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Hop to it! Spring has sprung and this week’s list of things to do features highly anticipated events and plenty of festive celebrations.
The Philadelphia Phillies get ready to knock this season out of the park with their home opener against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park (Friday).
Music takes over Philly stages with performances by superstar Nicki Minaj at the Wells Fargo Center (Friday) and the opening of BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical at Walnut Street Theatre (opens Tuesday).
Easter festivities kick off all around the region with events like Hayrides to Bunnyland at Linvilla Orchards (through Saturday) and the 91st Annual Easter Promenade on South Street (Sunday).
And prep those peepers for springtime foliage, as the city starts to see peak cherry blossom blooms (begins around Saturday) and the opening of gorgeous warm-weather attractions like Chanticleer (opens Wednesday).
Plus, don’t miss the last week of Women’s History Month celebrations, with special history programs, cocktail parties and pop-ups featuring women-owned businesses.
Below, find the best things to do in Philadelphia this week and weekend, March 25-31, 2024.
Now open
Gelato artist Galen Thomas is on cloud nine with the opening of his new North Philly flagship store. Part cafe, part production facility, the new Black-owned shop offers 36 different gelato and sorbet flavors (featuring non-dairy and vegan options), retail merchandise (like gelato-scented candles), and pints for sale with citywide delivery and nationwide shipping. Artisan flavors include honey lavender and peanut butter stracciatella, plus flavor collabs like Oreo cheesecake from the Philadelphia Cheesecake Lady and strawberry with French Toast Bites, in memory of Lokal Artisan Foods’ Charisse McGill.
Where: Cloud Cups at MaKen Studios North, 3525 I Street
Branded as “Philly’s Neighborhood Winery,” personal and business partners Nicholas Ducos and Francesca Galarus founded Mural City Cellars with a goal of making wine more affordable, accessible and local using grapes from small regional farms and minimal intervention. Mural City’s brand new Fishtown location expands on its amenities with a bar, charcuterie and living room-style seating while keeping the same locally produced wine and chill vibes for which the business is known. On the horizon: wine classes, tastings and summer pop ups.
Where: Mural City Cellars, 1831 Frankford Avenue
The Philadelphia Phillies home opener is this week (read more on that below), but Philly gets the party started early with the official Phillies pep rally this Tuesday. Cheer outside at the Comcast Center plaza and look forward to games, giveaways and special guests. Want to show your Phillies pride? Be sure to pick up a free cheer card poster at the plaza on rally day — or at one of 13 other businesses and attractions around the city over the next few weeks.
Where: Comcast Center Plaza, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Explore the true story of Carole King’s life on stage, from teenage songwriter to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The Broadway celebration features more than two-dozen of King’s greatest hits, including the pop classics she wrote for artists like Aretha Franklin and James Taylor, as well as her own chart-topping solo work.
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street
Opens Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Reopening this week, this botanical “pleasure garden” — spread across 35 acres of Delaware County — features more than 5,000 plants on the grounds of the century-old former Rosengarten manor. Since 1990, the estate has been open to the public as a lush, contemporary arboretum featuring distinct gardens and displays with perennials and agricultural crops.
Where: Chanticleer, 786 Church Road, Wayne
March 29-31, 2024
Expect an afternoon of serious tailgating and plenty of bedlam at the Bank as the Fightin’ Phils take the field in South Philly for the first time since a disappointing loss in game seven of last year’s National League Championship Series. First up? A series with the Atlanta Braves. Opening Day (Friday) is followed by two weekend day games against the pesky NL East rivals (Saturday and Sunday). Plus, show the Phillies some love by picking up a cheer card around the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Street teams are on hand near the parking lots to distribute the cards during each of the three games.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way
Yee-haw! Grab a beer and a partner and get ready for some good, old-fashioned country fun (just in time for the release of Beyoncé’s new country album, may we add). Kick off your weekend with this free line dancing class with Nate Golden at South Philly’s Dock Street Brewing — cowboy boots not required.
