Philly Photo Day: How We Stay Free
On Monday, April 6, TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image opens submissions for Philly Photo Day: How We Stay Free, a special week-long event transforming Philadelphia into a site of creative inspiration. The annual event returns with a new theme inspired by the nation’s Semiquincentennial, inviting tourists or residents with a camera or smartphone to capture images of Philadelphia that respond to the prompt, “How we stay free?” Participants can submit their photos online by April 12 for inclusion in the Philly Photo Day exhibition, which will be displayed for free to the public in TILT’s Project Gallery from May 14 to June 27.
Where: TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image, 1400 N. American St.
Cheers to McGillins on National Beer Day
What happened at McGillin’s stayed at McGillin’s…until now! Explore the iconic bar’s 165-year history. On National Beer Day, join the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for a talk about the new book, Cheers to McGillin’s: Philly’s Oldest Tavern. Christopher Mullins, Jr., co-owner, and Irene Levy Baker, author, will share colorful tales about the bar’s 165-year history, including its survival through the Civil War, two World Wars, two pandemics, a fire, and even Prohibition. The book includes photos from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a foreword by former Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell, and food & drink recipes. Each attendee will receive a discount coupon for lunch at McGillin’s and at McGillin’s new Shoppe, only one block from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
When: Tuesday, April 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.
”The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales”
This spring, Arden Children’s Theatre invites families into a hilariously twisted world where classic fairy tales don’t go quite as expected in its final production of the 2025/26 season, “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.” Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book’s whimsically fractured fairy tales to life for kids and adults alike. Directed by Steve Pacek, the laugh-out-loud production is where fairy tales get scrambled, mixed up, and turned upside down. Classic fairy tales get scrambled and turned upside down. The Ugly Duckling doesn’t become a beautiful swan, just a Really Ugly Duck. A princess kisses a frog and ends up with a mouthful of slime. Familiar characters wander in and out of the wrong stories, narrators lose control of the plot, and the title character himself, a very smelly cheese, tries to steal the spotlight.
When: Wednesday, April 8-May 31
Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.
Made in Philadelphia Market
A diverse lineup of 50+ local artisans will showcase handmade jewelry, clothing, home goods, skin care, pet supplies and more. Come out and support these one-of-a-kind entrepreneurs.
When: Friday, April 10–11 from 12–8 p.m. and Sunday from 12–6 p.m.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
”The Spirit of ’76”
This April, history and humor collide in an exciting new theatrical production, “The Spirit of ’76.” Set against the backdrop of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, this original work offers a fresh, irreverent, and deeply human look at the stories, and storytellers, behind the nation’s founding. Set during a fictionalized Semiquincentennial celebration in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the play follows a chaotic rehearsal process for a grand historical reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As personalities clash and perspectives diverge, the group struggles to agree not only on the script, but on the meaning of the story they are trying to tell. Guided by a tightly wound director and overseen by an increasingly overwhelmed bureaucrat, the cast spirals into a comedic yet poignant reflection of the very conflicts that shaped the nation’s founding.
When: Friday, April 10-12 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut St.
10-day World Circus Festival debuts
Ladies and gentleman, and children of all ages! Get ready to celebrate World Circus Week at the Birthplace of American Circus — Philadelphia! As part of America 250 and Philly 250 celebrations, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is bringing that history to life with a brand new TEN day World Circus Week Festival. From gravity-defying aerial acts to interactive workshops where guests can try circus skills themselves, this is one of the most unique and accessible arts experiences in Philadelphia this spring. All take place at one of the most unique venues and schools in the country. All events are no charge or a small low cost ticket.
When: Friday, April 10-19
Where: Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene St.
Music Appreciation Day
Join our friends from the PYO Music Institute’s Philadelphia Youth Concert Band for a special “Music in the Museum” performance. The ensemble features talented middle and high school musicians from across the Greater Philadelphia region.
When: Saturday, April 11 at 12 p.m.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Healing Verse Germantown Public Art Launch Celebration
Join us for a very special launch celebration for the Healing Verse Germantown Public Art Exhibition! This exhibition features 19 public art poems by Germantown community members about healing from the impacts of gun violence. Let’s celebrate these poets with remarks, food, poetry activations, guided tours, and community. Come see the wide-ranging display of public artworks including a collage poster series, video installations, augmented reality constellations, interactive floral offerings, a stained glass panel installation on a SEPTA bus shelter, a wrapped SEPTA bus, and more.
