Events Across the River.
From summer festivals on the Parkway to boardwalk concerts at the Jersey Shore, the Philadelphia–South Jersey region always has something worth showing up for. Here's a curated guide to the events that make both sides of the river feel like home.
One of the best things about living in the Philadelphia–South Jersey region is the sheer number of things to do — and not just the tourist-friendly headliners. In Philly, it's the monthly Old City art walks and neighborhood street festivals. Across the river, it's shellfish festivals on the Shore, winery weekends in the Pine Barrens, and small-town book fairs in Collingswood. This page is a running list of the events, markets, festivals, and happenings that make both sides of the Delaware River feel alive. Since I'm licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I cover events across the full region. Check back often — I keep it updated as the year goes on.
Philadelphia & Surrounding Suburbs
Festivals, markets, concerts, and cultural happenings across Philly neighborhoods
Festivals & Celebrations
Wawa Welcome America
Philadelphia's massive 10-day Fourth of July festival with free concerts, blockbuster headliners on the Parkway, fireworks, family activities, and cultural events across Center City. One of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in the country.
Learn MoreSouth 9th Street Italian Market Festival
A beloved tradition dating back over a century, this two-day street festival closes off the Italian Market for live music, cooking demonstrations, artisan vendors, and the famous "Gentile vs. Jew" mozzarella-stretching contest.
Learn MoreManayunk Arts Festival
The largest juried outdoor arts festival in the region transforms Main Street into a walkable gallery with over 300 artists, live music stages, and food vendors. A perfect weekend to explore Manayunk's shops and restaurants.
Learn MoreOdunde Festival
One of the largest African-American cultural celebrations on the East Coast, Odunde fills the streets around 23rd and South with music, food, art, and a colorful procession inspired by Yoruba tradition.
Mummers Parade
Philadelphia's most iconic New Year's tradition. Thousands of Mummers in elaborate costumes march up Broad Street in String Band, Comic, Fancy, and Fancy Brigade divisions. There's nothing else quite like it in America.
Philadelphia Flower Show
The nation's largest and longest-running horticultural event returns with breathtaking floral installations, garden designs, and competitive exhibits. A Philadelphia tradition since 1829.
Learn MoreFood & Drink
Center City District Restaurant Week
Participating restaurants across Center City offer prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at special prices. It's the best excuse to try that place you've been walking past for months.
Learn MoreTaste of East Passyunk
East Passyunk Avenue's signature food festival brings together the corridor's top restaurants for tastings, live music, and a sidewalk dining experience that stretches for blocks.
Learn MorePhilly Beer Week
A week-long celebration of Philadelphia's legendary beer culture with tap takeovers, brewery tours, beer dinners, and special releases at bars and breweries across the city.
Learn MoreManayunk Restaurant Week
Manayunk's Main Street restaurants offer special multi-course menus at set prices. A great way to explore the neighborhood's dining scene from Italian to farm-to-table.
Learn MoreRittenhouse Square Farmers Market
Every Saturday, Rittenhouse Square fills with local vendors selling fresh produce, artisan bread, flowers, and prepared foods. A Center City ritual that draws the whole neighborhood.
Reading Terminal Market Events
America's oldest continuously operating farmers market hosts cooking demos, tastings, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Always worth a visit for the atmosphere alone.
Learn MoreArts & Culture
First Friday in Old City
Art galleries, design studios, and boutiques along 2nd and 3rd Streets open their doors for free receptions on the first Friday of every month. It's been a Philly cultural institution for decades and remains one of the best ways to discover emerging artists.
FringeArts Festival
Philadelphia's performance arts festival brings experimental theater, dance, music, and multimedia performances to venues across the city for two weeks. Venues range from traditional theaters to parking lots and rooftops.
Learn MorePhiladelphia Museum of Art Events
From blockbuster exhibitions to after-hours art parties, the Art Museum is a year-round cultural anchor. Don't miss the monthly "Art After 5" Friday evening series with live music and cocktails.
Learn MoreWoodmere Art Museum Exhibitions
A gem in Chestnut Hill focused exclusively on the art and artists of Philadelphia. Rotating exhibitions, artist talks, and family programs in a beautiful historic setting.
