April 4
Cocktails for a Cause at Rex – At 6 p.m. at Rex at the Royal, 1524 South St. Build, shake and pour Rex’s twists on popular cocktails to benefit the Bethesda Project. Learn to craft quality cocktails that are easy to repeat at any home event. Each ticket sold will benefit the Bethesda Project, a nonprofit at 1630 South St. that promotes services, social justice and more for folks experiencing housing insecurity. Tickets are $60 each or $100 for a pair and available on Resy.
April 5
Sonja Morgan: Sonja in your City – At 8 p.m. at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, an unfiltered cabaret comedy show. Morgan is the star and fan favorite of hit Bravo TV series “The Real Housewives of New York City” and Peacock’s “Welcome to Crappie Lake.” Tickets start at $19.99 and are available at Philadelphia.LiveCasinoHotel.com, AXS.com and at Shop Live! in the Hotel Lobby.
April 5-6
GIMME A SIGN! – New York City-based writer and performer Bailey Swilley brings her one-hour show to Philly Theatre Week for three performances at the Yellow Bicycle Theater, 1435 Arch St., on April 5 and 6. The show is an autobiographical comedy written and performed by Swilley, based on a family tragedy and the strange but funny antics that ensued after. The solo show combines standup and storytelling and explores the stages of grief and the search for signs from above. Come for the ghost tour with anecdotes about haunted tampons and a very Philadelphia funeral, stay for the life lessons on self-acceptance and growing up. More info at https://yellowbicycle.com/unicycle/.
April 14
Chef Series Dinner with Keith Taylor – At 6 p.m. at Rex at the Royal, 1524 South St., chefs Angie Brown and Keith Taylor of Zachary’s BBQ and Catering are teaming up for a night of Southern Creole and BBQ fusions. The five-course menu will feature courses inspired by Taylor’s heart and roots, and conclude with strawberry shortcake made by Brown’s mother using her own recipe. Rex at the Royal’s Chef Series with Angie Brown is a collaborative event highlighting local chefs and the shared thread between their stories and dishes, emphasizing connection, and creating community. Tickets are $95 and will be available on Resy.
April 17
Mary J. Blige – Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets at LiveNation.com.
April 18
Comedian Marlon Wayans – Actor and comedian, Marlon Wayans is bringing his stand-up to The Event Center at Live! Known for his roles in films like White Chicks, Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2, Wayans promises an evening of laughter. Tickets start at $49.99 and can be purchased at Philadelphia.LiveCasinoHotel.com.
April 23
Mandolinist and Songwriter Chris Thile – The Philadelphia Orchestra will welcome Chris Thile for a one-night-only performance of ATTENTION! A narrative song cycle for extroverted mandolinist and orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Thile’s biographical composition utilizes his expertise in mandolin performance paired with a full symphonic orchestra to illuminate personal stories from his life and career. Tickets available at philorch.org.
April 26
Monster Jam – At Lincoln Financial Field, enjoy big-time family fun at Monster Jam, where the world’s best drivers and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. Tickets at https://www.lincolnfinancialfield.com/events/monster-jam/.
April 27
Manayunk StrEAT Festival – From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street with more than 70 food trucks and food vendors lining the main strip of the historic neighborhood. The most award-winning food trucks from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and beyond will be firing up everything from Instagram-worthy food trends to classics to regional favorites – with everything from pizza, tacos, lobster, burgers, ravioli, dumplings, pickles, pound cake, corn on a stick, bacon on a stick, grilled cheese, wok bowls and more.
May 2
Luann de Lesseps – Join the star of the The Real Housewives of New York City, Countess Luann de Lesseps, as she returns to the Live! Event Center for an intimate evening of cabaret. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $44.99 and are available at Philadelphia.LiveCasinoHotel.com, AXS.com and at Shop Live! in the hotel lobby.
May 3
Jacob Banks – Singer-songwriter Jacob Banks announces his Yonder Tour 2025 across North America this spring including a stop at the Theatre of Living Arts on South Street. Banks is a Nigerian-born, British singer, songwriter, musician and producer known for his blend of soul, R&B, alternative and electronic music. Tickets at mrjacobbanks.com.
May 3
Kristin Chenoweth – The Philadelphia Orchestra will welcome Broadway, TV and film actress Kristin Chenoweth for a one-night-only performance at 7 p.m. in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The performance will mark her second collaboration with the Orchestra following her 2016 debut with the ensemble. Together with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, she will perform popular hits from Broadway and the American songbook. For tickets, visit philorch.org.
May 5
Kendrick Lamar and SZA – At Lincoln Financial Field as part of a 19-stadium tour across North America. Tickets at grandnationaltour.com.
