ArtPhilly is the organization behind What Now: 2026. Our mission is to amplify Philadelphia as a dynamic place for arts and culture. We connect audiences to each other through artistic programming, commissioning original work, and a recurring multidisciplinary festival.

Presented by ArtPhilly, this first-of-its-kind city-wide festival will celebrate Philadelphia as a major arts and culture destination. Running from May 27 - July 2, 2026, and happening in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, What Now asks artists and organizations from all corners of the city to interrogate who we are as a nation, where we’re headed, and how we envision our future together. Over the course of five weeks, over 30 original commissioned projects will engage, challenge and delight audiences from across the city and the globe.

The festival will draw on the revolutionary spirit of our history — after all, Philadelphia has been causing a scene since 1776. It will celebrate the city’s neighborhoods and the surrounding region, showcase its diversity, and tease out the threads that run through the city’s culture. It will proudly announce that Philadelphia is equal parts Barnes and Bartram’s, Old City and Kensington, cheesesteaks and pepper pot. Explore our projects and get tickets to dozens of performances and events HERE.

You can visit individual project pages on our website and click the link under “Get Tickets.” You can also buy tickets to performances and events on our profile on Showpass.

Yes, but it's first come first served, and some events may be sold out.

The pricing couldn’t be simpler: $26 — get it?! Like “2026” — and half-price ($13) for students, children, seniors, arts and industry workers, and $2 for EBT Access Card holders (thanks to our partners at ArtReach). A handful of events are not available through our platform due to venue agreements; those tickets can be purchased directly. And keep in mind that lots of What Now: 2026 events are FREE and open to the public– but please RSVP for these events to hold your spot!

We want What Now: 2026 to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Students, children, seniors, and arts and industry workers are eligible for half-priced tickets ($13). EBT Access Card holders can access all paid events for $2. See more about this program here.

Many What Now events are FREE! Some of those free events still require you to reserve a spot. Visit the individual project pages for details. 

All ticket sales are final. However, in a situation where a show is cancelled, refunds will be issued in full. ArtPhilly will do our best to accommodate date change requests (please reach out to info@artphilly.org), but cannot make any guarantees.

For events not sold through ArtPhilly, please reach out to those box offices directly.

Most What Now: 2026 events take place indoors. For the few that are planned for outside, if the weather is so bad that we need to cancel and can not reschedule, we will reach out to all ticket holders and issue full refunds.

We will have a mobile app presence through our partners on Bloomberg Connects! Please check back here for the link soon.

Want to stay up to date on the latest fun from the festival? Sign up for our newsletter HERE and follow us on Instagram @ArtPhilly2026.

You can follow us on Instagram @ArtPhilly2026. Have a question or comment, DM us there or email info@artphilly.org.

We’re here for you! Email info@artphilly.org or send us a direct message on instagram @ArtPhilly2026.