35 highlights of the season!
Now that the weather is nice – sometimes all you want is an excuse to get outside and hang with friends and neighbors – and West Chester has plenty this year.
Get out those calendars – these are the events you’re not going to want to miss!
Gay Street Closure Returns for its Fifth Year
Gay Street Open Air Market kicks off on Friday, May 3, this year. The closure will be limited to weekends only beginning Friday morning with the placement of the barriers and ending Monday morning with their removal. During the closure, you will find Gay Street closed from Matlack to New Street with traffic redirected to Chestnut Street.
While there has been a lot of discussion over the last year around what a more permanent closure could look like, there is not much new in the works for 2024. The Borough did, however, secure a $677,797 grant last summer which will be put towards design and planning with a promise of real improvements next year. We shall see. For now, enjoy the closure for what it is an excuse to hang in the street with a cocktail while listening to live music well into the evening. The closure runs until the end of September this year.
West Chester Film Festival
For the 18th time, the West Chester Film Festival is taking over town the last weekend of April. Filmmakers from around the world come to the Borough to show off their work – many for the first time. This year’s festival includes over 50 original films, from 2-minute comedies to 30-minute dramas and everything in between.
The festival launches on Friday with the Opening Night Party at Uptown. Throughout the weekend there will be two-hour film collections showing a selection of committee favorites and shorter themed Pop-Up Films Blocks. For cinephiles, there is a free filmmaker workshop and Filmmaker Meet & Greet on Saturday afternoon. The Festival ends on Sunday with more screenings and the not-to-be-missed Closing Night Party. Events are scheduled at various locations around the Borough. Find the full list of events and locations here.
West Chester Children’s Business Fair
Now in its third year, the West Chester Children’s Business Fair returns on May 18 to the 44 W. Plaza at the Gay and Church Street corner. The morning-long fair will feature 30 different kid-run businesses. Each budding entrepreneur is encouraged to work through all the pieces of starting a small business from inception to design, production, pricing, and promotion. Booths open at 9 a.m. and will run until noon. Browse, congratulate, get inspired, and maybe even score a little something for yourself at this fun event.
Porchfest
If you haven’t already blocked your calendar for May 18, do it now. Porchfest is getting ready for its biggest year yet. More than 100 musicians from rock to bluegrass, opera to jazz have signed up to rock porches this year. To accommodate all that talent the footprint for the West Chester Green Team-sponsored music festival will also expand. Musicians will play on Price Street in addition to Dean, Union, Barnard, and Miner Streets. The number of blocks closed to traffic will also increase from seven to ten.
In addition to bands, there will be a variety of kids’ activities, a vintage clothing swap, a plant giveaway (this is the Green Team remember), food trucks, and more. You can find complete details here.
Budweiser Clydesdales
The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming back to West Chester after a three-year hiatus. The American brewer’s famous horses will make their highly anticipated return to the Borough on May 23. Horses and drivers will stage in the Borough Hall parking lot before heading up Gay St. around 5 p.m. They will continue to Darlington Street and then head over to Market Street before returning to Borough Hall. Along the way, they will be stopping to make a few beer deliveries.
It’s estimated they drew roughly 30,000 visitors to downtown the last time they were here.
Turks Head Music Festival
Every summer, on and off, since 1970 West Chester has been hosting its very own music festival. The laid-back, day-long concert has the feel of another area. Maybe it’s the concert’s organic beginnings – just a group of musicians and the friends that came to see them play or maybe it’s all the tie-dye and crocheted clothing for sale? It’s hard to say for sure but each year it proves the perfect excuse to drag a blanket to Everhart Park and kick back for a few hours. This year’s festival is being held on Sunday, June 2. There will be eight local bands playing throughout the day as well as more than 70 vendors on hand to complete the festival vibe.
West Chester Taps every Wednesday
Think the best way to unwind and relax after a hard day’s work is to grab a group of friends and head downtown for a drink? Well, Downtown West Chester agreed and two years ago they introduced West Taps a Borough-wide happy hour. Every Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day, participating locations have a select list of $4 beers, $5 wines, $6 cocktails, and food specials for attendees to enjoy.
Music at Marshall series
Efficiently titled “Music at Marshall,” Marshall Square Park brought West Chester its first regular park concert series more than a decade ago. This year, the Friends of Marshall Square Park and the series’ generous sponsors have organized four free concert events for residents to enjoy. The music begins on June 20 and continues throughout the summer. In addition to toe-tapping jams, there will also be kids’ activities, face painting, and food trucks available for easy meal planning.
