ABOVE PHOTO: Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park (Courtesy: Philadelphia Phillies)
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Celebrate the unofficial start of summer during Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28, 2018) in Philadelphia!
The extended holiday celebration includes special programming at Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution and Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Elsewhere, nearly a dozen tall ships cruise into Penn’s Landing for Sail Philadelphia, a five-day festival that offers fun for the whole family on land, on deck and on the water.
And what would Memorial Day be without fireworks? Don’t miss special holiday fireworks shows along the Delaware River waterfront and at Longwood Gardens.
That’s on top of the amazing events and activities going on all weekend in the city, including Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, beer gardens, exhibitions and more.
Read on some top picks for Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia.
Parks on Tap at FDR Park
Raise a glass to the sunny, summer days ahead with fresh-air brews and bites at the Parks on Tap pop up in FDR Park. The traveling beer garden series posts up from May 23 to 28 at this sprawling green space in South Philadelphia at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue (across the street from AT&T Station and the sports complex).
Where: FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue & S. Broad Street
Thursday, May 24 – 28, 2018
Tall Ships America (Courtesy: DRWC)
Tall Ships America event
Philadelphia celebrates Memorial Day weekend with a five-day festival featuring nearly a dozen tall ships docked along the historic Delaware River waterfront. This official Tall Ships America event includes public tours, day sails and loads of riverside fun.
Where: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
Equestrians and horse-lovers from around the world flock to the Devon Show Grounds for the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. The event — which is the oldest and largest of its kind in the country — features hunters, jumpers, Saddlebreds, four-in-hand coaching, exhibitions and an old-fashioned fair.
Where: Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, 23 Dorset Road, Devon
Photo Pop Philly (Courtesy: Briana Sposato)
PhotoPop Philly
Photo Pop Philly — a new, interactive pop-up exhibit that showcases the creative work of local artists — launches over Memorial Day weekend in a once-vacant Center City space. The exhibit, which is presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA and curated by Philly PR Girl, features five red-white-and-blue themed rooms filled with original, Instagram-worthy art, murals and installations.
Where: The Philadelphia Building, 1315 Walnut Street
Kickoff of Tippler’s Tour and Independence After Hours
Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s summer programming kicks off Memorial Day weekend to delight Historic District visitors and locals alike. On Thursday, May 24, the first Tippler’s Tour of the season ushers guests through some of Philadelphia’s most historic watering holes, complete with drinks, bites to eat, colonial songs and more. The popular walking-tour series, Independence After Hours, starts up Friday, May 25, granting guests after-hours access to Independence Hall — and a special visit with some of our Founding Fathers.
Where: Various locations including City Tavern Restaurant, 138 S. 2nd Street
Fireworks & Fountains Show and Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden
Thursday, May 24 – 26, 2018
Over Memorial Day weekend, Longwood Gardens continues to showcase its new fountain and its 1,700 jets that create beautiful fountain shows. Along with the daily Festival of Fountains performances, there are evening Illuminated Fountain Performances on Thursday, May 24 (set to music by The Beatles) and Friday, May 25 (set to popular Broadway hits). On Saturday, May 26, the first Fireworks & Fountains Show of the season returns to dazzle guests with a high-energy show that features some of the most popular songs of summer.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
May Twilight in the Gardens at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Friday, May 25, 2018
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens stay open late on Friday, May 25 for the monthly Twilight in the Gardens series. At this installment, singer-songwriter Avi Wisnia performs and teaching artist Meg Bowersox helps guests create colorful lanterns using recycled glass jars and tissue paper.
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park
Friday, May 25 – 27, 2018
Skip the barbecue and head to the ballpark this Memorial Day weekend to watch the Philadelphia Phillies play the Toronto Blue Jays. This season marks the 25th anniversary of the Phils’ heartbreaking loss to the Blue Jays in the 1993 World Series. The three-game series kicks off Friday, May 25 at Citizens Bank Park.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way
Philly Tango Fest
Philadelphia Argentine Tango School
Friday, May 25 – 28, 2018
The Philly Tango Fest — one of the biggest tango events in the nation — returns for the eighth year this Memorial Day weekend with an even bigger venue (a 5,500-square-foot ballroom!), a live tango orchestra and 13 terrific maestros (Argentine tango teachers and performers) to inspire guests. The event features 27 workshops for beginner and advanced dancers, food from Lino’s Lithuanian Foods and a pop-up boutique with vendors selling tango shoes and clothing.
