED! The Campaign for Working Families (CWP) and ACHIEVEability are partnering to offer free tax preparation and services to West Philadelphia residents. Appointments are available now through April 15 from 10am to 3pm through the CWP website. Free. 5901 Market Street, Suite 410
SEE SHAKESPEARE LIKE NEVER BEFORE. Running through April 27, Quintessence Theater Group presents the Reckless Love Repertory with 12 actors performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra. Evening and afternoon shows available. $25-$40. 7137 Germantown Avenue
SEE A UNIQUE SOLO ART EXHIBIT. Studio 105 at Ray Philly hosts While You Were Sleeping, a solo exhibition by Philadelphia-based oil painter Elizabeth Bergeland on display through May 10. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1525 N. American Street
ATTEND THE OPENING OF AN IMPORTANT BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT. Free, As One: Black Worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers highlights Black self-determination and leadership from the 1770s onward in the abolition movement of the Mid-Atlantic region, on view through May 23. Library and exhibit hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm and Wednesday from 1 to 7pm. Free. 1300 Locust Street
COME TO AN ART CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH. The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia celebrates Women’s History Month with an art exhibition curated by InLiquid. The Edge of Abstraction features celebrated artists Diane Pieri and Erin Elman and will be on display through mid-May. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street
TAKE AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR AND TASTING. Every Tuesday and Thursday from through May, Carpenters’ Hall will stay open late for A Toast to History — Behind the Scenes at Carpenters’ Hall, a small group Scotch tasting tour that features access to its normally-closed second floor and 19th-century library. Tours begin at 4pm. $45. 320 Chestnut Street
ATTEND A GALLERY TALK ON THE LATEST IN FINE WOODWORKING. The Museum for Art in Wood presents Katie Hudnall: The Longest Distance Between Two Points, featuring a series of sculptural works and a large-scale interactive installation created from salvaged wood that captures the artist’s eye for “the absurdly mechanical and uncanny.” The exhibition runs through July 20. Museum hours are daily from noon to 5pm. Free, registration required. 141 N. 3rd Street
SEE THE HUMAN BODY LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Through September 1, The Franklin Institute welcomes BODY WORLDS: Vital, an extraordinary collection of real human specimens preserved through Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ revolutionary plastination process. This is the third such exhibit for The Institute since 2005. Museum is open daily 9:30am to 5pm, with special evening hours exclusive to the exhibit Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8pm. $20-$65. 222 N. 20th Street
CONTINUE THE YEAR OF FREE SPEECH WITH A NEW EXHIBIT. On display at the National Liberty Museum through September 8, Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art is a juried exhibition of sculptures, paintings, video installations and more exploring censorship, freedom of expression and diverse perspectives. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $0-$12. 321 Chestnut Street
SEE THE NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MÜTTER. Through February 2, 2026, The Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia present Trusted Messengers: Community, Confidence, and COVID-19, a special exhibition that marks five years since the onset of the pandemic and considers how to build trust in public health. Initially developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Museum in Atlanta, the Philadelphia version features materials used in the development of the mRNA vaccine at Penn and spotlights local healthcare workers and organizations. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $15-20. 19 S. 22nd Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
The company of the North American Tour of &Juliet. Photo Credit Matthew Murphy