Just outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s East entrance, the Philadelphia Visitor Center announced the schedule for RockyFest 2024. The week-long event will stretch from Tuesday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 8, and celebrates both the iconic film series and the city’s fighting underdog spirit.
President and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation Kathryn Ott Lovell made the announcement atop the famous Art Museum steps on Tuesday.
The fun begins with the celebration of the second annual RockyDay on Dec. 3 and will continue with various activities related to the famous film franchise, including bus tours, movie marathons, date nights, and more.
Here is a breakdown of what’s to come:
Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tours
The Philadelphia Visitor Center, in partnership with its Philly PHLASH tourism bus service, will run the first-ever publicly available Rocky Bus Tour in Philadelphia. Fans can enjoy several “must-see” spots that can be seen throughout the Rocky series in a perfectly timed 90-minute tour. The Philly PHLASH will allow touring guests an opportunity at an up-close look at these sites, which include Laurel Hill Cemetery—the fictional gravesites of his wife, Adrian Balboa, and brother-in-law, Paulie Pennino, Mighty Mick’s Gym, the church where Father Carmine gives Rocky a blessing before the big fight, the Italian Market, and many others.
Acting as a bit of a preview to the event, the Rocky Bus Tour will run from Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 8.
Franchise Movie Marathon
It’s a Rocky-themed celebration. How could it take place without a marathon showing of the blockbuster franchise? You can catch the entire series, your favorite feature, or an a la carte selection between Tuesday, Dec. 3, and Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Philadelphia Film Center.
Southpaws at The Docks: Pugs and Mugs Yappy Hour
Who could forget the iconic bond between Rocky and his beloved Bullmastiff, Butkus? In honor of their friendship, The Kennel Club of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Visitor Center invite you and your furry friends to celebrate in a pet-friendly happy hour located at the Cherry Street Pier on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event will feature light refreshments and beverages and benefiting the Philadelphia Kennel Club.
A Monumental Conversation with Dr. Paul Farber
The Rocky statue and the famed steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are fixtures in the City of Brotherly Love. Millions have traveled to pose with the statue and run the very stairs that Philadelphia famous fictitious son did those many years ago. Dr. Paul Farber, Director of Monument Lab and host of the acclaimed The Statue podcast, takes a deep dive session on the biography of the Rocky Statue, exploring how this statue was created, public debates about its placement in the city over time, and the ways this statue relates to how we memorialize people and stories throughout Philadelphia and beyond.
Farber will host two sessions, with the first taking place on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the second on Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center.
Date Night at The Penn Ice Rink
A moment of true insight into the beauty inside the beast, the Italian Stallion, was his first date with Adrian. The Philadelphia Visitor Center will partner with University of Pennsylvania to host the first Rocky Date Night. The evening will feature signature drink specials, a Rocky and Adrian look-alike contest, film recreation photo ops, and speed dating for Philadelphia-area singles, all taking place Friday, Dec. 6, at the Class of 1923 University of Pennsylvania Ice Skating Rink.
Date Night at The Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo, which hosted Rocky and Adrian for yet another memorable night in which he proposes, is set to host the second Date Night during the Zoo’s LumiNature event. With a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones at the Philadelphia Zoo, folks can recreate the famous date at the Philadelphia Zoo, and perhaps if the moment is right, ask the same big question Rocky did.
Real Life Rocky: A Mural Tribute to Philadelphia’s Unsung Champions
Rocky is undisputedly the greatest fictitious figure in Philadelphia. The Italian Stallion’s famous story and legendary resolve reflect the underdog mentality of the entire city. He showed, as many Philadelphians over the years know, that enough determination can overcome the odds. With that in mind, Mural Arts Philadelphia will interpret this narrative with a first-of-its-kind mural series highlighting Philly’s “Real Life Rockys.”
Mural Arts will soon be taking nominations, looking for Philadelphians whose stories embody the spirit of Rocky that lives on in our community daily.
For more information, visit phlvisitorcenter.com
