Marvel at the thunderous spectacle of Niagara Falls in northern New York, or seek an antidote to urban chaos amidst the flat farmland of the Midwest. Then there are the black hills of South Dakota, the dramatic mountain and ocean landscape of California’s Pacific Coast Highway and the world-famous Grand Canyon.

The third-largest country in the world (after the Russian Federation and Canada), the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features, including mountains, plains, and coastal zones. Though there are many cities that are densely populated with more manmade features than natural ones, there are also vast rural areas that are far more sparsely populated. The climate ranges from subtropical to arctic, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna.

Electricity

120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat pins with or without a third round grounding pin.

2020

New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Martin Luther King Day: 20 January 2020
President’s Day: 17 February 2020
Memorial Day: 25 May 2020
Independence Day: 3 and 4 July 2020
Labor Day: 7 September 2020
Columbus Day: 12 October 2020
Veterans Day: 11 November 2020
Thanksgiving Day: 26 November 2020
Christmas: 25 December 2020

All information subject to change.

A tradition brought here by early immigrants from Europe, the mummers are thought to have their earliest origins in the Roman Festival of Saturnalias. Here in Philadelphia about 15,000 mummers perform in the New Year’s Day parade competing for US$395,000 in prizes. This is reckoned to be only a small fraction of the value of the spectacular costumes, which can cost several thousand each. The parades take place throughout the day in most weather conditions, although weather-related postponements are not unknown. The four divisions of mummers are Comics (clowns), Fancies (themed fancy dress), String Bands (combining fancy dress and music) and Fancy Brigades (performing troupes).

Chinese New Year celebrations in Philly are always colourful occasions marked with parades, flower markets and festivities throughout Chinatown.

A must for movie-lovers. There are over 250 screenings of 132 domestic and international narrative, documentary and short films.

Held each year over Mother’s Day weekend, the Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. First held in 1934 on the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park, the regatta has become something of an institution which now consists of well over 100 races and attracts thousands of rowers from across North America. The event takes its name from Harry Emerson ‘Dad’ Vail, who for years was coach at the University of Wisconsin and was a great friend of Rusty Callow, the founder of the event.

Happening every spring and autumn, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show welcomes top quality artists from all over the country in what is the oldest continuously-run outdoor art show in the entire country.

Considering Philadelphia’s central role in the American War of Independence, it comes as no surprise that the Fourth of July celebrations, one of the biggest US holidays of the year, are even more special here in the city. The birthday festivities include organised pageants, parades, festivals, concerts, and – typically, spectacular fireworks displays. Numerous events of varying scales of grandeur and extravagance take place throughout Philadelphia.

Long-running and world-famous music, camping and crafting festival that spans three days in August.

The popular Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe are two simultaneous festivals which started in 1997 presenting various acts in theatres, galleries, alleyways and anywhere else artists can find performance space. They kick off every Labour Day weekend. The festival and the fringe combine to create one wonderful event that provides a stage for innovative new shows created by the best local, national and international artists. You can expect a weird and wonderful mix of art installations, theatre, music, dance, and poetry.

Formerly known as the Wanamaker’s Christmas Light Show, this festival is one of Philadelphia’s best-loved holiday traditions that attracts visitors of all ages. Featuring over 100,000 individual lights, crowds are wowed by the incredible festive show that features all the usual Christmas characters including reindeer and Santa himself. The fun show is set to music played on the world-famous Wanamaker Grand Organ.