Learn MorePhiladelphia Film Festival
The Philadelphia Film Society brings new and independent cinema to screens across the city with premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and industry panels.
Learn MoreMural Arts Month
Philadelphia is the mural capital of the world, and October celebrates that legacy with tours, talks, and new mural unveilings through the Mural Arts program. Guided tours take you behind the scenes of the city's most iconic public art.
Learn MoreFamily Friendly
Wawa Welcome America — July 4th Fireworks
The capstone of Wawa Welcome America: a massive fireworks display over the Parkway with live music and tens of thousands of Philadelphians celebrating together. Arrive early for a good spot.
Please Touch Museum Events
Philadelphia's beloved children's museum inside the Memorial Hall hosts special programming, story times, and seasonal events throughout the year alongside its permanent interactive exhibits.
Learn MoreSmith Memorial Playground Play-A-Thon
One of the most magical play spaces in the city, Smith Memorial Playground hosts community events in its 16,000-square-foot indoor play house and 5.2 acres of outdoor playground.
Learn MoreBlue Cross RiverRink Summerfest & Winterfest
Ice skating in winter and roller skating in summer, plus a seasonal beer garden, mini golf, a carousel, and food pop-ups. A waterfront destination for families year-round.
Learn MorePhiladelphia Zoo Events
America's first zoo runs seasonal events from Booms! fireworks nights to Pumpkinfest in fall, plus the KidZooU children's area and the famous Big Cat Falls.
Learn MoreSports & Fitness
Broad Street Run
The largest 10-mile road race in America, running from the shoulder of Broad Street in North Philly all the way down to the Navy Yard. Over 40,000 runners make this a massive community event every spring.
Get DetailsPhiladelphia Marathon
A USATF-certified course that winds through Center City, along the Schuylkill River, and through Fairmount Park. Includes a full marathon, half marathon, and 8K race.
Get DetailsSchuylkill River Trail Group Runs
Various running and cycling groups meet along the Schuylkill River Trail for regular group runs. A great way to meet people and explore the riverfront corridor.
Rittenhouse Square Yoga in the Park
Free outdoor yoga sessions in Rittenhouse Square during summer mornings. Bring a mat and join fellow neighbors for a grounding start to the day.
Seasonal & Holiday
Christmas Village at Love Park
A European-style holiday market with over 150 vendors selling handcrafted gifts, seasonal food, and glühwein in heated booths. The Philadelphia version of a German Weihnachtsmarkt, steps from City Hall.
Learn MoreDilworth Park Wintergarden
An ice skating rink and winter garden set against the stunning backdrop of Philadelphia's City Hall tower. Perfect for families and date nights with hot chocolate from the café.
Learn MoreBlue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Outdoor ice skating on the Delaware River waterfront with fire pits, a lodge, and seasonal food and drink. One of Philly's most atmospheric winter traditions.
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Hundreds of illuminated silk lanterns transform Franklin Square into a glowing wonderland with performances, food, and cultural experiences. A stunning evening outing.
Learn MoreSummer Movies on the Parkway
Free outdoor movie screenings along the Parkway on summer evenings. Bring a blanket, grab takeout, and watch a film with the Art Museum steps as your backdrop.
Happenings Across the River
Shore season events, winery weekends, county fairs, and small-town festivals in South Jersey
Jersey Shore & Beach Events
Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
World-class sand sculptors compete along the Wildwood Crest beach in this annual summer tradition. Families can watch intricate sculptures rise from the sand and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend.
Learn MoreOcean City Night in Venice
Ocean City's famous boat parade lights up the bay on this annual summer evening. Decorated boats cruise through the lagoons while families watch from bayfront homes and public viewing areas. Fireworks cap off the night.
Learn MoreCape May Music Festival
A beloved summer concert series featuring classical, jazz, and pop performances in Cape May's historic venues. The Cape May MAC (Music Arts Consortium) brings world-class musicians to this charming Victorian seaside town.
Learn MoreAtlantic City Food & Wine Festival
Top chefs, mixologists, and wine experts gather at Atlantic City's casino resorts for tastings, cooking demos, and themed dinner events. A multi-day celebration of food and drink on the Boardwalk.
