Yo, Philly! RockyFest returns with weeklong celebration, second statue

City officials have unveiled plans for RockyFest 2024.

The city-wide event series will take place from Tuesday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 8, welcoming fans from around the world to immerse themselves in all things "Rocky."

Outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the famous steps, the Philadelphia Visitor Center, along with other city officials, celebrated Rocky Day, the kickoff of RockyFest Tuesday, with a special surprise for fans: a second cast of the Rocky statue.

The statue, owned by Sylvester Stallone himself, will now greet those who run -- or walk -- up the steps of the museum.

Officials said the statue will remain on display at the original Rocky III filming location through Dec. 31, offering fans a limited-time photo opportunity.

“The Rocky legacy has become a vital part of Philadelphia’s identity. As a symbol of triumph and determination, Rocky continues to inspire millions of people from around the world who visit each year to run the Rocky Steps and take photos with the existing Rocky statue, ” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. “This installation is an extraordinary gift to our city and to our visitors, allowing them to celebrate the Rocky legacy in a truly unforgettable way for the first-ever RockyFest.”

A. Thoms Schomberg, a world-renowned sculptor who created the statue Rocky Balboa for the movie, “Rocky III” and the second casting of the statue, was in attendance to see the celebration of both statues now on display.

"What an honor. I'm humbled. I'm only a sculptor. " This city has made this possible. Certainly, Sylvester Stallone really made this story, he made it work, he described the city. He described that tenacity, better to have fought the good fight and loose than not to fight at all. Everybody has potential, everybody get it your best shot. And the sculptor is a symbol."

What can you expect during RockyFest 2024?

For this year, the festival will include various events such as rocky-themed bus tours, movie marathons, and so much more.

Here is the list of events:

Nov. 30 - Dec. 8: The Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tour

Dec. 3: Rocky Day

Dec. 4: Real Life Rockys Mural Unveiling 

Dec. 5: Southpaws Yappy Hour at the Docks

Dec. 6: Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink

Dec. 6 - 8: Rocky Movie Marathon

Dec. 6 : Live Signing Event with John Rivoli

Dec. 6 : Rocky U with Dr. Farber

Dec. 7: Rocky Date Night at The Zoo

Check out phlvisitorcenter.com/rockyfest for more information.

How did Rocky Day and RockyFest start?

In 2023, the Philadelphia Visitor Center partnered with the Sly Stallone Shop to offer Rocky fans officially licensed Sylvester Stallone merchandise at the shop's first and only brick-and-mortar location.

Through this partnership, Philadelphia's first-ever "Rocky Day" was held on Dec. 3, the release date of the original film in 1976.

After the overwhelming success of the event, the Visitor Center is now looking to expand the festival this year with the help of organizations across the region.