Where: Lithuanian Music Hall Association, 2715 E. Allegheny Avenue
Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute with the Philly POPS at The Mann Center
Saturday, May 26, 2018
The Philly POPS celebrate the men and women who serve our country during the third annual Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute concert on Saturday, May 26 at the Mann Center. Guests can expect to hear patriotic anthems as well as popular show tunes and hits from the Great American Songbook.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue
HoagieNation Festival
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Philadelphia’s own Daryl Hall and John Oates curate and headline this music festival and celebration of the humble hoagie. Guests can also see Train, Fitz and the Tantrums, Down North and more exciting performers live on stage at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing while enjoying delicious food and hoagie specials from local vendors.
Where: Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Boulevard
Delaware River Waterfront Fireworks
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Part of Sail Philadelphia’s waterfront festival programming, a brilliant fireworks show lights up the sky above the Delaware River on Saturday, May 26 at 9 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, so plan to arrive early to get the best view.
Where: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
Downingtown Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, May 26 – 27, 2018
Head to Downingtown over Memorial Day weekend for the Downingtown Fine Arts Festival, where you can catch a bunch of local artists and leisurely peruse their work. The event is free and usually features other entertainment in addition to the fine art each year. Be sure to check here for details as more become available.
Where: Downingtown Fine Arts Festival, 202 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown
Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution
Saturday, May 26 – 28, 2018
The Museum of the American Revolution showcases the lives of Revolutionary War sailors during its Memorial Day weekend programming this year to coincide with Sail Philadelphia. Guests can discover more about the service of Revolutionary sailors, board the replica ship and interact with interpreters portraying ship crew members and city dock workers.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street
Memorial Day Weekend at the National Constitution Center
Saturday, May 26 – 28, 2018
The National Constitution Center salutes the brave men and women of the military with a weekend of special programming. Attendees can learn more about the history of our national anthem, the American flag and some of the nation’s famous memorials as well as play 18th-century games and create make-and-take patriotic crafts.
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
Memorial Day Weekend at Independence National Historical Park
Saturday, May 26 – 28, 2018
Special gallery tours at Second Bank Portrait Gallery, meet-and-greets with soldiers from different times in American history at the New Hall Military Museum and more exciting free events make Independence National Historical Park an awesome place to visit this Memorial Day weekend.
Where: Independence National Historical Park
47th Annual Antiques Show at Brandywine River Museum of Art
Saturday, May 26 – 29, 2018
Find antique furniture, folk art, porcelain, rugs, garden ornaments, ceramics and so much more at the 47th Annual Antiques Show at Brandywine River Museum of Art. This year, 26 notable dealers from all across the Mid-Atlantic region come to Chadds Ford to showcase and sell their fine goods over Memorial Day weekend.
Where: Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford
Morris Arboretum Garden Railway (Courtesy: Morris Arboretum)
Opening of the Morris Arboretum Garden Railway
Saturday, May 26, 2018 – October 08, 2018
Morris Arboretum’s beautiful Garden Railway opens for the spring on Saturday, May 26. The model train display runs for a quarter-mile throughout the arboretum and features bridges, recreations of buildings and structures, tunnels and more
Where: Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
Xtreme Bugs (Courtesy: Academy of National Sciences Drexel University)
Xtreme Bugs at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Saturday, May 26, 2018 – January 21, 2019
Twenty giant animatronic insects — including a monarch butterfly and a Madagascar hissing cockroach — help put a magnifying glass to bugs’ behaviors, motions and sounds in this interactive Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University exhibition.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Memorial Day Parade, Service and Reception at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Laurel Hill Cemetery — the historic site that held the first Memorial Day Observance in Philadelphia 150 years ago — continues its tradition of honoring all veterans who honorably lost their lives defending the nation with a recreation of a Decoration Day service at the resting place of Battle of Gettysburg hero General George Gordon Meade. Guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments after the service.
Where: Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue
Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music at the National Museum of American Jewish History
Friday, March 16, 2018 – September 02, 2018
Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music at the National Museum of American Jewish History celebrates the composer’s 100th birthday by focusing on Bernstein’s life as an American Jew who lived through World War II, the Holocaust, the Vietnam War and social change. A mix of historic artifacts, sound installations, film and interactive media bring Bernstein’s fascinating story to life.
