PHILADELPHIA THROUGH THE YEAR Part 1

PHILADELPHIA THROUGH THE YEAR

Moderating mid-Atlantic coastal waters often temper the effects of extreme heat and harsh cold, making
Philadelphia’s summers enjoyable and the winters bearable. Spring flowers and warmer temperatures breathe new life into the city, with restaurants and cafés setting up tables outdoors, while city
residents head to parks and river-fronts, anticipating summer festivals and excursions to beaches
and lakes. Activities con-tinue outdoors in fall, which heralds a rush of cool air and colorful  foliage to Philadelphia’s forested greenbelts. After Thanksgiving, activities tend to move indoors with a rush of
Christmas shoppers to quaint boutiques and shopping malls. Sports and cultural activities
are in full swing during the winter months, right through to spring.


SPRING

Cherry blossoms bloom along the Schuylkill  River in early spring, as Philadelphians flock to
the Schuylkill river walk to enjoy the warmer  weather. April also signals
the start of the Philadelphia Phillies’ baseball season.

MARCH

Philadelphia Flower Show (early Mar), Pennsylvania Convention Center. Largest indoor flower show in the
United States.St. Patrick’s Day Parade (mid-Mar), Center City. A parade celebrating Philadel-phia’s strong Irish heritage.

APRIL

Cherry Blossom Festival (early Apr). Features performances of traditional Japanese arts and culture at various locations through-out the city.Philadelphia Antiques Show (early Apr), 33rd Street Armory. Dealers from across the United States gather to display their unique finds.Philadelphia Film Festival (mid-Apr).
Showcases the best in independent and  foreign cinema.Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show
(mid-Apr), Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Exhibition and sale of artisan-designed and manufactured furniture and home furnishings.Penn Relays (late Apr), Franklin Field. High school and college track stars compete in the longest  uninterrupted collegiate track meet in the nation.Equality Forum (late Apr). Begun in the 1960s, this week-long gathering  celebrates the cultural and political legacy of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities.International  Children’s  Festival (late Apr–early May), Annen- berg Center for the  Performing Arts. Jugglers, folk singers, puppeteers, and dancers delight young audiences.Philadelphia Phillies Baseball (Apr–Oct), Citizens Bank Park. The  season starts with many home games at the
43,500-capacity park.

       Sunshine Chart
This chart shows the average daily number of hours of sunshine in Philadelphia each month. June, July, and
August have long days with lots of sunshine. Spring and fall have lesser hours of sun-shine, with the shortest
days in winter, which can still have ample hours of bright sun  on clear, cold days.


MAY


Broad Street Avenue Run (early May), Olney to south Philadelphia. This 10-mile (16-km) run raises funds for the American Cancer Society.Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival (early May). A spring festival that draws 50,000  visitors to enjoy the best of living, dining, shopping, and entertainment this classy
neighborhood has to offer.Dad Vail Regatta (second weekend), Schuylkill River at Kelly Drive. Largest collegiate regatta in the  United States with more  than 100 colleges and  universities participating.
Devon Horse Show and Country Fair (late May and early Jun), Devon Fair Grounds. Equestrian
talents on display at the country’s oldest and largest event of its kind.The Mann Center (May–Sep), Fairmount Park. Performances through the summer by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly
Pops, and others.Penn’s Landing Festivals (May–Sep). Concerts along with ethnic events for families.
Annual Student Exhibition (May/Jun), Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. This century-old tradition
displays the works of award-winning students.