This summer, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is open from May 23 through Sept. 1. (Credit: M. Stanley for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation)
While many head to the shore for Memorial Day, there’s still plenty happening in the Philadelphia area for those staying local. The city (and its suburbs) never stop.
From circus performances to roller skating at Penn’s Landing, the city will be full of activities. Pop-up festivities across the region offer the perfect alternative for those looking to skip the shore traffic and celebrate the holiday closer to home.
Artists, parades and special displays are set to arrive for Memorial Day, while some of the city’s most iconic gardens, museums and parks are opening their doors for the unofficial start of summer.
There’s no shortage of locations that will host memorial services in honor of the holiday this weekend. Dates and times vary by event.
Eastern State Penitentiary: The penitentiary will host a special program where visitors can learn about the site’s history and explore many of its artifacts and stories.
Parade and Service in Perkasie: Kicking off at 9 a.m., the parade travels through the town center of Perkasie and ends at Menlo Park’s Memorial Garden, followed by a rifle salute and ceremony.
Sesame Place: The Sesame Street characters will celebrate the holiday with fireworks and meet-and-greets for kids and families.
National Constitution Center: Offering free admission Saturday through Monday, the Constitution Center's Memorial Day celebrations include special programming with flag displays and family-friendly presentations and workshops.
Museum of the American Revolution: Service members will give speeches, performances and hands-on activities at the historic museum to honor service members.
The Museum of the American Revolution celebrates the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the U.S. Armed Forces with several summer events. (Credit: Museum of the American Revolution) Parade in Doylestown: For its 157th year, the parade honors American veterans in a parade through town and a memorial service at Doylestown Cemetery.
Laurel Hill: At the site of Philadelphia’s first Memorial Day commemoration in 1868, the cemetery hosts an afternoon program with wreath-laying ceremonies and music.
Cruiser Olympia: Outside the Seaport Museum, the Cruiser Olympia is a free Memorial Day event with presentations, music and a speech by service member Monica Hallman.
Various gardens and parks are opening this weekend to give visitors a chance to enjoy the outdoors over the holiday weekend. We’ve complied a list of a few.
May 24-26
As America’s oldest rose garden, Wyck is home to 50 types of historic roses. The garden will host a free celebration to showcase its flowers and famous garden this weekend, offering historic games and botanical coloring for kids.
Food trucks, beer tents and vendors will be set up throughout the event.
Opening May 23
Opening this weekend is the Morris Arboretum and Gardens' newest pollinators exhibition, showcasing miniature trains that travel through the park’s flowering wildlife, animal sculptures and buzzing creatures.
The Hummingbird Hut, a nearby event held May 24-25, provides kids with crafts, storytimes and science lessons about the connections between plants and pollinators, in particular, hummingbirds.
Opening May 23
The summertime festival at Spruce Street Harbor Park will open this weekend with a boardwalk full of concessions and hammocks to relax across from teh Delaware River. The Lazy Hammock bar and performance staff and The Blue Anchor Barge local beer and cocktail bar will return, alongside other well-known waterfront attractions
Opening May 23
Also, alongside the Delaware River, the RiverRink Summerfest will kick off this weekend with rollerskating, mini golf, boardwalk games and rides and tents for food and drink options. Tickets are free.
May 23
Held at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, the Twilight in the Gardens series returns for another year of art activities, self-guided tours and live performances. The gardens are covered in mosaics by Isaiah Zagar and the basement, available to attendees, once served as his studio.
Festivities for the night will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a book-binding art class taught by Emily Love, a British art historian who found a way to combine her passion for art with her love of literature.
From 8:00-9:00 p.m., enjoy live performances by Jeremy Adam, known for his mix of rock, pop, soul, R&B and musical theater, and The Bad Madams.
PGM is a non-profit museum that hosts frequent community events to honor Zagar and his wife and showcase his artwork. Zagar was best known for using non-conventional materials in his mosaics—including handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirror pieces and international Folk Art.
Jeremy Adam and the Bad Madams WIll BE Performing in The art-after-dark Fourth Friday series, set inside Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. (Credit: PMG Instagram) Other Fairs and FestivalsIn addition to outdoor events, several fairs and festivals celebrate the history of Memorial Day. From sword throwing to cars, there are options for every age group.
May 21-26
Held at Chester County’s iconic Devon Show Grounds, the Devon Horse Show is an annual tradition dating back to 1896. The show features equestrian acts, open-air exhibitions and a dog show, in honor of Memorial Day weekend.
