2025 marks the 17th year of the highly energetic and uniquely wacky Kensington Derby and Arts Festival, and it all takes place this Saturday, Oct. 25. This go-around, East Kensington’s long-time parade and arts activation has moved to the fall season (it’s typically a spring-time event) and will also feature a brand-new kids-only ride through the mud.
The Derby features a cavalcade of human-powered sculptures crafted from recycled bicycles and other materials riding through various obstacles, with the grand finale of a large mud pit to finish it all off. Winners are then crowned in categories, with past submissions including Best Art, Best Costume, Best Engineering, Media Choice and Judge’s Choice. The Festival portion, on the other hand, holds a variety of vendors and merchants selling hand-made creations, food and drink stands and trucks, and live entertainment taking over Frankford Avenue from Sergeant Street to York Street.
The Derby and Arts Festival started in 2007 on Trenton Avenue as a collaboration between East Kensington Neighbors Association and New Kensington Community Development Corp. The festival continues to serve as a fundraiser for the Neighbors Association, and in the past, proceeds from beer sales at the event have been spent back in the East Kensington area through their community mini-grant program.
This rain or shine event kicks off on Saturday at noon, with the Derby itself starting at 1 p.m. (at the warehouse on Martha St. at 2418 Martha), and the grand finale mud pit (located on Hagert Avenue by Lost Bar) kicking off at 2 p.m. The kids' racing and mud pit will begin later in the day (at 5 p.m.), but the Festival itself will continue well into the night until about 8 p.m.
2025’s iteration of this fan-favorite extravaganza will feature a few new fixtures: A Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest with prizes for the most creative looks, a Pet Costume Contest showcasing our four-legged friends’ best outfits, and “Awful Wrestling” — which a release describes as a family-friendly spectacle with “all of the pageantry and none of the athleticism of pro wrestling” to close out the evening (6 to 8 p.m.)
“Through feedback with the community, we are bringing it back to its roots of creativity, artistic creation, and neighborhood enthusiasm," says Marc Collazzo, Executive Director of the Fishtown District. "The region will be treated to the best of Kensington by showcasing its businesses, artisans, makers, and entertainers.
"The historic kinetic vehicles, the unique ride through the mud pit, the exhilarating performances of Awful Wrestling, and Halloween and family-friendly activities make this a special destination event,” Collazzo adds.
Vendors, performers, musicians, food trucks and other local businesses will band together for the unique occasion.
Food vendors registered for the festivities span some new offerings, including Korea Taqueria Sacred Vice Brewing, Los Gallos Restaurant, Amy’s Pastelillos, Riverwards, Post Haste, Quick Stop, Poe's Sandwich Joint, HAHA’s kitchen, Jrip Juicery and more.
This annual neighborhood celebration will shine the spotlight on dozens of local merchants, artists and makers as well, like Philly Yo' Self, Kensington Vintage, Foster Philly Art, Queer Candle Co., Boingers, Kismet Collective, Jenthunderhorse Jewelry and plenty of others.
The 2025 Kensington Derby and Arts Festival is free to attend, with food, drink and vendors pay-as-you-go.
More information about the festival (with registration for art vendors and derby teams) can be found at kensingtonkineticarts.org. That’s also where a full Derby race course map is located. Locals can also stay up-to-date with festival news on Facebook or Instagram by following @kensingtonkineticarts
