Drone image of the River Front view of the Hamilton Mansion’s portico with the Drexel Family Mausoleum in the foreground and the Philadelphia skyline visible in the distance. Photo by Jason Herrmann.

Arts & Culture Event Spaces

The Woodlands is a unique, historic venue that provides a distinctive setting for Arts & Culture events that interpret, celebrate and make available to the public The Woodlands’ historic buildings and tranquil green space.

After completing the Arts & Culture At The Woodlands Inquiry Form, please let us know if you are interested in coming in for a tour to view the event spaces. You are welcome to visit the grounds independently while the gates are open daily, from dawn until dusk.

Outdoor Event Spaces

Outdoor event spaces at The Woodlands highlight the beautiful green oasis in the heart of West Philadelphia. Outdoor events allow for larger guest counts than indoor events, flexibility in terms of set up, and easy access for performers and guests along our paved roads. All outdoor events must have a documented rain plan in case of inclement weather.

Neighborhood Welcome Landscape

This grassy area along the Woodland Avenue side of the grounds is an open area of landscape. This expansive space is proximal to the front gates and Woodland Avenue, and has been the location for larger-scale uses such as the annual West Craft Fest.

Guest Capacity: Up to 500. No existing seating in this area. Recommended Seating: Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit in the grass.
Restrooms: Four single-stall restrooms (one ADA) are located at the Stable, approximately 1/5 of a mile away from the Neighborhood Welcome Landscape.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery and near the Neighborhood Welcome Landscape. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass. There is a 4 inch curb leading to the Neighborhood Welcome Landscape, and a rubber wedge ramp can be installed for wheelchair access.
Electric: None, generator required.
Water Access: Nearby water fountain.

*Caitlin Green performs at “The Wake,” a series of free yoga + mindfulness sessions paired with live music. Photo by Les David Hinton.*

Meadow Zone

This grassy area between the Mansion and Stable, referred to as the “Meadow” is available for outdoor performances and events.

Guest Capacity: Up to 200. No existing seating in this area. Recommended Seating: Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit in the grass.
Restrooms: Four single-stall restrooms (one ADA) are located at the Stable, approximately 1/10 of a mile from the Meadow Zone.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery and near the Pollinator Meadow. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass. There is a 4 inch curb leading to the Meadow zone, and a rubber wedge ramp can be installed for wheelchair access.
Electric: Electricity is available in the Carriage Yard, 50 - 100 feet from the Meadow Zone. Users must provide their own extension cords, or bring in a generator.
Water Access: A water spigot is located adjacent to the Pollinator Meadow, in front of the Stable.

*Guests sit amongst the coping during a "Bird Calls" performance, celebrating Charlie Parker's 100th birthday. Photo by Ryan Collerd.*

Center Circle

Due to The Woodlands being an active cemetery, and the unique and historic nature of this particular section, any happenings in this area must be appropriate to the space. Other locations within the cemetery, especially amongst headstones, require additional planning and conversations with The Woodlands staff.

Guest Capacity: 200 standing. No seating in this area. Recommended Seating: Guests can sit on the low granite walls that surround historic burial lots, and are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit in the grass.
Restrooms: Four single-stall restrooms (one ADA) are located at the Stable, approximately 1/5 of a mile away from Center Circle.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass. There is a 4 inch curb surrounding Center Circle, and a rubber wedge ramp can be installed for wheelchair access.
Electric: None, generator required.
Water Access: None.

*The crowd at the “Sun Ra Arkestra” concert in front of the Hamilton Mansion in May of 2021. Photo by Les David Hinton.*

Hamilton Mansion - Carriage Front

The exterior of the 1789 Hamilton Mansion features pilasters, rough local stone and delicately detailed windows and doors. The front of the Mansion includes the terrace, which offers an elevated stage for performances.

Guest Capacity: Up to 500. No existing seating in this area. Recommended Seating: Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit in the grass.
Restrooms: Four single-stall restrooms (one ADA) are located at the Stable, approximately 1/10 of a mile from the Hamilton Mansion.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery leading to the Mansion. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass.
Electric: Four outlets are located on the terrace of the Mansion, and two are in the cryptoporticus (located below the terrace).
Water Access: None

*The Portico and River Front side of the Mansion during Martha McDonalds’ “The Lost Garden” performance in 2014. Photo by Ashley E. Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.*

Hamilton Mansion - River Front

This exterior of the 1789 Hamilton Mansion has stately columns, rough local stone and shows the layers of change over time.

Guest Capacity: 200 standing or seated.
Restrooms: Four single-stall restrooms (one ADA) are located at the Stable, approximately 1/10 of a mile from the Hamilton Mansion.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery leading to the Mansion. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass.
Electric: Multiple outlets are located at the base of the Portico.
Water Access: None.

Indoor Spaces | First Floor of the Hamilton Mansion

Appropriate for small and contained events such as lectures, seated concerts, and art exhibitions. Hamilton’s Mansion (c. 1788) contains one of the preeminent neoclassical interiors in the United States. Its imported avant-garde neoclassical design presaged the formation of architectural trends in America that would dominate building design and construction for the first decades of the 19th century. Indoor events have a smaller capacity than outdoor events, and require additional cleaning fees, damage deposits, and extra caution when navigating the historic buildings.

Nearest Restroom: A single stall restroom is located inside the Mansion.
Accessibility: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery leading to the Mansion. The site is made up of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass. There are three steps leading to the front door of the Mansion, and an ADA Ramp that requires assistance for entry can be installed upon request. There is a small 4 inch step at the front door of the Mansion. A rubber wedge ramp can be installed for wheelchair access.
Electric: Multiple outlets are located throughout the Mansion.
Water Access: Water access is available at the Mansion via the first floor restroom only.