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🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
✊🏾 Black history in Philly guide
🍦 Vegan ice cream 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, August 3
A Century of Music Under the Stars: A History of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Robin Hood Dell – (6 p.m.)
In his book, historian Jack McCarthy offers a revealing and celebratory look at Philly’s two major outdoor performing arts venues: the trials, tribulations and ultimately triumphant stories behind their creation; the world-renowned artists who performed at the venues, and how they adapted to changing tastes and audience expectations over the years. At Parkway Central Library. (6 p.m.)
Tuesday, August 4
“We” the People Exhibition – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Visit the Firehouse Gallery at Brandywine Workshop and Archives for an exhibition curated by Alicia DeLarge. The collection explores the narratives and creative experiences of Black creatives that shape Philadelphia.
Summer Jack-O’-Lanterns Workshop – (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Who says jack-o’-lanterns are just for fall? This summer, we’re carving watermelons into festive, fruity jack-o’-lanterns! Learn carving tips from Mallory Valvano of Party Girl, then let your creation shine in a photo opp curated by Sue Liedke of South Philly Time Capsule. Each registration includes one watermelon and a Party Girl cake sample. Enjoy watermelon mojito mocktail, BYOB, and celebrate summer in the most unexpected way. Raindate is Wednesday, August 5. At Fleisher Art Memorial. $45 tickets.
1776 Seconds: Philadelphia Illuminated Community Celebration – (6 to 9:30 p.m.)
Celebrate the people, stories, and creativity of Philadelphia with live performances, food, and a spectacular City Hall projection. FREE.
Wednesday, August 5
Brewerytown Sidewalk Social – (5 to 7 p.m.)
Stroll Girard Avenue between 26th to 28th streets to shop local vendors, snack on food truck menus, enjoy live music and enjoy the weather with neighbors. FREE.
Mushroom Walk – (5 to 7 p.m.)
Join this FREE guided mushroom walk in Cobbs Creek Park. Free registration!
Shells of Liberty Oyster Bash 2026 – (5:30 to 8 p.m.)
Today is National Oyster Day! Enjoy this 2nd annual event throwing it back to the Revolutionary era, when oysters were the snack of choice for the Founding Fathers. In the 1700s, these briny bites were the original fast food, with shells paving city streets. By the 1800s, Philly boasted 379 oyster houses and devoured 300 million oysters a year. Carpenters’ Hall recently unearthed oyster shells beneath its 250-year-old floors. $75 tickets include one beer and 12 oyster samples. Proceeds benefit Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Partnered with Triple Bottom Brewing and Fishtown Seafood.
South Philly Street Party – (6 p.m.)
Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar and Low Cut Connie are throwing the biggest outdoor party they’ve ever had! At Passyunk Avenue and Federal Street.
Thursday, August 6
BlackStar Film Festival: Celebrating 15 Years of Cinema for Liberation
It’s opening night! An annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the global majority—showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world. Join the 15th anniversary celebration in-person or online around the world! Various times through August 9. View the August 6 schedule. $35 to $375 tickets/bundles.
21st annual Danny Rumph Classic Basketball Tournament – (through Monday, 8/10)
Some of the best of Philadelphia basketball come together in a pro-am tournament honoring the life and legacy of Danny Rumph, the Parkway High School standout and Western Kentucky University point guard who died in 2005 at age 21 after collapsing on the court after a pickup game. The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation raises awareness about heart health and provides screenings and promotes information to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Tickets sold at the door of Drexel University, 3301 Market Street.
PAFA “In This Community” Opening Reception – (4 to 6 p.m.)
This exhibition spotlights artists who utilize and engage in PAFA’s dynamic community and facilities through Shop Memberships, the Continuing Education (CE) Studio Critique Program, and studio rentals. FREE.
Aloha Pickle Party – (5 to 10 p.m.)
Celebrate this year’s launch of Aloha Pickles from Fishtown Pickle Project & Poi Dog! Come to Post Haste for an extensive special menu that includes the dish that made Poi Dog famous: Mochi Nori Fried Chicken. Expect Aloha Pickle riffs on Post Haste classics like fried pickle plate, deviled eggs, duvet dog, and more, plus Aloha Pickle cocktail specials. RSVP required.
