Spring Festival Guide 2013
Spring is here, and Philadelphia is getting festive. Celebrate food, fruit, films, and fun around the region with family and friends. Mark your calendars for these upcoming festivities. - Melony Roy
Philadelphia Book Festival
Philadelphia Free Library locations
April 14th -April 20th
www.freelibrary.org/bookfestival
One change from prior years is that every Free Library location will be participating in this year's festival. Sadly, however, there will not be an outdoor festival. The Central Library's Montgomery Auditorium will feature author events every evening, and there will be author appearances in every neighborhood library during the course of the week. Some of the featured authors and presenters for this year include Rachel Maddow, Ronda Sharpe, Lindsay Barrett George, Elizabeth LaBan, Nate House, Solomon Jones, and more.
Philadelphia Science Festival
Various locations & times
April 18th-28th
www.philasciencefestival.org
The Philadelphia Science Festival returns for its third year of fun and interactive programs. The 10-day celebration of science features lectures, debates, hands-on activities, special exhibitions and a variety of informal science education experiences for all ages. The celebration ends with a family-friendly Science Carnival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. A complete calendar of events is available on the festival website.
Flavors of the Avenue
East Passyunk Avenue, between Dickinson and Morris
April 27th
Noon-4pm (Rain or shine)
www.visiteastpassyunk.com/flavors.htm
Get a taste of one of the hottest restaurant hubs in the region during Flavors of the Avenue. Under the cover of a big top tent, visitors can sample food and drink from 25 of East Passyunk Avenue's award-winning restaurants, bakeries and pubs. Outside of the Flavors tent will be a street festival with live music and a craft market.
Philadelphia International Children's Festival
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
April 30- May 4
www.annenbergcenter.org/tickets/childfest.php
Enjoy family-friendly music, theatre and dance performances at the annual Philadelphia International Children's Festival. In addition to a host of fun and interactive activities in the FUN ZONE, the Outdoor Plaza will have crafts, face-painting, jugglers and more.
South Street Spring Festival
On South between 2nd & 8th
May 4th, 12- 8 p.m.
www.southstreet.com/spring-festival
The South Street Spring Festival is an open-air party with local bites, drinks and goods from the street's eclectic vendors. It will be filled with music, dancing, and entertainment. Throughout the day, the main stage at 5th and South will feature eight popular local acts and the young talents of the School of Rock Band and the Tune Up Philly Youth Orchestra. The Kids Zone will be packed with activities for both the young and young at heart.
Strawberry Festival
Peddler's Village
May 4 & May 5, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Rain or Shine)
www.peddlersvillage.com
Peddler's Village has been celebrating strawberries with its annual Strawberry Festival for over 40 years. Strawberries are served up in a variety of forms, including dipped in chocolate, in pastries, shortcake, jams and fritters as well as au naturel. Everyone takes home a few pints of fresh berries and jars of preserves to enjoy. This two-day-long old fashioned country fair features live music, stilt walkers, children's craft areas and even a strawberry pie eating contest. Admission and parking for this event is free.
The Philadelphia Wine & Food Festival
Lincoln Financial Field, SCA Club
May 10th, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
www.phillymag.com/wineandfoodfest/index.html
The Philadelphia Wine & Food Festival will feature over 600 (!) wines. This year's expanded program focuses on the fusion of food and wine. Oenophiles will get hands-on access to top winemakers and chefs that are perfectly paired to guide you through demonstrations, educational sessions and tastings. Plus, you can shop the on-site Fine Wine & Good Spirits store, where you can purchase your favorite wines from the evening.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
May 18, 12 – 5 p.m.
www.rittenhouserow.org
One of Philadelphia's most popular festivals is the Rittenhouse Row Festival. Each May, this one-day festival shuts down Walnut Street between Broad and 19th for international entertainment, outdoor shopping, fashion events, children's activities and food and drinks from the city's most popular restaurants.
South 9th Street Italian Market Festival
May 19th & 20th, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Rain or Shine)
www.italianmarketphilly.org
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind celebration in the nation's oldest outdoor market. The annual neighborhood-wide party features Italian, Mexican and Vietnamese delicacies prepared by the area merchants. The streets will be lined with vendors and stages with live entertainment, and there will be a procession of saints.
(Credit: www.brandywinemuseum.org)
Brandywine Food & Wine Festival
The Myrick Conservation Center
June 8th, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
www.pawinefestival.com
This annual festival hosted by the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail showcases local wineries, food vendors, artists and musicians for a day of fun in the picturesque setting of the Myrick Conservation Center. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate.
