May in West Chester: Your Guide to Gardens, Music, Races, and Must-Do Events
May is one of the best months to be in West Chester. The farmers market is back in full swing, the gardens are blooming, and the calendar is packed with plant sales, home tours, and community events. Whether you’re looking to stock up on native plants, catch live music on a neighbor’s porch, cheer on runners downtown, or simply enjoy a Saturday morning at the market, here’s your local guide to what not to miss this month in and around West Chester.Markets, Food & Drink
Every Wednesday – West Chester Taps aka Borough Wide Happy Hour From 5–7 PM, sip your way through downtown with $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails at participating bars and restaurants. Every Saturday – West Chester Growers Market Head to Church & Chestnut from 9 AM–1 PM for local produce, baked goods, flowers, and more. Every Saturday – Artisan Exchange @ 208 Carter Drive Suite 13B; from 10 AM–1 PM. Each week at the market you can find coffee, cake, breads, candles, empanadas, pasta and more! May 2 – Borough Stroll A self-guided shopping stroll through West Chester Borough during the first Open Air Market weekend. Ticketed guests receive a passport guide with discounts at 10 participating locations. Meet at Rose’s Little Donuts, 22 N. Darlington St. 10 AM–2 PM. $15 in advance; $20 day of.Garden Events & Plant Sales
- May 2 & 3 – Kennett Blooms Plant Sale The Kennett Beautification Committee’s annual sale at Pratt’s Greenhouse, 634 Hillendale Rd., Avondale. Sat 8–4, Sun 10–3. KennettCollaborative.org
- May 7 – 87th Annual Herb Society of America Herb Sale Culinary herbs, rare scented geraniums, and salvias at Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. 10 AM–1 PM, rain or shine. HSAPhiladelphia.org
- May 7 – Showcase of Homes at Hershey’s Mill Six renovated homes, a luncheon at Hershey’s Mill Golf Club, and a vendor boutique. Benefits Paoli Hospital. 1500 Greenhill Rd., West Chester. Tour $40; with lunch $80. Events.org/ES/PHASOH2026
- May 9 – Uwchlan Garden Club Plant Sale Vegetables, herbs, perennials, shrubs, trees, a plant doctor, and a kids corner. 5 N. Village Ave., Lionville. 8 AM–2 PM. UwchlanGardenClub.org
- May 9 & 10 – Wildflower, Native Plant & Seed Sale Native wildflowers, grasses, ferns, vines, shrubs, and trees at the Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Rd., Chadds Ford. 9:30 AM–4:30 PM. Brandywine.org
- May 9 & 23 – Home and Garden Tours at Stoneleigh Guided tours of native plant displays, ancient trees, and the Tudor Revival Main House. 1829 E. County Line Rd., Villanova. 10:30 AM–noon. $15. StoneleighGarden.org
- May 13 – Shipley School’s 52nd Annual Secret Gardens Tours A beloved Chester County tradition — self-guided tours of breathtaking private gardens, with a lunch stop at Appleford Estate. 9 AM–3 PM. ShipleySchool.org/SecretGardens
Arts, Culture & Community
- May 3 – Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival 300+ artisans, landscapers, and vendors on Germantown Ave. with live music and a Makers Village. 11 AM–5 PM. ChestnutHillPA.com
- May 13 – West Chester STEMFest Helicopters overhead, drones in the air, and hands-on activities where kids build rockets, test homemade gliders, and meet pilots. A great family day at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, 1220 American Blvd., West Chester. AmericanHelicopter.museum
- May 16 – Jenkins Arboretum Spring Blooms 50th Anniversary Celebration A roving dinner, garden games, and live music at Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd., Devon. 6–9 PM. $150. JenkinsArboretum.org
- May 16 – West Chester Porchfest The 5th Annual Green Team Porchfest fills the borough’s streets and porches with live local music, food trucks, and community energy. 1–7 PM, rain or shine. Presented by the West Chester Downtown Foundation. WestChesterPorchfest.com
- May 16–17 – WCU Pre-Collegiate National Piano Competition The 36th annual competition takes place May 16, followed by a free public Masterclass and Winners’ Recital on May 17. Ware Family Recital Hall, Swope Music Building, 817 S. High St., West Chester.
- May 20 – Scott Arboretum Rose Celebration Peak blooms at the Dean Bond Rose Garden with live music. 500 College Ave., Swarthmore. 4–7 PM. Free. ScottArboretum.org
Area Races & Outdoor Fitness
- May 7 – Bournelyf Special Camps 5K A community 5K through downtown West Chester starting at Market and Church Sts. Proceeds benefit Bournelyf Special Camp. $30–$35 registration.
Ongoing Through the Season
- May 8–September 27 – Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens Dancing fountains and brilliant blooms at the Conservatory Overlook. 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square. Thurs–Sat evenings. $20–$35. LongwoodGardens.org
- Through December – America’s Garden Capital Passport A free map and guide to the region’s public gardens. Download at AmericasGardenCapital.org
All events are free unless otherwise noted. For the latest updates, confirm details directly with each event’s organizer before attending.
