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Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival, Under the Stars, and Twilight in the Gardens
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, May 22-28, 2025
Kyle V. Hiller
The circus scene in Philly is growing vibrantly, and this week features a showcase of the variety and diversity of talents making that growth happen. The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival brings unique performances to multiple stages across the city through the end of the month and promises to be quite the spectacle. Then, cinéSPEAK’s Under the Stars returns to Clark Park, and more stars can be found on South Street courtesy of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Channel your inner spy with Lantern Theater Company, and get some artsy spring air at Wayne Art Center.
The 39 Steps
Through Sunday, June 22, 2025
St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow Street
The 39 Steps is a spy thriller and a comedy that travels from London to the Scottish Highlands and back again telling the absurdist story about a social dandy trying to thwart the theft of state military secrets. British spy fans will appreciate this play from Lantern Theater Company, inspired by the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock of the same name.
Plein Air Festival
Through June 21, 2025
Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne, PA
Wayne Art Center brings its annual festival back, keeping one of the longest running outdoor painting events alive. Over 30 painters are featured in the exhibition, accompanied by a variety of events tied to the art and the festival.
Peter and the Wolf
Friday, May 23, 5pm and 7pm
Rittenhouse Square, 1800 Walnut Street
The School of Philadelphia Ballet will perform Peter and the Wolf in Rittenhouse Square for a one-night-only event that is free and open to the public. Classical ballet and puppetry come together for a night of live dance and storytelling in the park.
Twilight in the Gardens
Friday, May 23, 7-10pm
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street
It’s the return of Twilight in the Gardens, and this weekend kicks off the new season. Bring your own booze, blanket, and snacks and enjoy an evening picnic, live music from Jeremy Adam & the Bad Madams—a band blending rock, pop, soul, R&B, and musical theater. Folks in attendance can also enjoy self-guided tours of the Gardens’ rarely-seen mosaicked basement and also the latest exhibition, Stone Soup: Works by Eustace Mamba.
Under the Stars at Clark Park
Every Friday, May 23 through June 13, 2025
The Bowl at Clark Park, 4300 Chester Avenue
cinéSPEAK’s festival takes over Clark Park every Friday through mid-June (weather permitting) for four evenings featuring award-winning independent films from around the world. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public—bring your own blankets and chairs for movies, music, food trucks, and more. This year features six Philadelphia premieres and a screening of Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman’s It Must Be Heaven, which makes an appearance for US audiences for the first time since 2019. It Must Be Heaven screens this Friday, May 23. Live music kicks off at 7pm, with film screenings happening at 9pm. Rain dates are set for the following Saturdays.
Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival
May 23-June 1
Various locations and times
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival arrives this weekend with a variety of full-length shows that blend acrobatics, dance, theater, and storytelling. From world-class acts to new experiments, this festival is a testament to Philly’s growing contemporary circus community. From circus operas to workshops, and trapeze performances to an interactive carnival. See the hearty roster online—there is plenty to see at the week-long festival.
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