Philadelphia MDO Special Events

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Philadelphia MDO Special Events Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Philadelphia MDO Special Events, 1515 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.

We are a City agency tasked with the planning, coordination, and permitting of parades, festivals, demonstrations, and many other types of events taking place in the City of Philadelphia. The Office of Special Events is responsible for ensuring that all necessary permits, insurances and agreements with the City are executed prior to any event that seeks the use of City-owned or occupied property, or requires the permission to construct equipment in or on City streets.

10/27/2026

On October 26, Mayor Cherelle Parker hosted the Philadelphia HBCU Classic Interfaith Awards Ceremony, celebrating the profound historical ties between faith organizations and the founding of our nationā€™s HBCUs.

Together with the Mayor's Interfaith Committee, were honored extraordinary leaders across Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities who tirelessly champion education, social justice, and community empowerment.

The legendary gospel radio pioneer, evangelist, and former state representative, Rev. Louise Williams Bishop, received the Mayor's Lifetime Achievement Award, and Mayor Parkerā€™s words set the tone of this celebration of faith, leadership and service to the community.

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta returns this weekend! The largest regatta on the Schuylkill River and second-largest ...
10/21/2026

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta returns this weekend! The largest regatta on the Schuylkill River and second-largest in the U.S. brings nearly 8,500 competitors of all ages together for 153 events over two days.

Whether youā€™re cheering on friends and family or looking for weekend plans, join the excitement along the riverbank!

Find the weekend schedule, race results and spectator information at the link in our bio.

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta returns this weekend! The largest regatta on the Schuylkill River and second-largest in the U.S. brings nearly 8,500 competitors of all ages together for 153 events over two days.

Whether youā€™re cheering on friends and family or looking for weekend plans, join the excitement along the riverbank!

Find the weekend schedule, race results and spectator information at the link in our bio.

Race Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 23: practice 12 pm - 5:30 pm
Saturday, October 24: race day 8 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday, October 25: race day 8 am - 5:30 pm

The 2.4 mile race begins upstream of the Strawberry Mansion Bridge and finishes just past historic Boathouse Row.

Popular viewing spots include the Three Angels Statues and Canoe House area, or spectators can find a spot along the riverbank.

An interactive course map of the regatta is available on the Letā€™s Rally App.

Road closures
Kelly Drive will be closed from 10 am Friday, October 23 through 7 pm Sunday, October 25.

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will remain open to traffic Saturday and Sunday.

Getting to the regatta

Free shuttle buses wjll run from off-site parking to the regatta.

Golf carts run from Boathouse Row to the festival tent and canoe house launch areas.

Offsite parking is available for a fee.

Park in Fairmount Park and walk to Kelly Drive or take an Indego bike!

Safety first: text READYPHILA to 888ā€“777 for real time safety and weather update updates.

šŸƒ Tomorrow is the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, and weā€™ve got you covered with everything you need to know, including...
10/07/2026

šŸƒ Tomorrow is the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, and weā€™ve got you covered with everything you need to know, including road closures, parking restrictions and more!

šŸš§ Commuters and travelers, plan ahead! The race course will close to traffic beginning at 6 p.m.

šŸ”— Full course map, detours and additional details are available in our press release linked in bio.

šŸƒ Tomorrow is the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, and weā€™ve got you covered with everything you need to know, including road closures, parking restrictions and more!

šŸš§ Commuters and travelers, plan ahead! The race course will close to traffic beginning at 6 p.m.

šŸ”— Full course map, detours and additional details are available in our press release linked in bio.

Race Day Schedule and Festival

5 PM - event site opens and party access opens
6 PM - road closures begin
6:15 PM - start line opens
6:45 PM - race starts!
7:30 PM - award presentation
10 PM - event concludes!

The 3.5-mile race is open to all companies in all industries that have an interest in forging meaningful connections and cultivating healthy workplace cultures over the shared experience of fitness, friendly competition, and advanced workplace camaraderie. The race begins at 6:45 p.m. along the northside of Eakins Oval.

The post-race celebration will take place at Eakins Oval and will offer participants hospitality services including food and beverage.

The 3.5-mile race is open to all companies in all industries that have an interest in forging meaningful connections and cultivating healthy workplace cultures over the shared experience of fitness, friendly competition, and advanced workplace camaraderie. The race begins at 6:45 p.m. along the northside of Eakins Oval.

