Cool Things to Do in Philly This Spring [Thrillist: PRESS]

Photo credit Brauhaus Schmitz. 

The gloom of winter has finally lifted and, collectively, the city has learned what sunshine feels like again. As the weather warms, so does Philly’s events and entertainment scene—so there’s plenty of fun to be had in the months ahead.

From outdoor events galore to roller skating, we’ve got all the details on how to maximize the season. Here’s everything cool you can do in Philly this spring. 

Get to know local neighborhoods at vibrant street festivals

Ongoing
Various locations
There’s no better way to explore neighborhoods in all corners of the city than through grand fetes of food, entertainment, and shopping during spring festival season. South Street Fest (May 6) has global food and drink, vendors, live music, and a festival-within-a-festival, Brauhaus Schmitz’s German Maifest. Local establishments in Rittenhouse Square post up along the bustling area’s streets during the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival (May 6), spotlighting fashion, eats, art, and shopping. Homemade human-powered vehicles will parade around Kensington—and then plummet into a pit of mud—at ​​the Kensington Derby & Arts Festival (May 13). Cannoli, pasta, pizza, and cured meats will be showcased at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival (May 20-21). The country’s largest African American street festival, Odunde, returns for food, music, and international vendors selling merchandise from African nations, the Caribbean, and Brazil (June 11). Celebrate Juneteenth Philly-style in West Philly with a parade, marketplace, and music festival in Malcolm X Park (June 18).
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Taste the bounty of local farmers markets

Ongoing
Various locations
Grab a tote and an iced coffee and hit local farmers markets. Pick up produce from local farms on Saturdays at Clark Park’s farmers market; Tuesdays and Saturdays in Rittenhouse Square Park, pickles, mushrooms, flowers, baked goods, and more are available at the Rittenhouse farmers market; one of the city’s longest-running and largest farmers markets takes over Headhouse Square on Sundays; across from Eastern State Penitentiary on Thursdays is the Fairmount farmers market with vendors offering vegan baked goods, coffee beans, fresh bread, pasture-raised eggs, chicken, and sausage, and more.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Originally published by Thrillist.
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