African Dance Bash<\/p>\n
For the first time, we\u2019re bringing you three classes in one night, including our newest addition: Soca Fitness! If you\u2019ve been looking for a fun way to move your body, release stress, and reconnect through rhythm, movement, and community, this is the perfect night out. Bring a friend and come experience the joy of movement, music, and community together! At Kulu Mele, we believe movement is medicine. Through rhythm, culture, music, and community, we reconnect with joy and leave feeling energized and uplifted. All levels welcome. Come dance, sweat, smile, and let the rhythm move you! Pay at the door. Soca Fitness at 6 p.m., Afro-Cuban dance at 7 p.m., and West African dance at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
Where:<\/strong> Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave.<\/p>\n Broadway Cabaret at Rittenhouse Grill<\/p>\n Beth Leavel closes the Rittenhouse Grill season, bringing her trademark wit, powerhouse vocals, and vibrant stage presence to Rittenhouse Grill. A Tony Award winner for The Drowsy Chaperone and a three-time Tony nominee, Leavel recently completed her fifteenth Broadway show in Stephen Sondheim\u2019s Old Friends and was honored with the 2025 Sarah Siddons Society Award for outstanding artistic achievement. Her extensive Broadway career includes originating major roles and delivering standout performances in productions such as Lempicka, Bandstand, Elf, The Civil War, Crazy for You, Mamma Mia!, Young Frankenstein, the revival of 42nd Street, and Show Boat. Leavel has earned nationwide acclaim for her cabaret performances, bringing humor, heart, and unmistakable star quality to every stage she graces.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Rittenhouse Grill, 1701 Locust St.<\/p>\n Night Market<\/p>\n East Market\u2019s vibrant, weekly Night Market transforms Chestnut Walk into a glowing open-air marketplace every Tuesday evening this spring. Weather permitting, visitors can explore a curated mix of local vendors offering fresh food, handcrafted goods, seasonal produce, plants, and much more, all set against the backdrop of live music and a lively happy hour atmosphere. Happy hour specials from the East Market Bar Cart and seasonal samples from restaurants Mi Vida and The Wayward add to the fun. Guests are encouraged to stroll beneath string lights, discover unique offerings at each vendor\u2019s booth and unwind with friends as the sun sets over East Market.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Tuesdays through June 16 from 3\u20137 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Chestnut Walk, 34 S. 11th St.<\/p>\n After Hours at the Museum for Art in Wood<\/p>\n Visitors are welcome to an evening at the Museum and experience our current exhibitions, BA Harrington: Suite Am\u00e9ricaine, Viola Bordon: Muliebrity, and A Room of Their Own: Still-Life Sculpture and the Creative Interior. While you\u2019re here, be sure to explore the permanent collection and shop the Museum Store. Also, a free hands-on craft table will be available for guests to get into a flow state after a busy day.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Wednesday, May 20 from 5-7 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.<\/p>\n \u201dDear Evan Hansen\u201d<\/p>\n Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen follows Evan, a high school senior who becomes entangled in a misunderstanding that grows into a fabricated story he cannot control. As the lie deepens, Evan must navigate the exciting new connections he\u2019s created and the truth he\u2019s avoiding. Featuring iconic songs like \u201cWaving Through a Window\u201d and \u201cYou Will Be Found,\u201d this all-new production explores how young people navigate connection and mental health against today\u2019s all-consuming social media landscape. This production is co-conceived with Jorge Cousineau, a longtime collaborator of the Arden whose past scenic and projection work includes Sunday in the Park with George, Next to Normal, and The Lehman Trilogy. In this production, projections and screens create a world where digital and real life intersect, reflecting how quickly a single moment can spiral in the age of social media.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, May 21-June 29<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.<\/p>\n Twilight in the Gardens<\/p>\n Celebrate the spring season with music and art at the first Twilight in the Gardens of the year! Bring a blanket, snacks, and drinks to picnic in our space and kick back to a live performance by Maya Simone to both soothe your soul and electrify your spirit. Backed by Christian Klinefelter, and a special guest, Maya hopes to bring a soulful, immersive sound experience to Twilight in the Gardens, where music, nature, and community meet. At the art tables, artist Linda Shen will be teaching attendees the art of agamographs! An agamograph is a type of kinetic art that changes images when you view it from different angles. Visitors can design their own two images and transform it into one 3-D piece, showing their creativity by creating their own drawings, collages, or a mix of both as part of a piece of optical illusion artwork! Attendees also have the chance to learn more about Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens through fun, casual self-guided tours of our mosaicked basement, and check out \u201cEntre Ra\u00edces y Alas or Between Roots and Wings: Works by Santiago Galeas\u201d in the indoor galleries. Space is limited, tickets are required.