Goshen Country Fair
The Goshen Country Fair returns on July 29 for its 75th year. Come out and party like it’s 1949 on the grounds of the Goshen Fire Company. There will be games of chance, blue-ribbon pies, livestock competitions, Bingo, tug-of-war, rides, a dunk tank, and plenty of live music. Festival runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.
National Night Out Against Crime
West Chester’s Night Out Against Crime began in 2013 to build police-community partnerships. Now a decade later, the event continues. This year it is being held on Aug. 6 at Henderson High School. There will be games, a dunk tank, and lots of emergency vehicles for kids to tour. Last year, it was combined with West Chester’s Touch a Truck event for an even bigger big vehicle presence. Stop in and say hello. All your favorite police, fire, and EMT personnel will be onsite ready to shake hands or pose for pictures. Activities begin at 6 p.m.
Look Around Festival
Started by local musician Nikki DiGiorgio of onyx&honey, the Look Around Music & Arts Festival began in 2022 to raise awareness of the local arts scene. And boy did it work, after drawing more than 1200 attendees in its first year, it expanded in its second, adding art installations and making improvements on everything from stage layout to decoration to sound production. Now, in its third year, the festival is ready to build its legacy. In addition to live music, there will be a selection of local vendors – and unlike other Borough summer concerts – cold beer for sale. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 24 on the grounds of the Moose Lodge.
APRIL
Apr. 24 – That’s Entertainment! Walking Tour, Chester County History Center, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Visit the homes and notable locations associated with some of West Chester’s most influential artists and entertainers during this 90-minute walking tour. Tickets: $15
Apr. 26 – Food Truck Night at the Fame Fire Co., 200 E. Rosedale Ave., 4 – 8 p.m. Lots of food trucks, local vendors, and face painting by Birl Girl Face Painting.
Apr. 26 – 28 – West Chester Film Festival, various locations downtown. This is the 18th year for the film festival. Events and viewings will be taking place all weekend. Learn more here.
MAY
May 2 – Bournelyf Special Camp 5K, Wrong Crowd, 342 Hannum Ave., 5:30 p.m. Meet at Wrong Crowd for race registration. Race starts at 6:30 p.m. at the cover of Church and Gay Streets. An after-race celebration will be held at Wrong Crowd with free food and a complimentary beer for those over 21. A 2-mile walk option is also available. Registration required.
May 3 – Gay Street Closure begins
May 3 – Spring Gallery Walk, Downtown West Chester, 4 p.m. Celebrate the thriving community of artists and galleries that call West Chester home with this self-guided art tour. This is a free event.
May 4 – West Chester Grower’s Market Summer Session begins! 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday.
May 4 – 2024 West Chester Community Clean-Up, Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay St, 8 – 9 a.m. Join Mayor Lillian Debaptise and WCPD Chief Joshua Lee in cleaning up the Borough. Sign up for a 2 to 5-block cleanup here.
May 4 – West Goshen Community Yard Sale, West Goshen Township, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Township residents looking to participate are asked to register by Apr. 28.
May 4 – A Royal Tea with Miss WCU, West Chester Public Library, 1 – 2 p.m. Join Miss West Chester University, Stella Downey for a Royal Tea party, featuring stories, activities, snacks, and refreshments. Royal attire is encourage but not required.
May 4, 11, 18 – Yoga in the Park, Everhart Park, 9 a.m. Join Triple Threat Fitness for an outdoor yoga session. $10/class. Bring a mat!
May 9 – 12 – West Chester University Graduation, 14 ceremonies are planned at varying locations over the course of the weekend.
May 11, 12 – Fierce Women of West Chester Walking Tour, Chester County History Center. Tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and lasts 90 minutes. Visit the website for a full list of dates and times. Tickets: $15.
May 12 – Mother’s Day Express, West Chester Railroad, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Mom rides for $5! Tickets: $25/adults; $20/kids 2-12; 2 and under ride free.
May 17 – Movie in the Park, Marshall Square Park, Dusk. Join for a free showing of a family favorite. Movie TBD.
May 18 – West Chester Children’s Business Fair, 44 W. Gay St, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Come support West Chester’s youth as they showcase their entrepreneurial skills at a fully operational marketplace.
May 18 – Porchfest, West Chester Borough – Southwest corner, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free concerts on porches from Price to Miner and Bradford Ave. to Church St. Food trucks and children’s activities are also available.
May 18 -19 – Studio Art Tour, various, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Get an inside look at where the magic happens on this annual studio tour. This year 76 studios are participating including 17 in West Chester.
