“April showers bring May flowers,” as the old saying goes. And any visitor wanting to experience spring in Philadelphia will take heed from the proverb. But don’t let a little rain scare you off, there is so much on offer!
After months bundled up inside, worrying about the possibility of snow and ice, Philadelphia awakens in spring. Warming weather brings gardens across the region to life. Philadelphia in spring means lots of festivals taking advantage of the outdoor weather, including a Philadelphia cherry blossom festival.
Oh, yes, there is so much to enjoy in the City of Brotherly Love come spring!
Philadelphia Weather in Spring
Spring in Philadelphia is very wet as the temperatures slowly warm. The average high temperature in March is 53 degrees, while the average low is 37 degrees. By April, the average high in Philadelphia reaches 66 degrees and the average low is 47 degrees. The average high skyrockets to 84 in June, with an average low of 67.
But regardless of how warm it is, you would be best advised to keep an umbrella or a raincoat close by. There can be steady all day rains, severe storms that pop up out of nowhere, or days where the clouds seem ready to erupt but never do.
Luckily, by the time you get to spring snow is mostly out of the picture. Keyword: “mostly.” Getting snow as late as Easter is not unheard of, however, it is more a novelty than an actual inconvenience.
Prepare ahead of time as best you can and no weather will be “bad.”
Fun Things to Do in Spring in Philadelphia
Spring in Philly is no one thing. If you prefer to embrace the warmer weather with quiet reflection and picnics in the park, you can do that. Or if you prefer to party in the streets, there are plenty of opportunities for you to do that. But why pick one? Enjoy the changing of the seasons with these fun things to do in spring in Philadelphia!
Enjoy Spring Flowers & Plants
No doubt if you visited the Flower Show at the end of winter, you are ready for a spring fling of fresh blossoms and green leaves. You may not know that the Greater Philadelphia area has more than 30 gardens within 30 miles of the city. Because of it, the city has earned the nickname of “America’s Garden Capital.” So when the seasons turn to spring in Philadelphia, you know there is no shortage of beautiful gardens in full bloom to explore.
Again, there are more than 30 gardens. But a few of my favorites are the lavish French-inspired Nemours Estate, the beautifully integrated native plant garden Mt. Cuba Center, and the varied acres of Longwood Gardens.
A garden is not a garden is not a garden. What that means is that each and every garden is different and unique. Some will have spectacular foliage and trees, while others may be more natural, while others still may focus on pretty petals. Spend spring getting to know them all.
(And don’t forget the gardens for the rest of the year. Gardens transform to something special in summer, fall, and even the winter, too.)
Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival
Internationally each spring, there’s a period where fluffy pink and white blossoms dominate. While Japan might be the ultimate cherry blossom viewing destination in the world, there are other spots that you shouldn’t count out! In the United States, the Washington, DC cherry blossoms are probably the most popular. But don’t count the Philadelphia cherry blossoms out!
There are beautiful cherry trees across the city, even on Cherry Street! Each year the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival is a weeklong event. The festival is capped off with Sakura Sunday, held in Fairmount Park just outside of Shofuso, a Japanese house and garden.
Sakura Sunday site is perfect. Tall cherry trees of different types line an asphalt path amongst fountains and statues. It’s a lovely spot. The atmosphere for the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival is lively, usually featuring Japanese dancers and drummers as well as cosplay and Harajuku fashion shows.
Spring Sports
In case you haven’t heard, Philadelphia is a bit of a sports town. Philly fans can be quite aggressive if not loyal.
And spring in Philadelphia means the start of baseball season. The Philadelphia Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park in South Philly. If you’re a serious baseball fan, you can settle in for nine innings. Or you can wander around the park for the atmosphere. You can take in the came from bleachers in the outfield or from the walkways around the perimeter of the stadium. Either way, tickets are available in every price range. And let’s be honest, it’s worth attending a game just to watch the Phillie Phanatic and his hijinks!
The Philadelphia Union also kick-off (pun intended) their season in the late winter-early spring timeframe. The soccer team plays in a stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Delaware River. You can always count on Union fans to be loud and proud so expect a fun time!
The spring also sees the finale of other sports. The Philadelphia 76ers wrap things up in early spring. Fans can head to the Wells Fargo Center to see the popular team in action!
Spring Events in Philadelphia
No one wants to spend spring indoors. So it makes sense that there are so many outdoor festivals. Clearly, these aren’t all of the spring events on offer, but it’s a selection of some of the most popular and important.
One such festival is the Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest. The German restaurant’s May Day (the first of May) festival sees South Street shut down for a Maypole, German dancers, and more Maibock beer than you can shake a stick at. If you can’t make it to Germany for Maifest, this is the next best thing!
Philly Pride kicks off for a fun-filled and important weekend in June. The festivities include a parade from the Gayborhood (specifically at 13th & Locust Streets) and finishes at Penn’s Landing.
Also in June, the city celebrates Juneteeth, a state holiday recognizing the abolition of slavery. The event includes a music festival and a parade (from 52nd & Jefferson Streets to Malcolm X Park (at 52nd & Pine Streets).
For more than a decade, the city has come together to celebrate Philly Beer Week. Said to be the largest beer festival in the country, the event offers homebrew competitions, pub crawls, beer pairings, and more.
Ever dreamed of seeing inside of one of the charming homes tucked along Elfreth’s Alley? Each year, Fete Day at Elfreth’s Alley sees residents of the historic street opening the doors of their homes to visitors. The day is an important fundraiser for the Alley Association, including its museum.
Tips for a Spring in Philadelphia Trip
- Spring is full of holidays. You can easily plan around Easter and Memorial Day but spring breaks will vary by school. Expect more closures around Easter, especially the Monday after the holiday. You can expect larger than normal crowds during Memorial Day weekend.
- Parking in Philadelphia can be difficult to find at the best of times. But on a spring weekend when the weather is good? Good luck. Plan ahead.
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All photos, as well as all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.