Upcoming Events in Philadelphia – April 2015

Spring has sprung and Philadelphia is the place to soak it all in. With an entire year of amazing events ahead of us, this is what we can look forward to in April:

Spring Blooms at Longwood Gardens: April 4 – May 31

At Longwood Gardens, tulips, dogwoods, wisteria, native azaleas, columbines, snapdragons, bluebells and more herald spring’s arrival both indoors and out during the Spring Blooms display, on view through May 31. Guests will breathe in the fresh air and relish the beauty of the gardens, where every day something new bursts into bloom.

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Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival: April 6-12

Presented by The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, this weeklong festival brings the best parts of Japan to Philadelphia through fun family events in Center City, Old City, Fairmount Park, and the Main Line. Activities range from music and dance performances to sushi-making classes, contests, films and a 10k/5k walk/run.

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Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival: April 12

With so many restaurants, one food fest isn’t enough. That’s why twice a year, foodies descend on Main Street for the StrEAT Food Festival, which kick off the spring and fall Manayunk Restaurant Weeks. Attendees nosh on food-truck fare, sample restaurant offerings, shop sidewalk sales and enjoy live entertainment.

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Philly Tech Week: April 17-25

Organized by Technically Philly, Philly Tech Week 2015 presented by Comcast celebrates and encourages the technology and innovation thriving in the Philadelphia region. More than 140 citywide events include a women-in-tech summit, a robotics showcase and a cocktail-infused tech expo and demo party held at the Comcast Center.

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Flight Market at Lincoln Financial Field: April 19

Inspired by The Food Trust’s phenomenal festival series Night Market, Flight Market takes the food truck-fueled good times to Lincoln Financial Field to partner up with the Philadelphia Eagles on a family-friendly afternoon event. Festivalgoers can expect a solid Night Market-style lineup of more than 50 food trucks, as well as additional elements like live music, kids activities, a flea market, field tours, Eagles appearances and more.

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The Penn Relays: April 23-25

A late April tradition, the annual Penn Relay Carnival is now in its 121st year, making it the world’s first and most widely recognized relay meet. Each year, this historic rite of spring draws crowds of up to 100,000 to the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field, where spectators know they’ll see some of the world’s top track athletes compete — and begin Olympic careers.

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Philadelphia Science Festival: April 24-May 2

Now in its fifth year, the Philadelphia Science Festival aims to inspire the next generation of scientists with more than 100 events over nine days. Highlighting how science and technology impact our daily lives, the festival features a number of hands-on, interactive events and exhibitions for all-ages including the massive street Science Carnival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Best of all, most events are completely FREE.

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Center City Jazz Festival: April 25

With a mission to showcase some of the best jazz in Philadelphia, the Center City Jazz Festival brings a variety of jazz musicians to bars and lounges around the Washington Square West neighborhood of Philadelphia. The festival is the highlight of Philadelphia Jazz Appreciation Month, which celebrates the city’s local jazz musicians and the role the City of Brotherly Love has played in jazz history with a number of jazz-themed events for guests of all ages.

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Portside Community Arts Festival: April 25

Formerly the Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival, this annual fest has grown so popular that its now too big for Lehigh Avenue. For its first year at Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown (and eighth year overall), look forward to dozens of artisan vendors, food trucks, live local music and the return of the Philly Puff, the city’s first-ever inflatable sculpture contest.

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Go West! Craft Fest: April 25

In addition to selling locally made crafts and goods, the Go West! Craft Fest, presented by local shop VIX Emporium and As the Crow Flies & Co. and held outdoors at the Woodlands, hosts performances by local bands and Tangle Movement Arts’ tiny circus performance series.

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Flavors of the Avenue: April 26

It’s one of the hottest restaurant rows in the region, and East Passyunk toots its own gastronomic horn during Flavors of the Avenue. For a reasonable admission fee, visitors can sample food and drink from its myriad restaurants, bakeries and pubs.

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Dining Out for Life: April 30

Diners nosh for a great cause during Dining Out for Life, an annual event in which participating restaurants around the city donate 33% of every breakfast, lunch and dinner bill to Action AIDS.

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Jon Ardito