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🌸 Billy Penn’s guide to spring
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Note: this list will be updated throughout the week.
Monday, April 13
cinéSPEAK x Two Locals Brewing Company present Speakn’ Trane and Sylvie’s Love – (6 to 8:30 p.m.)
A monthly gathering every 2nd Monday celebrating innovative Black filmmakers. In April, we’re celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month. Following the program, culture writer John Morrison will be in conversation with Anyabwile Love. Happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. BYO dinner. Popcorn provided. Free to register; Donations encouraged.
Monday Night Market – (6 to 10 p.m.)
Star | Bolt hosts this event featuring local artists and live music.
AAAHH!!! Eat-Along at Reading Terminal Market – (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
The Bearded Ladies come to Reading Terminal for another round of solidarity sing-along shows with rousing renditions of songs that have absolutely nothing to do with fascism. “It’s gonna take all of us to make good harmony in this mess.” PG-13 content. Food available for purchase from Tambayan, Flying Monkey Bakery, Fox & Son Fancy Corn Dogs & Molly Malloy’s Bar. $0-52 pay-what-you-wish.
Tuesday, April 14
Picnic in the park! with Maisy’s Meeting House – (6 p.m.)
Picnic in a nearby park (weather permitting!) Lawn games and snacks provided. BYO food/drink. Please do not bring any nuts. $4.14 for non members / free for members.
Rebel Reader’s Society Book Club – (6 to 8 p.m.)
At Harriett’s Bookshop. A book club for feminists, reproductive justice advocates, and freedom fighters. Explore books that inspire, empower, and challenge, centering the voices of women, especially women of color, while welcoming men committed to justice and equity. Pre-registration is required.
Wednesday, April 15
Philly Theatre Week “Raise Your Voice” Preview Celebration – (6 to 9:30 p.m.)
A sneak peek into some of the performances that will populate Theatre Philadelphia’s annual Philly Theater Week. Plus the annual networking event for theaters and theater practitioners. Free registration. At Temple Performing Arts Center.
Thursday, April 16
Spring Designer Pop-Up – (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
The secret designer vault at The Wardrobe is opening with curated second-hand designer pieces for 70–90% off original retail. Thursday shoppers get 25% off from 4-6 p.m. At 413 N.4th Street.
Point Breeze Market Festival – (4 to 7 p.m.)
Free and open to the public with local food vendors, family-friendly activities and music by DJ Diamond Kuts. Also get a first look at new corridor beautification efforts. At 1300 Point Breeze Avenue.
Printmaking By The People Exhibition Opening – (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
An exhibition of hundreds of posters created by Philadelphians who were asked to share their visions of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” At Parkway Central Library.
Confluence Film Festival Night 3
This night is programmed by BlackStar Projects and starts at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-screening social in Dino Hall. At 6:30 p.m. is the screening and Q&A of “Seeds,” is a portrait of centennial farmers in the American South. $10 tickets.
The Raven Society: A Jane Austen Garden Party – (6 to 8 p.m.)
Join The Raven Society for a night of revelry inspired by the wit and whimsy of Jane Austen on the rooftop terrace of Parkway Central Library, featuring light fare, delightful refreshments, and spirited conversation. $60 tickets.
cinéSPEAK x Vox Populi presents Pt.2 – The People Rise Up: A Third World Newsreel Retrospective (1968-72)
Part of an April series of short films from the Third World Newsreel retrospective (1968-1972), documenting grassroots movements for land sovereignty both domestically and around the world. Doors open at 6:30 for 7 p.m. screening at Vox Populi, followed by conversation at Trestle Inn. $10 tickets.
Uncle Bobbie’s X Brian Jones – “Black History is for Everyone” Book Talk
Learn and discuss race, politics, culture and how Blackness is an undeniable part of it all. Brian Jones will be in conversation with fellow educator and writer, Ismael Jimenez. Book signing will follow the discussion and Q&A. $11.43 ticket. (7:30 p.m.)
