Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Chestnut Hill Home + Garden Festival
With the sunnier parts of the year finally in full bloom, Philadelphians with a green thumb and those looking to expand on their home decor can rejoice — the Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival is back this weekend.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than 250 vendors will set up shop along the 8000 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue to highlight home and garden décor. The event will feature outdoor craft demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, and over 200 retailers, restaurants, and businesses within the Chestnut Hill Business District joining in on the fun.
The day will also boast henna tattoos, a used book sale at Tavern on the Hill, plus an outdoor cookout from McNally’s Tavern featuring sandwiches, beer, and spring-inspired slushies. And since the festival also happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo, El Poquito and El Limon, along with several other Mexican-themed food stands, will set up shop along Germantown Avenue. More details can be found online. (Note, the festival has been moved to its rain date on May 19.)
Garces Foundation’s Annual Benefit
Foodies can rejoice, this weekend the Garces Foundation will be throwing its largest fundraising event at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. This Friday, May 3, locals can indulge in this event that promises “culinary delights” aka bites from top chefs and restaurants, including Cantina La Martina, Enswell, Forsythia, Gabriella’s Vietnam, Hi-Lo Taco, Irwin’s, Jezabel’s, La Chingonita, Pod, The Olde Bar, Rouge, DOLCE Italian and more.
The evening will also feature a full bar serving up cocktails, music will be in full swing, and there will also be a live and silent auction. Tickets span GA ($175, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.), GA with early access ($225, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.) or VIP (which includes early access and an after-party with some sweet treats held at the venue’s 33rd floor from 9 to 11 p.m. for $295).
As a release notes, proceeds from the benefit support the GARCES Foundation’s mission to provide Philadelphia’s immigrant population the healthcare, education, and support they need to improve their lives and empower this community to reach its potential.
1200 Market St., garcesfoundation.
South Street’s Maifest
Set for Saturday, May 4, the all-day festival (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) from Brauhaus Schmitz will be celebrating its 11th year and is set to be bigger than ever. Think authentic German culture, live music, tasty food, and plenty of beer (and steins) to go around.
Maifest will also feature its typical fan-favorite activities—like the Liter Lift Competition, pig roast, face painting, flower crowns, key tapping and games. The celebration will also include Pennsylvania’s largest Maypole, and performances by the Die Heimatklange Band and the United German Hungarian Dance group this year.
The all-day outdoor block party is free to attend, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. VIP tickets are also available for $100 and include food, drinks and access to the Brauer Bund, where you will find seating, private bathrooms, an extensive German food buffet and TVs to catch sporting events of the day and the Kentucky Derby, a release notes.
‘Hurricane Diane’
A new production from Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George will be hitting the stage at People’s Light Theater, and it is set somewhat locally (well at an “unassuming cul-de-sac” in Monmouth, New Jersey). “Hurricane Diane” is set to run at the theater from May 1 to 19, and the Obie Award-winning show is described as a “comedic romp with a mythological twist and a hilarious parable of climate reckoning and liberation.”
The play centers on Diane (Rami Margron), a permaculture gardener with swaggering charm, according to a news release. She also has supernatural powers thanks to her secret identity: the Greek god Dionysus.
The production opens with a performance on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. and runs through Sunday, May 19. For more information on tickets ($42) check out People’s Light website.
39 Conestoga Road., Malvern, peopleslight.org
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Rittenhouse Row will be throwing its annual Spring festival in 2024 this Saturday, May 4. With the spirit of “luxury” in mind, the event features local businesses selling and promoting their brand alongside national brand activations, live entertainment, fashion, plus unique food and beverage options from some of the city’s top spots.
Think pierogies from Restaurant Aleksander, a dance party cocktail garden from Red Bull with Vinyl, Roman Al Taglio slices to go from Pizzata Pizzeria, lobster rolls, sliders and Stateside frozen lemonades from Happy Rooster and much, much more. The event will be in full swing from noon to 5 p.m., and Walnut Street in Rittenhouse will be closed down for the occasion.
