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🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
🌈 Pride Month events guide
🥳 FIFA World Cup in Philly Guide + ⚽ World Cup Watch Guide
🥕 CSA farmshare guide
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee shop guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
NOTE: This list will be updated throughout the week.
Monday, June 29
Free Museum Day: The Mütter Museum – (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Free access to the Core Gallery and special 250th-themed exhibitions such as The Philly Killer and Revolutionary Botany, attend pop-up exhibits and gallery talks, and relax in the beautiful Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden.
Secret Handshake Presents… Riddle of Fire • Poison for the Fairies – (6 to 10 p.m.)
Join Secret Handshake and H&H Bookstore for back to back movies about children in the world of adults. At 2230 Frankford Ave. $10.38 for one film; $14.64 for both films.
Ignite Philly 25 – (6 to 10 p.m.)
Rapid 5-minute presentations, accompanied by 20 slides ticking down at 15-second intervals, inspire the crowd with ingenuity, humor, and imagination. Doors open at 6 p.m., Talks start at 7 p.m. Pay-what-you-want tickets.
Tuesday, June 30
Free Museum Day: National Liberty Museum –
FREE Pride Concert and Pre-Concert Celebration – (4:30 p.m.)
All tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 5th annual Pride Concert have been reserved. The Pre-Concert Celebration in the Plaza outside Marian Anderson Hall is open to the public. Arrive early for fun entertainment in the Plaza featuring local Philly LGBTQ+ organizations, giveaways, a drag performance showcase, and a rainbow runway. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 alum and Philadelphia-based drag queen Mandy Mango hosts a drag showcase featuring queens and kings from across city: Jenny Henny, Mister Right, Romeo Blaque, Yari, Hannibal Lickher, Paula Deen White, and KenDoll Carter. The pre-concert program also features a DJ set from DJ Da_BooBoo.
Mario Kart-esian Tournament – (7 to 9 p.m.)
A Mario Kart tournament hosted by Nico. Put your skills to the test in the Cartesian Brewing taproom and see if you can take the top spot. At 1326 E Passyunk Ave.
Pecola Breedlove & The Freedom Party – (7 to 10 p.m.)
A popular West Philadelphia-based open mic poetry event and community poetry night, founded by KP ULTRA. The series includes 10 shows between June 30 and September 29. Booked features and spotlight performances, plus first-come-first-served Open Mic. Tonight’s show is at The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive. $12.51 tickets.
Wednesday, July 1
Free Museum Day: National Constitution Center
Black Philadelphia 250 Art Presentation Artist: Andrew Turner – (10 a.m. to 10 p.m)
Art by Andrew Turner, Kerry James Marshall, Jean Paul Basquiat, Romare Bearden, Charles White, Andromeda Cook, Adrienne Thomas and more. Through July 3. At October Gallery Museum, 6353 Greene Street. Free admission. RSVP at BlackPhilly250.com.
🥵🥵 WARNING: Dangerous heat is forecasted for the Philly area for the next 3 days. 🥵🥵
Thursday, July 2
Red, White, & Blue To-Do – ALL DAY
Live music, a drone show, parade and more!
Pier 1 Park Pop-Up – (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Pier 1 Park is the Navy Yard’s newest public park. Enjoy their Lunch Truck Lineup! An afternoon of food trucks (EL TLALOC and Jerk King Caribbean Feast), ice cream, and free swag! There are tables and chairs there to enjoy your lunch while you take in views of the water.
Stars, Stripes and Stories at PAFA – (1 to 2 p.m.)
This tour explores how artists have expressed love of country in many different ways—through admiration, aspiration, criticism, reflection, and hope. Moving beyond flags and patriotic symbols, these works reveal how artists have defined, questioned, and expanded ideas of what America is and what it might become. $35 tickets.
Art Therapy: Collage Self Portraits – (5:15 to 7 p.m.)
Join Thursday Night Art Club at Freehand Art Supply for art as therapy in a crazy world. This club we will be using magazines and found materials to create collage self-portraits that represent your inner or outer sense of self. Feel free to bring a photo of yourself if you want to incorporate it, otherwise they have plenty of collage materials for use. Waitlist available online.
The Love Lab: Love Served with Chef Laquanda Dobson – (6 to 9 p.m.)