Green Day *Acoustic SING-ALONG NIGHT at Quig’s Pub – (7:30 to 11 p.m.)
A throwback celebration by James Haro in Storage, featuring albums from Dookie to American Idiot, and hits like Warning, Welcome to Paradise, Wake Me Up When September Ends, and plenty of deep cuts. Plus new original songs from JHIS’ upcoming UNTITLED EP release. At Plays & Players Theatre. $7.18 tickets.
Friday, April 17
An Elegant Rebellion: Celebrating 10 years of Black Maternal Health – (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
A Bridgerton-themed brunch at FABRIKA, 1108 Frankford Avenue, celebrating Black maternal joy. $50 tickets.
Spring Designer Pop-Up – (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
The secret designer vault at The Wardrobe is opening with curated second-hand designer pieces for 70–90% off original retail. Thursday shoppers get 25% off from 4-6 p.m. At 413 N.4th Street.
Spring Punk Rock Flea Night Market– (4 to 10 p.m.)
At the 23rd Street Armory. $10 tickets ($12 cash/$15 credit at the door) are good all weekend. Indoor, rain or shine! One dog per person welcome, on a leash.
Esperanza Latin Jazz Showcase – (7 p.m.)
Curated by award-winning percussionist Pablo Batista. Celebrating the Latino voice in the American landscape, featuring the 22-piece Lopez Perez Mambo Big Band. Livestream on YouTube, as well. $15 tickets.
Producers’ Forum: True North by Michèle Stephenson – (7 to 9 p.m.)
Through the use of never-before-seen archives and the voices of those who lived through the tumultuous period of 1960s Montreal, True North explores the pivotal events of a moment that impacted the global movement for Black liberation by centering the Congress of Black Writers and the Sir George Williams Affair. At Scribe Video Center. $8, $5 Students/Seniors.
Salsa & Bachata Night at Cherry Street Pier – (8-10 p.m.)
Join a pro instructor for a high-energy salsa lesson, then keep the vibes going with a live DJ set from DJ Valentin of Dance Philly, spinning bachata, salsa, and more Latin hits. All ages and experience levels welcome. Free.
My Chemical Slow Dance (Emo Prom): “King For A Day” Edition – (9 p.m.)
At Warehouse on Watts – The Loft. $14.21 per person or 2 for $25 tickets.
Broadway Rave – (10 p.m.)
Dance to Broadway classics across the generations with fellow musical theatre nerds! At Underground Arts. $31.74 tickets.
Saturday, April 18
International Day of Monuments and Sites at Reading Terminal Market – (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Step into history at one of Philadelphia’s most iconic landmarks. Once a bustling train station, now a vibrant marketplace filled with stories, culture, and tradition, RTM invites people to enjoy nostalgic and heritage-inspired foods.
Bartram’s Garden Spring Fest – (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Annual rain-or-shine celebration of spring in the Garden. Free and family-friendly activities include a medicinal herbs plant walk, tips on building a home apothecary, archives show and tell, live vibraphone and Son Revoltura music, Firstival celebration of Bartram’s being the U.S.’ first botanical garden, teach-ins, vendor market, seed swap, book exchange, tree giveaway and more.
Northern Liberties In Bloom Spring Block Party – (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Gather at the Piazza Alta Courtyard to kick off the NoLibs Farmers’ Market season. All ages welcome to explore local vendors, curated sips, great food, family-friendly activities, fitness classes and more. RSVP for free to be entered into a curated raffle. Pay-as-you-go.
Spring Punk Rock Flea Market – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
At the 23rd Street Armory. $10 tickets ($12 cash/$15 credit at the door) are good all weekend. Indoor, rain or shine! One dog per person welcome, on a leash.
Curator Tour: Some American Dreams – (11 a.m. to noon)
Tour the new exhibition ‘Some American Dreams.’ Explore the complexity of American-ness through lenses of history, memory, and mythology. Made by past Artists-in-Residence in collaboration with the FWM Studio, the projects reimagine symbols of nationhood and belonging, critique ongoing legacies of inequity, and offer expanded visions of kinship and community. $10 tickets.
