Annual Philadelphia Events

Plan your Philadelphia visit, meeting or event around one of these can’t-miss annual experiences, including parades, cultural celebrations, concerts, sporting events, and more. Check out these annual Philadelphia events.

Mummers Parade

Annually on January 1

Watch this annual Philadelphia tradition as the charismatic Mummers strut along Broad Street, celebrating the New Year for the Mummers Parade. The colorful and extravagant costumes and performances are judged at the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Lunar New Year Parade and Celebrations

Annually in January or February

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an authentic dragon parade and enjoy traditional food and festivities in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.

Philadelphia Auto Show

Annually in January, February, or March

At the Philadelphia Auto Show, hundreds of vehicles showcasing the latest models and trends will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Philadelphia Flower Show

Annually in March

The largest and longest running flower show in the nation features acres of dazzling floral displays and gardens, with a new theme each year. After being held outdoors in the spacious FDR Park in South Philadelphia for the past two years, the Philadelphia Flower Show returned to its long-term home at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2023.

Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Annually in March

A Philadelphia tradition since 1771, Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, noted as one of the best parades of its kind in the U.S. by Thrillist takes place annually on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) to honor the patron saint of Ireland and to celebrate Irish heritage and culture. Spectators line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to watch the event.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

Annually in April

Celebrate spring and Philadelphia’s rich cultural connection to the art, music, food and beauty of Japan with the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival that culminates in Sakura Sunday at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park.

Penn Relays

Annually in April

At the Penn Relays, watch high school, college and masters-level track stars as well as Olympic athletes compete in the oldest and largest track and field competition in the U.S. — and one of Philadelphia’s signature annual sporting events — at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

The Philadelphia Show

Annually in April

A premier showcase of the country’s top dealers of antiques and fine art, The Philadelphia Show features 41 exhibitors and a brilliant selection of art from the 17th century to the present.

Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run

Annually in May

The Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run is a 10-mile race along historic Broad Street, attracting local and international athletes for over 35 years.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

Annually in May

An annual festival highlighting fashion, arts, eats, and shopping at businesses and restaurants in Rittenhouse Square. 

Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains

Annually May – September
May 9 – September 29, 2024

During Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains, daily performances at the Main Fountain Garden are set to music with water jets shooting 175 feet into the air. Visit in the evenings on weekends to experience the fountain shows paired with colorful lights.

Dad Vail Regatta

Annually in May

The Dad Vail Regatta is an annual collegiate regatta that draws participants from more than 100 North American colleges and universities.

The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival

Annually in May

Take part in The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, an annual tradition where delicious Italian favorites, both sweet and savory, are available along with great music, shopping and more.

Philadelphia Latino Film Festival

Annually May – July
May 26 – July 7

The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival is an annual festival that showcases the innovative work of emerging and established Latin American and Latino filmmakers.

Philadelphia Pride March and Festival

Annually in June

The Philadelphia Pride March and Festival in Center City features a vibrant parade starting at 6th and Walnut streets, followed by a lively festival in the Gayborhood with food trucks, artists, vendors, live performances, and community resources.

Philly Beer Week

Annually in May or June

Philly Beer Week gives you a chance to try locally made brews and participate in beer tours, prix fixe beer-pairing dinners, pub crawls and hundreds of events in restaurants and bars across America’s Best Beer Drinking City.

Independence Dragon Boat Regatta

Annually in June

Watch teams (from novices to experienced racers) compete along the Schuylkill River in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta to help raise money for a number of worthy charities during this spectacular annual tradition.

Roots Picnic

Annually in June

Held at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, the Roots Picnic is a weekend of music and performances handpicked by Philadelphia natives: The Roots.

Odunde Festival

Annually on the second Sunday in June

With live entertainment, 12 blocks of vendors along South Street, arts-and-craft booths, and African and Caribbean soul food, Odunde Festival is a huge festival that celebrates the Yoruba New Year.

Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival

Annually in June
June 16, 2024

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Celebrate freedom at the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival, which is the largest Juneteenth celebration in the nation produced by Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative.

Wawa Welcome America

Annually June – July
June 29 – July 4, 2024

During Wawa Welcome America, celebrate America’s Independence with a multi-week-long festival featuring family-friendly fun, free concerts from chart-topping entertainers, and a patriotic parade traveling past America’s most historic sites, all capped by a spectacular fireworks show above the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Annually June – August
Starts June 20, 2024

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival transforms Philadelphia’s Franklin Square at 6th and Race Streets into a dreamlike garden filling it with massive lantern displays that celebrate the cultural traditions of China.

Fringe Festival

Annually in September
September 5 – 29, 2024

More than 1,000 experimental performances take over neighborhoods throughout the city during Fringe Festival, an annual arts festival. Performances include theater, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word and more.

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary

Annually September – November

From the creators of the famed Terror Behind the Walls haunted attraction, the new Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary fills the cellblocks of America’s most historic prison with 15 attractions, including two haunted houses, four immersive walk-through environments, two live performances, four themed bars and lounges, and a new Steve Buscemi-narrated audio tour recorded especially for Halloween Nights.

Ciao Philadelphia

Annually in autumn

Greater Philadelphia has one of the largest Italian-American communities in the United States. Ciao Philadelphia is an annual festival that celebrates Italian cultural heritage and connects the city with contemporary Italy.

Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival

Annually in October

Hundreds of paddlers gather to race down the scenic Schuylkill River during the Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival, a 2,000-year-old tradition that involves beautiful boats, drumming and more.

OURfest

Annually in October

OURfest celebrates “National Coming Out Day” with the largest event of its kind in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood.

U.S. Open Squash

Annually in October
October 19 – 26, 2024

International teams compete in the Professional Squash Association’s annual championship, U.S. Open Squash, hosted by Drexel University.

Philadelphia Film Festival

Annually in October
October 19 -29, 2024

The Philadelphia Film Festival is a world-renowned annual event hosted at various locations, premiering everything from Oscar contenders to breakthrough local films.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show

Annually in November
November 15 – 16, 2024

The Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show is held inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center and features close to 200 talented artists.

Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend

Annually in November
November 22 – 24, 2024

The Philadelphia Marathon is one of the fastest courses in the country and a great way to see America’s Historic Mile while making some history of your own.

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

Annually on Thanksgiving Day
November 28, 2024

For more than 100 years, Philadelphia has kicked off the holiday season with this family-friendly parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway featuring giant floats, balloons and marching bands from across the country.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

Annually on New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2024

Philadelphia continues the tradition of two sets of fireworks on New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m. and midnight over the Delaware River. Launched from barges in the river, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront are choreographed to unique soundtracks that can be heard from Penn’s Landing.