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🍺 Let's head over to brew town. Independence Mall Beer Garden is now open for the season (Wednesday through Sundays). Beers, bites, hammocks. It's that taste of summer we've all been waiting for.

🥨 Speaking of barflies … Bok Bar opens for the season today. Rooftop vibes, seasonal drinks, and a rotating menu of food, plus events and performances. Hours: 5-11pm

🥍 Take in a piece of history as the Philly Wings play their final home game on Saturday at 7pm at the Xfinity Mobile Arena against Las Vegas.

Comcast Spectacor announced last month it's dropping the ownership of the team. Tickets: $35.75+

🥁 Hire a sitter. The Franklin Institute is throwing another adult mixer on Friday from 7:30-11:30pm. Learn the science behind vinyl records, dance to Brazilian beats, sip drinks, check out the exhibits and do a little stargazing. 

⚾ You can bank on some good baseball this weekend. The Phillies take on the Diamondbacks in a three-game home series in South Philly, starting Friday at 6:40pm. Tickets: $76.26+

🎮 If you love anime and gaming, check out Philly Otaku Fest at the Cherry Street Pier. Running from Friday through Sunday, expect Japanese street food, live music, more than 70 vendors. 

Hours: Friday 4-9pm; Saturday 11am-9:30pm; Sunday 11am-6:30pm.

🏀 The Sixers wrap up the regular season on Sunday at 6pm at Xfinity Mobile Arena against the Bucks. Tickets: $21+

Philadelphia weekender: Wings home finale and beer garden openings

Fill your weekend social calendar with these popular events.

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

🍺 Let&#x27;s head over to brew town. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Independence Mall Beer Garden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.liberty215.com/" data-vars-content-id="074055c4-5d73-4c6a-b842-ccd4f359e8c7" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekender: Wings home finale and beer garden openings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.liberty215.com/" target="_blank">Independence Mall Beer Garden</a> is now open for the season (Wednesday through Sundays). Beers, bites, hammocks. It&#x27;s that taste of summer we&#x27;ve all been waiting for.🥨 Speaking of barflies … <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bok Bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bok-bar.com/happenings/opening-day" data-vars-content-id="074055c4-5d73-4c6a-b842-ccd4f359e8c7" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia weekender: Wings home finale and beer garden openings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bok-bar.com/happenings/opening-day" target="_blank">Bok Bar</a> opens for the season today. Rooftop vibes, seasonal drinks, and a rotating menu of food, plus events and performances. Hours: 5-11pm

Things to Do

Philadelphia's tourism and hotel industries should bank on a rebound year fueled by the FIFA World Cup and other events coming to the region, per a new analysis.

Why it matters: Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for the big crowds.

State of play: International tourism is projected to grow 4.5% this year, according to new data from Tourism Economics.

The analysis was released Tuesday by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Visit Philadelphia.

🇨🇦 Plus: Tourism from Canada — the city's largest international market — is expected to rise 4.1% over last year. 

Worth noting: The data reflects the outlook we told you about back in January.

🛎️ Meanwhile, Center City hotel occupancies are projected to jump 2.8% and total revenue to increase 6.3%, according to the analysis.

Flashback: The rosy tourism forecast comes after a big slump in 2025.

That's when international visits fell nearly 14% last year compared with 2024.

Canadians in particular avoided Philly, with their tourism to the region down a whopping 23%.

What they're saying: "This year is a critical inflection point for Philadelphia as we are about to step into one of the most visible tourism moments for our city," Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the visitors' bureau, said in a statement.

Zoom in: Signs are already hinting that tourism is poised to pick up. 

Flight bookings to Philly during the first week of the World Cup (June 11-19) are up 20% compared with the same period last year, per data provided to Axios by travel marketing agency Sojern.

Most international visitors are coming from the United Kingdom, with strong interest from Canada, Ireland and Ecuador.

More than half of those international travelers are flying solo.

Between the lines: Philly is looking to cash in on all these visitors.

The city recently launched its program for bars, hotels, restaurants and other businesses to seek a permit to remain open till 4am and serve alcohol.

What else: Beautification projects are humming along throughout the city, including:

🚶 Sidewalk improvements around Swann Fountain in Logan Square Park.

🎭 Revamp of part of the Avenue of the Arts.

🏗️ Redesign of Thomas Paine Plaza, in front of the Municipal Services Building.

