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Tickets & Events
Celebrating 25 Years of the Kimmel Center

A Community Hub

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts was founded on a simple premise: The performing arts belong to everyone. That conviction drives every free program, every student who comes through our doors, and every effort to ensure Philadelphia sees itself on our stages.

A New Civic Landmark

The opening of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts included free public access, tours, and inaugural celebrations that introduced a world-class arts venue to the city, symbolizing the transformation of Broad Street and its role as both a performance venue and civic space. It officially opened to the public on December 16, 2001, following a December 14 gala preview featuring André Watts, Denyce Graves, Frederica von Stade, and Sir Elton John, along with a performance from members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Arts education and programming

We believe arts education has the power to transform lives and strengthen our cultural community. Through our arts education and special programs, we reach more than 40,000 students in 400 schools each year, inspiring the next generation of artists, audiences, and creative thinkers.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concerts

Over many years, The Philadelphia Orchestra presented free Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concerts at the Kimmel Center, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through music and community celebration. Audiences from across the region enjoyed a shared experience of reflection, inspiration, and artistic excellence.

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice, an annual event throughout the aughts, transformed the building into a multi-venue arts experience that extended programming into the early morning hours on the longest day of the year. The 15-hour event invited audiences to move throughout the building for performances, DJs, and immersive activations, reimagining the Kimmel as an all-day celebration of Philadelphia’s arts community.

New Year’s Day Celebration

The Kimmel Center hosted its annual free New Year’s Day Celebration from 2010 through 2020, opening its doors as Commonwealth Plaza came alive with holiday sights and sounds. Guests gathered to enjoy performances, family activities, and panoramic views of the Mummers Parade, making it a festive Philadelphia tradition to start the new year in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts.

Philadelphia International Festival for the Arts (PIFA)

The Kimmel Center produced this 16-day festival of free outdoor performances and citywide programming, presented annually from 2011–2018, engaging audiences across Philadelphia beyond traditional concert settings. As a lasting legacy of the inaugural festival, the PIFA Cube was installed at Broad and Spruce Streets, creating a dynamic digital connection between the Kimmel Center and the Center City community.

Democratic National Convention

During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Philadelphia welcomed the nation as the host city for the presidential nominating event. While the main proceedings took place at the Wells Fargo Center, the Kimmel Center served as a prominent cultural venue during the Convention week, hosting official and affiliated civic programming, performances, and hospitality events that showcased Philadelphia’s arts institutions and reinforced the city’s role as a national stage for political and cultural engagement.

LGBT State of the Union

The LGBT State of the Union was a citywide civic forum held at the Kimmel Center in partnership with Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs. Featuring TED Talk-style presentations and discussions with elected officials, members of City Council, and the Pennsylvania legislature, the event explored LGBTQ policy, community progress, and civic accountability.

COVID-19 Digital Programming and Pandemic Response

Virtual performances and educational offerings kept audiences connected during the pandemic shutdown, as arts leadership worked to sustain cultural life through an unprecedented public health crisis. The Kimmel Center ultimately reopened to in-person audiences in September 2021, marking a key step in recovery and the return of live performance in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest

Since 2022, the Kimmel Center welcomes 50+ community arts partners for a day of free performances, community connection, giveaways, and activities. Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest has become the kickoff to the arts season that Philly artists and audiences look forward to each year.

Pride Concert and Celebration

The Philadelphia Orchestra proudly hosts its free Pride Concert in Marian Anderson Hall, an annual celebration that is now entering its sixth year. This fabulous celebration brings together the Philadelphia region’s LGBTQ+ community in a spirit of unity and empowerment. The evening begins with free pre-concert entertainment in Commonwealth Plaza, featuring local LGBTQ+ organizations, giveaways, a drag performance showcase, and the Rainbow Runway, creating a joyful experience for all.

Black Star Film Festival

Presented at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the BlackStar Film Festival brings a celebrated showcase of Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers into the heart of Philadelphia’s cultural district, through screenings, conversations, and live events.

Marian Anderson Hall Naming Ceremony

On June 8, 2024, the Kimmel Center’s main concert hall was rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall, becoming the first major concert venue in the world named for the legendary contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphia native. In recognition of the occasion, June 8 was declared Marian Anderson Day in both the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Michelin Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony

In November 2025, Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center hosted the Michelin Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony, marking Philadelphia’s debut in the Michelin Guide. The invitation-only event brought together leading chefs and culinary figures as the city’s first Michelin-rated restaurants were announced, underscoring Philadelphia’s growing national prominence in the culinary arts.

Philadelphia Inauguration Ceremony

The Kimmel Center hosted Philadelphia’s inauguration ceremony in January 2026, where the city swore in its District Attorney, City Controller, and 34 judges. Mayor Cherelle Parker attended and participated in the ceremony, which brought together city leaders, members of the judiciary, and community members, underscoring the Kimmel Center’s role as a premier civic gathering space.

HISTORYTalks: America at 250

HISTORYTalks: “America at 250” was one of the largest political-civic events held in Philadelphia in 2026. Guests included former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, along with Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and major figures across film, comedy, sports, and news media. The event hosted a national conversation on democracy, leadership, and civic unity in advance of the country’s 250th anniversary.