Join ArtPhilly’s closing dinner and gratitude meal prepared by Chef LaQuanda Dobson. As ArtPhilly’s month-long What Now? festival comes to a close, join Love Now Media for an evening of reflection, gratitude, storytelling, and soulful food prepared in the spirit of gratitude and community. The evening’s menu will feature golden fried chicken, slow-simmered black-eyed peas, fresh harvest greens, creamy baked mac and cheese, seasoned rice, and warm cornbread—dishes rooted in tradition, care, and shared memory. Come hungry. Come reflective. Come ready to celebrate all that has been created, discovered, and imagined throughout the festival. Free tickets.
A Case for Magic, for lovers of magic and their ambivalent friends – (7 to 8 p.m.)
Can a magician lie his way into your heart? Robert Malissa delivers “remember-it-forever” mystery and joy that turns skeptics into believers. Before taking his acclaimed show to the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August, Malissa is hosting two special hometown performances. This show is a celebratory exploration of the joy found in human connection—a perfect tribute to Philadelphia’s year-long celebration of the U.S.’ 250th birthday. At the Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N 2nd Street. Tickets start at $28.52.
Board Game Speed Dating (Ages 40-59) – (7 to 9 p.m.)
Beat the heat over cold drinks and fun board games at Evil Genius Beer Co. with other Philly singles between 40-50. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group. At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If lists match, you will receive their email address. $31 to $41 tickets.
Friday, July 3
Soccer On South: Community Watch Party – (2 to 9 p.m.)
Headhouse Plaza transforms into a full-day community watch party for the world’s biggest soccer tournament, complete with food, live entertainment, local vendors, lawn games and community fun. vorite team, or make a day of it and catch all three! Games screened are at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Cedar Park Jazz Series – (6 to 8 p.m.)
Live music, community vibes, and great energy on 49th and Baltimore. Every Friday through the end of July — 9 local bands perform at this free, family-friendly event. BYO lawn chairs, cooler snacks and dancing shoes!
July 3: Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound Six
July 10: The Jazz Crew Big Band
July 17: Bert Harris and the AfroJazz Collective
July 24: Tia & The Connection
July 31: Fyrestorm
A Case for Magic, for lovers of magic and their ambivalent friends – (7 to 8 p.m.)
Can a magician lie his way into your heart? Robert Malissa delivers “remember-it-forever” mystery and joy that turns skeptics into believers. Before taking his acclaimed show to the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August, Malissa is hosting two special hometown performances. This show is a celebratory exploration of the joy found in human connection—a perfect tribute to Philadelphia’s year-long celebration of the U.S.’ 250th birthday. At the Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N 2nd Street. Tickets start at $28.52.
A Movie Under the Stars and Stripes: “1776: the Movie Musical” – (8:30 p.m.)
At the Betsy Ross House. Expect a high-energy host, interactive props, and full-on sing-alongs that turn the crowd into the cast. Starting at 8:30 p.m., there will be a Colonial Fit Check (aka a costume contest) and trivia with prizes! A tour of Betsy’s crib, pizza, and snacks are included. It’s BYO, so bring your favorite drinks and your friends for a night that blends history, humor, and hype. The film starts by 9:15 p.m. $25 tickets.
Pops on Independence – (8 to 9:30 p.m.)
Free drinks from Wawa and Sparkling Ice, plus food trucks and more ahead of this concert at Independence Mall featuring a headlining performance by multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter and Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel.
Saturday, July 4 – FOURTH OF JULY!
Bocce Club 4th of July Celebration – (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
A bike parade, free food and drink, water ice, a bounce house, magic show, candy hunt and more at Hartwell and Ardleigh Street.
The People’s Parade – (9 a.m.)
Groups across the city, state and country are joining the People’s Parade as counter-programming to America 250 celebrations. This parade is an act of decisive opposition to the current state of American politics and material conditions including mass deportation, forced displacement, climate crisis, and war. There will be music, political theater, education, and popular engagement. At Washington Square Park.
West Philly Bizarre – (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Every year, enjoy 20+ Saturdays in Clark Park where you can shop 50+ local artists, makers, and entrepreneurs. Rain or shine!
ALL POWER TO THE MEEPLE: July 4th Game Day 2026 – (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
BYO board games or play a new friend’s! Studio 34’s second annual all-day game-a-thon offers Philly an alternative to the crowds and the heat on the Fourth of July. A full day of table games or any kind: board games, card games, party games, role playing games, and whatever else the participants bring to the table. BYO games, snacks, friends, etc. Free with RSVP. Donations welcome. Stairs required. No alcohol allowed.