Where: Dock Street South, 2118 Washington Avenue
Let’s get Fringe-y! FringeArts and Cannonball, Philadelphia’s premier purveyors of what’s new, innovative and, sometimes, strange in contemporary performance, team up this Easter Weekend for a mini-Fringe Festival of sorts. Now in its second year, Miniball is a bite-sized version of the epic multi-week fall performance festival. Taking over FringeArts’ Old City location for the long weekend, the festival features performances of original theatrical and musical pieces, the return of Fringe’s long-running works-in-progress series Scratch Night, late night cabarets, workshops to help artists prepare for this year’s Fringe Festival, and some celebratory parties and toasts.
Where: FringeArts, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Barbz, unite. The unmistakable Nicki Minaj tours behind her latest release, Pink Friday 2, an always-adventurous display of wordplay and genre that serves as a follow-up to her groundbreaking 2010 album, Pink Friday.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street
Don your best Material Girl-inspired look and join hosts Icon Ebony Fierce and MINO for a fun evening of drag, burlesque and ’80s pop anthems at the Gayborhood’s Franky Bradley’s. Some of the city’s most captivating queens — including Vinchelle, The Moon Baby and Rita Brujeria — strut, drop and, of course, vogue to hits from every era of Madonna’s prolific career. The Madge hits continue alongside jams from stars influenced by the singer at a post-show afterparty open to attendees for free.
Where: Franky Bradley's, 1320 Chancellor Street
Ever wanted to take a trip to Bikini Bottom? Well, we can’t make that happen, but this Spongebob Squarepants-themed party is the next best thing. Big Bubble Rave takes a cue from the aquatic, animated character and his best friends Patrick, Sandy and Gary, bringing bubbles, underwater-inspired tunes, and a room full of Spongebob fanatics together for an unforgettable night.
Where: Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South Street
Beginning around March 30, 2024
Spring, is that you? Philadelphia has been named one of the best places in the nation to enjoy cherry blossom blooms by Lonely Planet, Time Out and Afar. According to experts, this week is the ideal moment to observe the blooms’ fleeting beauty. Lucky for us, the city and countryside have plenty of picturesque locales to cherry blossom peep from. Explosions of pink, white and purple frame the breathtaking Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center and the blossoming trees dot the grounds of Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum. There are a ton of low-key places to park, sit or stroll under the blossoms throughout the region including Martin Luther King Drive, Spruce Hill’s Clark Park or Columbus Boulevard by the Delaware River waterfront.
Where: Various locations including Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Horticultural Drive
Longwood Gardens is one of the region’s leading horticultural treasures located just outside the city in Kennett Square. The season’s arrival opens up an entirely new world of possibilities and blooms for the floral dreamland and plant-lover’s playground. Explore the garden’s expansive 1,100 acres, catching the first bursts of spring color and fragrance from the garden’s blossoming trees and early-blooming bulbs including cherry blossoms, tulips, and poppies. Novice and expert gardeners alike find inspiration at the attraction’s newly redesigned Idea Garden, a dynamic space showcasing a variety of experimental and educational gardening approaches.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
Dates vary by event
Ready your baskets: The Easter Bunny is popping up all around Greater Philly:
Where: Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (4)
Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
City Cruises Philadelphia, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
South 5th & South streets
Wrap up March with stories about women who crushed glass ceilings and support local women artists and entrepreneurs with Women’s History Month events throughout Greater Philadelphia, including:
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street
Kimpton Hotel Palomar, 117 S. 17th Street
Stratus Rooftop Lounge at Kimpton Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut Street
Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch Street
Royal Boucherie, 52 S. 2nd Street
Soak up these live performances at venues across Greater Philadelphia this week and weekend. Looking for an encore? Check out our updated guide to Philly’s biggest concerts and music fests.
Where: Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street
Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore
Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah Street
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street
Theatre of The Living Arts, 334 South Street
Treat yourself at one of these food-related happenings in Greater Philadelphia. Hungry for more? Check out our guide to Philly’s best new restaurants.
Where: Patchwork, 1620 Chancellor Street
Red Owl Tavern, 433 Chestnut Street
At The Table, 118 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne
Blondie, 4417 Main Street
Bank & Bourbon, 1200 Market Street
Root, root, root for the home teams at these sporting events in Greater Philadelphia. New to the Philly fandom? Get caught up on the city’s incredible sports history with our comprehensive guide to Philly sports.
