The First Friday evening of each month, rain or shine, year-round. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.

Where

Most galleries can be found between Front and Third, and Market and Vine Streets.

The Experience

Want proof of Philadelphia´s happening art scene? Come down to Old City for First Fridays. On the first Friday evening of every month the streets fill with art lovers of all kinds who wander among the neighborhood´s 40-plus galleries, most of them open from 5 until 9 p.m.

A casual atmosphere encourages art and people watching, eating at Old City´s many restaurants and just plain mingling. There´s diversity both in the crowd and among the galleries, adding flavor to the experience. Most galleries can be found between Front and Third, and Market and Vine Streets.

History

Started in 1991 by a group of galleries as a collaborative open house evening, First Fridays grew quickly into one of Philly´s most vital, signature cultural events. Old City´s historic commercial buildings have fostered a SoHo-like cultural ambience with the densest network of galleries in the city.

Some of the arts organizations you can visit on First Fridays include the Clay Studio; the Temple Gallery; the cooperative galleries Nexus, Highwire, Muse and Third Street Gallery; and collaborative Space 1026.

April 7 through May 1, 2011, the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) will shine a spotlight on the city´s arts and cultural scene. For three weeks, audiences will revel in an array of one-time, only-in-Philadelphia productions by some of the region´s top talents

More than 15,000 paintings and sketches created by over 1,300 American soldiers in the line of duty have been in curatorial storage in Washington, D.C. for decades. Seldom have them been made available for public viewing. Art of the American Soldier will bring these powerful works of art into the spotlight at the National Constitution Center from September 24, 2010 through January 10, 2011.

The exhibition, featuring a never-before-seen collection, was created by the NCC in partnership with the U.S. Army Center of Military History and the National Museum of the United States Army. Following its world debut at the Center, the exhibition will begin a national tour. Tickets to the exhibition are currently available for purchase.

The Trailer

History

The U.S. Army´s art program began during World War I, and continued through World War II, resulting in the creation of over 2,000 pieces of art. In 1945, the Army established its Historical Division, with responsibilities including the preservation of these works. The collection also includes artwork by artists who were sent to document the Vietnam War, as well as works from soldier-artists who are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. For a complete history of the Army´s art program, click here.
Tickets

Admission to Art of the American Soldier is FREE with regular museum admission of $12 for adults, $11 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $8 for children ages 4-12. Veterans and military families will receive $2 off admission. Active military personnel, career military retirees, and children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates are also available. For ticket information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.
Buy Tickets Online In Advance

You can buy admission tickets to the National Constitution Center online through our partners at the Independence Visitor Center. Just click the button below

The Experience

Now in its fourth year, the Free Library Festival is the Library´s annual burst of ideas and inspiration.

Well on its way to becoming a Philadelphia tradition, the Festival weekend is packed with free programming for all ages, including talks by bestselling authors, poetry readings, musical performances, tours of the Library´s special collections and programs and activities just for children. A fun, free way to spend the day, the Free Library Festival connects book lovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

For a full schedule of performances, view the Festival Program.

Meet the Authors

The Free Library will host more than 50 authors on-stage at the 2010 Free Library Festival, including Tina Campbell of the urban gospel duo Mary Mary, talk show host Chelsea Handler, Sapphire

In Historic Philadelphia, you´ll find plenty of places where prices haven´t changed much since our Founding Fathers were milling about town.

And we have put an entire weekend itinerary together for you, a step-by-step guide full of budget-conscious meals, fun stuff for the family and even a few cost-effective cocktails.

Welcome to Philadelphia, “America´s best beer-drinking city.” To start your vacation on the right foot