There are so many things to do this week that there don’t seem to be enough days. We have street festivals at the Italian Market, in Roxborough, on America Street, in Chestnut Hill, and on Girard Avenue. Parks on Tap moves to South Philly, and speaking of parks, you can still love them all week long.
We have Al Franken trying out new standup, an 80s classic band in town, our own Philadelphia Eagles raising money for Autism research, a wine fest at the zoo, and the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus final performance of the season.
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further head? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
Jewish American Heritage Month continues, as does Parks on Tap and Love Your Park week, plus comedy, music, street fairs, and wine at the zoo.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND IN PHILLY
HONOR JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE. Each May, organizations and Americans celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. The Weitzman continues celebrations with Joan Nathan’s My Life in Recipes book release event on May 16 at 5:30pm (in person and live-streamed). Nathan will be joined by acclaimed chef and fellow James Beard Award winner Mike Solomonov to share insights on Jewish cuisine. Events continue all month long! $10-$200. 101 S. Independence Mall East
ENJOY BEER IN SOUTH PHILLY. Parks on Tap comes to South Philly May 15 to May 19 from 4 to 10pm at Dickinson Square Park. The roving beer (and cocktail and food) garden provides a great excuse to bring your kids to happy hour. Free admission. 1600 E. Moyamensing Avenue
KICKOFF PRIDE WITH SONG. The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus presents its Pride Kickoff Concert and final performance of the 2024 season with Live Out Loud at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. The show of LGBTQ+ theme commissions includes lyricist and drag soloist Cookie Diorio and popular selections like Dancing Queen, Rise Up, “ Will Survive, and Born This Way. May 17 at 8pm and May 18 and 2 and 8pm. $35-$65. 480 S. Broad Street
FREESTYLE LIKE ONLY PHILLY CAN. At Craft Hall on May 17 at 7pm, DJ Spinatra and 89Til present Philly Phreestyle Concert featuring Denine, Jae Mazor, Peter Fontaine, and Jesse B. Hosted by DJ Slice. $35-$60. 901 N. Delaware Avenue
SEE AL FRANKEN DO STAND-UP. On May 17 at 5pm, City Winery hosts An Evening of New Stand Up with Al Franken. See the legendary comedian, writer and former U.S. senator try out new material. $45-$65. 990 Filbert Street
JOIN THE EAGLES TO RAISE MONEY FOR AUTISM RESEARCH. Walk, run or ride the Eagles Autism Challenge, a fundraiser for owner Jeff Lurie’s favorite cause on May 18 from 9:30 to 11am. The course takes you from the Linc through the Navy Yard and surrounding neighborhood and finishes at the 50-yard line. $25-$150. 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
PARTY ON GIRARD AVENUE. On May 18 from 11am to 5:30pm come to Girard Avenue Street Fest for more than 100 vendors and local services, a kids zone with bounce houses and games for families, food, drink and live music from local bands. Free. W. Girard Avenue from 26th to 29th Street
PARTY LIKE AN ITALIAN. On May 18 and 19 from 11am to 5pm, seven South Philly blocks host Italian food, live music, a half ball tourney, and the world-famous Greased Pole Contest at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival — a popular celebration of Italian culture and culinary tradition. Free. S. 9th Street from Christian to Wharton Street
PARTY ON RIDGE AVENUE. Roxborough Spring Fest brings more than 50 local crafters, businesses, and local organizations to the neighborhood on May 18 from noon to 6pm. Celebrate spring with music, art, food, kids stuff and craft brews. Free. Ridge Avenue from Lyceum to Leverington
SAMPLE THE BEST OF PHILLY. On May 18 from 2 to 6pm: Made on American Street Festival combines Philly beer, cider, spirits and wine, with Philly artists, makers, musicians, plus food trucks, restaurants and cafes for an afternoon of sampling, sippling and celebrating … Philly. From $45. N. American Street between Master Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue
DRINK AT THE ZOO, JUST DON’T BE AN ANIMAL. Craft Hospitality is teaming up with Philadelphia Zoo to host Philly Wine Fest: Spring Edition, with two sessions on May 18 at 1 to 3pm and 4:30 to 6:30pm. More than two dozen wineries will be pouring specially curated seasonal reds, whites, rosés, and more on the Zoo’s Impala Lawn accompanied by live entertainment all day long. Tickets include zoo admission, but the event is limited to the 21+ crowd. $45-$69. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
FATE, UP AGAINST YOUR WILL, YOU WILL SEE THIS CONCERT. You can’t miss Echo & the Bunnymen at Franklin Music Hall on May 19 at 7pm. The darkwave masters return to the road with classics from their 40+ years of music including The Killing Moon and Lips Like Sugar. $49.50. 421 N. 7th Street
PREPARE YOUR HOME AND GARDEN FOR SPRING. On May 19 from 11am to 5pm, the Home + Garden festival returns to Chestnut Hill. Over 250 vendors line Germantown Avenue alongside craft demonstrations in the Maker’s Village, live music and family-friendly activities. This year’s Sustainability Hub highlights environmentally-focused businesses, makers and organizations. Free. 8000 to 8600 block of Germantown Avenue
