Please see the Arts & Culture Event Spaces page for photos, descriptions, audience capacities, and other details.

The Woodlands hosts our own public and private events throughout the year. Due to a busy calendar of events for The Woodlands, weekday evening events are preferred. Events that take place exclusively on the weekends are possible, but often difficult to accommodate.

Typically, March, April, July, August, September, and November are the months with the most availability. Heat is not consistent in the historic buildings, making Winter events challenging.

All events require a fee for use of The Woodlands. Pricing for Arts & Culture events depends on the size and scale of the event, spaces used, and the overall site impact (including time of year, other happenings on site, the impact on the landscape and grounds, etc.).

If you are seeking grant funding for your event, please contact us early, and we can discuss the inclusion of venue costs as a line item.

The Woodlands has 40 folding chairs and a small inventory of folding tables of various sizes. These can be rented for an additional fee and must be set up and broken down by event staff.

All inventory rental needs must be discussed with the signing of an Arts & Culture Rental Agreement. Please inquire for a full list of inventory.

No. A representative from The Woodlands will be on site as a steward of the site to answer questions and assist in case a venue-based issue arises. Box office, technical and parking staff are the responsibility of the event organizers. The Woodlands can make local recommendations for these event services.

Four individual stall all-gender restrooms are available at the Stable, one is ADA accessible. Restrooms are open when staff is onsite, typically Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and during contracted private events and rentals.

The gates at The Woodlands are opened and closed daily by the University City District (UCD) Public Safety Ambassadors. If you find yourself locked inside The Woodlands, please contact UCD at (215) 243-0555.

Public Safety Ambassadors are available from 8:00 am - 3:00 am, 7 days a week.

More on UCD from their website:
Public Safety Ambassadors are unarmed officers equipped with two-way radios that are routed through a central dispatch system. Each Public Safety Ambassador’s public safety training includes: crime prevention; emergency first aid and CPR; interpersonal relation; customer service; city services; and University City and Philadelphia history, attractions and amenities. Their services include walking escorts, vehicular services (assistance with jumpstarts and lock-outs), homeless outreach as well as tracking public hazards such as potholes, problem street signs and blocked sewers.

Detailed accessibility information can be found on the Visit page. The Woodlands was also featured in a recent accessibility and inclusivity guide to wedding venues in the Greater Philadelphia area on Lenapehoking land, developed by Shannon Collins.

Onsite parking is dependent on the size and scale of the event, and the date/time of year. If included as part of your Arts and Culture Contract Agreement, parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery. Directions, including information about public transportation, can be found on the Visit page.

The Woodlands is open to hosting a variety of events ranging from musical and acrobatic performances to public art displays and exhibitions. All events that take place on site connect to The Woodlands in some way. It can be a big connection—like site specific art work being created for an exhibition—or small—like a walking tour celebrating horticulture or nature. Here are examples of some past events that have taken place at The Woodlands:

Here are examples of some past events:

• Graffiti & Ornament
• The Lost Garden
• Ever Ensemble
• Cret Illustrated: Revisiting a Philadelphia Icon
• New Grass with Ars Nova

We are unable to accommodate large festival events, alcohol-based events, large events geared towards young children and minors, and activities that take place in the historic cemetery sections outside of Center Circle.

While we love the spooky season at The Woodlands, we host our own autumnal events in the Fall and can rarely accommodate outside events in late September into October.

All events must conclude by 9:00 pm, with clean-up ending by 10:00 pm. Lighting is limited, so plans for visitors, performers, and staff exiting the site after dark must be considered.

The Woodlands is an active cemetery so any happenings on the grounds must be approved in writing in advance. All events must be approved by The Woodlands Staff and an Arts and Culture Use Contract must be completed. Any unsanctioned events will be immediately disbanded.