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Tracking Philly Food Event Cancellations Due to Coronavirus

Organizers are postponing or canceling Philly festivals and tasting events

crowd of people with food tents
Several food events in Philly have been cancelled or postponed, including Hawthornes’ block party originally scheduled for May 9.
Kory Aversa

Philadelphia’s bars and restaurants and event organizers are feeling the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The situation, and CDC and government guidelines, are changing rapidly and while people are still dining in restaurants a few places are shutting their doors temporarily, and several events over the next few weeks have been called off.

The city of Philadelphia banned gatherings of 1,000 or more people and recommended that events with 250 or more are not held.

Below is a list of Philly food events that have been canceled. If you already purchased tickets for one of the events, the organizers’ website or social media should explain how refunds are being implemented.

If you have an event or a closure to add, let us know at philly@eater.com.

  • The James Beard Foundation Women’s Initiatives Fundraiser planned for March 23 at Triple Bottom Brewing with an all-women lineup of Philly chefs and purveyors is postponed. The organizers hope to reschedule it for late spring.
  • Opening Corks, the kick off event for Philly Wine Cru, formerly Philly Wine Week, is no longer happening on March 29.
  • Dish It Up, the annual Women Against Abuse fundraiser that was scheduled for March 19, is canceled for this year.
  • The James Beard Foundation is postponing this year’s award ceremonies, including the finalists announcement scheduled to take place at the Barnes museum on the Parkway and the main awards gala in Chicago in May.
  • The Vegan Cheesesteak Festival’s online contest is still happening, but the live event scheduled for March 29 is postponed. There is not a new date yet.
  • Vetri Community Partnership’s fundraising Eat to Empower Food Festival, originally planned for April 25, will be rescheduled for the fall.
  • Flavors on the Avenue, the annual street fest highlighting the restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue, is canceled. It was scheduled for April 26.
  • The food- and music-filled South Street Spring Festival, originally scheduled for May 2, is canceled, as is Brauhaus Schmitz’s Maifest, which is a mini-beer festival inside the larger festival.
  • In Bella Vista, Hawthornes’ annual IPA, Champagne and Rose Block Party, scheduled for May 9, is postponed to the summer — new date TBD.
  • Philly Wine Cru, until recently called Philly Wine Week, was scheduled to start at the end of March but it’s been postponed. Ticket holders will be refunded in the next week. The organizers suggest, if you’re able to, donating to Philly Wine Cru’s charity partners including Philabundance, and Broad Street Ministry.