Ongoing
Want to borrow a banned book? During Women’s History Month, Visit Philadelphia’s Little Free(dom) Library initiative encourages visitors and locals to explore banned works by women authors. The libraries include books like Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, Front Desk by Kelly Yang and more. Spread the love by leaving a book of your own (optional).
Where: Various locations including Queen & Rook Cafe, 607 S. 2nd Street
Through Sunday, April 14, 2024
Where my PEEPS at? The adorable, Pennsylvania-made marshmallow treats star in more than 130 creative displays during this cute competition, a beloved springtime tradition in Peddler’s Village. The displays dotting the inside of the Visitor & Event Center are free to view. Heads up: Weekday and weekday evening visits are strongly encouraged as lines can get a little long on weekends.
Where: Peddler's Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska
Through Monday, April 15, 2024
Six friendly giants make a special appearance this season at the Philadelphia Zoo. Made out of repurposed wood, each massive troll towers up to 15 feet tall and shares a different story. Created by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo, the family-friendly display serves as an inspiring reminder to reduce, reuse and recycle. The exhibition is included with general admission to the Philadelphia Zoo.
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Avenue
Through Saturday, April 27, 2024
All aboard! Grab your mother, sister, daughter or friend and take a ride down memory lane and through the City of Sisterly Affection. The third iteration of the trolley tour — dubbed Sitting Pretty — whisks riders through different Philly neighborhoods and locations to explore and support a variety of Black woman-owned businesses. In between stops, the tour’s charismatic hosts, StarFire and Jenesis El, share stories and lead conversations celebrating Black women’s history and culture.
Where: Harriett's Bookshop, 258 E. Girard Avenue
Through Sunday, August 4, 2024
IMPRINT: Dox Thrash Black Life, and American Culture at The African American Museum in Philadelphia takes a journey through the life, legacy and groundbreaking artworks of renowned printmaker Dox Thrash. The exhibition draws from every major arc of Thrash’s life — from his experiences as a soldier, to his time as a performer on the Black vaudeville circuit, to his years as an art student in Chicago — and showcases rare works that offer new perspectives on his personal story. General admission tickets to The African American Museum are required.
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street
Through Monday, September 2, 2024
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University presents a new immersive exhibit spotlighting the world of rainforests and the flora and fauna that inhabit the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. The Under the Canopy exhibition, for students of all ages and presented in both English and Spanish, features plants and rainforest ecology including an encounter a live sloth, boa constrictor and other animals that call these habitats home, plus life-size climbable animal sculptures (including a gorilla, tortoise, crocodile, red-eye tree frog and Banyan tree), interactive discovery stations, dynamic displays and engaging programming.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Everything’s clicking into place. Returning to The Franklin Institute for the first time since 2015, The Art of the Brick displays more than 100 works all made completely of LEGO — from recreations of masterworks like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to original works of LEGO sculpture, including a 20-foot-long T. rex dinosaur skeleton and many pieces that are just plain fun. Every sculpture in the hugely impressive display is the handiwork of contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, the first artist ever to create an exhibition solely of LEGO art.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street
Through Sunday, January 5, 2025
In the fascinating new Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent exhibition, visitors discover rare documents, inspired works of art and historical objects that paint a fuller picture of the shelter used as George Washington’s headquarters throughout the War for Independence. The tent — the Museum of the American Revolution’s signature artifact — served as the battlefield home, strategic meeting place and office quarters for General Washington, and the exhibition tells the stories of the many individuals who worked to preserve and pass down this vital symbol of the American republic. Plus, spring break events continue this week, including guided neighborhood walking tours, historical pop-up talks and diamond eagle craft-making (through Sunday, April 7, 2024).
It’s true: Philly is an award-winning, headline-grabbing kinda town. Need help keeping up with all the buzz? Get the scoop with this weekly roundup of our favorite Philly stories. Hot off the presses:
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and your besties at Visit Philadelphia are delivering fresh batches of content every week. Here’s the latest from visitphilly.com:
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?