May 23-26: PHAIR at The Oval | Picnic at the Pier | Destination Frankford reception | Longwood Garden fireworks | City Hall to City Hall tour | Memorial Dei picnic
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Eyes on the Street! If you’re staying in Philly, here are a few events to choose from.
SHOP: PHAIR Open Air Market
Friday, May 23, 5pm – 9pm & Saturday, May 24, 12pm – 7pm. The Oval, 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. PHAIR brings another weekend of alfresco shopping, food, drinks and activities to The Oval. Food trucks like The Farm Truck, Mama’s Meatballs, Cow and the Curd, Lil’ Pop Shop and more will be parked on site, and a “libations lounge” will feature Victory Brewpub and Frescon Farms beverages. Pay as you go.
CONVENE: Picnic at the Pier
Friday, May 23. 6pm – 10pm. Race Street Pier, Race Street and N. Columbus Boulevard. Join Friends of the Race Street Pier for a picnic in the park this Friday. The group will transform the pier into a public picnic ground, complete with blankets, music, lawn games, free food and drinks. Free picnic baskets will be given to the first 20 guests. Free.
OPEN: Destination Frankford Gallery
Saturday, May 24. 12pm – 5pm. Frankford Ave and Paul Street. The new pop-up art gallery, Destination Frankford Gallery, hosts an opening reception and block party this Saturday. Throughout the summer, the project will transform vacant storefronts into destinations for local residents, artists and art lovers with three distinct exhibits. Free.
IGNITE: Fireworks & Fountains
Saturday, May 24. 9:15pm. Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwoods Road, Kennett Square. Longwood Gardens kick off their summer fireworks and colorful fountains series this Saturday. One Saturday each month through September, Longwood will host firework displays, all set to various musical scores. Cost: $38 for nonmembers, $31 for members.
TOUR: City Hall to City Hall
Sunday, May 25. 2pm. 5th and Chestnut Streets. Join the Preservation Alliance for a walking tour that will cover three centuries of American architecture as they’re seen from Independence Historical Park in front of the Old City Hall (which was once housed the Supreme Court) to City Hall (once the tallest building in the world) on William Penn’s original Center Square. Cost: Adults $10, Students $8, Preservation Alliance Members $5.
LISTEN: Sexton Sideshow Memorial Dei Family Picnic
Monday, May 26. Noon – 9:30pm. Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, 916 Swanson St. The Sexton Sideshow will celebrate Memorial Day at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church in Queen Village with a daylong music festival. The event aims to bring the community community for local music, food, mingling – and the second annual dog pageant. Cost: $5 for ages 13 through 20, $10 for ages 21-and-older, $20 family tickets.
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