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.