When: Saturday, April 11 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: Friends Free Library, 5418 Germantown Ave.
Clover Market kicks off spring season in Chestnut Hill
Clover Market, the award-winning open-air market known for its curated selection of handmade and vintage goods, will kick off the 2026 season in Chestnut Hill. The popular seasonal market will feature 90 hand-selected vendors offering a diverse mix of artisan goods and vintage finds. Shoppers can also enjoy a lineup of some of the region’s most popular food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities throughout the day. Opening day attendees can enjoy food and beverages from Bonjour Creperie, Korea Taqueria, Mom Mom’s, Redstone Pizza, Mr. Big Stuff Cookie Co., and Many Hands Coffee. Live music will be provided by Wayside Shakeup from 12–3 PM, and there will be face painting and free crafts for children. The Chestnut Hill Market will take place along W. Highland Ave., beginning at Germantown Ave. and extending into the Turquoise parking lot at 25 W. Highland Ave.
When: Sunday, April 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Along Germantown Avenue
The Regency Ball at Midnight & The Wicked
Philadelphia’s social season is about to get a regal upgrade. The Regency Ball, a lavish, black-tie experience inspired by “Bridgerton” and “The Gilded Age,” returns to Philadelphia this weekend. Designed as a fully transportive experience, The Regency Ball blends period-inspired fantasy with modern luxury through curated dining, live entertainment, and interactive activations. Guests will enjoy an open bar until 8:00 PM featuring wine, beer, and signature cocktails, followed by passed espresso martinis at the close of the evening. The culinary experience includes passed hors d’oeuvres and a full dinner buffet featuring four cuisines, each inspired by the diverse love interests and cultures represented throughout the series. Throughout the night, guests can participate in immersive activations including waltz lessons, a candlelit concert, and a special appearance by Queen Charlotte for tea, bringing the fantasy of high society to life. The evening will culminate with the crowning of the coveted Diamond of the Season, celebrating elegance, presence, and style. Guests are encouraged to arrive in black-tie or Regency- and Gilded Age–inspired attire, embracing the spirit of the era with a modern, fashion-forward twist. Tickets are required.
When: Sunday, April 12 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: Midnight & The Wicked, 1500 Sansom St.
”Face to Face: Isaiah Zagar’s Mosaicked Portraits” at PMG
“Face to Face” invites visitors into the world of Isaiah Zagar’s mosaicked portraits. These intimate artworks depict people who have influenced his life, work, and world, as well as strangers and individuals who captured his imagination. Composed from fragments of tile, mirror, folk artwork, and other materials, each portrait serves as a meeting place between artist and subject. These works reflect not only the people who inspired him personally but also anyone who fascinated him. They embody the broader spirit of Folk Art, collaboration, and community that defines Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Through this collection, visitors can experience Zagar’s mosaics up close, connecting with the people and stories that shaped his art.
When: ends Sunday, April 12
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
Egg-cellent Egg Search at Philadelphia Zoo
All guests who plan to visit the Zoo between Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, April 12, are invited on a self-guided Egg-cellent Egg Search to learn about 10 unique eggs in the animal kingdom. Many of us know reptiles, amphibians, birds, arachnids, and insects lay eggs, but what about the different sizes, shapes and textures they come in? Guests who find all 10 eggs and complete the accompanying entry form will receive a prize at the Guest Services Podium, courtesy of Cadbury. The self-guided Egg-cellent Egg Search is recommended for guests of all ages and included in admission or membership.
When: ends Sunday, April 12
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
Free Tax Prep Services for West Philadelphia Residents
In partnership with ACHIEVEability, the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) is once again offering free tax preparation services to West Philadelphia residents this tax season. Now through April 15, residents can schedule an appointment via CWF’s website to receive expert assistance from trained nonprofit professionals. Appointments are available Mondays through Thursdays and on select Saturdays, ensuring a smooth, accurate, and stress-free tax filing experience. The free services will be held at ACHIEVEability, which is proudly serving as the host location for the program. Last year, with the support of ACHIEVEability and CWF, more than 1,000 residents received tax assistance, resulting in a combined total of $855,292 in refunds for those who used the free service.
When: through April 15, Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: ACHIEVEAbility, 5901 Market St.