🌳 Market East improvements — like tree plantings and rehabbing bus shelters — and popups.

seek a permit to remain open till 4am and serve alcohol

International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year

Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for big crowds.

Philadelphia&#x27;s tourism and hotel industries should bank on a rebound year fueled by the FIFA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/01/world-cup-tickets-philly-fifa-final-sale" data-vars-content-id="205fd58c-0bab-4ea6-bde1-25f67c85f87c" data-vars-headline="International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/01/world-cup-tickets-philly-fifa-final-sale" target="_self">World Cup</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" data-vars-content-id="205fd58c-0bab-4ea6-bde1-25f67c85f87c" data-vars-headline="International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" target="_self">other events</a> coming to the region, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for the big crowds.

Travel

Jackie Endsley may be a Midwesterner, but she is an honorary Philadelphian after spending two years in the region helping organize the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Why it matters: Those creds came in handy when she was tapped to lead the PGA Championship after Ryan Ogle stepped down as director earlier this year.

The big picture: Endsley is the point person for the tournament expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people — her role is part air traffic controller, part brand ambassador.

"My day-to-day, it's always different," she says. "It's working with the host site, making sure the membership is excited, making sure credentials get distributed to all of our vendors and all of our key stakeholders, and making sure at the end of the day that we just have fun."

Zoom in: Being back in the Philly region is "deja vu" for Endsley, who inherited a tough situation stepping in after Ogle's departure.

Luckily, she had nine years of PGA experience to fall back on, including six handling major championships.

She'd already worked with the team at Aronimink, and could lean on her PGA team to pull strings if she needed help.

And she's already experienced Philly's passionate sports culture, attending Eagles, Phillies and Flyers games during her previous stint in the region.

She hopes fans bring that same energy to the upcoming PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club — just a less rowdy version.

What she's saying: "We're excited for them to bring that passion out here in a respectful way," Endsley told Axios Thursday.

What we're watching: Endsley said fans can also expect new elements aimed at enhancing the experience, including a larger presence from content creators and influencers.

Meet the air traffic controller behind the PGA Championship

Jackie Endsley tapped her honorary Philadelphian standing after the PGA Championship lost its first director.

A headshot of Jackie Endsley, championship director for the 2026 PGA Championship.

Jackie Endsley may be a Midwesterner, but she is an honorary Philadelphian after spending two years in the region helping organize the 2020 KPMG Women&#x27;s PGA Championship.Why it matters: Those creds came in handy when she was tapped to lead the PGA Championship after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ryan Ogle stepped down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/sports/pga-championship-aronimink-jackie-endsley-director-20260121.html" data-vars-content-id="4451a785-0ab3-471a-b98f-3af9956be62e" data-vars-headline="Meet the air traffic controller behind the PGA Championship" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/sports/pga-championship-aronimink-jackie-endsley-director-20260121.html" target="_blank">Ryan Ogle stepped down</a> as director earlier this year.

News

Sports

Organizers have spent more than two years planning every aspect of the PGA Championship coming to Aronimink Golf Club. Now, they're lining up the final putt.

Why it matters: Next month's tournament aims to offer something for everyone — from die-hard golf fans to casual spectators (and kids 15 and under who get in free with a ticketed adult). More than 200,000 fans are expected to attend.

The big picture: That means preparing for constant movement across the Newtown course — from fairways to merchandise shops and sponsor activations.

Organizers have altered the course to make it more challenging for mammoth-swinging pros who can drive the ball great distances, laid out gravel and built infrastructure, and they're bringing in decorators to ensure hospitality tents and pop-ups glisten for visitors.

And by tents, we're not talking about a couple of poles and a canvas. We're talking fully carpeted structures, some with glass walls, that require 100-plus construction workers to assemble.

About 3,200 volunteers will help staff the tourney.

One of the massive grandstands at Aronimink Golf Club.

One of the massive grandstands on the course. Photo: Isaac Avilucea/Axios

The goal was to make the PGA Championship, which runs May 11-17, a "must-attend event," championship director Jackie Endsley tells Axios.

The intrigue: Hosting a successful major largely comes down to how easily spectators can follow the action — and Aronimink's layout is built for it.

"It's a beautiful piece of property," said PGA Championship operations manager Tyler Curtis as he showcased unobstructed sight lines on a tour of the grounds Thursday. "There's not a bad seat in the house out here."