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, May 22 from 7-10 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.<\/p>\n Twilight Tours<\/p>\n Enjoy a free after-hours walking tour around the national park hosted by Independence Historical Trust. Knowledgeable Twilight Guides lead visitors through iconic landmarks and hidden corners, sharing stories that bring Philadelphia\u2019s history to life. Meeting Point at the Liberty Bell Center viewing window.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, May 22-Sept. 7 at 5:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Liberty Bell Center, 101 S. Independence Mall W.<\/p>\n \u201dGarden Railway: Revolutionary Philly\u201d<\/p>\n Just in time to mark America\u2019s 250th, Morris Arboretum & Gardens brings America\u2019s past and present vividly to life through three interconnected exhibitions. Garden Railway: Revolutionary Philly invites visitors of all ages to take a miniature journey through eighteenth-century Philadelphia. Bustling model trains wind along more than a third of a mile of track, passing handcrafted replicas of iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, and scenes modeled after events like the Battle of Germantown. Running in conjunction with the Garden Railway, the self-guided exhibition Plants from the Colonial Era highlights the trees, herbs, and flowers that fed, healed, sheltered, and inspired colonial Philadelphians.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, May 22-Sept. 30<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.<\/p>\n Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest<\/p>\n The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation welcomes the return of Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest for its 2026 Season. While Summerfest returns for the season with its signature roller skating in partnership with Independence Blue Cross, DRWC is expanding its wellness programming across its Waterfront parks, offering more opportunities for visitors to stay active through accessible outdoor experiences, including Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga at Race Street Pier presented by Independence Blue Cross, Tai Chi at Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Fishing with Friends at Pier 68 in partnership with Riverways. The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink has long shaped the Philadelphia Delaware River Waterfront as the go-to destination for seasonal traditions and outdoor recreation. This Summer 2026, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink will transform into Summerfest \u2013 offering Philadelphia\u2019s ONLY outdoor roller-skating rink \u2013 to create the ultimate family-friendly summer hangout. Against the backdrop of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Summerfest will continue to prioritize accessibility with free entry and flexible, pay-as-you-go options that invite visitors to create their own experience<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, May 22-September<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n Somewhere in Philly: Rock the Block Logan Community Festival<\/p>\n For the first time in 30 Years, Logan comes alive with a community festival featuring local artists, special celebrity guests, food, and fun. The event is Sponsored by The City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, LaSalle University, Black Fish Music Distribution and Alston Automotive. Celebrity Performance by Schooly D and others.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, May 23 from 12-5 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 4900 Block of Old York Road<\/p>\n Move. Connect Recharge at PHIL-LIT! SOCIAL<\/p>\n This is not your typical wellness event. Enjoy a full night of movement, music, dancing, food, and connection all under one roof. PHIL-LIT! SOCIAL happening one night only! We\u2019re bringing together some amazing Philly instructors for a beginner-friendly wellness party where you can move at your own pace and just enjoy the atmosphere. Attendees can expect a live DJ all night, group wellness sessions, line dancing, food and social time, and good people and good vibes. This event is about wellness, fun, and community in a way that feels real and welcoming. Tickets are required.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, May 23 from 6\u20139 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> New Journey Christian Center, 1001 E. Chelten Ave.<\/p>\n Ari Lennox comes to Philly<\/p>\n GRAMMY-nominated R&B powerhouse Ari Lennox is hitting the road in 2026 with her highly anticipated North American tour in support of her critically acclaimed third studio album \u201cVacancy.