IT’S the festival that’s sure to get off to a rocky start – but that won’t unduly bother anyone. Because Philadelphia can’t get enough of Rocky, the box office blockbusting boxer.

Ever since Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa ran up the 72 steps leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art as he trained for his brutal battle with Apollo Creed, he’s been a city icon.

Remarkably, those steps have featured in every movie in the series, apart from Rocky IV. Then there’s the big bronze statue of the film franchise fighter, first seen in Rocky III, too.

The statue, in the museum’s garden near the base of the steps, was dedicated by Stallone himself in 2006, and each year draws in thousands of film location fans and holidaymakers.

Picture: AramilFeraxa, CC BY 4.0

They’ll both undoubtedly be centre stage during Rocky™Fest 2024, which will run in Philly from December 3 to December 8, with all manner of Rocky-themed events taking place.

There’ll be bus tours, a movie marathon, talks and lectures, and even date nights at the University of Pennsylvania’s 1923 Ice Rink and the city zoo, where Rocky proposed to Adrian.

The bus tour calls in at locations seen in the films, including Mighty Mick’s Gym, the church where Father Carmine gives Rocky a blessing before the big fight, the Italian Market, and many others.

Blending fact and fiction, it even visits Laurel Hill Cemetery, to see the fictional gravesites of Rocky’s wife, Adrian, and brother-in-law Paulie.

Picture: J Ryan/PHLCVB

“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,” says Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

Picture: Kyle Huff/PHLCVB

“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.”

Tickets to Rocky™Fest events are available via the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau website.