First Bank of the United States Museum Festival – (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
The reopening of the First Bank of the U.S. brings new access to a cornerstone of early American financial policy. Originally established in 1791 as part of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s vision to stabilize the young nation’s economy and manage federal debt, it was the first national bank in the country. The building, part of Independence National Historical Park, has been closed to the public for decades, but now visitors can now experience its newly restored interior and exhibitions featuring rare financial documents, historical artifacts and interpretive displays that examine the economic debates of the era. Read more on the reopening! At 120 S. Third Street.
Echoes of Independence: Bells, Organ, and Revolution – (12 to 1 p.m.)
In this special concert and historical presentation, the bells of Christ Church will ring out from the historic belfry in musical conversation with the church’s legendary 1702 bell displayed outside. Cast in the very same foundry as the Liberty Bell and predating it by more than 50 years, the 1702 bell offers a rare connection to colonial Philadelphia and the earliest sounds of the city, plus a historical talk exploring the story of the bells, their role in the life of the church and city, and the enduring power of sound in moments of revolution, remembrance, and celebration. Donations welcome.
Birthday Party in the USA – (12 to 3 p.m.)
A free family-friendly celebration of the USA’s 250th birthday at the Independence Visitor Center that will feature 5,000 free patriotic cupcakes, historic entertainment, interactive activities, and special appearances by current and former Miss Philadelphia titleholders.
Fourth of July concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway – (CANCELED)
Join Philly’s annual celebration, gone super-sized for the nation’s 250th birthday. The “One Philly: Unity Concert for America” features Christina Aguilera as headliner, and Jill Scott and The Roots will also perform. Expect appearances from other Philly stars like Beanie Sigel and Will Smith. Gates open at 3 p.m. Fireworks display starts at midnight.
Sunday, July 5
Northeast 250: Threads of History Celebration – (12 to 4 p.m.)
The culminating celebration of a project highlighting the historic places, stories, and organizations that shape Northeast Philadelphia. Via Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Tacony LAB Community Art Center. Enjoy artmaking tables, connect with community partners, and celebrate the stories that stitch our neighborhoods together. At Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue. Free registration.
SurREAL World: Film Festival for the Terminally Weird – (3 p.m.)
A night celebrating whimsical and weird cinema! Join Tattooed Mom for a lineup of short films by local Philly talent, stand-up from comedian Alyssa Al-Dookhi, and a Q&A/networking with some of Philly’s Phinest film folks! No cover. Free registration.
CultureFest – (3 to 8 p.m.)
The festival brings together people from the African diaspora for a day of music, fun, food and community. It’s taking over the massive Liberty Point restaurant, which boasts over 28,000 square feet over multiple levels with five bars. Kabila Events, the organizers behind Liberty Fest, also puts on the perennially sold-out annual Black Wine Festival, so expect a highly Instagrammable experience. $33.85 tickets.
Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival – Last Night
Six weeks of programming across the city, showcasing the extraordinary and innovative work of emerging and established Latine/x/a/o filmmakers. Programming includes the activation of community spaces with screenings of groundbreaking works from all genres: short film, narrative, documentary, animation, emerging media and more. Programs focus on offering community centered spaces in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Prices and locations vary.
All July
Free Museum Day: Barnes Foundation and Calder Gardens
Through July 11
El Mercado Cultural at Cherry Street Pier – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m)
A series of spring and summer markets presented in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial. Shop from vendors, savor tasty bites, and enjoy the rotating entertainment. Occasional Saturdays: April 18, May 30 and July 11.
No Arena: Making a Movement – (2 to 6 p.m.)
On the occasion of America’s 250th Anniversary, “No Arena: Making A Movement” highlights a decentralized grassroots movement that was led by people of color, serving as a model for what our democracy can be. Interactive with events programming through July. Gallery is open Thursdays through Saturdays.
Through August 1
‘Franklin! The Sound of America’
A rock opera about Ben Franklin’s life — from teenage runaway to band-of-brothers innovator, scandalous lover, global celebrity and Founding Father — that includes 23 original songs, a walking tour and a cameo from Sir Roger Daltrey. At Fringe Arts, 140 N Christopher Columbus Blvd. $60 tickets.
Wings and Water: The Space Between by ArtXStitch
A community-driven art installation at Cherry Street Pier, created by resident artists GrioXArts, exploring identity, healing, and freedom through textile storytelling, reimagining what it means to be seen and heard in Philadelphia. This exhibition is part of Where Freedom Flows: A Public Art Series on the Delaware River Waterfront. Free and open to the public.
Through October
A People’s Exposition!
Join us for a citywide exhibit and engagement series to take a critical and honest look at key issues shaping Philadelphia today, to envision a more just and equitable future for our city, and to act on solutions that address our greatest challenges. At the Kensington Engagement Center.