May 23 – Good Fellowship EMT Festival, Good Fellowship Ambulance, 600 Montgomery Ave, 5 – 7:30 p.m. Activities include equipment demonstrations, health screenings, children’s activities, axe throwing and food trucks.
May 23 – Concert in the Park, Hoopes Park, 6:30 p.m. This is a free event.
May 29 – West Chester Taps, Downtown West Chester, 5 – 7 p.m. Join various downtown restaurants for a townwide Happy Hour. Drink and food specials included.
JUNE
June 2 – Turks Head Music Festival, Everhart Park, 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. This day-long festival features eight bands, and approximately 70 artists, food, and other vendors.
June 5, 12, 19, 26- West Chester Taps, Downtown West Chester, 5 – 7 p.m. Join various downtown restaurants each Wednesday for a townwide Happy Hour. Drink and food specials available.
June 7 – First Friday – Summer Concert Series, Downtown West Chester, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy live performances from the old Courthouse, free street-level parking after 5 p.m., and fun extras like complimentary face painting.
June 8 – West Chester Library Summer Reading Kick-Off, Barclay Park, 10am – 1pm. Register for the Library’s popular summer reading program then stay for the games, balloons, face painting and more. This event is free and open to the public.
June 20 – Music at Marshall: Butterfoot, Marshall Square Park, music starts at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a free open air concert, food trucks, face painting and more!
June 20 – Concert in the Park, Everhart Park, 6:30 p.m. This is a free event.
June 21 – World Music Day, Downtown West Chester, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. World Music Day (otherwise known as Fête de la Musique) is celebrated each year on the summer solstice. It started in Paris in the 1980s as a way to showcase local musical talent while welcoming the start of the summer season. West Chester holds its own version with musicians performing on the Borough’s street corners, sidewalks, and plazas throughout the day.
JULY
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31- West Chester Taps, Downtown West Chester, 5 – 7 p.m. Join various downtown restaurants each Wednesday for a townwide Happy Hour. Drink and food specials available.
July 5 – First Friday – Summer Concert Series, Downtown West Chester, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy live performances from the old Courthouse, free street-level parking after 5 p.m., and fun extras like complimentary face painting.
July 11 – Music at Marshall: Sin Brothers, Marshall Square Park, music starts at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a free open-air concert, food trucks, face painting and more!
July 29 – Aug. 3 – Goshen Country Fair, Goshen Fire Co., 1320 Park Ave. 6 – 9 p.m. (5 – 9 p.m. on Saturday). Enjoy a variety of fair events from tug-of-war and games of chance to amusement rides, livestock competitions, food, music, and more.
AUGUST
Aug. 1 – Music at Marshall: Big Boy Brass Band, Marshall Square Park, music starts at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a free open-air concert, food trucks, face painting and more!
Aug. 2 – First Friday – Summer Concert Series, Downtown West Chester, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy live performances from the old Courthouse, free street-level parking after 5 p.m., and fun extras like complimentary face painting.
Aug. 6 – National Night Out Against Crime, Henderson, 6 – 8 p.m. Join the West Chester and West Goshen Police Department for an evening of vehicles, food trucks, moon bounces, rides, and more. Admission and Activities are free, food is extra.
Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28- West Chester Taps, Downtown West Chester, 5 – 7 p.m. Join various downtown restaurants each Wednesday for a townwide Happy Hour. Drink and food specials available.
Aug. 22 – Music at Marshall: Chico’s Vibe, Marshall Square Park, music starts at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a free open-air concert, food trucks, face painting and more!
Aug. 23 – Movie in the Park, Barclay Park, Dusk. Join for a free showing of a family favorite. Movie TBD.
Aug. 24 – Look Around Festival, Moose Lodge #908 – 401 W. Washington Street. 12 – 9 p.m. Enjoy live musical performances, local art installations, a variety of local craft vendors, food trucks, beer sales, and more.
A very special thank you to COCOON for their support of not only this guide but of events in West Chester. Their growing list of events includes the Music at Marshall series, Porchfest, the Children’s Business Fair, the West Chester 225 Birthday Parade, the West Chester Christmas Parade, and Santa at the Square.
Hello, West Chester! We are COCOON and we also call West Chester home. (You might have driven by our Design Studio on West Chester Pike.) If you didn’t know, we remodel homes – and we do our best to make remodeling as stress-free as possible. If you’re thinking about remodeling, reach out to us! We’d love to help you explore your options!