Firefly, XPoNential Music and much, much more: The big summer festival guide for Philadelphia and the East Coast
Manayunk
It seems like there’s at least one festival going on every weekend in the Philadelphia summer. From music to art to neighborhood festivals, entertainment is not hard to come by here. And with other East Coast destinations beckoning a few hours away, you can easily skip town for a day or two and attend other festivals. Here is Billy Penn’s guide to the top summer festivals in Philadelphia and beyond.
In Philly
Jazz Age on the Delaware: Speakeasy Stroll
When: May 27, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Starts at Ranstead Room
What: A bar crawl featuring jazz and walks to places like One Tippling Place, Vesper and 1925.
Price: $8 drink specials
Radio 104.5 Block Parties
When: June 7, July 12 and August 2
Where: Festival Pier at 601 N. Columbus Boulevard
What: Depends on the show. Here’s the info for all three:
- June 7: A Silent Film, Misterwives, Big Data, New Politics + Foxtrot and the Get Down
- July 12: Nate Ruess of fun. and MS MR
- August 2: Matt and Kim, Atlas Genius, Wolf Alice and Saint Motel
Price: Free
Peco Multicultural Series
When: June 7, June 13, June 21, July 11-12, August 12, August 15-16, September 13, September 20
Where: Penn’s Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard
What: Various events celebrating cultures ranging from Irish to Islamic.
Price: Free
Odunde Festival
When: June 14
Where: 23rd and South Streets
What: A celebration of African culture, featuring food and art.
Price: Free. Pay for the food and art.
Night Market
When: June 18, August 6 and October 1
Where: Callowhill on June 18, Lancaster Avenue on August 6 and Frankford and Girard on October 1
What: Really good food, with leadership from the Food Trust.
Price: Free to attend. Pay for the food.
Manayunk Arts Festival
When: June 20-21
Where: Main Street in Manayunk
What: Hundreds of artist showing and selling their wares in what is the biggest festival of its kind in this area.
Price: Free, but you have to pay for art if you want it
Tall Ships
When: June 24-28
Where: Penn’s Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard
What: Cool ships — some that are replicas of Revolutionary War era ships — sailing in the Delaware and plenty of eating and drinking opportunities.
Price: $15.99 to $150
Party on the Parkway
When: July 4
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway
What: Independence Day activities, plus a free concert from a TBD artist.
Price: Free
XPoNential Music Festival
When: July 24-26
Where: Waterfront Park, Mickle Street and Riverside Drive in Camden
What: Grace Potter, My Morning Jacket and a good amount of local musicians.
Price: $25-plus
BlackStar Film Festival
When: July 30-August 2
Where: International House, 3701 Chestnut
What: Considered the Black Sundance, it showcases films about the black experience.
Price: $100 for a full pass
2nd Street Festival
When: August 2
Where: North 2nd Street in Northern Liberties
What: Music, food, drinks and art
Price: Free. Pay for the food and drinks and art.
Philadelphia Folk Festival
When: August 14-16
Where: Old Poole Farm in Schwenksville, Pa.
What: The Wallace Brothers, A Fistful of Sugar and all kinds of other folk musicians.
Price: $148.50 for all three days
Made In America
When: September 5-6
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway
What: A concert with big-name artists — most likely. None have been named yet.
Price: $99.50 presale
Six Top Festivals Within Driving Distance
Governors Ball
When: June 5-7
Where: New York City
What: Various kinds of music and tons of hipsters. Drake, Florence + The Machine, The Black Keys and many more artists will be there.
Price: $260 for a three-day pass
D.C. Jazz Festival
When: June 10-16
Where: Washington D.C.
What: Jazz music and community engagement, featuring Common, the Cookers, Charlie Hunter Trio, The Bad Plus Joshua Redman and much more.
Price: $45 to $150
Firefly
When: June 18-21
Where: Dover
What: Big-time music acts from Paul McCartney to The Killers to Modest Mouse and beyond.
Price: $329 four-day pass
FarmBorough
When: June 26-28
Where: New York City
What: Like Governors Ball but with country music. Artists include Luke Bryan, Randy Houser and Brad Paisley.
Price: $225 three-day pass
Vermont Cheesemakers Festival
When: July 19
Where: Shelburne, Vermont
What: Basically the most and the best cheese you’ll eat in your life.
Price: $50
Long Island Seafood Festival
When: August 27-28
Where: Long Island
What: Lobster, shrimp and other delicious seafood
Price: $8
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