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Along with fall, “Rocky Season” is now upon us.
It’s the 50th anniversary of the first “Rocky” movie’s release, and the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center is kicking off two months of citywide celebrations to celebrate the iconic Philly figure.
“This story, this character and these steps draw people here on a pilgrimage whether as a fan of the movie or as someone who sees themselves as a real-life underdog,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center. “It is incredible to see the outpouring of stories and emotion that are triggered by visits here and by the story Sylvester Stallone has created.”
The 1976 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, and the film franchise that followed it, has risen up to become a symbol for Philadelphia and its underdog spirit. The statue of actor Sylvester Stallone portraying Rocky Balboa — a character he created — has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city since its placement outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2006.
“For millions of fans around the world, Rocky is an entry point to our city. They come to run the steps, see the statue and visit the places they know from the films,” said Neil Frauenglass, chief marketing officer at Visit Philadelphia. “Once they’re here, they discover more of Philadelphia and find their own reasons to fall in love with the city. That connection has lasted for generations. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate 50 years of Rocky right here in the city where it all began.”
The autumn celebrations of the film franchise began in 2023 with Philadelphia City Council’s official declaration of Rocky Day in the City, every year on Dec. 3. The following year, Rocky Fest began with a slate of events, screenings and tours.
“There is no reason that this celebration, especially at its 50th anniversary, should be limited to a day or a week,” Ott Lovell said.
Along with the celebrations, the Rocky statue is being moved to the top of the steps and will be re-dedicated Nov. 14. It was created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg, commissioned for “Rocky III” in 1980, and had spent much of the spring and summer inside the museum, as the centerpiece of the “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments” exhibition. The exhibition was curated by Paul Farber, director and co-founder of Monument Lab and host of WHYY’s “The Statue” podcast, which details the history and issues surrounding the artwork.
Here is the lineup of Rocky Season events, with more to be announced in the coming months.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Stallone’s memoir, “The Steps: A memoir by Sylvester Stallone,” is being released and is available for purchase at the Parkway Visitor Center and Rocky Shop.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 3
A custom projection celebrating Stallone’s memoir release and the 50th anniversary will run each night on the Art Museum steps from 7 to 10 p.m. The Rocky shop will also be open until 8 p.m. on these days.
Saturday, Oct. 3
The Rocky celebrations will also include a nod to Philly’s nonfictional world heavyweight champion, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, with the inaugural Smokin’ Joe Frazier Run, Walk, Roll — not to be mistaken for the Boxer’s Trail 5K Run/Walk that happened earlier this month. Frazier’s real-life story heavily influenced Rocky’s fictional one, including punching raw beef at a meatpacking plant and the run up the museum steps. In June, Frazier’s statue — which depicts the left hook that knocked out Muhammad Ali in 1971’s “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden — was moved from outside Xfinity Live! in South Philly to the space beside the steps where Rocky was. The run begins and ends at the statue from 7 to 11 a.m. and is rain-or-shine.
Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 10 to Nov. 29
The Visitor Center’s Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tours are back on, visiting memorable sites from the film franchise like the 9th Street Italian Market and Laurel Hill Cemetery, and now including stops that tell Frazier’s legacy, like the Boxer’s Trail. The tour starts from the Parkway Visitor Center and Rocky Shop.
Riders on Halloween night will only be allowed on the bus if they’re dressed as their favorite Rocky character, with the best costume receiving a $50 gift card to the Rocky Shop.
Saturday, Oct. 24
There will be a “Meat Market Challenge” on Filbert Street outside of Reading Terminal Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will have Rocky-themed sweets and snacks from the market’s vendors. There will be a chance for a photo in a recreation of the meat punching scene with a $20 donation that will go to the market’s pantry for Sharing Excess. Wearing Balboa’s grey sweatsuit is encouraged and there will also be a Rocky look-alike contest with a $250 market gift card going to the winner.
Friday, Nov. 6
The limited theatrical release of “I Play Rocky” will be out. The film directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Anthony Ippolito chronicles the making of the film that kicked off the franchise, and Stallone’s behind-the-scenes battle to play the character he created.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 11
A day later, the 1980 Rocky film will be re-released in select theaters, with screenings running until Nov. 11.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Think you can get up the 72 steps in front of the museum in under 12 seconds? Have the reflexes to crush the “Orange Toss Sprint?” Well you can come to the foot of the steps from 9 to 11 a.m. to prove your fitness, in what should be the shortest physical challenges on this list. Maybe not the easiest.
Thursday, Nov. 12
Another Rocky book, “Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky” releases on Nov. 10 and there will be a Q&A and book signing with author Mike Sielski at Laurel Hill West’s Conservatory (225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd) at 6:30 p.m. Ticket purchase include a copy of the book and you can even stop by the very real gravestones of the very fictional Rocky characters Adrian and Paulie.
Friday, Nov. 13
The Rocky statues — yes, multiple — have moved around a lot since they were commissioned as movie props for 1982’s “Rocky III,” especially this year. After some lengthy Philadelphia Art Commission meetings, the one that’s been by the museum the longest will be placed and rededicated in the spot it was originally revealed.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Over 40,000 runners will race through Philly in the now-sold out Rocky Run, to earn medals for the 5K, 10-miler and the “Italian Stallion” challenge of completing both. There’s even a fourth medal for the fastest 100 male and female racers up the “Mount Drago” section of the course.
Saturday, Nov. 14 – Sunday, Nov. 15
The National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center will be looking for the bullmastiff that best embodies Butkus, Rocky’s canine companion in the movies. You can meet all the contenders at this, ticketed, event at the therapy dog ambassador booth. TV coverage of the show is on NBC on Thanksgiving Day from noon to 2 p.m
Monday, Nov. 30 – Friday, Dec. 4
60 Philly knitters and textile artists are going to “yarn-bomb” the Rocky statue, temporarily covering it with gloves, socks, shorts inspired by the movie and a robe incorporating all of the 108 international flags along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. All of this will hopefully not run afoul of the Rocky statue curse that most recently caught out one team during the FIFA World Cup.
Thursday, Dec. 3
During the Flyers’ Rocky Day game against the New York Islanders, Xfinity Mobile Arena is offering a ticket package that includes seats for the 7:30 p.m. game, a cobranded Rocky/Flyers item and the opportunity to recreate Rocky and Adrian’s ice-skating date after the game. You can register for pre-sale access on Comcast Spectacor’s website.
