Philadelphia brings to mind a lot of things: cheesesteaks, Rocky Balboa, and the Liberty Bell, just to name a few. It also witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, making it a great place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and one of TPG’s 17 Best Tourist Attractions for 2026.
In addition to celebrating national anniversaries, Philadelphia is also a gathering place for sports fans this year, with major basketball, golf, football and baseball events set to take place in the city in 2026. That’s not even counting Philadelphia’s already packed calendar of annual events, from music festivals and food festivals to carnivals and Christmas markets.
Here’s a season-by-season guide to 12 activities worth planning on your Cradle of Liberty trip in 2026.
RELATED: Philadelphia’s best new hotels, restaurants, and more
Spring 2026
march madness
when: March 20-22, 2026
March Madness will kick off (or kick off) Philadelphia’s impressive schedule of major sports events this year. Six games in the first and second rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena (formerly Wells Fargo Center) in South Philadelphia, hosted by St. Joseph’s University.
If you accumulate IHG One Rewards points, rooms at the nearby Holiday Inn Philadelphia Airport Stadium District start at $270, or 50,000 points per night that weekend.
“A Nation of Artists” Exhibition
when: April 12 to September 5, 2026
In mid-April, head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to see the groundbreaking “Artists Nation” exhibition, which features more than 1,000 works by American artists such as Horace Pippin, Mary Cassatt and Mark Rothko.
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Spanning the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and spanning two museums, this major exhibition covers everything from paintings and ceramics to wood sculptures and fashion.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival
when: April 19, 2026
Philadelphia’s riverfront neighborhood of Manayunk—named for “where we go to drink” in Lenape language—has long been a popular spot for foodies. But on Sunday, April 19, dozens of food trucks and other vendors will join Main Street’s numerous restaurants, bars and cafes during the annual Manayunk StrEAT Festival. Come for the food, stay for the shopping and live music.
Related: The Best Dining Credit Cards of January 2026
PGA Championship
when: May 11-17, 2026
This year’s PGA Championship will be held at the Aronimink Golf Course in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, less than an hour’s drive from Philadelphia. This is the second time the venue has hosted a men’s tournament (the first was in 1962); it hosted the 2020 Women’s PGA Championship.
Tickets are available on StubHub (among other places). If you hold Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See Rates & Fees), you can save on tickets with a $150 StubHub credit twice per year (activation required; credit valid until December 31, 2027).
Summer 2026
summer festival
when: May 23 to September 1, 2026
The Independence Blue Cross Riverfront Summer Festival is one of Philadelphia’s most popular festivals, bringing the Delaware River waterfront to life from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You’ll find family-friendly activities like rides, roller skating, arcade games and mini golf, as well as the usual carnival drinks and snacks.
The Summer Festival is open every day throughout the summer. Admission is free; events and concessions are pay-as-you-go.
RELATED: Summer Travel Checklist: 12 Things to Do Now to Make Your Trip Better
odende festival
when: June 14, 2026
The Odunde Festival is the largest street festival in the United States celebrating African and African-American culture, held on the second Sunday in June in South Philadelphia. Thousands of tourists flock here every year to immerse themselves in African art, music, food and more.
Highlights include an authentic African market featuring vendors from across Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil, and a colorful parade that ends with an offering of fruit and flowers to Oshun, the Nigerian river god, on the Schuylkill River.
doll welcome america
when: June 19 to July 4, 2026
Wawa Welcome America, America’s largest Independence Day celebration, is back again to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
This citywide festival celebrates freedom in all its forms from June 1st to July 4th. You can look forward to 16 days of free, family-friendly events like fireworks, block parties, live music, Wawa Hoagie Day and a 4th of July parade representing every state and territory.
fifa world cup
when: Different dates in June and July
The City of Brotherly Love will host six games of this year’s FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium, also known as Lincoln Financial Field. These include five group matches in June and one knockout match on Independence Day:
- Sunday 14 June: Ivory Coast v Ecuador (Group E)
- Friday 19 June: Brazil vs Haiti (Group C)
- Monday 22 June: France vs. Continental Playoff Champion 2 (Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname, to be determined in March) (Group 1)
- Thursday 25 June: Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Group E)
- Saturday 27 June: Croatia v Ghana (Group L)
- Saturday 4 July: Round of 16
Is it too late to buy tickets now? Not exactly.
The most recent lottery draw ended on January 13th; successful applicants will be notified on or after February 5th. If you fail to snag a ticket at this stage, you will have another chance during the last-minute sales stage and resale platform, although the price may be exorbitant.
Major League Baseball All-Star Weekend
when: July 11-14, 2026
Sports events will take place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as MLB All-Star Week continues. The first round of the MLB Draft will be held on Saturday, July 11, the first time in the history of the event that it will be held on a Sunday, followed by the All-Star Futures Game on July 12, the Home Run Derby on July 13 and the All-Star Game on July 14.
Hotel rooms have been booked out lately, so you might want to stay a little further away and catch a ride to the stadium. If you have the right credit card, you can use Amex Uber offers or Chase Sapphire Reserve Lyft points to offset some of the cost of your ride.
RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Every Sports Fan Should Own a Chase Sapphire Reserve
Fall 2026
philadelphia music festival
when: October
According to the festival’s website, “Our genre is Philly.” Unlike most music festivals, Philadelphia Music Festival is a homegrown, non-profit event that bypasses producers and promoters in favor of supporting the local music community. During the week-long festival, you can see approximately two dozen local artists at independently owned venues across the city, knowing that your ticket money will go directly to the musicians and venues, while profits will be donated to local music projects to educate Philadelphia’s next generation of artists.
This year’s dates haven’t been announced yet, but the Philadelphia festival usually takes place in October.
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Concerts and Music Festivals
Winter 2026
Christmas Village
when: Late November to December 24, 2026
The Christmas Village in Philadelphia’s Love Park is one of the best holiday markets in the United States, offering traditional wooden stalls selling locally made and European products.
You can earn great points at the Hyatt Centric City Center Philadelphia, a 10-minute walk from Christmas Village. December rates start at $223 per night, or 12,000 World of Hyatt points.
winter festival
when: Late November to February
Every November, the Delaware River waterfront gets a cold-weather makeover for the Independence Blue Cross River Rink Winterfest. Visitors can skate on the large rink in front of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, then warm up and refuel in the ski lodge-style cabins. Stay tuned for the 2026 date.
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