Market & Movie: A Chinatown Stitch Celebration – (5 to 10:30 p.m.)
Spend a summer evening in Chinatown with local vendors, arts & crafts, free food, giveaways, and a movie under the stars as we celebrate the Chinatown Stitch project and our community. At Chinatown Community Park, 227 N 11th Street. Celebration from 5-7 p.m., documentary screening at 8:30 p.m. BYO chairs or picnic blankets.
Passyunk Passeggiata – (5 p.m. onwards)
Every Thursday at 5 p.m., all summer long through August 27. East Passyunk Avenue presents an Italian-Style Promenade featuring Happy Hour Specials from participating bars and restaurants, extended retail hours and a music series!
Collaborative Stitches: The Making of Vámonos Pa’l Monte – (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Lead artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz & costume designer Kristina Tollefson will discuss the production process of their upcoming public art and engagement project culminating this fall in Norris Square and around the city. FREE RSVP.
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.
Raps of Resistance: How Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Reignited a Hip-Hop Tradition – (7 to 10 p.m.)
Authors Earl Hopkins and Jeremy C. McCool will talk about their book, which focuses on the evolution of socially conscious rap. It also emphasizes the roles Lamar and Cole have played in its recent formation. They will also discuss the research and reporting that went into the project, and the local figures who contributed to the text. Free.
Friday, August 7
BlackStar Film Festival daily events
A full schedule continues for this annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the global majority—showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world. In-person or online! $35 to $375 tickets/bundles.
21st annual Danny Rumph Classic Basketball Tournament – (through Monday, 8/10)
Some of the best of Philadelphia basketball come together in a pro-am tournament honoring the life and legacy of Danny Rumph, the Parkway High School standout and Western Kentucky University point guard who died in 2005 at age 21 after collapsing on the court after a pickup game. The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation raises awareness about heart health and provides screenings and promotes information to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Tickets sold at the door of Drexel University, 3301 Market Street.
48 Record Bar Garden Party – (4:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
48 Record Bar embraces nostalgia as the bar was created to showcase vinyl and the music it’s most closely associated with. Here, they co-host a garden party with the Elfreth’s Alley Museum, where the museum courtyard transforms into a contemporary soirée with DJs spinning curated sets, a pop-up vinyl market featuring records from around the world and artisanal cocktails. FREE.
Sistah Soul Series at First Friday on Cherry Street – (6 to 9 p.m.)
Presented by Shekhinah B. of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, this free live music event brings together vocalists, poets, instrumentalists, and DJs for a night of R&B, jazz, soul, and improvisation under the magic of the Pier lights. Whether you’re performing, vibing, or discovering new talent, Sistah Soul is the go-to place to celebrate Philly’s creative soul. FREE to attend.
BlackStar Film Festival: First Friday at the Barnes – (6 to 9 p.m.)
An evening of art, live music, cocktails and light fare. BlackStar all access and industry passholders receive complimentary entry and all BlackStar community members can access $10 tickets using the code BLACKSTAR26 at checkout. Plus, access the Barnes’ Just Us exhibition and Freedom Dreams exhibition, co-curated by BlackStar’s @maorikarmael.
Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: South Philadelphia – (2 p.m.)
Explore a neighborhood where generations of immigrants have shaped one of Philadelphia’s most culturally diverse communities, and discover how historic FDR Park and the surrounding streets reflect a layered story of recreation, resilience, and traditions that continue to evolve today. From the Olmsted Brothers–designed landscapes of FDR Park to the restaurants, markets, and places of worship that define Lower Moyamensing, this tour reveals how each generation has added its own chapter to the neighborhood’s enduring story. FREE registration required. Starts and ends at Independence Visitor Center (599 Market St.)
Saturday, August 8
ECHOESS’S 5K FUN RUN/ Hunting Park Family Fun and Fitness Day – (8 a.m.)
This event is held in honor of education, sports, family, and community staying active. Two fun run options: a 5K Fun Run for athletic runners and teams, or a Family Run/Walk beginning 30 minutes after the 5K start. Funds raised will help build a student Athletic Academy in Africa and establish a local center for student-athletes. Donations welcome.
