Meet me at the mud pit! Philadelphia’s most unique, hilarious, and completely human-powered road race is making its grand return this fall. The 17th Annual Kensington Derby and Arts Festival rolls back into the streets on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
From 12:00pm to 8:00pm, neighbors and visitors can enjoy a no charge celebration of local creativity, highlighted by the festival’s signature grand finale, the legendary mud pit. Watch daring teams parade their no-motor, human-powered vehicles down Frankford Avenue and into the famed mud pit on Hagert Street.
Indeed, this is one event you don’t want to miss.
🚲 Kensington Derby- more than just a race
So, what is the Kensington Derby? Teams dream up outrageous human-powered sculptures – think recycled bicycles, homemade contraptions, and pure creative chaos -then pedal them through a serious of wild obstacles.
The grand finale? A spectacular plunge into a giant mud pit at the arts festival grounds.
On top of food, drink and shopping, the festival features DJ at the Great Circles Stage with music will run all day from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
🏆 Awards for creativity and engineering
It’s not just about speed. Winners are crowned in playful categories like Best Art, Best Costume, Best Engineering, Media Choice, and Judge’s Choice. It’s part race, part performance art, and entirely Philly
New this year: a kids-only mud ride, a second stage, costume contests for kids and dogs, and the debut of Awful Wrestling.
🔥 Kensington Derby: a celebration of community
The Kensington Derby, with roots going back to 2007, is a collaboration between the East Kensington Neighbors Association and New Kensington Community Development Corp.
Today, it’s a fundraiser for the East Kensington Neighbors Association, with beer sales fueling community mini-grants.
And now, it’s in its 17th year!
Marc Collazzo, Executive Directo of the Fishtown District had this to say:
Through feedback with the community, we are bringing it back to its roots of creativity, artistic creation, and neighborhood enthusiasm. The region will be treated to the best of Kensington by showcasing its businesses, artisans, makers, and entertainers. The historic kinetic vehicles, the unique ride through the mud pit, the exhilarating performances of Awful Wrestling, and Halloween and family-friendly activities make this a special destination event
Kensington Derby schedule & route:
The schedule for the event is as follows:
- 12:00pm to 1:00pm Sculpture Previews at 2418 Martha St
- 1:00pm to 2:00pm Derby Route begins
- 2:00pm to 3:00pm MUD PIT EXTRAVAGANZA
- 5:00pm to 6:00pm KID’s MUD PIT
Next, here’s the Derby route for one wacky ride:
- Starting at the warehouse on Martha St (2418 MARTHA)
- Heading toward York, making a right past ZIG ZAG & THE MONKEY CLUB
- Going North TO DREAMWORLD BAKES, making a LEFT on Arizona
- Past EMERALD ST COMMUNITY FARM & WILDFLOWER GARDEN
- Left onto Dauphin, all the way down past PCFU
- Cross Frankford Ave past CIRCLE THRIFT & CORMORANT BAR
- Right on Sepviva at KONRAD SQUARE
- Left on Norris past RIVERWARDS PRODUCE, TULIP PASTA BAR, AMYS, down to CEDAR POINT
- Turn at LOCO PEZ either onto Susquehanna past TRUE HAND or onto Cedar, going past Duffys String Band
- Making it York St Passing HACKETT ELEMENTARY for laps around the traffic circle
- Then back to Martha, make a right a LOST BAR to hit the mud pit on Hagert
📅 Mark your calendars
Get your crew ready if you plan to participate. Important to note, participation in the parade is free and open to all ages and all abilities. Bring a bike, helmet, and punny team name.
Grab your bike and prepare to get muddy.
Spectators, get ready for a quirky wild ride.
The Kensington Derby returns October 25th, 2025. The festival itself is free to attend, with food and drinks available for purchase. It’s family- and pet-friendly, with a 21+ area for drinks with ID.
The event happens rain or shine.
Lastly, for more information or to register as a Derby participant, visit the official website here.