Next Month
June in West Chester: Your Guide to Music, Markets, and Must-Do Events
As the days get longer and the weather turns warmer, West Chester comes alive with music, food, family fun, and festivals. Whether you’re in the mood for live bands in the park, fresh produce at the farmers market, a round of mini golf on Gay Street, or lacing up for a 5K, there’s something happening nearly every day this June. Here’s your local guide to what not to miss this month in and around West Chester.
Markets, Food & Drink
Every Wednesday – West Chester Taps aka Borough Wide Happy Hour
From 5–7 PM, sip your way through downtown with $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails at participating bars and restaurants.
Every Saturday – West Chester Growers Market
Head to Church & Chestnut from 9 AM–1 PM for local produce, baked goods, flowers, and more.
Every Saturday – Artisan Exchange @ 208 Carter Drive Suite 13B; from 10 AM–1 PM.
Each week at the market you can find coffee, cake, breads, candles, empanadas, pasta and more!
Live Music & Community Concerts
- June 5 – Downtown West Chester Summer Concert Series — First Friday
The Summer Concert Series kicks off its First Friday run with the Rescue Dog Band at Chester County Historic Courthouse and The Richard Brothers Band on Gay Street at the Jack Loew Plaza. 5:30–7:30 PM. Free. Continues the first Friday of July, August, and September. - June 7 – 43rd Annual Turks Head Music Festival
Everhart Park hosts this all-day celebration of local music, arts, crafts, and great food. Two stages feature seven local bands playing Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, Country, and Blues, with 70+ vendor booths throughout the park. Noon–7 PM. Free. Rain date: June 14. TurksHeadFestival.com - June 19–21 – Brandywine Revival of Old Time Music
A full weekend of traditional Americana, folk, and old-time music at 75 S. Wawaset Rd. Camping welcome, showers available. Pay at the gate — cash or check only. BrandywineRevival.com - June 26 – Concerts in the Park
Everhart Park hosts an evening concert starting at 6:30 PM. Free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Community Events & Outdoor Fun
- June 5 – First Friday Open Studios at Ginkgo Arts
Local artists open their studios for an evening of art, conversation, and community. 5–8 PM @ 21 S. High Street. Free. - June 20 – Mini Golf on Gay Street
Gay Street transforms into a free mini golf course for the whole family. Bring your crew and enjoy this totally unique West Chester experience right in the heart of downtown. Noon–4 PM. DowntownWestChester.com - June 20 & 27 – Pennsylvania’s Garden Party
June 20: Garden Club tours along the Main Line in Montgomery and Delaware Counties. June 27: Chester County tours in Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, West Chester, and more. $25–$30 includes tour book with map. PAGardenClubs.org - June 27 – Home and Garden Tours at Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden
Guided tours of native plant displays, ancient trees, and the Tudor Revival Main House. 1829 E. County Line Rd., Villanova. 10:30 AM–noon. $15. StoneleighGarden.org
Area Races & Outdoor Fitness
- June 1 – Eggs + Kegs 5K (Phoenixville)
- June 5 – Trail Blazer Run (Downingtown)
- June 7 – Run The Lane (Media)
- June 8 – West Bradford Runs — Free 5K & Kids Run
- June 8 – Healthy Kids Running Series (Pottstown)
See the Chester County Running Store website for details and registration.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. For the latest updates, confirm details directly with each event’s organizer before attending.
June in West Chester: Your Guide to Music, Markets, and Must-Do Events
As the days get longer and the weather turns warmer, West Chester comes alive with music, food, family fun, and festivals. Whether you’re in the mood for live bands in the park, fresh produce at the farmers market,
or lacing up for a 5K, there’s something happening nearly every day this June.
Here’s your local guide to what not to miss this month in and around West Chester.
Markets, Food & Drink
Every Wednesday – West Chester Taps aka Borough wide Happy Hour From 5–7 PM, sip your way through downtown with $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails at participating bars and restaurants. Every Saturday – West Chester Growers Market Head to Church & Chestnut from 9 AM–1 PM for local produce, baked goods, flowers, and more. Every Saturday – Artisan Exchange @208 Carter Drive Suite 13B; from 10AM – 1PM. Each week at the market you can find coffee, cake, breads, candles, empanadas, pasta and more!Live Music & Community Concerts
- June 8 – Turks Head Music FestivalEverhart Park hosts this all-day celebration of local bands, craft vendors, food trucks, and family activities. 12 PM–7 PM.
- June 21 – Brandywine Revival of Old Time MusicA full day of traditional Americana and folk tunes at 75 S. Wawaset Rd. 8 AM–7 PM.
- June 22, 26, 29 – Summer Concert SeriesCatch The Chatterband, Local Honey, and The Sam Stinson Band at community parks around town. All shows start at 6:30 or 7 PM and are free to attend.
Area Races & Outdoor Fitness
- June 1 – Eggs + Kegs 5K (Phoenixville)
- June 5 – Trail Blazer Run (Downingtown)
- June 7 – Run The Lane (Media)
- June 8 – West Bradford Runs (Free 5K & Kids Run)
- June 8 – Healthy Kids Running Series (Pottstown)
- See the Chester County Running Store website for more details.
Art & Culture
- June 6 – First Friday Open Studios at Ginkgo Arts; 5-8PM @ 21 S High Street
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