Sunflower Festival – (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Celebrate the best of summer with stunning sunflower fields, live music and entertainment, delicious seasonal food and drinks, and a day full of family fun. Stroll through the blooms, soak in the sunshine, and make memories at Linvilla Orchards in Media, Pa. No peaches this year, but there will be peach food and drink specials available. $11 tickets for flower-picking.
Tour the Rail Park – (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Join an expert guide for a small group tour that traverses through the heart of Philadelphia and connects the city’s industrial past with its green future. The Three Mile Vision Tour explores the past, present, and future of the Rail Park, highlighting the potential for this project to connect thousands of Philadelphia residents and visitors to green space and each other. Begins at 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue and ends at Phase One of the Rail Park at 1100 Callowhill Street. $20 tickets.
BugFest 2026 – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
The festival turns the historic Academy of Natural Sciences into an immersive introduction to entomology, with activities like live insect encounters, bug walks on the Parkway and the ever-popular roach races. $10-12 museum admission.
21st annual Danny Rumph Classic Basketball Tournament – (through Monday, 8/10)
Some of the best of Philadelphia basketball come together in a pro-am tournament honoring the life and legacy of Danny Rumph, the Parkway High School standout and Western Kentucky University point guard who died in 2005 at age 21 after collapsing on the court after a pickup game. The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation raises awareness about heart health and provides screenings and promotes information to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Tickets sold at the door of Drexel University, 3301 Market Street.
BlackStar Film Festival: Celebrating 15 Years of Cinema for Liberation
A full schedule continues for this annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the global majority—showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world. In-person or online! $35 to $375 tickets/bundles.
Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: South Philadelphia – (10 a.m. + 2 p.m.)
Explore a neighborhood where generations of immigrants have shaped one of Philadelphia’s most culturally diverse communities, and discover how historic FDR Park and the surrounding streets reflect a layered story of recreation, resilience, and traditions that continue to evolve today. From the Olmsted Brothers–designed landscapes of FDR Park to the restaurants, markets, and places of worship that define Lower Moyamensing, this tour reveals how each generation has added its own chapter to the neighborhood’s enduring story. FREE registration required. Starts and ends at Independence Visitor Center (599 Market St.)
Philadelphia Zoo Firstival – (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Celebrate America’s First Zoo at this event commemorating when, on March 21, 1859, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved and signed the non-profit incorporation charter for the Zoological Society of Philadelphia. At this Firstival, enjoy family-friendly activities and games, live entertainment, ambassador animal meet-and-greets, giveaways and selfie stations. The Zoo will also be hosting a free Teddy Bear Clinic in conjunction with the Zoo’s Veterinary Team and PCOM students. Included with Zoo admission.
54th Street Community Festival – (12 to 4 p.m.)
This inaugural event celebrates the 54th Street corridor with an afternoon of community, connection, and fun. Free books, local resources, local businesses, family-friendly activities, a book bag giveaway, food and giveaways!
3rd annual Fishtown Forks Block Party – (12 to 7 p.m.)
A day of neighborhood celebration, featuring food from Amy’s Pastelillos, Loco Pez, Cedar Point, and Reanimator Coffee. Includes live music, games, face painting, flash tattoos, and a live sewing session by SEW+SEW Studio in collaboration with True Hand Society. Located at the intersection of Norris, Cedar, and Susquehanna. At Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen.
Port Richmond Pierogi Fest – (12 to 8 p.m.)
The 8th annual pierogi fest in Port Richmond returns to Campbell Square — but with double the number of vendors! Pay-as-you-go.
Exploring Liberty Bell History – (2 to 4 p.m.)
A drop-in workshop making broadsides and buttons using reproductions of historical documents related to the Liberty Bell. Deisgn what freedom and independence mean to you, to either take home or contribute to the archive of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Explore a pop-up display of historical documents and photos, fascinating anecdotes from historians about the Bell’s role in abolition and women’s suffrage and more! FREE.
Peoplehood Dreaming – (5 to 7 p.m.)
Meet at Pentridge Station (5116 Pentridge Street) for a casual get together to dream up the upcoming 26th annual Peoplehood Pageant (over arching themes, metaphors, etc,)! Learn about what is involved in their group joining the Parade, the art builds or having their group’s story in the pageant. FREE, but food truck and bar available to pay-as-you-go.