”The Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1800s” at HSP
How has the makeup of who is an American changed since the American Revolution? How have the people in that changing face of America continuously reinvigorated and reasserted the founding ideals of the country? By examining the documents left by our ancestors in the time leading to America’s 200th birthday, this display will ask those questions of their descendants. This exhibit draws on collections at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and will be curated in partnership with ethnic and genealogical societies that seek to connect Americans to their ancestors through research, programs, and networking opportunities.
When: through Friday, April 24
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.
”On the Table: Still Lifes Now”
A group exhibition that reexamines the still life as a living, evolving genre that reflects contemporary questions of identity, labor, consumption, memory, and power. On view now through May 1, 2026, in the Printed Image Gallery, the exhibition brings together works by artists who have created prints at BWA across multiple generations, highlighting the continued relevance of still life imagery in contemporary art.
When: through Friday, May 1
Where: Brandywine Workshop and Archives, 730 S. Broad St.
Open Streets: West Walnut
Center City District (CCD) is pleased to return Open Streets in 2026, beginning along West Walnut Street, this spring. CCD, with support from Rittenhouse Row and the City of Philadelphia, transforms one of Philadelphia’s most popular shopping and dining destinations, 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut and Walnut Street from Broad to 19th, by temporarily closing streets to vehicular traffic. During these closures, pedestrians are invited to stroll nearly eight blocks of car-free space while enjoying shopping, dining, and activities for all ages.
When: Sundays through May 17
Where: Walnut Street (Broad to 19th) & 18th Street (Locust to Chestnut)
”Muliebrity” by Viola Bordon
Philadelphia-based interdisciplinary textile artist and educator Viola Bordon blends sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and fibers to explore the interplay between materiality and environmental fluctuation. Her textile-focused practice draws upon pre-industrial craft techniques like weaving and quilting, intertwining them with inquiries into contemporary issues in our society. For Radical Americana, Bordon conducted research at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to create her exhibition, Muliebrity, where she examines the invention and evolving meanings of American liberty in the national identity.
When: through Sunday, July 26
Where: Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” at AAMP
The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) presents a cultural milestone exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” The acclaimed exhibition, celebrating the power of art, identity, and imagination, marks its Philadelphia debut with nearly 80 original costumes from films that have shaped global culture — including “Black Panther,” “Selma,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Amistad,” “Dolomite is My Name,” “Coming 2 America,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and, for the first time ever, “Sinners.” As the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards, Ruth E. Carter has transformed costume design into a form of cultural storytelling, honoring the past while envisioning what’s possible for the future. Her journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hollywood’s most celebrated stages resonates deeply with Philadelphians.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 6
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
”Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” at Franklin Institute
Step inside the creative and innovative world of theme parks through the lens of Universal’s fan-favorite attractions, including “Jaws,” “Illumination’s Minions,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Sing,” SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, “Jurassic World,” DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” Universal Monsters, and more. Play your way through eight themed galleries, where 100 original artifacts bring each experience to life. From authentic costumes and iconic props to early concept models, experience the creativity, artistry, and innovation behind Universal’s most epic attractions. Snap a photo, storyboard a ride, design and animate horror masks, cue a live show, and experiment with animation and projection mapping — all while hearing directly from the creators, animators, and show writers who make it happen. “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” is a timed-entry exhibit, which allows the museum to manage the number of guests in the exhibit, providing the best possible experience for everyone. Advanced tickets are recommended.
When: through Monday, Sept. 7
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
”Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga” at Penn Museum
Spotlighting century-old watercolor paintings by Egyptian artist Ahmed Yousef, Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga will go on view at the Penn Museum. Last exhibited in Cairo during the 1920s, the watercolor paintings have been carefully preserved in the Penn Museum’s Archives for more than 100 years. They have never been on display in the United States. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors reveals the often underappreciated, but critical function of art in archaeology. The 1,500 sq. ft. exhibition highlights elaborately decorated tomb chapels during the New Kingdom (approximately 1550 BCE-1070 BCE), a “golden age” that marked the height of Egypt’s power and wealth. Many affluent officials built their tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga — a key part of the larger Theban Necropolis. Their tomb paintings show scenes from everyday life and imagery depicting the journey to the netherworld — illuminating how much the ancient Egyptians valued family bonds, honoring their ancestors, and continuing one’s identity into the next life. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors will close in November—just ahead of the grand opening for the Penn Museum’s Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife on Dec. 12.
When: through November 2026
Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
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