Philadelphia Unveils Schedule For “Rocky™Fest 2024”- A Knockout Celebration Of The Iconic Film Legacy And The Underdog Spirit

Rocky™Fest will offer fans the ultimate Rocky experience with Rocky bus tours, a movie marathon, date nights and more…

Philadelphia Unveils Schedule For “Rocky™Fest 2024”- A Knockout Celebration Of The Icnic Film Legacy And The Underdog Spirit.

Philadelphia officials have announced “Rocky™Fest 2024,” an action-packed celebration of the iconic Rocky film franchise and the underdog spirit embodied by the City of Philadelphia. The schedule of events kicks off with the second annual “Rocky Day” on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and continues through Sunday, December 8, 2024, with special events and new opportunities for visitors who take the Rocky pilgrimage to experience the city where it all began.

“Every day at our visitor centres, we meet and talk to fans from all over the world who have come to Philadelphia to run the Art Museum Steps and take their photo with the Rocky Statue. Rocky is a hero for so many people and the message of the film, rising above all odds to become a champion, has inspired a national and international pilgrimage to this iconic site,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, President & CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Centre Corporation. “Philadelphia is embracing this Rocky-fuelled tourism, and we are ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome these visitors and show them the best of what our city has to offer.”

Above: Rocky Steps. Image by Kyle Huff for PHLCVB

“The City of Philadelphia is proud to support Rocky™Fest 2024,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The story of Rocky is the story of the underdog, the blue-collar fighter who rises from a neighbourhood gym to take his shot at the heavyweight champion of the world. It’s about grit and perseverance and never, ever giving up on your dreams. That’s Philly, and it is why this iconic movie has such enduring appeal here and around the world. We want everyone to come to Philly, enjoy Rocky™Fest 2024, and stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and enjoy our wonderful City!”

In 2023, the Visitor Centre partnered with the Sly Stallone Shop to offer Rocky fans visiting Philadelphia officially licensed Sylvester Stallone merchandise at the Shop’s first and only brick-and-mortar location. The partnership launched a celebration of Philadelphia’s first-ever “Rocky Day” on December 3. Based on the overwhelming success of the inaugural event, the Visitor Centre has partnered with organizations across the region to build out an expanded festival that will welcome fans from around the globe to immerse themselves in all things Rocky.

Above: Sylvester Stallone being presented with the key to the city at the inaugural Rocky™Fest in 2023. Photo by J.Ryan for the PHLCVB

Rocky™Fest 2024 will define the ultimate Rocky experience in Philadelphia, highlighted by the first-ever publicly available Rocky Bus Tours, a Rocky Movie Marathon, and recreated Rocky Date Nights at The University of Pennsylvania’s 1923 Ice Rink and The Philadelphia Zoo. Tickets to Rocky™Fest events are available through www.PHLVisitorCenter.com/RockyFest

Rocky™Fest 2024 will be hosted in partnership with Visit Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Philadelphia Film Society, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Monument Lab, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Zoo. “Rocky and the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be forever connected and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate what he means to the city,” said Sasha Suda, Director and CEO, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

“Rocky is not only immediately identified with Philadelphia, but his indelible spirit,  beating the odds, resonates with Philadelphians themselves,” said Gregg Caren, President & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our city, and our people, are known for grit and determination, whether in obvious connection to sports or the venerable goals of democracy, liberty and justice, all of which are also tied to the founding of our nation here in Philadelphia.”

***ROCKYFEST 2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVATIONS***

ROCKY Philadelphia Bus Tours

The Philadelphia Visitor Centre will work with its Philly PHLASH tourism bus service to run the first-ever publicly available Rocky Tours in Philadelphia. The Rocky Bus Tour will be presented in partnership with WeVenture Tours and Laurel Hill Cemetery, where fans can visit the fictional gravesites of Rocky’s wife, Adrian Balboa, and brother-in-law, Paulie Pennino.

The Rocky Bus Tour will take fans to several “must-see” spots from the Rocky series. This 90-minute tour is perfect for Rocky fans who are short on time but want to get an exciting glimpse into the different neighbourhoods where the movies were filmed. The Philly PHLASH will allow guests to travel through many small streets and alleys to give guests an up-close look at these sites, including Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mighty Mick’s Gym, the church where Father Carmine gives Rocky a blessing before the big fight, the Italian Market, and many others.