Ron’s Ribs at Post Haste – (5 to 9:30 p.m.)
Ron’s Ribs, the South Philly institution, is coming to Post Haste for one night only. Opened in 1984 on South Street as the newest addition to a history of black-owned barbeque restaurants, it closed in 2010, but the Signature Sauce in going strong.
11th Annual Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival: “Tell Me A Love Story” – (7 p.m.)
A play by Megan McDermott. A tale of ripping seams, mending dreams, and the women who help us begin again. In Megan McDermott’s moving play, an aspiring hat designer and a psychology student forge forward as they pursue their passions, protect their children, and find freedom through female friendship. Tell Me A Love Story celebrates the courage to dream again and is a tapestry of the many loves that define us: the loves we mend, the loves we tear ourselves away from, and the loves that help us stitch together a new life. $30 tickets.
“This Silent Music” concert at Skyspace – (6:30 p.m.)
Sopranos Katy Avery and Liz Lang will present three world premiere commissions conceived for Philadelphia’s James Turrell Skyspace in Chestnut Hill. 6:30 p.m. pre-concert talk, followed by 7:30 p.m. concert. $25 tickets.
- “At the End of It All,” composed by LJ White with poetry by Nicole Young-Martin, incorporates sonified black hole data from astrophysicist Becka Phillipson.
- “Eucalyptus,” composed by Mieke Doezema with poetry by Jonathan Sypert, confronts ecological loss through natural soundscapes.
- “This Silent Music,” composed by Alex Wakim with poetry by George Abud, melds Arabic tonality and instrumentation with Western technique. Avery, Lang, percussionist Darren Lin, and oud player Harvey Valdes perform across the three works.
Sunday, August 9
2nd annual Head for the Cure 5K – (7 a.m.)
The Philadelphia Navy Yard’s Marine Parade Grounds hosts this year’s Kids Fun Run (7:45 a.m. start) and 5K Run/Walk (8 a.m.), with funds going to fight brain cancer! $25 registration for kids, $45 registration for adults, $60 for one adult and one dog.
Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series: South Philadelphia – (10 a.m. + 2 p.m.)
Explore a neighborhood where generations of immigrants have shaped one of Philadelphia’s most culturally diverse communities, and discover how historic FDR Park and the surrounding streets reflect a layered story of recreation, resilience, and traditions that continue to evolve today. From the Olmsted Brothers–designed landscapes of FDR Park to the restaurants, markets, and places of worship that define Lower Moyamensing, this tour reveals how each generation has added its own chapter to the neighborhood’s enduring story. FREE registration required. Starts and ends at Independence Visitor Center (599 Market St.)
11th Annual Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival: “Tell Me A Love Story” – (7 p.m.)
A play by Megan McDermott. A tale of ripping seams, mending dreams, and the women who help us begin again. In Megan McDermott’s moving play, an aspiring hat designer and a psychology student forge forward as they pursue their passions, protect their children, and find freedom through female friendship. Tell Me A Love Story celebrates the courage to dream again and is a tapestry of the many loves that define us: the loves we mend, the loves we tear ourselves away from, and the loves that help us stitch together a new life. $30 tickets.
21st annual Danny Rumph Classic Basketball Tournament – (through Monday, 8/10)
Some of the best of Philadelphia basketball come together in a pro-am tournament honoring the life and legacy of Danny Rumph, the Parkway High School standout and Western Kentucky University point guard who died in 2005 at age 21 after collapsing on the court after a pickup game. The Daniel E. Rumph II Foundation raises awareness about heart health and provides screenings and promotes information to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Tickets sold at the door of Drexel University, 3301 Market Street.
Through August 8
“Currents” exhibition at Fairmount Water Works
A new art exhibit at the Fairmount Water Works that pays homage to the life stages of the river.
Through October
Let’s Do Lunch!
Center City’s new lunch promotional deal, offering $10, $15 and $20 pre-fixe lunch menus at participating restaurants.
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.
Through November 8
Dia de los Muertos tribute to Isaiah Zagar
“Viviendo a través de la Muerte” will remain on view at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens through the Day of the Dead, Nov. 1, before closing on Nov. 8.
