Attendees at the One Philly: Unity Concert For America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway take a break from the heat using towels, umbrellas, shaded areas on the grass and misting stations, July 4, 2026. (Nicole Leonard/WHYY)

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🏙️ Billy Penn City 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, July 6

Chronic Illness Community Hangout – (6 to 8:30 p.m.)
At Studio 34 Yoga on Baltimore Avenue. Free.

Moth Night at Norris Square Park – (8 to 11 p.m.)
​Come explore the nocturnal biodiversity of West Kensington at Moth night! We’ll gather and set up a sheet with UV lights that will attract insects. Who will we see? We don’t know! We’ll find out on Friday. We’ll likely see moths, beetles, and an assortment of other critters TBD. Meet in the center circle of Norris Square Park at 8pm. Feel free to bring whatever will make your moth night awesome, including but not limited to a chair, water, a snack, a camera, a sketchpad, and/or a blanket. $5 tickets.

Tuesday, July 7

Commonplace Booking – (7 p.m.)
Learn about the illustrious history of commonplace books, an ancient form of journaling, and start your own. This event will feature curators from Winterthur Library and the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Once upon a time, every respectable and most disreputable writers kept a book in which they wrote down facts and fancies from their reading, song lyrics, news articles and even overheard conversations as they encountered them in their daily lives. While it’s now possible to press “save” on everything, the effort of writing it down on paper just hits different. At the Pen & Pencil. FREE.

The $5 Showcase – (8 to 10 p.m.)
Caked Up Comedy is at Plays and Players every first Tuesday of the month with some of the best comedic talent in Philly for only $5.

Wednesday, July 8

Wednesday Night Ride – (7 p.m.)
Meet at Mifflin Park to join the ride exploring new bike infrastructure across the first Council District. The ride will start at Mifflin Park in South Philadelphia and end at Old City Beer Garden. Estimated ride length: 6 miles. Rolling: 7:10 p.m.

Thursday, July 9

The Great American Tailgate – (6 to 9 p.m.)
A tailgate, reimagined. This ticketed, outdoor event transforms an American tradition into a fun and elevated summer night out. Guests will enjoy creative, chef-driven takes on classic tailgating fare, alongside live music and lawn games that keep the energy high. At the Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street. $76 tickets.

Stroll After Hours – (6 to 10 p.m.)
Light up Thursday nights in Manayunk! Food trucks & pop-up vendors, live music & DJs, interactive art demos, outdoor movie nights and more! See each Thursday’s schedule online. FREE.

Friday, July 10

Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: Chinatown – (2 p.m.)
Discover resistance, resilience, and rich culture on the PCDC-led Chinatown Tour in the heart of Philadelphia. This journey through one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods goes far beyond the tourist trail, as Chinatown is a living testament to activism, community, and survival. From iconic historical landmarks and vibrant murals to beloved local restaurants, bustling storefronts, and the homes of the people who keep this neighborhood alive, every stop tells a story. FREE. Meet at the Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St.

Cocktails & Congress – (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Relive the First Continental Congress where it actually took place! Step back in time to 1774 and take a front-row seat for the debates that shaped a nation. Held in the historic Carpenters’ Hall. Enjoy cocktails and snacks as you witness the Founding Fathers debate independence. See how representatives from diverse colonies forged a new American identity. $50 tickets.

Video Game Art Show – (6 to 9 p.m.)
Another Corner welcomes over 30 artists participating with pieces ranging from paintings and riso prints to videos and playable video games. At 612 S. 6th Street.