\u201d Lennox is soul in its purest form: fearless, radiant, and singular. Hailing from Washington, D.C., the GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter has built a career rooted in emotional honesty, anchored by vocal excellence, and guided by artistic integrity. Her live presence is equally compelling. From major festival stages to her sold-out 2023 headlining tour, which moved nearly 90,000 tickets worldwide, she continues to connect deeply with a wide range of audiences. With Vacancy, Ari Lennox steps fully into her \u201cSoft Girl Era,\u201d not as a reinvention, but as a refinement. A decade into her career, she is grounded in her voice, confident in her vision, and continuing to shape the future of soul music on her own terms.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Sunday, May 24 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St.<\/p>\n \u201dThe Weight of Time\u201d at Morton Contemporary<\/p>\n Morton Contemporary is proud to present \u201cThe Weight of Time,\u201d an intimate exhibition featuring a group of ten artists all presently incarcerated at SCI Phoenix prison in Pennsylvania. Each artist offers a deeply personal reflection on coming of age and growing old behind bars, collectively forming a portrait of lives shaped by confinement and the passage of time. As a unified body of work, this group exhibition powerfully depicts a community of men navigating the realities of daily life in prison as they meditate on the past, endure the present, and reach toward an uncertain future.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Monday, May 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Morton Contemporary Art Gallery, 115 S. 13th St.<\/p>\n \u201dThe Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales\u201d<\/p>\n This spring, Arden Children\u2019s Theatre invites families into a hilariously twisted world where classic fairy tales don\u2019t go quite as expected in its final production of the 2025\/26 season, \u201cThe Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.\u201d Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, May 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.<\/p>\n Cirque du Soleil\u2019s \u201cLUZIA\u201d<\/p>\n Cirque du Soleil\u2019s iconic Big Top returns to the greater Philadelphia area for the first time since 2023 with its delightfully-imaginative and visually-stunning production LUZIA, a waking dream of Mexico. Audiences are invited under the famed Big Top to escape to an imaginary Mexico: a sumptuous world suspended between dreams and reality. In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surrealistic journey through a vibrant world filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe- inspiring moments, LUZIA enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes \u2013 a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, June 7<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456<\/p>\n Stamp Rally<\/p>\n April marks the return of Historic Germantown\u2019s highly-anticipated spring Stamp Rally. The theme for the popular program is \u201cTrees of Germantown.\u201d The free program allows participants to pick up a passport book and collect stamps at various sites, providing residents and visitors with a fun, interactive way to explore Germantown. Participants have the opportunity to discover the neighborhood through an entertaining scavenger hunt, with prizes awarded to those who complete the challenge.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, June 21<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> various locations throughout Germantown<\/p>\n \u201dAmerica Today: Voices in Contemporary Print\u201d at the Print Center<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica Today: Voices in Contemporary Print\u201d brings the works of more than 30 artists from across the country together to explore core principles of democracy, including civil rights, social justice, racial equality, and political engagement. With Philadelphia at the center of America\u2019s founding, the exhibition bridges past and present, inviting audiences to reflect on how democratic ideals continue to evolve at a pivotal moment in the nation\u2019s history. Featuring widely recognized artists whose work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, \u201cAmerica Today\u201d offers a compelling opportunity to engage with contemporary perspectives on urgent national issues.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Saturday, July 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Print Center, 1614 Latimer St.<\/p>\n \u201dMuliebrity\u201d by Viola Bordon<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, July 26<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.<\/p>\n \u201dFreedom Dreams\u201d at the Barnes<\/p>\n As Philadelphia and the nation prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, Freedom Dreams brings together powerful works by artists in film, video, and installation that invite viewers to immerse themselves in the memories, dreams, and histories of Black Americans. The exhibition features works by Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja\u2019Tovia Gary, and Tourmaline, all exploring history, archives, and cultural memory. Freedom Dreams highlights the fluid boundary between past, present, and future and encourages viewers to reflect on how Americans of color have shaped identities and created spaces of resistance, joy, and resilience in the face of systemic oppression. The exhibition is co-curated by Maori Karmael Holmes, Chief Executive and Artistic Officer of BlackStar Projects, and James Claiborne, Fleischner Family Vice President for Engagement at the Barnes.