As 2024 comes to a close, Metro Philadelphia is taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, triumphs and events that shaped the past 12 months in Philadelphia.
A new holiday—215 Day—was created
At the beginning of 2024, a new holiday was created to showcase everything that makes Philly unique. The inaugural 215 Day (which took place on Feb. 15) shined the spotlight on eats, drinks, goodies and giveaways on the town by pricing some experiences for just $2.15. There were also free events, exclusive pop-ups, concerts and deals throughout the experience. Created by Do215, the holiday has not yet been announced for 2025, but the organization has plenty of other events scheduled to keep you occupied.
WrestleMania took over Philly
For the first time in over two decades, WrestleMania came to Philadelphia in April of 2024. Over 100,000 people traveled to the City of Brotherly Love to spectate, and some Philly businesses also hosted their own themed events to celebrate. South Street dedicated a whole block party to the occasion (with live matches featuring a few professionals), restaurants like Dock Street Brewing served up themed drink specials, McGillin’s created a dish called the “Mile High Meatloaf”, and plenty of others hosted watch parties.
Red, White & Blue To-Do celebrated Philly’s historic roots
2024 was a year of new ways to celebrate the city, and the Red, White and Blue To-Do took over Old City right in the heat of the summer. Philadelphia Historic District was behind the day of “pomp and parade” — inspired by a phrase John Adams made in 1776 — and it was all meant to encourage visitors to commemorate independence in the place where it began.
Museums, historic sites, and local businesses in Old City participated in the inaugural event, but the schedule also held an official parade, concerts, games, extended visitation hours at the area’s historic attractions, restaurant specials, and more for its first go-around.
Open Streets brought business back to Center City
In the still lingering aftermath of the pandemic, Open Streets was a program set to encourage more foot traffic in Center City, and it also coincided with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s plan to get City of Philadelphia workers back in the office this summer.
This new initiative from the Center City District transformed the area (18th Street, from Locust to Chestnut, and Walnut Street, from 15th to 19th Street) by temporarily closing streets to vehicular traffic for pedestrian activity. The summer edition proved to be successful—survey responses from businesses along the route showed 90% reporting an increase in foot traffic to their storefronts. So, another holiday edition was added in December as well.
The Portal connected us in a new way
The Portal arrived in Philadelphia in October, and made waves on social media almost immediately. The large circular screen acts as a camera, linking the City of Brotherly Love with other cities worldwide (including Dublin, Ireland; Lublin, Poland; and Vilnius, Lithuania.) The project was conceived by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, and local technologist Joseph Callahan was able to steer their sights on the city.
The LOVE Park Portal rotates between the cities at 3-minute intervals. The location was chosen to showcase the heart of Philly (City Hall), and the installation will remain there until at least April of 2025. From there, it will find a permanent home, which Callahan says is still being discussed. Early plans, however, have been eyeing the Art Museum, Independence Park, or, staying exactly where it is in LOVE Park.
OURfest hosts first National Coming Out Parade
In 2023, Philly Pride 365: A Program of Galaei hosted the city’s first OURfest. In 2024, the occasion returned, but this time with its annual parade, which happens to be the first National Coming Out Parade in the United States. The promenade-esque event took place in October, and featured a mix of curated and designed floats, community organizations, and live performances that spotlight the “vibrancy of the LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia, the suburbs and across America.”
The following day, the National Coming Out Festival also returned with 200+ grassroots organizations, CBO’s, nonprofits, artists and makers, entertainers, food trucks, vendors, speeches, and small businesses on site.
Thanksgiving Day parade soldiered on despite the weather
It may have rained on the day of the parade but it didn’t stop the crowds, or the performers, from pulling out all the stops. The event — which happens to be the oldest of its kind in the country — took over the Ben Franklin Parkway, and was broadcasted live on 6abc.
Special guests include Lisa Ann Walter (ABC’s “Abbott Elementary”), Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” “Dancing with the Stars” Season 13) and “Good Morning America” contributing weather correspondent Sam Champion. The event is a staple in the city, and even with a few slips here and there, 2024 proved to be quite a show.