Wildwoods Bike Week
Thousands of motorcyclists converge on the Wildwoods for one of the East Coast's largest motorcycle rallies. Bike shows, live music, and cruising along the Boardwalk make this a high-energy spring tradition.
Learn MoreCape May Christmas in Victorian Christmas
Cape May's Victorian homes are aglow with holiday decorations during this month-long celebration. Candlelight house tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, and carolers make this one of the most magical holiday destinations on the East Coast.
Learn MoreCamden & Gloucester County
Collingswood Book Festival
One of the largest free book festivals in the region, this beloved fall event lines Haddon Avenue with author readings, book signings, publisher booths, and literary activities for all ages. A must for readers and writers.
Learn MoreCollingswood Restaurant Week
Collingswood's thriving restaurant scene — from BYOBs to upscale casual — comes together for this popular dining event. Fixed-price menus make it easy to sample the best of this walkable South Jersey town.
Learn MoreHaddonfield Home for the Holidays
The charming downtown of Haddonfield lights up for the holiday season with a tree lighting, carriage rides, carolers, and special shopping events along Kings Highway. A quintessential small-town holiday experience.
Learn MoreWoodbury Makers Market
Woodbury's revitalized downtown hosts artisan markets featuring local makers, craftspeople, and food vendors. A celebration of the creative community in one of South Jersey's most historic towns.
Hammonton Blueberry Festival
Hammonton — the self-proclaimed "Blueberry Capital of the World" — celebrates its signature crop with this annual festival featuring blueberry pancake breakfasts, pie-eating contests, live music, a parade, and farm-fresh blueberry everything.
Learn MoreCherry Hill Township Events
Cherry Hill hosts community events throughout the year including summer concert series at Croft Farm, seasonal farmers markets, holiday celebrations, and family fun days at local parks.
Learn MoreWine & Brew Country
South Jersey Wine Trail Events
The South Jersey Wine Trail connects a string of wineries stretching from the Pine Barrens to Gloucester County. Visit Bellview Winery, Tomasello Winery, and others for tastings, live music, grape stomping, and harvest festivals throughout the growing season.
Learn MoreBellview Winery Harvest Festival
One of South Jersey's most popular wineries celebrates the harvest season with grape-stomping competitions, live music, food trucks, and wine tastings on the vineyard. A gorgeous fall outing in the countryside.
Learn MoreTomasello Winery Events
A family-owned winery in the heart of the Pine Barrens offering regular wine tastings, food pairings, live entertainment, and seasonal celebrations. Their Tasting Room is a relaxed, welcoming stop on any South Jersey weekend trip.
Learn MoreSouth Jersey Brewery Trail
South Jersey's craft beer scene is growing fast. Visit places like Glasstown Brewing in Millville, Tonewood Brewing in Oaklyn, and Village Idiot in Mt. Laurel for tastings, taproom events, and live music in relaxed settings.
Philadelphia Neighborhoods
Philadelphia's neighborhoods each have their own event calendars and community traditions. Whether it's the art walks in Old City, the food festivals on East Passyunk Avenue, the riverside runs in Manayunk, or the park-side culture in Fairmount, there's always something happening nearby.
South Jersey Communities
Just across the Delaware River, South Jersey offers its own rich tapestry of community events. From the Victorian charm of Cape May to the vibrant downtowns of Collingswood and Haddonfield, the boardwalk energy of Wildwood and Ocean City, to the winery countryside around Hammonton and Mullica Hill. Since I'm licensed in both PA and NJ, I help clients on both sides of the river.
Know of a Community Event That Should Be Here?
I'm always looking for neighborhood events, hidden gems, and community happenings to feature — whether it's a block party in Fishtown, a farm dinner in the Pine Barrens, a boardwalk concert in Wildwood, or a holiday stroll in Haddonfield. If you're organizing something or know of an event that the Philadelphia–South Jersey region should know about, I'd love to hear from you.
Event dates, times, and locations may change. Always check the event's official website for the most current information before attending. This guide is curated by Andre Richardson, licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and updated regularly.