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Aug. 9<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.<\/p>\n \u201dPrintmaking by the People: Posters for a Reimagined Declaration of Independence\u201d at Parkway Central Library<\/p>\n What would the Declaration of Independence say if ordinary people from all walks of life came together to write it today? This spring, Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Free Library of Philadelphia present Printmaking by the People: Posters for a Reimagined Declaration of Independence, an exhibition of hundreds of posters created by Philadelphians who were asked to share their visions of \u201clife, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.\u201d This special exhibition is part of Printmaking by the People, the largest 2026 public art and engagement project in Philadelphia inspired by the 250th anniversary of the country\u2019s founding. The vibrant, colorful, and compelling artworks in the exhibition were created by hand in 35 artist-led workshops, held in 13 neighborhoods across the city. Over a thousand people attended these workshops, utilizing various printmaking techniques to bring their ideas to life\u2014including some of the very same techniques used to communicate during the time of the American Revolution. The result is hundreds of unique posters and prints, representing a rich and diverse assemblage of aspirations for our nation, our city, and ourselves, as we move into the next chapter of our country\u2019s historic journey.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through August 2026<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.<\/p>\n \u201cRuth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design\u201d at AAMP<\/p>\n The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) presents a cultural milestone exhibition \u201cRuth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.\u201d 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 \u2014 including \u201cBlack Panther,\u201d \u201cSelma,\u201d \u201cDo the Right Thing,\u201d \u201cAmistad,\u201d \u201cDolomite is My Name,\u201d \u201cComing 2 America,\u201d \u201cBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever\u201d and, for the first time ever, \u201cSinners.\u201d 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\u2019s possible for the future. Her journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hollywood\u2019s most celebrated stages resonates deeply with Philadelphians.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Sept. 6<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.<\/p>\n \u201dUniversal Theme Parks: The Exhibition\u201d at Franklin Institute<\/p>\n Step inside the creative and innovative world of theme parks through the lens of Universal\u2019s fan-favorite attractions, including \u201cJaws,\u201d \u201cIllumination\u2019s Minions,\u201d \u201cThe Secret Life of Pets\u201d and \u201cSing,\u201d SUPER NINTENDO WORLD\u2122, \u201cJurassic World,\u201d DreamWorks Animation\u2019s \u201cHow to Train Your Dragon,\u201d 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\u2019s 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 \u2014 all while hearing directly from the creators, animators, and show writers who make it happen. \u201cUniversal Theme Parks: The Exhibition\u201d 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Monday, Sept. 7<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.<\/p>\n \u201dPaths to Independence, 1765-1787\u201d at HSP<\/p>\n In 1763, most American colonists proudly saw themselves as members of the British Empire. Yet by 1776, many were ready to break from Britain and condemn King George III as a \u2018Royal Brute.\u2019 Paths to Independence explores how this remarkable shift happened in just over a decade. The exhibit showcases rare documents from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania\u2014including letters, pamphlets, broadsides, prints, and early drafts of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Tracing the complex path to American independence, these documents reveal the ideas of well\u2011known leaders such as Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Wilson, as well as the everyday Philadelphians whose experiences shaped the struggle for independence.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Friday, Sept. 18<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.<\/p>\n \u201dAncient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga\u201d at Penn Museum<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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 \u201cgolden age\u201d that marked the height of Egypt\u2019s power and wealth. Many affluent officials built their tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga \u2014 a key part of the larger Theban Necropolis. Their tomb paintings show scenes from everyday life and imagery depicting the journey to the netherworld \u2014 illuminating how much the ancient Egyptians valued family bonds, honoring their ancestors, and continuing one\u2019s identity into the next life. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors will close in November\u2014just ahead of the grand opening for the Penn Museum\u2019s Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife on Dec. 12.<\/p>\n