Budget 101: Northeast – (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Join an interactive workshop to learn about Philadelphia’s city budget, who makes decisions, and how to make your voice heard. Hosted in partnership with Feast of Justice, 215 People’s Alliance, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Free.
Spring Designer Pop-Up – (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
The secret designer vault at The Wardrobe is opening with curated second-hand designer pieces for 70–90% off original retail. Thursday shoppers get 25% off from 4-6 p.m. At 413 N.4th Street.
Cedar Park Neighborhood Plan & Play – (12 to 4 p.m.)
Come play a map-making board game where you and other players collectively design a map of improvements to Cedar Park Neighborhood. Players find themselves stuck in an alternate reality of Cedar Park; with no way to get return. Decide to make yourselves at home and work together to thrive in this new world. Both a fun game and a community engagement tool, the results of this game will be used by Cedar Park Neighbors to inform future endeavors in the neighborhood.
Serving Our Community Street Fair – (12 to 5 p.m.)
The Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia hosts this inaugural event featuring local LGBTQ+ vendors, including a free clothing table sponsored by Philly AIDS Thrift and resources for families with children. The choir will also be performing two ticketed mini concerns at a nearby church. Free at 37th and Chestnut Streets, in the large plaza between Chestnut and Ludlow.
Inaugural Blood Sick Underground Film Fest – (12 p.m. to midnight)
At PhilaMOCA. A mix of feature films, short films and Q&As. Blood Sick is dedicated to creating a community of independent filmmakers and genre fans. Also: a monthly screening series known as Blood Sick Underground Cinema that screens every 2nd Monday. Various times and prices.
Chinatown Community Garden Popup – (1 to 3 p.m.)
A hands-on course on how to start an herb garden in your own home. Taught by Kyonne of Abundant Philly, who has worked to establish community gardens all across Philadelphia. Participants will learn the basics of growing herbs, explore what it takes to start a community garden, and create a small herb garden for a windowsill to take home. BYO pot and gloves. The first 25 participants are guaranteed a free terracotta pot, along with a starter plant or seeds, soil, and the use of gardening gloves. At 227 N. 11th Street.
Tacony Vendor Market – (1 to 4 p.m.)
Spend the afternoon in Disston Park shopping vendors, enjoying community, music, and food. Includes Deke’s BBQ Food Truck and local musician Mike McCullough. Free tickets.
Weeding Out the Stoned – (7 p.m.)
Eight comedians begin the game, but all except one are stoned! Eliminate the high ones to find the sober narc and win prizes. The investigation includes audience testimony, mind games, sobriety tests and more fun tactics. $15 online; $20 at the door. At SideQuest Theater
“Animal Farm” Live Reading – (7 p.m.)
Part of Wilma Theater’s one-night-only reading series. George Orwell’s biting satire, adapted by Nelson Bond and exploring thematic and staging concepts that will be used in the Wilma’s spring 2027 Animal Farm Project production, to include devised theater, text, documentary video, and collections of migrant stories to move beyond Orwell’s allegory and examine oppressive political regimes. $35 tickets.
Sunday, April 19
Maker Faire Philadelphia – (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier will transform into an interactive showcase where attendees can solder circuits, build with cardboard, create mosaics, paint and embroider, experiment with power tools, construct with LEGO, explore AI fashion technology, have 3D photos taken, and participate in demonstrations across a broad range of disciplines. There’s something for every interest, and first-time makers and experienced inventors alike find inspiration and community. Free.
Spring Punk Rock Flea Market – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
At the 23rd Street Armory. $10 tickets ($12 cash/$15 credit at the door) are good all weekend. Indoor, rain or shine! One dog per person welcome, on a leash.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Grab everything from savory BBQ to sweet desserts as Philly’s top food trucks and gourmet food vendors take on historic Main Street Manayunk. Eat and shop local, plus enjoy live music from six acts at two different stages. Also: a Family Friendly Area @ Lock Street, featuring a kids bounce house, face-painting, book sales and more until 3 p.m.
