Seasonal/Special Events
through Spring 2003 - The Magna Carta, the bedrock of constitutional freedom and foundation for the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, will go on exhibit on America's most historic square mile, at the Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets, beginning July 3rd. This Magna Carta copy is owned by H. Ross Perot, and is one of five known surviving copies of Magna Carta that were commissioned by King Edward I in 1297 and entered on the English statute rolls. It is the only copy residing permanently in the United States.
April through October - The Lights of Liberty Show is shown in the historic area of Philadelphia. This nighttime sound and light spectacular allows visitors to experience the American Revolution as it happened, where it happened. (877)-GO-2-1776
Through April 11 - "Welcome Spring" at Longwood Gardens. Welcome Spring display features three acres of warm, colorful gardens under glass from January 18 through April 11. Daffodils, tulips, and other old-fashioned favorites bloom in the palatial Orangery and Exhibition Hall. Their indoor Easter display will run from April 12-25. Over a thousand Easter lilies trumpet the season and fill the Conservatory with their signature fragrance and stately flowers. Blue, pink, and white hydrangeas border the indoor lawns, while marguerites and blue daisies weave through spires of delphiniums.
opening
April 2 - Eastern
State Penitentiary, Philadelphia's massive prison museum introduces an Acoustiguide audio tour.
The historic site will also open several dramatic new vistas in
the prison's cathedral-like cellblocks. The state-of-the-art audio tour,
written by a team of award-winning writers and producers, will deliver the
sounds of the prison's rich history, from cell doors slamming, to guards
issuing orders, to the 1961 riot unfolding into chaos.
2124 Fairmount Avenue (215) 236-5111
April 3 - 17 - The Philadelphia Film Festival (formerly the Festival of World Cinema) showcases short and feature films from various countries. "Festive" events ranging from gala parties to intimate discussions fill the city with film lovers of all sorts. Lower the lights and raise your expectations as the imagination of the world comes to Philadelphia. (215)733-0608.
April 28 - May 4 - Equality Forum (Formerly PrideFest), the nation's most comprehensive Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender symposium and festival takes place throughout Philadelphia and focuses on the civil rights movement around the globe. (215) 732-3378.
May 23 - 26 - The 18th Annual Jam on the River returns to the Festival Pier at Penn's Landing. This annual waterfront festival, features music, food, and activities for kids. It's Philadelphia's official kick-off to summer! (215) 922-2FUN.
June
28 - 29 - The 14th
Annual Manayunk Arts Festival is the largest outdoor arts and crafts show in
the Delaware Valley. This juried show features over 250 artists from across the
entire country. Last year, over 250,000 people flooded Main Street to see
one-of-a-kind work displayed.
In addition to the artists' work, there is live entertainment along the street
as well as the fine restaurants of Manayunk offering delectable eats both inside
their establishments and curbside. Retail shops on Main Street are also open for
visitors to explore. This event is for the entire family and will also feature
special children's activities including a Children's Clothesline Art Exhibition.
Beginning Memorial Day Weekend - Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, there will be a new way to tour Philadelphia. Ride The Ducks, an amphibious sightseeing tour aboard a converted 1945 Army DUKW vessel, will begin its entertaining and interactive adventures through Philadelphia. The land-to-water tour will take passengers on a scenic tour through Old City, the Historic District and South Street before plunging into the Delaware River for a floating tour along Penn's Landing that will include close up views of the historic Olympia ship, the Moshulu and the WWII submarine, the Becuna. Tours depart at 6th & Chestnut Streets. (215) 227-DUCK.
Every Wednesday - "Make it a Wednesday" - Each Wednesday night from 5:00 to 8:45 p.m., the Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a full program centered around a specific theme in celebration of the Museum's special exhibitions and permanent collections. Included are tours, performances, demonstrations, food (including wine and beer tasting), storytelling, and the best in music and dance. (215) 684-7506
First Friday of Every Month - First Friday in Old City. First Friday is a unique cultural event in Philadelphia and one of the city’s most popular evening escapes. Held the first Friday of each month, rain or shine, this arts community’s "open house" brings together city dwellers and suburbanites, contemporary arts and antique collectors, aficionados of classical and contemporary design, and theater and performance buffs.
ongoing - The Camden Waterfront continues to grow as a major entertainment center for the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey Region. In addition to such permanent attractions as the New Jersey Aquarium, the Battleship U.S.S. New Jersey, and the Tweeter Center. full events calendar
Sporting Events Events
April 23-25 - The 2003 Penn Relays return to the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin Field. The world's oldest and largest track meet includes a 5K, 10K, road races, a decathlon and a celebratory carnival. (215) 898-6145.
May 4 - Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Run 10 miles down Broad Street in the 11th annual race to raise money for the American Cancer Society. (215) 235-7481.
May 9 - 10 - The Dad Vail Regatta 2003 is held on the Schuylkill River. The largest collegiate regatta in the United States attracts hundreds of colleges and thousands of athletes. (215) 248-2600.
June 8 - The First Union Cycling Series returns to the Eakins Oval and Kelly Drive. The First Union USPRO Championship is the longest running and richest single-day cycling race in the U.S. The competition attracts more than 140 of the world’s best professional cyclists who will compete on a 14.4-mile circuit that takes them from the fast and flat Benjamin Franklin Parkway to scenic Kelly Drive. During the race, cyclists will lap the grueling Manayunk Wall, with a 17 percent steep grade, 10 times to determine the U.S. National Champion. (866) 4CYCLING.
ongoing - The Philadelphia Flyers are concluding their 2002-2003 season and headed for the NHL Playoffs where they hope for a better result than another first round loss.
ongoing - The Philadelphia 76ers wrap up their 2002-2003 season and head for the NBA Playoffs. The team's performance since the All-Star break has led to hope that the team might just make it through the Eastern Conference finals to once again appear in the NBA Championship Finals.
ongoing - The Philadelphia Phillies open their 2003 season on March 31. Optimism and expectations are high for the new season after the team's off-season addition of free agents David Bell, Kevin Millwood, and slugger Jim Thome. Could the last year at the Vet bring a National League East championship to Philadelphia?