LOVE YOUR PARKS! It’s that time of year again Philly! Love Your Park Week runs through May 19 with events across the city, including guided hikes, local cleanups, and community festivals. Free. Various locations citywide
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, plays, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
SEE A FASHIONABLE EXHIBITION AT THE BARNES. Designer, photographer and instructor Alexey Brodovitch (1898–1971) art directed Harper’s Bazaar from 1934 to 1958 and mentored many 20th century documentary and fashion photographers. His work is featured in a new exhibit at the Barnes, Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me, through May 19. $5-$25. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
LEVEL UP WITH RPG IMPROV. Running through May 26 at The Adrienne Theater, Sidequest Theater presents Roll Play: An Improvised Adventure, a live, interactive, fully-improvised fantasy RPG performance where audience suggestions and a roll of the dice determine the fate of our stage heroes, ensuring every show is a new experience. Showtimes: 8pm Fridays, 7pm Saturdays, 2pm Sundays. $25. 2030 Sansom Street
ENJOY YOUR COMMUTE IN CENTER CITY. Select Wednesday mornings through June 5 from 8 to 9am, Center City District celebrates residents, commuters, and workers with Center City Sunrise, offering coffee and entertainment from Capriccio Café, Bluestone Lane, Coco Grille, Termini Bros. Bakery, and Saxbys. The first event (April 3) is at Suburban Station. Full list of dates and locations here. Free. Various locations
Mural Arts Philadelphia’s 2024 People’s Budget project allows residents of Philadelphia to co-create, learn, empower, and engage in the City of Philadelphia budget process. Through June 21, The People’s Budget Office will be set up in LOVE Park, serving as a resource hub and engagement space to learn about the city budget and contribute funding priorities. Hours are noon to 6pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays and noon to 4pm Saturdays. Free. 1600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS AT THE MARKET. The Philadelphia Marketplace returns to Dilworth Park for the spring season every Friday and Saturday from noon to 6pm through June 29. The outdoor market features a rotating lineup of Philadelphia-area merchants and makers, nearly half being minority-owned businesses and more than three quaters women-owned. Shop handmade jewelry, skincare, artwork, home goods, stationery, specialty foods and more. A weekly list of vendors will be updated at dilworthpark.org. Free. 1 S. 15th Street
ROLL ON AT DILWORTH PARK’S ROLLER RINK. City Hall’s roller rink is open daily through June 30 from 11am to 8:45pm Sunday through Thursdays; 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday. This year’s retro-inspired rink decor is courtesy of Lucky Dog Studio. The Air Grille Garden will serve up eats and adult beverages for those over 21. Timed advanced admission, private events, and skate rentals can be purchased online. $8-$16. 1 S. 15th Street
SEE A GOLDEN GIRLS MURDER MYSTERY. Without A Cue Productions are back with A Golden Girls Murder Mystery: The Girls Do Atlantic City at the Red Rum Theater. Shows are 5 and 8pm on Saturdays and 3pm Sundays through June 30. $35-75. 601 Walnut Street
SEE A PROVOCATIVE ART EXHIBITION. At The Philadelphia Museum of Art from through July 15, Philadelphia-based artist Jesse Krimes’s Rikers Quilt (2020) is on display for its first institutional exhibition. Krimes produced his work in response to ongoing abuses at Rikers Island, drawing on his own experiences of incarceration and reentry into society. Museum hours are 10am to 5pm Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10am to 8:45pm on Fridays. Free-$30. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
FEEL A GROUP HUG. The Fabric Workshop and Museum hosts Risa Puno’s first-ever solo exhibition, through July 21, Group Hug: Risa Puno is as visually captivating as it is interactive. Choose one of two paths in the show, and you’ll either lounge in a giant, soft, coconut shell-looking pod that transforms into a cozy armchair, or you’ll play Whack-a-Mole. Either way, you’ll learn a life lesson. Free. 1214 Arch Street
SEE NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM FOR ART IN WOOD. Now through July 21, catch To Understand a Tree by interdisciplinary artist, designer and woodworker Gina Siepel. The exhibit focuses on “the dignity of a living tree, its network of eco-systemic relationships, and the ubiquity of the material of wood in design and daily life.” The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
VISIT AN EXHIBITION ON HOMELESSNESS. Through August 5, the Mütter Museum hosts Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health, a special exhibition on American homelessness through the lens of public health. Museum hours are 10am to 5pm daily except Tuesday. Free-$20. 19 S. 22nd Street
EXPERIENCE LEGOS LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. Through September 22, the world’s largest display of LEGO art returns to the Franklin Institute. The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of artworks made exclusively in plastic bricks that snap together, including original pieces and re-imagined versions of famous masterpieces, a multimedia exhibition of LEGO-infused photography by Dean Wes, and a 9,000-square-foot brick play space. Museum hours are 9:30am to 5pm daily, with evening hours to 8pm, Thursday through Saturday. $20-$43. 222 N. 20th Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY