Philly weekly events calendar: May 4 to May 10

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🌱 Spring in Philly guide
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⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide

Note: this list will be updated throughout the week.

All Week

Philly Tech Week – (through Friday, May 8)
80+ events, hosted by Technical.ly and 1Philadelphia.

Monday, May 4

May Plant Swap – (6 to 7 p.m.)
Bring plants, plant cuttings, or any garden-related items (i.e., books, tools, vegetables from your garden, etc.), meet fellow garden enthusiasts, and go home as a new plant parent! It’s a one-for-one exchange. At Manayunk pop-up garden.

Budget 101: Kensington – (6 to 8 p.m)
Join People’s Budget Office and Klean Kensington for a Budget 101 Workshop, where you’ll explore the basics of the city budget, understand how the budgeting process works, and discuss your community’s priorities. At Esperanza Health Center.

Tuesday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo Patio Party – (3 to 6 p.m.)
Tacos, margaritas, tequila and music outdoors at the Chestnut Walk/East Market courtyard on Market between 10th and 11th streets. Hosted by East Market, Mi Vida and The Wayward. Free to attend.

Cinco de Mayo Block Party – (4 to 9 p.m.)
9th Street in the Italian Market will be closed for this celebration, featuring food, live music and community.

Star Wars Trivia Night: Revenge of the Fifth – (8 to 10 p.m.)
Prizes for the strongest minds in the galaxy + Bonus points for those who arrive in full galactic attire to Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar.

Wednesday, May 6

Wilder x Bar Palmina Non-Alcoholic Pop-Up – (4 to 10 p.m.)
A fun collab between Wilder’s beverage director, Tom and Bar Palmina owner, Nikki: a themed zero-proof cocktail menu, oysters, snacks and more. The theme is “Oops, all berries!🍓🫐” At 1306 N. Front Street.

Uncle Bobbie’s X Tiffany D. Cross – “Love, Me” Book Tour – (7:30 p.m.)
Journalist, TV host, and speaker Tiffany D. Cross discusses her new book, “Love, Me” with Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books owner Marc Lamont Hill. “An unapologetic love letter to Black women.” Q&A to follow. At historic Mother Bethel African American Episcopal Church. $12.50 admission; $37.04 for admission+autographed book.

Thursday, May 7

Living Legacy: Sonia Sanchez & Natyna Bean – (6:30 p.m.) )
Part of EgoPo Classic Theater’s American Voices Reading Series. A reading of two short plays honoring the Phila. Black Arts Movement of the 60’s-70’s, which created theater by and for Black communities. It’s leading figure, Sonia Sanchez, was the city’s first Poet Laureate and a Temple professor. Sanchez’s play I’m Black When I’m Singin’, I’m Blue When I Ain’t created a new dramatic form that still dominates today. Natyna Bean, a student of Sanchez, born and raised in North Philly, carries this legacy forward with plays that explore self-determination and hope. In partnership with the CCP Theater & Theatre in the X. $15 tickets.

Jefferson on Race: A Reader – (7 to 8 p.m.)
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed gathers Thomas Jefferson’s most revealing writings about African Americans, slavery, and Native Americans, enabling readers as never before to directly explore his complex and contradictory thoughts, feelings, and decisions on these subjects—the most hotly debated aspect of his legacy. In conversation with Patrick Spero, Ph.D., CEO of the American Philosophical Society. At Parkway Central Library. $5 admission.

Friday, May 8

Field Teen Center Prom | Down the Rabbit Hole: A Mad Hatter’s Ball – (5 to 8 p.m.)
Time for the annual Alternative Prom! Teens ages 12-18 are invited to enjoy a wonderland of whimsy featuring a live DJ, catered dinner, performances, and festive decor. Capture memories with professional photography plus other surprises throughout the night. Dress to impress! FAQ available. At Parkway Central Library. FREE, but each attendee must fill out a ticket request form. Ticket confirmations will be sent via email. Age will be verified.

Remember the Ladies: After-Hours Tour – (5 to 6 p.m.)
Every Friday evening in May: Join this intimate look at the lives and legacies of the remarkable women laid to rest at Christ Church Burial Ground. You’ll meet trailblazers like Julia Stockton Rush, Sarah Franklin Bache — women whose courage and contributions helped shape Philadelphia and the nation. $12.51 tickets.

Bok Spring Open Studios – (5 to 9 p.m.)
Open Studios happens twice a year, where all nine floors of the Bok building open for visitors to explore the hallways and meet the Bok community. This free, family-friendly event welcomes you into the building’s inspiring spaces, home to fine artists, glass blowers, ceramicists, bakers, jewelers, guitar makers, designers, photographers, and more. Special activations include food vendors, community partners in the hallways, and pop-up art and music throughout the building. Make a night of it by having a beverage on the roof at Bok Bar or grabbing dinner at Irwin’s.

PTW2026 Closing Party – (5 to 10 p.m.)
The culmination of a week of ideas, innovation, and impact — and a reflection of the city we’re building together. At Gather Food Hall.

Biodanza: The Dance of Life + The Poetry of Human Encounter – (7 to 9 p.m.)
An evening of movement, music, community, and heartfelt, intentional connection. This “vivencia” (from the Spanish word “vivir,” meaning “to live”) will include a series of artfully guided dances and encounters designed to evoke core emotion and authentic expression. $35 tickets.

Sappho’s Salon: An Evening at the Temple of Friendship – (7 to 9 p.m.)
An immersive, multi-floor theater experience honoring the radical sapphic artists who gathered at Barney’s legendary Temple of Friendship. Downstairs, you’ll be a guest at the salon itself, witnessing readings, performances, philosophical debates, and the kind of conversation that only happens when queer women and artists gather in a space that shouldn’t exist according to the world’s rules. Upstairs, wander through rooms where extraordinary women come alive: a burlesque tease from Marlene Dietrich, a philosophy lesson from Hypatia, a Charleston dance lesson with Bricktop, Virginia Woolf’s interactive writing room, and more. $25-45 tickets.

Saturday, May 9

Lower Moyamensing Spring Flea Market – (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
At South Philly High School. Free to attend.

Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar: Mother’s Day Weekend – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
At Cherry Street Pier. 80+ curated craft vendors, make & takes, cash bar, food vendors, raffles, and 75 free tote giveaway at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Now + Then Marketplace Fishtown Fair – (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
A community collab for one giant market on Girard & Frankford in the heart of Fishtown Mother’s Day weekend. 50+ local vendors, including food & drinks specials from Johnny Brenda’s, Two Robbers, Pizza Shackamaxon, & Kismet Bagels.

Sappho’s Salon: An Evening at the Temple of Friendship – (2 to 4 p.m. AND 7 to 9 p.m.)
An immersive, multi-floor theater experience honoring the radical sapphic artists who gathered at Barney’s legendary Temple of Friendship. Downstairs, you’ll be a guest at the salon itself, witnessing readings, performances, philosophical debates, and the kind of conversation that only happens when queer women and artists gather in a space that shouldn’t exist according to the world’s rules. Upstairs, wander through rooms where extraordinary women come alive: a burlesque tease from Marlene Dietrich, a philosophy lesson from Hypatia, a Charleston dance lesson with Bricktop, Virginia Woolf’s interactive writing room, and more. $25-45 tickets.

Arts in Recovery: One community uniting all addictions – (7 to 9 p.m.)
An evening of art including poetry, piano, live music, stand-up comedy, skits, rap, body art, printed art, and photography. Come together to build community with artists in recovery. Features food, performances and merch. Doors open at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7 p.m. and includes one 15-minute intermission. Audience members will vote for their favorite artists in two categories: Stage Arts and Printed Arts. The top two artists in each category will receive cash and other prizes. $33 to $45 tickets.

Sunday, May 10

Through June 9

Healing Verse Germantown: The Streets Are Talking, Launch Celebration – (2 to 5 p.m.)
The exhibition features 19 public art poems by Germantown community members about healing from the impacts of gun violence. Celebrate these poets with remarks, food, poetry activations, guided tours, and community. At the Friends Free Library (5418 Germantown Ave) and Ubuntu Fine Art (5423 Germantown Ave), directly across the street from each other. Art includes 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.

Through July 11

El Mercado Cultural at Cherry Street Pier – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m)
A series of spring and summer markets presented in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial. Shop from vendors, savor tasty bites, and enjoy the rotating entertainment. Occasional Saturdays: April 18, May 30 and July 11.

No Arena: Making a Movement – (2 to 6 p.m.)
TK
Gallery is open Thursdays through Saturdays.

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