May 15
Rauw Alejandro – Latin Grammy award-winning and 4-time Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican singer and songwriter at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets at LiveNation.com.
May 16-18
FAN EXPO Philadelphia – At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the biggest and best in pop culture: movies, TV, music, artists, writers, exhibitors and cosplay, with three full days of themed programming to satisfy every fandom. Celebrity guests from ‘Superman & Lois,’ ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Twilight’ plus icons William Shatner, Dolph Lundgren, Anthony Daniels, Priscilla Presley, Heather Graham and more. Adult, Youth and Child Single-Day Tickets, Three-Day Passes, Family passes and Ultimate and VIP Packages are available at www.fanexpophiladelphia.com.
May 17
GirlzDay – Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania will host its GirlzDay: Our World, Our Way at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The event is an all-day fun-filled experience for girls in grades K-12, offering them the chance to discover their potential, dream big and immerse themselves in a day full of energy, creativity and sisterhood. GirlzDay not only represents the culmination of GSEP’s pilot program, Calling All Girl Bosses, designed to empower Philadelphia girls in grades 6-12 to effect real change in their neighborhoods, but acelebrates girls throughout GSEP’s nine-county footprint. The event invites girls and their families to hear from inspiring women leaders, try new things in the Hall of Experiences, dance the day away at a glow dance party and more. For more information, and how to register or become a sponsor, visit https://www.gsep.org/en/discover/girlzday.html.
May 17-18
S. 9th Street Italian Festival – For seven city blocks, the 2025 Festival will be a celebration of culture, gastronomy, art and music. Featuring over 100 area vendors showcasing a range of cuisine and beverages. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and purchase culinary delights. In addition to the food, the Festival will feature a range of music, services, souvenirs, jewelry, artists and crafters.
May 22
Old Crow Medicine Show – At 7:30 p.m. at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Old Crow Medicine Show makes its Penn Live Arts debut with a mix of traditional country, old-time string music, bluegrass and folk. The six-piece band was discovered by bluegrass legend Doc Watson and since then has earned two Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and won legions of fans with hits like “Wagon Wheel,” “Down Home Girl” and “Take ‘Em Away.” For tickets and information visit PennLiveArts.org.
May 25
Post Malone – At Citizens Bank Park, nine-time diamond-certified Grammy Award-nominated global superstar Post Malone is set to embark on his biggest headlining tour to date with Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour. Tickets at LiveNation.com.
May 31-June 1
Roots Picnic – The two-day festival returns to its longtime home of The Mann in Fairmount Park. R&B singer D’Angelo will headline the festival alongside The Roots, marking the Black Messiah musician’s return to Roots Picnic. Lenny Kravitz will take the stage to perform hits as well as his latest studio album Blue Electric Light. Meek Mill will also make his first appearance on the Roots Picnic stage. Roots Picnic will also welcome GloRilla, Tems, Latto, Kaytranada, Jeezy, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Musiq Soulchild, Kur, Elmiene, Jagged Edge, Backyard Band featuring CeeLo Green, Crystal Waters, Lay Banks and Laila. Tickets at https://therootspicnic.com/.
June 8
Odunde Festival – covering 16 city blocks and with 2 stages of live entertainment, Odunde will be celebrating its 50th year in the traditional South Philadelphia location near 23rd and South Street.
June 8
David Bisbal – At the Theatre of Living Arts, Spanish musician David Bisbal is making his return to the U.S. with his first tour stateside since 2021 with the Back in the USA 2025 Tour. This new run features a refreshed repertoire that includes his greatest hits as well as the latest songs from his discography. Tickets at LiveNation.com.
June 19
Lil Baby – At the Wells Fargo Center, rap star Lil Baby and the WHAM World Tour. Special guests include BigXthaPlug, NLE Choppa and Loe Shimmy. Tickets at whamtour.com.
August 1
Philadelphia Folk Festival Preview Concert – At 7 p.m. at Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert Series, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Bryn Mawr. An evening featuring performances from Larry Ahearn, Lili Añel, Cloudbelly and Max Davey. It is a free event. All four performers are scheduled to play at this year’s Philadelphia Folk Festival. The event will offer a sneak peek of what to expect on the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township this summer.
August 14
Jonas Brothers – At Citizens Bank Park, “JONAS20: LIVING THE DREAM” tour – a full-circle celebration of their 20-year journey from performing in malls to headlining the biggest stadiums in the world. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com.
October 25
SPHS Class of ’68 Celebrates Turning 75 – South Philadelphia High School’s Class of 1968 will have a luncheon at noon on Oct. 25 at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. The event is open to all classes and formal invites will be emailed in March. Call Arleen Liberi 609-922-2419, Maria Leati 856-287-3734 or Stephen Michielli 267-252-2740.