Where: National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East
Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes that Shaped A Nation at the National Constitution Center
Friday, March 23, 2018 – December 31, 2018
It’s no secret that Alexander Hamilton often had a troubled relationship with his fellow Founding Fathers. Through rare artifacts and documents, including Hamilton’s portable writing desk and exact replicas of the pistols used in the famous Hamilton-Burr duel, the National Constitution Center takes a look at these political and personal differences between Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and others — and how these debates proved critical to the making of America.
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
Game Masters at The Franklin Institute
Saturday, March 31, 2018 – September 03, 2018
The Franklin Institute celebrates the genius and popularity of more than 30 game design innovators in an interactive setting in Game Masters. Visitors can engage in more than 100 video games, ogle original, transformative artwork, learn the stories behind celebrity characters, observe interviews with gaming pioneers and delve into both classic arcade diversions and immersive multiplayer experiences.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street
Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – September 03, 2018
The Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrates and explores the energetic first half of America’s 20th century in an exhibition featuring vibrant, essential modern works by Georgia O’Keefe, Horace Pippin, Paul Strand, Marsden Hartley and more revolutionary artists.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Yoga at Race Street Pier
Saturday, April 28, 2018 – November 11, 2018
Recenter the mind and strengthen the body over Memorial Day weekend at Race Street Pier’s popular free yoga series, which offers classes every morning at 7 a.m. on Fridays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. On Monday, a special Memorial Day schedule provides even more opportunities to get zen, with classes at both 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: Race Street Pier, Race Street & N. Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Tuesday, May 01, 2018 – June 30, 2018
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is back for its third year of illuminating Franklin Square with grand, artistic creations. For two months, the square at 6th and Race streets comes alive with 15,000 LED lights strewn across 28 different displays featuring 1,500 works of art. The dazzling 200-foot-long Chinese dragon and whimsical panda constructions from previous years are back, but all other original creations are brand new.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
Renoir: Father and Son / Painting and Cinema at The Barnes Foundation
Sunday, May 06, 2018 – September 03, 2018
This Barnes Foundation exhibition explores the relationship between impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir and master filmmaker Jean Renoir by juxtaposing the father’s paintings and drawings with the son’s films, costumes, photos and ceramics. Sylvie Patry, consulting curator at the Barnes, curated the exhibition. It is organized by the Barnes and the Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie, Paris, in collaboration with La Cinémathèque française, Paris.
Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Student Exhibition
Friday, May 11, 2018 – June 03, 2018
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is known for admitting the best of the best in the student art world, and this spring, the public has the opportunity to view and purchase works by talented students at the school. The annual PAFA Student Exhibition continues through June 3 with opportunities to view and purchase sculptures, paintings, installations and more.
Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Opened Friday, May 11, 2018
One of the best warm-weather spots in Philadelphia, Spruce Street Harbor Park is now open for its fifth season. The beloved temporary park — which welcomes 750,000 people each year! — invites visitors to lounge on colorful hammocks, enjoy delicious food from its floating restaurant, cool off with drafts from the beer garden and hang out and play games – table tennis, shuffleboard and more – along its waterfront boardwalk.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and The Midway
Opens Friday, May 11, 2018
The Delaware River Waterfront becomes a seasonal wonderland each summer during Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and The Midway. Guests can enjoy boardwalk-style games and rides (including a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel), try their luck in the arcade, take in waterfront views with drinks and food and take a spin around the city’s first outdoor roller rink.
Where: Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
Treetop Quest Philly
May 12 – November 25, 2018 (select dates)
Climb, crawl and zip around Fairmount Park this Memorial Day at Treetop Quest, Philly’s new aerial adventure park features zip lines, ropes courses and obstacle courses up to 60 feet above the ground for thrill-seeking adults and kids as young as four.
Where: Treetop Quest Philly, 51 Chamounix Drive
Beer Gardens in Philadelphia
Morgan’s Pier
Nothing beats relaxing outdoors at a beer garden during a long holiday weekend. Philly’s got a ton of great ones, including Independence Beer Garden, Bok Bar, Morgan’s Pier and more, all listed here. Be sure to check each beer garden’s official website or call ahead to see if there are any special holiday hours.
Where: Various locations including Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Columbus Boulevard
Tons of art exhibitions, science wonders, history showcases and more continue through the holiday weekend and beyond at Philadelphia’s museums and attractions. Check out our full guide to spring exhibitions in Philly to see what’s on display and plan accordingly.
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