The post-race celebration will take place at Eakins Oval and will offer participants hospitality services including food and beverage.

šŸš§ ROAD CLOSURES | Beginning at 6 p.m. until the race concludes

šŸ“ Benjamin Franklin Parkway from Eakins Oval to 22nd Street

šŸ“ Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from Eakins Oval to Sweet Briar Drive

šŸ“ Kelly Drive inbound traffic will be detoured to Fairmount Avenue

šŸ“ Spring Garden Street Bridge, with local access maintained

10/07/2026

Wrapping up Day 3 at IFEA! šŸ’”

Endless takeaways, incredible people, and fresh ideas to elevate the future of our events. Ready for whatā€™s next!

10/06/2026

Day 2 at the IFEA Convention in Tucson was packed with inspiration! šŸ’” Highlights included Maayan Zivā€™s impactful session on accessibility, diverse perspective-sharing in affinity breakouts, and connecting with world-class event vendors at the Expo.

10/05/2026

Day 1 of the International Festivals & Events Association Convention in Tucson!

Weā€™re excited to represent Philadelphia as we connect and share best practices with event professionals from around the world.

Day 1 was jam-packed with workshops covering sustainability, risk management and more, including a session led by our friend Michael DelBene highlighting the incredible lineup of events that made 2026 such a historic year for Philadelphia.

And weā€™re coming home with an award! Philadelphia has officially been named an IFEA World Festival & Event City, joining an incredible group of cities from across the U.S. and around the world:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Historic Kailua Village, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiā€˜i
Port St. Lucie, Florida
McAllen, Texas
Pattaya City, Chonburi, Thailand
Muju-gun, Jeonbuk State, South Korea

We canā€™t wait to see what Day 2 has in store!

The Office of the City Representative & Special Events is proud to continue our mission of helping Philadelphians celebr...
09/29/2026

The Office of the City Representative & Special Events is proud to continue our mission of helping Philadelphians celebrate their communities through event permitting, planning, and resource support.

Weā€™ve built on that success by promoting Philadelphia as a world-class host city and recruiting major events that bring visitors, economic opportunities, and excitement to our city.

In the first 1,000 days of the Parker Administration, weā€™ve processed more than 5,500 event permits, from major festivals to neighborhood gatherings. Different events, one shared purpose: bringing Philadelphians together to celebrate the people, places, and communities that make our city special. ā™„ļøšŸ’™

This summer in Philly was one for the record books! From unforgettable events to big moments across the city, relive som...
09/10/2026

This summer in Philly was one for the record books! From unforgettable events to big moments across the city, relive some of our favorite memories from an incredible summer in Philadelphia. šŸ’™

The Roots Picnic kicked off the summer at a brand-new venue with deep Philadelphia roots: Belmont Plateau.

Philadelphia Pride Festival expanded to the Parkway.

The ribbon cutting and grand opening of the FREE 39-day FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill.

Celebrating African and African American culture at ODUNDE Festival, the largest African American street festival in North America.

The Rocky Steps became a gathering place for soccer fans from around the world!!

Philadelphia played host to six incredible FIFA World Cup matches.

The energy at the FIFA Fan Festival whenever the USA played was unmatched!

Experiencing the tradition of soccer fan marches on the way to the stadium.

The incomparable Idina Menzel took the stage with The Philly POPS on Independence Mall.

Concilioā€™s annual Hispanic Fiesta was a daylong celebration of music, food, and culture!

Mayor Parker welcomed mayors from across the country to celebrate the nationā€™s 250th in the birthplace of America.

Free Fan Festival concerts took over Lemon Hill, including a show from The All-American Rejects!

The annual Red, White & Blue To-Do invited visitors to explore Old City, its history, and its local shops!

The Philadelphia 250 Commercial Corridor Celebrations brought communities together as part of the citywide Ring It On! celebrations.

The 38th annual Liberty Medal was presented to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

Celebrating 100 years of the Ben Franklin Bridge and a century of connecting Philadelphia and Camden.

MLB All-Star Week took over Philadelphia with a sold-out Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, and star-studded Red Carpet at Independence Hall.

The One Philly Unity Concert and Fireworks Grand Finale lit up the Parkway in celebration of Independence Day!

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic made its return to the streets of Philadelphia after a 10-year hiatus!

Address

1515 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
19102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(215) 686-3488

Website

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