Nanny Goat Fest

Name: Nanny Goat Fest
Start: 2026-05-09T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-09T20:00:00-04:00
Location: American Street & Master Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19122

Schedule

Sat May 09 2026 at 01:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

American Street & Master Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19122 | Philadelphia, PA

In 1844, anti-immigrant rioters torched Kensington. On May 9, we celebrate the resilience of the Irish who rebuilt.
Join us in Olde Kensington for Nanny Goat Fest, a neighborhood street festival on American Street featuring live music, local food & drink, and the dedication of a new Pennsylvania Historical Marker commemorating the Kensington Riots of 1844. A defining chapter in Philadelphia's history.
Schedule
1:00 PM - Pennsylvania Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony
2:00 PM - Nanny Goat Fest street festival on American Street (between Master & Oxford Streets)
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Michael's Church on Second Street at 12:00 PM for those who wish to attend.
Festival Highlights
• Live Irish & folk bands on the main stage
• Traditional Irish session tent (bring your instrument and join in)
• Craft beer, local favorites, and ready-to-drink cocktails
• Food trucks and neighborhood staples
• Irish dance performances and cultural programming
• Local artists, makers, and community groups
In May 1844, three days of anti-Irish riots swept through Kensington around the historic Nanny Goat Market, destroying more than thirty homes and storefronts and burning St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Despite the devastation, the Irish community rebuilt and remained rooted for generations.
Kensington has long been built by newcomers. Nanny Goat Fest remembers that history and celebrates a neighborhood whose story continues to unfold.
Learn more at nannygoatfest.com