Going to college in Philly, we’re so often bombarded—on social media and IRL—with seemingly endless options for how to spend our free time. So I’m delighted to announce that Street has done the hard part for you: we’ve rounded up what we think are the can’t–miss events for the month in one convenient place. If I’ve done my job right, there’ll be something in here for every one of our readers, no matter what you like to do with your weekends.
—Catherine Sorrentino, Print Editor
March 21–April 7: Disney’s Frozen Musical @ The Academy of Music
Ready to sing “Let It Go” alongside screaming children? See the Tony–nominated stage adaptation of the Oscar–winning musical movie, featuring all the beloved Frozen songs.
$30–$160, 240 South Broad St.
March 27–April 21: Macbeth @ Sedgwick Theater
For all the English majors out there, Quintessence Theater presents the Bard’s famous story of witches and wickedness. Get ready for a Shakespeare play like you have never seen before—darker and bloodier.
$15–$60, various showings, 7137 Germantown Ave.
Every Saturday and Sunday beginning March 30: Southeast Asian Market @ FDR Park
I’ve had the Southeast Asian Market on my Google Calendar since this summer, when a friend of mine who had graduated from Penn a few years back reminisced about how much she missed it now that she’s not in Philadelphia. Take a trip to FDR Park for community, fresh air, and good eats.
Costs vary by vendor booth, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1500 Pattison Ave. & S. Broad St.
April 7–April 13: Dine Latino Restaurant Week @ Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Feeling like boosting the revenue of Latinx–owned restaurants? Meet Hispanic chefs fueling the food and restaurant scene in the Philadelphia metro area by reserving your seat! Buy two entrees and receive a free appetizer or dessert.
Price varies by locations
April 8: Solar Eclipse @ Everywhere
Solar eclipses only occur every 18 months (ask anyone in ASTR 0001 why that is), and it’s even rarer when one passes through North America. Luckily, our very own Philadelphia will be able to observe a 90% solar eclipse. Grab your ISO–certified eclipse glasses, and some space–related snacks (astronaut ice cream, anyone?) and watch the show unfold from anywhere below the sky.
Free!, 2:08 p.m. to 4:35 p.m., anywhere outside
April 10–14: HADESTOWN @ The Academy of Music
Raise hell at the Academy of Music’s HADESTOWN. A theatrical retelling of two iconic Greek myths—Persephone and Hades and Orpheus and Eurydice—this show explores the depths of love and death. Walk away with tears in your eyes and songs stuck in your head. Now is your chance to be the annoying friend singing, “Wait for Me.”
Tickets start at $21, 240 S. Broad St.
April 12–14: Spring Fest @ Philadelphia Film Center
Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, Spring Fest is a weekend–long festival dedicated to a love for the cinematic. The line–up, curated by the perfectly pretentious cinephiles of Philadelphia, will include the freshest releases of this year. From earnest indies to expositive documentaries, the wide variety of this festival’s offerings will please anyone, film lover or not.
$15 student tickets, 1412 Chestnut St.
April 13–14: Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival @ Fairmount Park
Spring is here, and with it bloom beautifully pink cherry blossoms—and you don’t have to be in D.C. to experience the magic of these flowers. Celebrate the beauty of these beloved trees with live dance and music performances, local Japanese food, and even a “Pretty in Pink” pet costume contest.
Free, 100 N. Horticulture Dr.
April 17: Margaret Atwood @ Harrison Auditorium
Literary force Margaret Atwood is coming to Penn for a spirited discussion. With a seasoned career lasting more than 60 years, Atwood has written phenomenal projects, including The Handmaid’s Tale and its highly awaited sequel, The Testaments. This event will be sure to impress and leave you inspired to write the next feminist cultural critique.
Free, 3260 South St.
April 17–18: girl in red @ The Met
For the girls and gays and everyone in between, artist girl in red is doing it again, and she’s doing it in Philly! Don’t miss her two–night rendezvous with the city as she takes the world on in her Doing It Again Tour. Skipping this concert is, in her own words, a bad idea.
Ticket prices vary, 858 N. Broad St.
April 19: Spring Fling Concert @ Penn Park
The best party in Philly is happening in our backyard, and you’re invited! Spring Fling is back, and better than ever, for its 51st year. The soon–to–be–announced lineup is sure to be a crowd–pleaser, commencing a weekend of music, food, and fun.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., 3000 Walnut St.
April 20: Spring Fling Daytime Festival @ Penn Park
The Spring Fling party does not end after the encore. Penn’s Social Planning and Events Committee is hosting a full–sized carnival, featuring student performances, giveaways, and local food vendors. There will be a little something for every Penn student … and tons of freebies.