Once you're finished there, head next door to the Devon Country Fair for several pop-up restaurants, boutique stands, art displays and carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel and carousel.
General admission is $20 and includes both events.
May 24-26
The Philly Renaissance Faire, held at Fort Mifflin, is a 3-day festival packed full of performances, from jugglers to magicians to sword fighting, and more. The family-friendly event includes a variety of vendors and activities from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. Tickets are $10 for children and $20 for adults.
May 23-June 1
Presented by FringeArts, this 10-day circus festival will combine local and international circus artists in one performance of acrobatics and artistry. There will be several free performances alongside ticketed shows and workshops.
Philadelphia’s circus roots go Back to 1793 And the circus festival celebrates that this weekend. (Credit: Philadelphia's Contemporary CIrcus Festival)44th Anniversary Chester County Mustang and Ford Show
May 25
Chester County will host the 44th annual Mustang and Ford Show this weekend, inviting car enthusiasts all over Philadelphia to showcase their prized possessions in a display across the fairgrounds. Tickets are $15 for pre-registration and $20 on entry.
There are always arts and music events in Philadelphia, and on Memorial Day weekend, you can find even more. Outside of the concerts scheduled for this weekend, some unique performances and shows are coming to Philly.
May 20-June 1
The award-winning adaptation of the 1959 Billy Wilder film is set for this weekend. Local musicians Jerry and Joe are on the run from the mob, and their only way to escape is to disguise themselves as women as they flee.
The comedy-packed musical is three hours long and will be held at the Forrest Theatre all week.
May 23-26
The annual tango festival will be held at the Lithuanian Music Hall this year, offering dance lessons, lectures, and concerts in celebration of beloved tango musician Aníbal Troilo. Pre-registration has closed, but tickets will still be available on entry until the venue reaches capacity.
May 25-June 6
Emerging Latino filmmakers put their work on display at the Latino Arts & Film Festival, showcasing over 180 films, including features, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries. Dates and venues will be announced on PHLAFF’s website: www.phlaff.org.
May 21
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, partnered with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, will display a traditional-style Japanese house and its gardens in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.
Daniel Matsukawa, the principal bassoon player of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the MingDe Chorus will play a selected blend of Asian music in honor of the event.
Memorial Day weekend is the perfect weekend to enjoy some good food, and several bars and restaurants will host events for the holiday.
The garden bar is a family and dog-friendly bar where adults can enjoy a drink after touring the Rodin Museum's selection of artworks. (Credit: Rodin Museum)Opening May 23
Every Friday evening beginning this week, the Rodin Museum will open its Garden Bar, complete with scenic outdoor tables, a giant chessboard, sculptures, paintings and live music to enjoy. Tables are first-come, first-served and tickets are required for museum entry.
May 25
Looking for a classic Sunday cookout? In a celebration of black women empowerment, entrepreneurship and the arts, head to One Art Community Center to enjoy a selection of vendors, black women DJs and a variety of other games and festivities.
Tickets are $15 and the event lasts from 2:00-8:00 p.m.
May 25-25
Taco lovers should visit Chaddsford Winery this weekend for a selection of the region’s best food trucks, including Calaveras, The Nacho Depot and Taqueria El Amigo, among others.
If the weather cooperates, enjoy your tacos in the picnic area alongside a glass of wine and live music.
May 21
In celebration of the 21st year of the weekly happy hour series, SIPS will host a birthday-themed preview party at Dilworth Park, decked out with decorum, a live DJ, giveaways, auctions and SIPS deals.
Philly is prepping for America's 250th birthday next year with various special events, some of which have already started and some that will begin this weekend.
May 21
Hosted at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the TED Democracy series will hold its third event, Truth, Trust and the Media, at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The event’s focus is on misinformation in the media and how to discern fact from fiction.
The democracy series is intended to celebrate and explore the history of Philadelphia—the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence—leading up the America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.
The Truth, Trust and Meida event will start after a reception where food and refreshments are available. (Credit: Visit Philly)Through May 23
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest libraries, is home to the Pennsylvania Abolition Society’s historical documents dating back to 1775. In collaboration with the 1838 Black Metropolis, the library commemorates the 250th anniversary of PAS and provides insight into the abolitionist movement, in anticipation of America’s sesquicentennial.
Metallica will be playing at Lincoln Financial Field next Monday and Wednesday for two nights of classic rock.
Post Malone and Jelly Roll will bring The Vig Ass Stadium TOur to Citizens Bank Park on Saturday.
Barry Manilow is back on tour at will be delivering a nostalgic show at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.