Blood Sick Underground Film Fest – (12 to 11 p.m.)
At PhilaMOCA. A mix of feature films, short films and Q&As. Blood Sick is dedicated to creating a community of independent filmmakers and genre fans. Also: a monthly screening series known as Blood Sick Underground Cinema that screens every 2nd Monday. Various times and prices.
PAFA Family Art Day – (1 to 3 p.m.)
Make & take art activities for all ages, explore the Museum, try out new materials and more fun for the family. Free pre-registration includes museum admission.
Together in Resistance: Black & Asian Futures Film Screening – (1 to 4 p.m.)
Featuring three short films: “Uncle Sam’s Legacy” by Wei Chen Lou, “Hands Off Our Communities: Resistance Against Gentrification” by POPPYN, and “The Townhomes Story” with Scribe, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers. + Grab a drink at AfroAsia bar, highlighting original drinks with ingredients from the Black and Asian diasporas. Free at Asian Arts Initiative.
A New Pour: Craft Beverage Festival – (3 to 7 p.m.)
A New Pour is a fermented beverage festival showcasing Pink Boots Society Pennsylvania members and their offerings. Hand-selected vendors pour beverages made specifically for this festival + local food trucks and live music, educational seminars and panels all supporting women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education. Tickets range from $28.52 to $55.20.
Sunday Jazz over the City – (4 to 6 p.m.)
As part of Philadelphia Jazz Month, saxophonist Mervin Toussaint and his band perform at the Rail Park. Toussaint is also an educator at Settlement Music School’s Germantown branch. Free.
Through April
Through Sunday, April 19: I Think We’re Lost
Pier Players Theatre Company presents the world premiere of I Think We’re Lost, a darkly comedic reimagining of Peter Pan, set in Philadelphia. At Theatre Exile. $21.40 tickets.
Through Thursday, April 23: Philadelphia Film Society’s annual SpringFest
SpringFest returns with double the screens for an even bigger and vibrant seven days of storytelling from a dynamic slate of new voices and bold stories featuring global to local Philadelphia filmmakers, queer stories and more. A mix of first taste, film premieres, filmmaker conversations, and community-focused events. At the Film Society East. Various times and ticket prices.
Confluence Film Festival – (5:30 to 8 p.m.)
A month-long environmental film series held each April in celebration of Earth Month, with screenings every Thursday evening. This year’s theme is “Seeding the Future.” $10 tickets.
Tuesday, April 21
WHYY’s ‘We the People’: Revolutions for Everyone – (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
In celebration of America’s 250th, WHYY and the McNeil Center for Early American Studies invite you to a conversation at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts on the unique and overlapping themes of the American Revolution, French Revolution and Haitian Revolution. Set against a new exhibition on the Haitian and French Revolutions, this program brings historians and community members together to examine how these transformative movements reshaped notions of freedom, citizenship, and belonging 250 years ago—and continue to resonate today. Also features: a live Haitian musical performance and guided tours of rare artifacts. Free to register.
Through June 9
Healing Verse Germantown: The Streets Are Talking, Launch Celebration – (2 to 5 p.m.)
The exhibition features 19 public art poems by Germantown community members about healing from the impacts of gun violence. Celebrate these poets with remarks, food, poetry activations, guided tours, and community. At the Friends Free Library (5418 Germantown Ave) and Ubuntu Fine Art (5423 Germantown Ave), directly across the street from each other. Art includes a collage poster series, video installations, augmented reality constellations, interactive floral offerings, a stained glass panel installation on a SEPTA bus shelter, a wrapped SEPTA bus, and more.
Occasional Saturdays through July 11
El Mercado Cultural at Cherry Street Pier – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m)
A series of spring and summer markets presented in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial. Shop from vendors, savor tasty bites, and enjoy the rotating entertainment. April 18, May 30 and July 11.
