Philly Opener
Sponsorships
The 2025 Philly Opener takes place on Monday, May 12th and officially kicks off Philly’s 2025 tourism season—when millions of people from near and far visit Philadelphia between Memorial Day and Labor Day. At the Philly Opener, the PVC will present our Most Valuable Philadelphian (MVP) Award to an individual who has raised Philly’s global profile and exemplifies all that is good about our beloved city.
Join Philadelphia’s tourism, civic, cultural, and business leaders as we kick off the 2025 tourism season with this can’t-miss event!
All credit card transactions will be charged a 3% processing fee if you prefer to remit sponsorship by check, please mail to: Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, 599 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN 23-2952488, and contributions in support of its operations are tax deductible.
The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is a Pennsylvania nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, which operates in cooperation with the National Park Service, Visit Philadelphia®, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia Visitor Center manages the Independence Visitor Center, the official visitor center of greater Philadelphia; LOVE Park Visitor Center; City Hall Visitor Center; Parkway Visitor Center and the visitor-friendly public transit service, the Philly PHLASH® Downtown Loop.
RockyFest
RockyFest is here!
Celebrate the 48th anniversary of Philadelphia’s most iconic film franchise with a city-wide series of events to honor the City’s most famous fictional Southpaw, and the Philly sites that made the film famous!
Rocky Day, a new city holiday which celebrates the original film's release date in 1976 is December 3. RockyFest's city-wide events will run through Sunday, December 8 2024!
Experience Philadelphia's most iconic film franchise with the first-ever city-wide celebration of Rocky and the Philly sites made famous by the film.
November 30 - December 8: The Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tour
December 3: Rocky Day- 10:30 AM Special unveiling at Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
December 4: Real Life Rockys Mural Unveiling
December 5: Southpaws Yappy Hour at the Docks
December 6: Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink
December 6 - 8: Rocky Movie Marathon
December 6 : Live Signing Event with John Rivoli
December 6 : Rocky U with Dr. Farber
December 7: Rocky Date Night at The Zoo
Need help planning your trip? Email [email protected] to get started!
Local attractions, restaurants, or organizations interested in taking part? Email us at [email protected] to get involved!
Program of Events:
Sort:
Live Signing Events with Official Rocky Artist, John Rivoli
Real Life Rockys with Mural Arts Philadelphia
Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink
Rocky Date Night at Philadelphia Zoo's LumiNature
Rocky Movie Marathon
Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tours
Rocky U
RockyFest Exclusive Poster
SouthPaws Yappy Hour at Cherry Street Pier
Celebrate RockyFest Around the City:
RockyFest at Eastern State Penitentiary – December 3
Step into history and explore the fascinating world of boxing as Eastern State Penitentiary celebrates RockyFest! On December 3, 2024, dive into special programming highlighting the history of boxing in Pennsylvania prisons, featuring tours about renowned boxing champion Charles "Jack" Blackburn. Enjoy exclusive video programming in the penitentiary’s rotunda—activities are included with admission.
South 9th Street Italian Market – November 30–December 8
Join the excitement as the Italian Market becomes a must-visit stop on iconic Rocky tours! Stroll through the historic market, participate in a scavenger hunt, and grab a special gift bag with a QR code for exclusive discounts and a free gift. This is your chance to immerse yourself in Rocky history while indulging in the charm of South Philly.
Rocky Road Cookie at Reading Terminal Market
Celebrate RockyFest deliciously with The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company! From December 3–8, indulge in limited-edition Rocky Road Cookies and Rocky-themed cookie cakes. Plus, on National Cookie Day, December 4:
- Get a FREE cookie with the purchase of ½ dozen or more.
- Every hour, one lucky market-goer wins a dozen cookies, including the special Rocky Dipped Cookie.