The tours will take place between Friday, November 29, 2024 and Sunday, December 8, 2024. Full Schedule Available Here, beginning at The Parkway Visitor Centre and Rocky Shop. Individual tickets $49, Senior/student tickets $42; Available here

ROCKY Movie Marathon

Celebrate Philadelphia’s most iconic film hero in the City’s most iconic cinematic venue with a marathon showing of the blockbuster franchise.  Join us for a single movie, or book the whole package to spend a weekend immersed in one the greatest underdog stories to ever grace the silver screen. The Philadelphia Visitor Centre, in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society, will activate the Philadelphia Film Centre with pop-up events, official Sly Stallone Shop merchandise, selfie spots, and Rocky-themed activities throughout the marathon weekend.

Taking place at the Philadelphia Film Centre, Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024. Full Screening Schedule Available Here. Single screening: $14 general admission, $9 PFS member; Bundle: $48 general admission, $42 PFS members; Available here

RockyU: The Rocky Statue – A Monumental Conversation with Dr. Paul Farber

What makes the Rocky Statue a monument? What drives millions of people to make the pilgrimage each year to this statue and the art museum steps? What does this tell us about monuments today? Join Dr. Paul Farber, Director of Monument Lab and host of the acclaimed The Statue podcast, for a deep dive session on the biography of the Rocky Statue. Find out how this statue was created, learn more about the public debates about its placement in the city over time, and explore the ways this statue relates to how we memorialize people and stories throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

The first session will take place on the evening of Friday, December 6, 2024 at the

Philadelphia Museum of Art. Tickets $20 each, Available here. The second session will take place in the afternoon of Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Liberty View at Independence Visitor Centre. Tickets $20 each, Available here. (Curriculum is the same across each session). Tickets include your official RockyU certificate of completion

Rocky Date Night @ The Penn Ice Rink

The Philadelphia Visitor Centre will partner with University of Pennsylvania’s historic Class of 1923 Ice Skating Rink to host the first Rocky Date Night, featuring signature drink specials, a Rocky and Adrian look-alike contest, film recreation photo ops, and speed dating for singles. Whether you’re on the ice or enjoying the atmosphere, recreate Rocky and Adrian’s memorable first date at Penn Ice Rink.

Friday, December 6, 2024, 76-10 p.m at The Class of 1923 University of Pennsylvania Ice Skating Rink. Individual tickets $25, Student tickets $12.50; Available here. Tickets include skate rental and 20% discount at the Rocky Shop, valid for purchases made during RockyFest (December 3-8, 2024)

Rocky Date Night @ The Zoo

The Philadelphia Visitor Centre will partner with the Philadelphia Zoo to host the second Rocky Date Night during the Zoo’s LumiNature event, featuring a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones at the Philadelphia Zoo. Recreate Rocky and Adrian’s date at the Philadelphia Zoo, where in front of Big Cat Falls, Rocky proposed!

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 5-9 p.m. Two-ticket package for $75; Available here

Includes LumiNature admission, a drink voucher for each guest, and a s’mores kit to share!

Real Life Rocky: A Mural Tribute to Philadelphia’s Unsung Champions

While Rocky is the greatest Philadelphian who never lived, there are thousands of Philadelphians who embody the Rocky story of an underdog persevering despite the odds. Mural Arts Philadelphia will interpret this narrative with a first-of-its kind mural series highlighting Philly’s “Real Life Rockys.”

Nominations will soon open for the true champions of Philadelphia, whose stories remind us that the spirit of Rocky lives on in our community every day. The Mural unveiling will take place during Rocky™Fest.

“Mural Arts is thrilled to partner with Philadelphia Visitor Centre and celebrate the resilience of our city through the ‘Real Life Rockys’ project, which honours everyday Philadelphians who have beaten the odds, just like Rocky,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “By showcasing these stories next to one of our most iconic landmarks, we are not only celebrating the indomitable spirit of our city but also inspiring visitors from around the world to connect with these powerful narratives of perseverance.”

TBA: Rocky™Fest Signature Public Event

Rocky™Fest 2024 will include a signature public event to bring together Rocky super-fans, drive excitement and build momentum as we approach the 50th anniversary of the original film release on December 3, 2026. Complete details will be announced once finalized.

***THE ROCKY SHOP AT THE PARKWAY VISITOR CENTER***

The Rocky Shop at the Parkway Visitor Centre has been a resounding success since its opening in 2023, serving more than 22,200 visitors each month on the Philadelphia Museum of Art apron between the Rocky Steps and the Rocky Statue. In addition to being the only brick-and-mortar retail location of movie apparel and memorabilia from The Sly Stallone Shop—the official brand of Sylvester Stallone—the Visitor Centre provides visitors with maps and information, tickets to attractions, museums, and tours, and a selection of Philadelphia souvenirs.

The Parkway Visitor Centre and Rocky Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Special extended hours and pop-up shops in other locations will be available during Rocky™Fest 2024.