Take the clearing between the ninth and 18th holes, near one of several grandstands that will fill in quickly on a first-come, first-served basis.

"You can kind of see off in the distance the 11th green, 15th fairway," he said about the prime vantage point. "Eight and 10 share the same green."

What to expect: To accommodate the crowds, the PGA has added four double-decker tents and nine grandstands.

They're scattered throughout the course — especially the final two holes, where fans will gather late if the leaderboard is tight.

The PGA Shop, across from the 18th hole, will serve as a central hub — a 50,000-square-foot store with about 20 merchandise vendors inside, Curtis said.

It will be surrounded by a massive leaderboard, markets and pop-up activations, including spots to get wine and beer.

Large white event tent set up on a wide paved lot, with glass entrance doors, a few white picnic tables, and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

While much of the heavy lifting is done, Curtis says, they'll be making last-minute changes days before the championship starts.

"I know there's always some tweaks that need to happen."

If you go: Corporate hospitality and Championship+ grounds tickets are sold out, but you can still score tix to the practice rounds (or find them on secondary markets).

Inside the massive setup for PGA Championship at Aronimink

More than 200,000 fans are expected to attend.

Sprawling tent structures, a wooden raised-stage platform, a metal-frame canopy at Aronimink Golf Club.

Organizers have spent more than two years planning every aspect of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PGA Championship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/06/philly-pga-championship-aronimink-golf-course" data-vars-content-id="8444e693-9453-4354-bcfc-57433d21c68f" data-vars-headline="Inside the massive setup for PGA Championship at Aronimink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/06/philly-pga-championship-aronimink-golf-course" target="_self">PGA Championship</a> coming to Aronimink Golf Club. Now, they&#x27;re lining up the final putt.Why it matters: Next month&#x27;s tournament aims to offer something for everyone — from die-hard golf fans to casual spectators (and kids 15 and under who get in free with a ticketed adult). More than 200,000 fans are expected to attend.

Blakelyn Kelly could have wished for anything. She chose a s'mores cookie.

Why it matters: With help from Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, she turned a campfire classic into a fundraiser powering wishes for kids across the Philadelphia region.

The big picture: When she was in first grade, Kelly was diagnosed with von Hippel-Lindau disease — a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow throughout the body.

In 2024, when it came time to make her wish, she teamed up with the bakers at Famous 4th Street Cookie Company to perfect her s'mores cookie recipe.

What's happening: The cookie is sold in-store and online every April for World Wish Month, with proceeds helping fund wishes for other children facing serious diseases.

So far, Kelly has already raised about $11,000.

Catch up quick: For owners Brian and Tina Phillips, the mission is personal. Their late son, Brandon, was a Make-A-Wish recipient.

A Lego room at Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley's new headquarters is dedicated in his memory.

🤲 Helping out: You can order a Make-A-Wish box for $39.95.

This 12-year-old's cookies are powering sick Philly kids' dreams

With help from Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, Blakelyn Kelly turned a campfire classic into a fundraiser.

Split image: 12-year-old Blakelyn Kelly, wearing a black apron, uses a red stand mixer with crackers in a food processor; right a box reads "The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company" beside cookies.

Photo: Courtesy of Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley

Blakelyn Kelly could have wished for anything. She chose a s&#x27;mores cookie.Why it matters: With help from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Famous 4th Street Cookie Company" data-vars-click-url="https://famouscookies.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopICWrOAKGcKQUBOxYBBwWVQOq6YrVgb61D-nWmtVqYXQfAgAxE" data-vars-content-id="957e71da-f17e-48b6-8753-b179fa6b8000" data-vars-headline="This 12-year-old&#x27;s cookies are powering sick Philly kids&#x27; dreams" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://famouscookies.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopICWrOAKGcKQUBOxYBBwWVQOq6YrVgb61D-nWmtVqYXQfAgAxE" target="_blank">Famous 4th Street Cookie Company</a>, she turned a campfire classic into a fundraiser powering wishes for kids across the Philadelphia region.

Isaac Avilucea

Featured stories

This 12-year-old's cookies are powering sick Philly kids' dreams

Meet the air traffic controller behind the PGA Championship

Inside the massive setup for PGA Championship at Aronimink

Philadelphia weekender: Wings home finale and beer garden openings

International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year