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 10: The Jazz Crew Big Band
July 17: Bert Harris and the AfroJazz Collective
July 24: Tia & The Connection
July 31: Fyrestorm

Movie Night at Liberty Lands Park – (8 to 9:30 p.m.)
Grab your popcorn and join this FREE summer movie night. BYO snacks, chairs, blankets, etc. Stop by the Lost Time Brewing pop up to purchase drinks.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge seen from Pier 68 in Philadelphia. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Saturday, July 11

Wineberry Hike and Harvest – (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Wineberry season is here! Rubus phoenicolasius, better known as the wineberry, is an invasive species that’s hard to miss in this area, so it’s up to us to make them disappear in the best way we know how – eat it! Join the Schuylkill Center on a guided hike to learn about this plant and gather a bit for ourselves. After the hike we’ll learn how to enjoy these sweet and tasty plants. $10 tickets.

Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration – (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
FREE, family-friendly celebration on the Camden side of the Ben Franklin Bridge, near the toll plaza. Features live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, historical displays and the rare opportunity to walk the bridge roadway while it is closed to vehicular traffic. Meet the crews who help maintain the bridge, explore the vehicles and equipment that keep it operating, and discover the story behind a century of engineering, innovation, and connection. Walk or take PATCO.

Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: Chinatown – (10 a.m. OR 2 p.m.)
Discover resistance, resilience, and rich culture on the PCDC-led Chinatown Tour in the heart of Philadelphia. This journey through one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods goes far beyond the tourist trail, as Chinatown is a living testament to activism, community, and survival. From iconic historical landmarks and vibrant murals to beloved local restaurants, bustling storefronts, and the homes of the people who keep this neighborhood alive, every stop tells a story. FREE. Meet at the Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St.

Cross-Chinatown Convening – (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Join representatives from Chinatowns in New York, Boston, D.C., and Philly, to check in on the organizing progress and challenges of our cities. Visitors will be invited to presentations, workshops, tours, and art builds, as we close out the exhibition “No Arena: Making a Movement” in style. At Asian Arts Initiative. Free with registration.

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. 

Celebrate Mantua Festival – (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
A full day of movement at Miles Mack Playground in West Philadelphia. Free for everyone! Start your morning with community movement classes led by internationally recognized artists spanning Zumba, ballet, African styles, and more. High-spirited drill team performances fill the afternoon, followed by youth and emerging company showcases. The evening’s Main Stage concert features PHILADANCO!, DANCE IQUAIL!, Native Nations Dance Theater, and more. In between, there’s a community dance party with line dances and giveaways, food trucks, and local vendors throughout the grounds.

DIY your own Fabric Sloth – (12 to 3 p.m.)
Who wants a fuzzy yellow friend? Make your own fabric sloth that can hang with you anywhere – no sewing experience needed. We’ll walk through everything together: cutting your pattern, shaping the face and paws, hand stitching, and stuffing your new little companion. All materials and tools included. Donuts and one beverage provided. 3 hours. Guided by artist P.W. Prichett. Ages 12+. At FRIEDA, 320 Walnut Street. $22.18 to $37.97 tickets.

Print Your Voice: An Interactive Print Event – (1 to 4 p.m.)
Join The Print Center and Brandywine Workshop for a fun afternoon of hands-on printmaking activities for all ages – no experience needed. Explore many kinds of printmaking – including screenprinting, letterpress and woodblock printing, presented by Brandywine Workshop, BYO Print, Common Press, The Print Center, Second State Press, The Soapbox and Taller Puertorriqueño. Hosted at Brandywine Workshop & Archives (730 S. Broad St.). Registration recommended.

Di Bruno Bros. Ice Cream Festival – (4 to 7 p.m.)
Live music, free ice cream, games and more at the Piazza Beer Garden.

Love City Cabaret: Topsy Turvy – (6 p.m.)
Enjoy this “miscast” cabaret, full of goofs, gaffes, and roles the performers will never (ever) play. Watch us as they turn iconic characters like Gaston, little orphan Annie and Regina George on their heads. $21.94 tickets — profits will be donated to Appel Farm Arts Camp, a gender-affirming overnight summer camp that offers scholarships to low-income students in Philadelphia and beyond.

