Rain or Shine, These Festivals Are Happening

Italian Market Festival will go on all weekend | M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

We were pretty excited when we put together our compilation of May festivals, and then May happened. It’s been gray skies for much of the month with a good amount of rain mixed in (you know, except for today). And now we’re at the final pre-Memorial Day weekend and the fear-mongering weather people are predicting more rain. But if you’re like me, you’re like, “whatevs, It’s my weekend and I’ll party if I want to, weather be damned. So it’s good to know that at least some of the weekend’s outdoor events are happening regardless.

Rittenhouse Row Festival will indeed be closing down Walnut Street from Broad to 19th Street, with dozens of local businesses offering delicious bites and  fun. Capital One at 17th and Walnut will have free ponchos and speaking of free, Bulleit Bourbon, Don Julio, Ketel One and Blue Moon will all be offering free tastings. As for food, don’t miss the roast pig by Village Whiskey’s Dave Conn.

Across town, the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and Kinetic Sculpture Derby will be happening in Kensington. The mud pit for the race might be extra muddy but there will also be numerous food trucks on hand to feed the masses.

Make it two festivals in one neighborhood with Yelp’s Urban Picnic at Red Brick Craft Distilling. The distillery will be hosting free tours and tastes while Lagunitas offers samples of their beer. RSVP on Yelp by 3 p.m. today for admittance.

The Italian Market Festival runs Saturday and Sunday but dreary weather will mean less lines on Saturday. And you owe yourself a pork sandwich or two.

One weekend festival that has been cancelled is South Philly Taproom’s Wheat Beer Festival at the Point Breeze Pop Up. That’s been postponed till Saturday, June 4th.