Manayunk has been recognized as a center of historical charm in Philly, offering a small-town feel while being only minutes from Center City Philadelphia. The neighborhood’s Main Street is home to shops, businesses, bars, and restaurants, all strategically placed along the scenic Schuylkill River. The community is made up of a combination of residents who’ve been fixtures in the neighborhood for decades, and young millennials right out of college who are attracted to the social scene and young feel of the neighborhood. All of this means that Manayunk has something to offer for everyone.
This summer, Manayunk is taking advantage of its thriving social scene and beautiful outdoor location and hosting many fun events, including some that have been held for years and some that are new to 2015. One of the largest and most popular events held every year is the Manayunk Arts Festival.
The Manayunk Development Corporation will host the 26th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21 this year. The event is the largest outdoor arts festival in the tri-state area, attracting nearly 200,000 guests every year. Held on Manayunk’s popular Main Street, guests come from all over to attend this fun two-day festival. Vendors, buyers, collectors, and designers alike will all be in attendance.
Main Street is home to popular bars and restaurants, many of which will be right in the center of the festival action. Many eateries will provide al fresco dining and food and drink deals for festivalgoers. Alongside these popular food spots will be individual tents holding 300 different artists from all over the country. Artists will sell their handmade items in many different categories of art, including fiberglass, ceramics, photography, wood and sculpture, painting and drawing, jewelry, and mixed media. The event will also provide an Emerging Artists tent for young artists who are just getting into the business and trying to make a name for themselves in the area, including recent graduates. Their tent will be located on the corner of Main Street and Roxborough Street at one of the busiest crossroads of the festival.
This weekend extravaganza is free (music to a college student’s ears) and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to bring some spare cash to spend on the beautiful artisan crafts and art being sold throughout the festival, as well as on the appetizing food and drink deals that will be available along Main Street.
Since Main Street will be closed to car traffic from Green to Shurs Lane, public transportation is your best bet for getting to the festival in a timely and affordable manner. SEPTA’s Manayunk/Norristown line train drops off only a few blocks from the vendor’s tents. SEPTA bus 35 and 61 will drop guests off even closer. A shuttle bus will also be available for $3 roundtrip for adults and free for children will pick up guests at both 555 City Avenue and the Ivy Ridge train station and drop them off right in the hub of the festival, perfect for an easy ride on a student budget.
Although the event will mostly be focused on the art being displayed and sold, there will also be live music and delicious food trucks for guests to enjoy, along with the rest of the establishments along Main Street already participating.
This celebration of unlimited art and an enjoyable day of outdoor fun will be held from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday.
