Top Upcoming Food Events In Philadelphia
Broad St. (South of Chestnut St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 546-7432
www.pifa.org/streetfair
Date: April 27
Presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts is a 31-day celebration of creative expression, performance and artistic showcase, and the Street Fair is the culminating event. Broad Street will close as the area is transformed to convey this year's theme, "If You Had a Time Machine…" Along with musicians, performers and local artisans, food will be a main source of entertainment for this family-friendly event. Enjoy an afternoon of the arts, all while enjoying select menu items from the area's best restaurants. Many food vendors will tweak their usual items with the fair's theme as inspiration, making for a unique culinary experience.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
1426 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19110
(215) 246-0533
www.delfriscos.com
Date: May 1
Guests at this exclusive five-course dinner will have the rare opportunity to taste the highly anticipated 2008 Penfolds Grange Shiraz a day before its world release (even in Australia, its native county!). Chef John Stritzinger, of the Philadelphia outpost of Del Frisco's, collaborated with chefs from each of Del Frisco's 10 locations to create a menu designed to showcase a selection of Penfolds' most prized wines. The Shiraz is the star of the meal and is paired with porcini-dusted beef tenderloin in the third course. While this event is open to the public, seating is limited and reservations are required. Cost is $250 per person.
Related: Top Sommeliers in Philadelphia
919 S. 9th St. (Wharton St. to Fitzwater St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 278-2903
www.italianmarketphilly.org
Date: May 18-19
The annual Italian Market Festival is an elaborate celebration of the nation's oldest outdoor market. The city's biggest block party is a true family-friendly event for the entire community. Rain or shine, the Market will offer free concerts, unique local artists, contests, street performers and, of course, delicious food. The street will be lined with vendors and many of the shops will feature festival-exclusive specials. Spend the day with friends and family enjoying the best Italian food Philadelphia has to offer.
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-3300
www.easternstate.org/bastille-day
Date: July 13
To commemorate this important day in French history, the Fairmount area celebrates Philadelphia style with the storming of Eastern State Penitentiary and a grand block party. In true Philly fashion, a blast of 2,000 Tastykakes are showered on the audience as a Marie Antoinette impersonator declares, "Let them eat Tastykake!" from the guillotine. After the storming, many of the area's restaurants and bars offer French-inspired dinner specials and outdoor celebrations throughout the night.
East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.visiteastpassyunk.com
Date: April 27, noon – 4 p.m.
This afternoon food festival will take place under tents along East Passyunk Avenue. Pop over for food and drinks from more than 25 area restaurants as well as live music and crafts near the famed Singing Fountain.
PYT
Piazza at Schmidts
1050 N Hancock St
Philadelphia, Pa. 19123
www.philabundance.org
Date: April 27
Create, eat and fight hunger at this year's fabulous Cupcake Smash, happening in Northern Liberties this April. Philabundance and PYT's Tommy Up are challenging this year's competitors to find inspiration in PYT's super creative menu. If you think you have what it takes to win, please reach out to our Cupcake Coordinator, Melissa Mae at CakesforCauses@gmail.com for more details.
Hotel Monaco
433 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.ce.strength.org
Date: April 28
Taste of the Nation brings together the area's top chefs and restaurants for a nationwide benefit to fight childhood hunger. In Philadelphia, it's happening at the Hotel Monaco and features cuisine from the likes of Alla Spina, Bar Ferdinand, Davio's, Fork, Zahav and many more. There will also be specialty wines, beers and cocktails available for guests to sample.
Peddler's Village
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Pa.
www.peddlersvillage.com
Dates: May 4 & 5
Celebrate strawberries in all forms – dipped in chocolate, baked into pies and pastries, cooked into jam, etc – at this annual family-friendly fest in Peddler's Village. Live entertainment and a pie-eating contest round out all of the weekend-long fun.
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.nightmarketphilly.org
Dates: May 16, June 20
Four dates are already scheduled this year for The Food Trust's Night Markets (yesss!). The first is in Fairmount on May 16, and the second is slated for West Oak Lane. Take advantage of the warm weather at this outdoor smorgasbord, celebrating Philly's best ethnic and regional restaurants and food trucks. Some advice: Bring cash and go hungry. Seriously.
