This post lists some of the best things to do in Philadelphia in May including free events, things to do at night and family-friendly activities, updated for 2024.
For more ideas, take a look at our Things to Do in Philadelphia post.
TOP 12 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN MAY
This section covers our top activities list for May.
For even more ideas on popular tourist activities, be sure to check out our popular posts:
Keep in mind that some of the attractions below are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1. Go to a Concert
Philadelphia is home to multiple great music and event venues. This means there will be several great artists and bands here this May.
- LP | May 1st
- Eve 6 | May 1st
- Simple Plan w/ Sum 41 | May 2nd
- Testament w/ Exodus | May 3rd
- Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons | May 5th
- Destroyer | May 6th
- Tori Amos | May 9th
- Sting | May 10th, 11th
- Sevendust | May 11th
- Ace Frehley | May 13th
- Joan Osborne | May 14th
- Engelbert Humperdink | May 14th
- Deftones w/ Gojira | May 18th
- Bobby Brown | May 20th
- Tim McGraw | May 20th
- The Who | May 20th
- Tech N9ne | May 24th
- Kansas | May 27th
You can find all the concerts in the city here.
2. Go to a Game!
Spend an evening cheering on one of Philadelphia’s pro sports teams.
May is a great time to catch the Stanley Cup Playoffs - if the Flyers make it - or some regular-season baseball. If the 76ers make it to the postseason, they will also have some home games this month!
Baseball
Hockey
Basketball
Soccer
You can find all the professional sporting events in Philadelphia here.
3. Enjoy the Theatre
There are several great theatrical productions running in Philadelphia, including Off-Broadway musicals, plays, and more. You can find all of them here.
- Always...Patsy Cline | May 1st - 15th
- Celtic Illusions | May 6th
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | May 14th
- Hairspray | May 17th - 22nd
- Blithe Spirit | May 31st
Find all of the theatrical productions here.
4. Go to a Stand-up Comedy Performance
If you're in need of a good laugh, May will be an excellent month to see stand-up comedy in Philadelphia. There will be several notable comics performing in Philly this month, making it the perfect time to head out to the club.
Here are a few of the best comedy shows to see this month:
- Nikki Glaser | May 7th
- Hannah Gadsby | May 7th
- Trevor Wallace | May 13th
- Piff the Magic Dragon | May 20th
- Pauly Shore | May 20th, 21st
- Marc Maron | May 22nd
- Andrew Dice Clay | May 28th
Check this list of stand-up comedy performances in Philadelphia to find even more shows to see this May.
5. Take a Sightseeing Tour
May's sunshine and warm days make it the perfect time to take a walking tour.
Your guide will take you through the cradle of American Democracy entertaining you and revealing hidden secrets, fun trivia, and light-hearted anecdotes.
We also offer an Italian Market Food Tour and Philly Chinatown Food Tour. Check out our tour schedule to book one of the walking tour options.
You should also look into the different bus tours of Philadelphia for hop-on-hop-off and guided bus tour options as a complement to our walking tours and take the chance to see all the neighborhoods of Philly.
6. Save Up to 50% Off with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
Visitors who are working with a budget should think about getting a Philadelphia tourist pass. These services provide heavy discounts at some of the most popular attractions in the city.
Here are a few of the sites you can visit with various discount passes:
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
- Adventure Aquarium
- Longwood Gardens
- National Liberty Museum
- National Constitution Center
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Franklin Institute Science Museum
- Academy of Natural Science
- Museum of the American Revolution
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center
These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy.
If you plan to visit even a few of these attractions, you could easily end up saving a lot of money over general admission prices.
7. Taste Some Italian
Discover the nation’s oldest continually operating outdoor market at the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival on May 21st - 22nd, 2022.
This annual block party is all about food. Wander through the many vendors and local businesses for homemade sausages, fresh pasta, imported meats and cheeses, and more!
While the focus is food, there are plenty of events in which to participate. There will be a greased-pole climbing contest, face painting, and an interactive dance exhibition.
NOTE: If you can't make it to this festival but still want to try some of the best food in Philly, there is a delicious Flavors of Philly Food Tour!
8. The Philadelphia Children’s Festival
The annual Philadelphia Children’s Festival is a wonderful way to immerse your whole family in the arts. In 2022, it takes place on May 1st.
There is free fun at PlazaMania where there will be interactive, hands hands-on activities. See the event schedule and information here.
Also during the festival, you can see several different performances, though these are tickets events. Kalabante, The Amazing Max, Lolly & YoYo, and others.
9. Race Along Philadelphia’s Historic Broad Street
On May 1st, 2022, nearly 40,000 runners will gather for the annual Blue Cross Broad City Run, the country’s largest, fastest, and most popular 10-mile race.
The race begins in the northern edge of the city and takes participants through the historical parts of Philadelphia, ending at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
If you’re not a runner, there are plenty of places along the route to spectate and cheer. The 10-mile run takes place strictly down Broad Street so stand anywhere along this road to cheer on the runners!
10. Commemorate Memorial Day
Philly is an excellent place to spend Memorial Day. There are several free events to check out!
The Museum of the American Revolution pays tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the Revolutionary War.
Special flag ceremonies will be running at the National Constitution Center all weekend.
Laurel Hill Cemetery will also host a recreation of the first Decoration Day (the predecessor to Memorial Day).
Keep an eye out for festivities in whichever neighborhood you're exploring!
11. Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Starting in May, you can see the annual Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.
The square will be lit with hand-crafted lanterns strung with thousands of LED lights.
This festival celebrates Chinese lantern artisans in the Philly area and is expected to bring in 90,000 visitors from all around the world.
After seeing the lanterns, be sure to visit the Dragon Beer Garden. It is open nightly during the festival and offers a variety of drinks and food for the whole family.
NOTE: Official dates have not been announced, but they do have plans to hold this event again in 2022.
12. Peddler’s Village Annual Strawberry Month
From May 7th - 29th, 2022, enjoy two days of sweet treats in the Peddler’s Village Annual Strawberry Festival.
Treat yourself to locally grown berries, jams, pastries, and more.
Come for the strawberries and stay for the craft show, live entertainment, and kids’ activities. Admission and parking are free, and the event takes place rain or shine.
UNCONFIRMED: Rittenhouse Row
Join the festivities at Rittenhouse Row during their spring festival. Dates have yet to be confirmed for 2022.
Walnut Street explodes with live music as you peruse the outdoor shopping, attend fashion events and sample food from celebrated restaurants.
National and local retailers will be waiting for you, so get ready to revamp your spring wardrobe.
RESCHEDULED: Philly Tango Fest
The annual Philly Tango Fest takes place from June 2nd - 5th, 2022. The festival brings teachers from around the world to showcase and teach.
You can listen to live music, watch the performances or participate yourself and learn from the best.
Find out more about the schedule here.
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