Mummers Parade

Uniquely Philly: a cross between Mardi Gras and a marching band competition, the elaborate costumes, music and deep lore of the various mummer divisions and brigades make this a must-see in the bracing cold of winter. The parade starts by City Hall and moves down Broad St to finish at Washington Ave.

Wawa Welcome America!

Philadelphia pulls out all the stops for this week-long festival celebrating the country’s Independence. It culminates in giant fireworks displays on July 4 over Penn’s Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Revolutionary Germantown Festival

Since 1927, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Germantown, that historic trouncing of the Patriots by the British has been reenacted in the grounds of Cliveden, exactly where it happened in 1777.

Army–Navy Game

Held in early December and marking the end of the college football season is this traditional fixture between the Army Black Knights of the military academy at West Point and the Navy Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy.

Philly Beer Week

At the start of Philly Beer Week (which actually runs for 10 days), the Hammer of Glory – a custom keg hammer that’s a symbol of Philadelphia beer – is passed like an Olympic torch around the many bars, breweries and restaurants taking part in this celebration of local ales.

Bastille Day

Vive la revolution! Locals join experimental cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies at Eastern State Penitentiary for a wacky reenactment of the storming of the Bastille including guest appearances by Edith Piaf, Joan of Arc, Benjamin Franklin, Vladimir Putin, and a 6ft-tall French baguette.

Philadelphia Marathon

One way to see pretty much all of the city’s landmarks in a day is to take part in this popular event, which also includes a half marathon and shorter runs over the November weekend. The route takes in the National Historic District, museums along Benjamin Franklin Pkwy and Fairmount Park.

Macy’s Christmas Lights Show

For decades locals have headed to this department store in the historic Wanamaker Building to enjoy the holiday tradition of a light show and organ concerts in the Grand Court atrium. Also on show is their ‘Dicken’s Village’ where animated figures bring A Christmas Carol to life.

South 9th Street Italian Market Festival

Laying claim to being Philly’s largest block party, the citizens in and around the Italian Market throw their annual weekend party in mid-May. Highlights include the Procession of Saints, a half-ball tournament and team attempts at climbing a 30ft-tall pole greased with lard.

Manayunk Arts Festival

Hundreds of artists from around the nation set up shop for the two-day Manayunk Arts Festival, the region’s largest outdoor juried arts festival. From jewelry to ceramics to woodwork and sculptures, pieces stemming from all mediums are available to peruse and purchase.

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST)

Organised by the Center for Emerging Visual Artists, POST allows a peek into hundreds of artist studios and community spaces in over 20 Philadelphia neighborhoods. Workshops, hand-on demos, artist talks and trolley tours are part of the event as well as exhibitions.

Audi Feastival

Eat, meet and greet at the city’s highest-lauded food fest, held one evening every September to benefit FringeArts, the city’s cultural organization that puts on the Fringe Festival.

Philly Pride

Philly’s Pride festival lasts for three days. The big march is on Sunday starting in the midst of Gayborhood at 13th and Locust and proceeding along a 1.5-mile route through Center City and the historic district to finish at the Great Plaza of Penn’s Landing.

Sail Philadelphia

For five days over Memorial Day weekend this maritime festival sees tall ships from the US and overseas dock at Penn’s Landing and the Independence Seaport Museum. Ship tours and sailing excursions are part of the fun.

Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts

This 11-day festival in early June is organised by Kimmel Center. It includes a street fair along Broad St (aka Ave of the Arts), as well as local and international music, dance, and acrobatic performances and installations that aim to make you go ‘wow!’.

Philadelphia Flower Show

Held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, this event, the largest indoor show of its kind in the US, dates back to 1829 and provides a burst of horticultural color and creativity at the tail end of winter.

Philadelphia Black Pride

Held over the same weekend as the Penn Relays this multi-day event is on a mission to transform the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people of color. Join in the block and dance parties, as well other events.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

Held over a week in early April, when Philadelphia’s cherry trees burst with blossom, this festival celebrates traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. The highlight is Sakura Sunday held at Fairmount Park’s Horticultural Center.

Odunde Festival

The largest African American street festival on the East Coast is centered around Greys Ferry Ave and South St. This early June festival starts with a spiritual procession to the Schuylkill River to mark the Yoruba New Year.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

Walnut St is closed to traffic between Broad and 19th Sts as booths are set up for this celebration of food, drink, art and fashion around Rittenhouse Sq. There’s live music and activities for kids, too.

Chinese New Year

The fourth-largest Chinatown in the US celebrates the new year with lion dances, a parade and much eating and drinking. Lion dances start at 10th and Race Sts and wind their way through the district.

South St Spring Festival

Spanning over a dozen blocks along South St this day festival and market showcases the area’s restaurants, bars and shops, and features live music on several stages and at multiple performance areas.

Philadelphia Science Festival

In the third week of April, this community-wide festival of all things science includes exhibitions, performances, workshops and seminars.There’s also a carnival on the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.

Penn Relays

Held over three days at the end of April, this is largest and oldest track-and-field meet in the US with over 20,000 participants from across the country as well as overseas.

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival

A wacky array of mobile, human-powered sculptures have to tackle a 3-mile obstacle course running through Kensington and Fishtown in this fun street arts fest in mid-May.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Join the crowds celebrating Thanksgiving at this big parade with floats, giant balloons and marching bands that goes along JFK Blvd and the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.

qFLIX

This week-long LGBT film festival is held at cinemas and venues across the city, including at the Kimmel Center. Expect cinema on a variety of queer themes.

Fringe Festival

Running since 1996, the Fringe Festival sees 17 days in mid-September packed with performance art, events, productions and creative craziness.

Philadelphia Film Festival

Annual showcase of the best in independent and foreign cinema in theaters and venues across downtown Philly.