Categories
Bright Side Community Calendar Featured News

Experience Three Festivals in One During South Street Fest

Enjoy international food & drinks, handmade crafts, eclectic vendors, and more.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., South Street Headhouse District will host their annual South Street Fest. Guests will be able to experience three festivals in one! On the West end of the festival will be Brauhaus Schmitz’s 10th Annual Maifest with dancing around the Maypole, live music, face painting, flower crowns, and more!

South Street Fest

On the 600 Block of South Street, The DreamEerie and Atomic City Comics are partnering together for a Free Comic Book Day celebration complete with costume contests, trivia, and a live DJ.

Finally, at the east end of the festival guests can grab a bite to eat and sip on mint juleps at the “2nd Street Jawn + Kentucky Derby Lane”.

Photo Credit: Visit Philadelphia

At the intersection of 2nd and South Streets, Bistro Romano, Bridget Foy’s, Paddy Whacks Pub, and The Twisted Tail will be going all-out this year with a canopy bar, grill tents, dozens of TVs, and a jumbotron screen in the middle of the street broadcasting the Kentucky Derby, as well as other sports games and King Charles III’s coronation.

This family-friendly festival spans South Street from 2nd to 8th Streets, with special festivities on every block. The east entry point is at the Headhouse Plaza and the west entry point is at 800 South Street. This event is perfect for all ages, and is a fantastic way to support local businesses!

As the sponsor for this year’s Kids Zone, the Philadelphia Union will be rolling out an interactive inflatable for children to enjoy on the 200 Block of South Street. The Kids Zone will also feature giant chess, giant Connect 4, and vendors from the Nerdy Craft Fair provided by Queen & Rook Game Cafe.

New to the festival this year is the launch of South Street Fest’s Artist Row sponsored by the Queen Village Neighborhood Association and Society Hill Civic Association. Curated by Yowie, Queen & Rook Game Cafe, and the South Street Art Mart, Artist Row will feature 20+ new and emerging artists and artisans with a focus on women and BIPOC creators who may not otherwise have the opportunity to bring their craft to the next level.

Community sponsor Federal Donuts has created a special South Street donut called “The South Street”—only available during the festival and sold exclusively at their South Street location! Stateside Vodka will also be joining as a sponsor, bringing canned cocktails to the street. Kimmel Cultural Campus will be offering exciting show-themed giveaways and enter-to-win opportunities including tickets to see Beetlejuice, among other shows.

Photo credit: Federal Donuts

While Jim’s Steaks is under renovation, the South Street Headhouse District is proud to announce an Open Call for Open Walls at the corner of 4th and South Streets! The temporary walls outside of Jim’s will serve as “free walls” for street artists, and all are invited to contribute to this communal art space. The inaugural artworks are five pieces by local artist Amberella, making it the perfect festival photo-op spot!

Artist Amberella puts inaugural artwork on the Open Call for Open Walls (Credit: SSHD)

South Street Fest will be one of the last chances to view the “Keep An Open Mind” exhibition at the South Street Off Center (407 South Street). Plus, they will be handing out exclusive South Street goodies! The festival is also a great opportunity for guests to check out the new Eye’s Gallery location (open now at  327 South Street) and the new Yowie location (opening soon at 226 South Street).

Vendor List (as of April 28, 2023):

  • 3rd Street Gallery *
  • Adorned by Aisha
  • Alchemy of the Pen
  • Annie Perez Jewelry
  • B-Bop Vintage *
  • Babmino Glassware
  • Banh Mi & Bottles
  • Bistro Romano *
  • Black and Nobel *
  • Blooming Sunsets
  • BridgeSet Sounds*
  • Brauhaus Schmitz *
  • Bridget Foy’s *
  • Catalyst Accessories
  • Ditti’s Sweets
  • Dye Hard Fan
  • Jaylynne Echols
  • Essentials by Nini
  • Eye’s Gallery *
  • Fennycraft
  • Flying Dutchman Foundation
  • Federal Donuts *
  • Focal Points
  • FosterPhillyArt
  • Friends of the South Street Police Mini Station
  • Full Moon Blends
  • G + RIZZ
  • G-Strength *
  • Garland of Letters *
  • Golden Key Prints
  • Heaven Scent Candles
  • Grateful Dead Tie Dyed T-Shirts
  • Husky Jawn
  • Ivy Rehab *
  • Interlude Deserts
  • Kimmel Cultural Campus
  • Korea Taqueria
  • Stevie Laney
  • Las Bugambilias
  • Life Art
  • Lily Lough Jewelry
  • Lit Lab Co.
  • Little Brown Box
  • Loomen Labs*
  • Love City Vet
  • LuLu Stunner Haute
  • Maker Missya
  • Makinit Designs by Vicki
  • Milkboy South Street *
  • Mom-Mom’s
  • NDulge Collection Retail Therapy
  • Oba-Gami Origami House
  • Paddy Whacks Pub *
  • Paul Carpenter Art
  • Peace and Go F*ck Yourself LLC
  • Philly AIDS Thrift *
  • Point Communications
  • Poppa’s Custard Company
  • Puyero Venezuelan Flavor *
  • Posteur Surfboards
  • Queen & Rook Game Cafe *
  • Repo Records *
  • Roots of Life | The Eye C
  • Sam Shaw’s Treatery *
  • Shady Sunglass Deals
  • Shibe Vintage Sports
  • South Street Art Mart *
  • South Street Headhouse District *
  • South Street Souvlaki *
  • Spector Sport Art
  • Static Dynamic
  • SUNDYES.good.vibes
  • Sunshine Friend
  • The 50/50 Company
  • The Atticco
  • The Beat in Between
  • The DreamEerie *
  • The Twisted Tail *
  • Thorne Glass
  • Thrive Flower
  • Tiger Snake Vintage
  • Triple Bottom Brewing
  • Urban Princess Boutique *
  • Virgilio Rios Toys
  • Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop *
  • Woolly Mammoth *
  • Wrong World Ceramics
  • YOWIE *

Artist Row (as of April 28, 2023):

  • Draculad
  • Bombardment Co.
  • CRTV
  • Alaina Ewins
  • michelle gibbs
  • Jenn Keck
  • Jenna Kuerzi
  • Gemma Lascano
  • HELLO PEPPER WORLD
  • Jazmine Morse
  • Marissa Riscraft
  • Samantha Salcedo
  • Sam Sankey
  • Jeanne Stad
  • Jen Wells
  • Cole Zanne

For more information on all things South Street and South Street Fest, you can follow South Street Headhouse District on  Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.  For more information, you can visit SouthStreet.com. 

About The South Street Headhouse District

The South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) is a business improvement district, or BID, which aims to provide a safer, cleaner, & well-managed community for the benefit of local business owners, residents, and visitors of the South Street Area.

The SSHD has a rich history that has revolved around providing public safety, sanitation, and other services in addition to the helpful services provided by the City of Philadelphia.

Now, SSHD continues planning improvements in the urban area by developing and emphasizing the artistic and creative aesthetic within the dynamic and diverse business community. Located between Queen Village and Society Hill, the SSHD is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Philadelphia and is home to over 400 businesses.

The Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, Philly AIDS Thrift, Repo Records, and the Historic Fabric Row are some of the many attractions that can be found in this area.

Whether you are looking for a bite to eat, a new favorite spot to shop, or simply a chance to learn about the interesting history behind the area, the South Street Headhouse District has many opportunities for fun and exciting experiences. 

More Community Events