Kimmel Center Plaza Becomes Parisian Streetscape During PIFA 4/7-5/1
By: Kelsey Denette
In need of an escape? Fear not. Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, inspired by the Kimmel Center, kicks off April 7 with city-wide arts festival celebrating the creativity, collaboration and innovation of artistic energy permeating in Paris, the City of Lights, circa 1910-1920.
Free Live Entertainment in the Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza Begins with WXPN Free at Noon concert on April 8. Visitors will experience round the clock free entertainment from April 8 to May 1 with the Kimmel Center's Plaza transformed into a Parisian Streetscape including: the 81 ft. Eiffel Tower replica with 6,000 light bulbs providing a nightly FREE Eiffel Tower Light Show. The dazzling light and sound show includes mobile planes, trains and a blimp zooming overhead. In addition, the Plaza will have FREE Wi-Fi connection throughout the festival with a stylized Parisian food cart serving coffee, pastries, and hot chocolate in the morning and crepes during lunch. PIFA also brings FREE French wine tastings at PA Wine & Spirits shop located on premise, FREE French in 10 Minutes lessons, and FREE noon time, happy hour, and nightly performances. Plaza festivities kick into gear with a full service bar serving Parisian flared drink specials by Wolfgang Puck catering.Lunchtime Tunes put the spotlight on student and professional piano performances featuring jazz, pop, classical and contemporary music. Monday through Friday, noon to 2pm
Free @ Five concerts entertain the after work crowd with French food and Parisian-flared specialty drinks by Wolfgang Puck Catering offered at the PECO bar in the Plaza. Monday through Friday, 5pm to 7pm
Jazz Tuesdays bring the best local jazz musicians to the Kimmel Center's Plaza stage.
WXPN 88.5 FM programs artistic talent to perform free live music on stage in the Plaza for Wednesday Nights at the Kimmel, (5pm to 7pm; 10pm to midnight) and Friday Free at Noon concerts to be broadcast live on XPN from the Plaza stage during the festival. Visit XPN.org one week prior to date for artist listings.
PIFA After Dark - free concerts kick off with a dazzling Eiffel Tower light show at 10pm and special late-night bar menu offered at the PECO Bar. Thursday through Saturday, 10pm to midnight.

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Seussical Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance (6/12-6/27) |
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Romeo and Juliet Labuda Center for the Performing Arts (7/08-8/02) |
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by The United European Ballet Company F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts (10/24-10/24) |
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Annie Bristol Riverside Theatre (3/23-5/02) |
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Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, July 2026 309 Resort Dr (7/05-7/05) |
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Matt Donnelly ♦ The Mind Noodler - June 26th & 27th 2026 - 8PM Smoke & Mirrors Theater in House of Magic (6/26-6/27) |
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Turn the Beat! A Gloria Estefan Tribute Bristol Riverside Theatre (3/03-3/07) |
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Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, July 2026 309 Resort Dr (7/23-7/23) |
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Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (7/16-8/02) |
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SWAN LAKE by The United European Ballet Company State Theatre Center for the Arts (1/16-1/16) |









