Best time to visit · Philadelphia · United States
The best time to visit Philadelphia
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Philadelphia are May to June and September to October, when days are warm without the July humidity and walking between sights is comfortable. Spring brings blossom and autumn brings colour along the Schuylkill. Winter is cold but quiet and good value, especially for museum-focused trips.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- April and November–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 5°C (41°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Philadelphia has four distinct seasons: cold winters with occasional snow, warm springs, hot and humid summers with thunderstorms, and crisp, sunny autumns. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
March–May
Spring
Blossom on the Parkway and in Fairmount Park, the Flower Show and Penn Relays; weather is changeable and school groups crowd the Independence sites.
June–August
Summer
Hot, humid days with thunderstorms, long evenings on the waterfront and the big Fourth of July celebrations, when the historic sites are busiest.
September–November
Autumn
Sunny, crisp days, autumn colour, Fringe Festival theatre and Halloween Nights at Eastern State; hotel prices stay fairly high.
December–February
Winter
Cold with occasional snow, but holiday markets, the Mummers Parade and quiet museums at the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C | -3°C | 11 | 9.6 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 7°C | -2°C | 10 | 10.6 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 12°C | 2°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 18°C | 7°C | 11 | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 24°C | 12°C | 11 | 14.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 29°C | 18°C | 10 | 15 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 31°C | 21°C | 10 | 14.7 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 30°C | 20°C | 9 | 13.7 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 26°C | 16°C | 9 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 19°C | 9°C | 9 | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 13°C | 4°C | 9 | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 7°C | -1°C | 11 | 9.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Mummers Parade — costumed string bands and brigades on Broad Street (New Year's Day) |
| February | Black History Month programmes at museums and historic sites |
| March | Philadelphia Flower Show — large indoor horticultural show (usually early March); St. Patrick's Day Parade (usually the Sunday before 17 March) |
| April | Penn Relays — historic track meet at Franklin Field (usually late April) |
| May | Broad Street Run — 10-mile road race (usually early May) |
| June | Odunde Festival — African American street festival on South Street (usually second Sunday of June); Wawa Welcome America — free events building up to 4 July (usually from mid/late June) |
| July | Independence Day concert and fireworks on the Parkway (4 July) |
| September | Philadelphia Fringe Festival — experimental theatre and performance (usually September); Eastern State Penitentiary's Halloween Nights begin (usually late September) |
| October | Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary (weekends through October) |
| November | Philadelphia Marathon (usually the Sunday before Thanksgiving); Thanksgiving Day Parade along the Parkway (Thanksgiving morning); Christmas Village at City Hall and LOVE Park (usually from late November) |
| December | Christmas Village at City Hall (through December); New Year's Eve fireworks on the Delaware waterfront |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Philadelphia?
The best times to visit Philadelphia are May to June and September to October, when days are warm without the July humidity and walking between sights is comfortable. Spring brings blossom and autumn brings colour along the Schuylkill. Winter is cold but quiet and good value, especially for museum-focused trips.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Philadelphia?
Usually in January–February. The coldest month, with occasional snow and icy pavements; museums are quiet and hotel rates are at their lowest.
+What is the rainiest month in Philadelphia?
January, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Philadelphia get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).