RIPLEY, Abi Reimold, slowpacker & Sophia Corrine – (7 to 9:30 p.m.)
Philly indie staples, RIPLEY (f.k.a. Ellen Siberian Tiger) and Abi Reimold, are celebrating Picking Stones, their first album in a decade. Plus touring Asheville, NC artists, slowpacker and Sophia Corrine. A night of experimental rock, country-curious indie, and intimate folk. At Studio 34 Yoga on Baltimore Avenue. $10-20 sliding scale.

Sunday, July 12

Spring Garden Tour – (10 a.m.)
Meet outside of Jack’s Firehouse at 2130 Fairmount Ave for this Preservation Alliance stroll through this early city suburb, developed in the late 19th century, that was home to merchants, workers and even prisoners. Enjoy a diversity of exuberant late Victorian homes and view the world-renowned Eastern State Penitentiary, built in the 1820s and studied by penal experts from Asia and Europe at that time. $18 tickets.

Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: Chinatown – (10 a.m. OR 2 p.m.)
Discover resistance, resilience, and rich culture on the PCDC-led Chinatown Tour in the heart of Philadelphia. This journey through one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods goes far beyond the tourist trail, as Chinatown is a living testament to activism, community, and survival. From iconic historical landmarks and vibrant murals to beloved local restaurants, bustling storefronts, and the homes of the people who keep this neighborhood alive, every stop tells a story. FREE. Meet at the Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St.

Barnes on the Block – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
This annual celebration returns to the Ben Franklin Parkway for a full day of outdoor festivities, featuring music from local DJs, live performances, hands-on art making, a craft market, local bites, and a beer garden. Plus, inside the Barnes, view the collection and three special exhibits: Freedom Dreams; Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust; and Just Us, their annual restorative justice exhibition. FREE, but registration is required for gallery access. Walk-ups are welcome as capacity allows. Rain or shine; event moves indoors if necessary.

Bastille Day 2026! – (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Join us in the French Quarter of Philadelphia for Bastille Day 2026, celebrating 250 years of friendship and joy together! Fun, food, and festivities for a day packed with excitement and history! At Rittenhouse Square. FREE.

Thrift2Death Market – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Everything is $50 or less at this thrift market at Cherry Street Pier. Includes free drinks from RedBull. FREE.

Tyler Bentley’s Sunday BBQ – (11 a.m. until sold out)
The chef comes to Little Fish BYOB for a pop-up BBQ offering baby back pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, cheddar jalapeno sausage, potato salad, broccoli salad, cornbread, slaw, banana pudding and free beer. Available first-come, first-served, but Everything Platters can be pre-ordered online.

Funky Food Fest – (5 to 10 p.m.)
At Pentridge Station. A “silly potluck of creative food artistry!” Compete in a foodie spelling bee and/or spaghetti eating contest. Enter a contest online. Free.

Bastille Day Benefit Cocktail Party – (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Gather for a festive cocktail party in good company, inspired by the spirit of 1960s Paris! Enjoy an open bar, French-inspired passed hors-d’oeuvres, and a live DJ spinning classic yé-yé, French pop, and dance-floor favorites. Dress chic, sip generously, and celebrate with us. Complementary champagne and Neuhaus Chocolate goody bags. At Chez Colette, Sofitel Hotel. $90 tickets.

Doors Are Opening: A Healing Happening about SEPTA – (7 to 9 p.m.)
This evening is about transforming our SEPTA stories (the good, the bad and the ugly) into a communal experience of art, laughs, connection and healing. The format will include curated story sharing, poetry, music and improv comedy drawing from the themes that arise. Got a SEPTA story to share? Submit yours if you’d like to participate! $5-25 tickets. At Studio 34 Yoga Healing Arts, 4522 Baltimore Avenue.

All July

Free Museum Day: Barnes Foundation and Calder Gardens

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.

Heather Chin is Billy Penn's deputy editor. She previously was a digital producer at the Inquirer and an editor at outlets both print and digital — from national breaking news service Flipboard to hyperlocal...