12 p.m.–5 p.m., 3000 Walnut St.
Through April 20: (re)FOCUS 2024 @ Philadelphia Art Alliance
A multigenerational group exhibit at the Art Alliance, this year’s (re)FOCUS presents the personal historic mythologies of seven artists. Curated by Sid Sachs, the exhibition features artworks ranging from miniature ceramic figures to brushed paintings, and provides a compelling narrative of strength and sensitivities.
Free, 251 S. 18th St.
April 21: StrEAT Food Festival @ Manayunk
Head up the Schuylkill to charming Manayunk for the culinary experience of the month. Grab some cash and an empty stomach to enjoy a mile–long stretch of live music, thrifting, and food trucks. Bon appétit!
Costs vary, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Main Street Manayunk
April 23: Everyday Futures Fest Block Party @ Da Vinci Art Alliance
With more than 50 local cultural partners and community creators, the Everyday Futures Fest Block Party presents an afternoon of fun for all ages. Ranging from art installations, and storytelling performances, to street vendors and interactive workshops, there’s something for everyone at the Block Party!
Free, 4 p.m.–9 p.m., Seventh and Catharine streets
April 26: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer @ BOK Auditorium
Head to the iconic Bok Building, a school building–turned–artisan space, to experience the orchestra by candlelight. Enjoy a night dedicated to Hans Zimmer’s top hits, with music from Inception to Interstellar. After the concert, head up to the Bok Bar on the roof of the building, and enjoy the views of Philadelphia.
$45–$55, 8:30 p.m., 800 Mifflin St.
April 26–28: Philly Black Pride
Don’t miss out on this annual four–day Pride event that emphasizes the strength and resilience of Philadelphia’s community of LGBTQ+ people of color. Events include the Society Lights Opening, Poetry Slam, Black Joy, and Healing Summ.
Free entry, various times and locations.
April 26–May 5: Madame Butterfly @ The Academy of Music
Karen Chia–ling Ho and Anthony Ciaramitaro make their company debut, bringing Puccini’s achingly beautiful score to life as the young geisha Cio Cio San and United States Navy Lt. Pinkerton—beyond stereotypes. Be prepared to get all the feelings while listening to this opera.
Tickets start at $25, various times, 240 S. Broad St.
April 26–28: Mozart’s Requiem @ Philadelphia Orchestra
A mysterious and unfinished piece from Mozart, his final Requiem is full of haunting emotions and humanity—a testament to his magnificent talent, undiminished even in the face of the end. Led by conductor Nathalie Stutzmann and featuring the vocal talents of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s rendition is a must–have for this final, canonical work.
Tickets start at $40, various times, 260 S. Broad St.
April 26–June 30: Crafted in Philly @ All of Philadelphia
Do you often find yourself touting the differences between pale ales, stouts, and hazy IPAs, or swearing you can identify the strain of yeast fermented in your lager? Crafted in Philadelphia, a two–month beer tour of the city is the perfect event for you. Hosted by BrewedAt and Let’s Rallie, this brewery tour is a time for your pretentious beer expertise to shine, all the while supporting local businesses.
$35, multiple locations
April 29: Jacob Collier DJESSE VOL. 4 NORTH AMERICA TOUR @ The Met
Five–time Grammy winner Jacob Collier will be at the Metropolitan Opera House for a show celebrating the finale of his four–volume epic Djesse series. From collabs with SZA to Alicia Keys, get ready for an unforgettable night.
Tickets start at $48.10, 6 p.m., 858 N. Broad St.
Through April 30: Sisterhood Sit–In Trolley Tour: Sitting Pretty @ Sisterhood Sit–In
Themed “Sitting Pretty,” the 2024 Sister Sit–In Trolley Tour celebrates Black womanhood across all ages to create a powerful narrative that spans from boomers to Gen Alpha. By highlighting some of the iconic locales in Philadelphia’s heart, the trolley tour guarantees a soulful journey of heritage and legacy.
$50, various times, 258 E. Girard Ave.
Through May 12: Ritual of Self: Isaiah Zagar’s Self–Portraits in Paper @ Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
The city’s favorite public mosaicist takes center stage at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (again!) with this exhibition featuring a revelatory selection of never–before–seen mixed–media artworks.
$12–$15, 1020 South St.
Through May 19: Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me @ The Barnes Foundation
Don’t miss the iconic exhibition of the art director of the U.S. fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar for nearly a quarter century. Featuring original and collaborative works by Brodovitch, run, don’t walk, to see his impact on print culture today.
$5 student tickets, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
