Nature at Noon
Nature at Noon is designed to bring joy, inclusion and curiosity to your lunch hour with a new series of accessible lunchtime nature outings in and around Center City Philadelphia. These one-hour outdoor gatherings center accessibility, biodiversity, safety and connection — with programming that bridges science, art and community.
When: Thursday, Aug. 7 from 12–1 p.m.
Where: Lloyd Hall Recreation Center, 1 Boathouse Row
The Jazz Sanctuary — From Summertime Heat to Soulful Jazz
The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet – James Dell’Orefice (piano), Eddie Etkins (saxophone), Leon Jordan Sr. (drums), Alan Segal (bass), and Randy Sutin (vibes/percussion) – brings their popular “Jazz & Joe” series – featuring live music, coffee, soft drinks, and dessert treats – to Bucks County for a 90-minute concert that is free and open to all.
When: Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.
Where: Episcopal Church of the Incarnation,1505 Makefield Rd., Morrisville, PA 19067
The Labyrinth, Mythology, and You: Workshop Series
Join Golden-Thread Labyrinths co-founders, Dr. Dylan Odhner (Mythological Studies) and Rev. Alan Cowley (Artist and Labyrinth Designer) for a workshop series exploring the power of labyrinth meditation and applied mythology—create & take home your very own finger-labyrinth(s)!The human story is not new! Our modern experiences, while clothed with the fabric of our time, are fundamentally the same experiences that have always been happening. The stories (mythology) and symbols (like the labyrinth) that we hold on to and pass down through the generations, some for many thousands of years, are like the threads of a beautiful tapestry showing us an image of all that it is to be human, from our various backgrounds.
When: Friday, Aug. 8 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Utility Works, 32 East Baltimore Ave. Lansdowne, PA 19050
Back-to-School Donation Drive
Members of the West Philadelphia non-profit, ACHIEVEability, are calling on the community to help support students this upcoming school year as they officially kick off their annual Back to School Drive. ACHIEVEability is collecting school supply donations to help ensure 1,250 children return to school fully equipped and ready to learn, grow, and succeed. Supplies the non-profit is looking to collect include new backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, calculators, and additional classroom must-haves. The school supplies will then be given out to students during ACHIEVEability’s Backpack Drive on Wednesday, August 13. Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at ACHIEVEability’s office.
When: ends Friday, Aug. 8
Where: ACHIEVEability, 5901 Market St.
New Public Food Tours
Africatown invites guests to explore the vibrant flavors and cultural richness of Southwest Philadelphia’s Woodland Avenue! Developed by the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) and supported by Visit Philadelphia, this new culinary experience offers a guided walking tour through Philadelphia’s Africatown in Southwest Philadelphia. Participants will enjoy four curated tastings representing West African, Jamaican, Southern American, and Italian cuisines, while meeting local chefs, visiting neighborhood shops, and learning about the deep-rooted history and future of this thriving corridor. Tours are led by WeVenture and are now available to the public every Saturday 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Where: Woodland Avenue, Southwest Philadelphia
2nd annual Health Fair Block Party
Get ready, Philadelphia! Restoration Expansion Project is throwing a vibrant, family-friendly Health Fair Block Party and you are invited for a day of wellness, fun and community empowerment! This isn’t your average health fair — this is a block party with a purpose! This is a celebration of health, hope, and togetherness — and we’re pulling out all the stops to make this an unforgettable event for our community. From health resources to family fun, we’re bringing the best of both worlds to one powerful day of impact. Attendees can expect free health screenings, information on women’s health, dental health and diseases like diabetes and hypertension, bouncy houses for kids, music, giveaways, local vendors, food, games and more.
When: Saturday, Aug. 9 from 12-7 p.m.
Where: A Place Called Restoration Ministries, 5946 Ogontz Ave.
Katy Perry comes to Philly
After selling out shows around the world for her The Lifetimes Tour, Katy Perry, along with special guest Rebecca Black, makes a stop in Philadelphia. Touring in support of her new album, “143,” the global pop superstar will be performing all of her hits, drawing from her extensive catalog. Since Katy Perry’s Capitol Records debut in 2008 with “One of the Boys,” she has racked up a cumulative 115 billion streams alongside worldwide sales of over 70 million adjusted albums and 143 million tracks. The biggest-selling female artist in Capitol history, Katy is one of only 12 artists in history to have surpassed 100 million certified units with their solo single releases — and the first-ever Capitol Records recording artist to achieve the elite status of having 10 million RIAA-certified units for a single in 2015.
When: Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.
Bug Fest
Join the Academy for a wild weekend celebrating more than a few of our favorite (invertebrate) things. From the thrilling return of our famous Roach Races to scientist-led Bug Walks on the Parkway, there’s something for everyone — kids and adults alike!
When: Saturday, Aug. 9-10 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
PECO Family Jams: Worry Dolls
Worry dolls are traditionally made of wire and colorful scraps of fabrics. They originated in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala and southeastern Mexico. In Mayan tradition, a fretful child could tell their fears and worries to their doll then place it under their pillow. After a good night of sleep, the child would feel better. Participants are invited to make their own worry doll to take home. Learn about the many pieces of Latin American folk art found in our Art Environment during free tours of the Museum’s fully mosaicked basement at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. Crafts and basement tours are included with regular admission to PMG. Regular admission tickets are to be purchased in advance.
When: Sunday, Aug. 10 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Museum, 1020 South St.
Island Vybe’s 3rd annual Caribbean Food Expo
Get ready to experience the rich flavors, vibrant culture, and infectious energy of the Caribbean at Island Vybe’s 3rd Annual Caribbean Food Expo! Join us for a day filled with authentic Caribbean cuisine, local vendors, music, and fun for the whole family. Whether you’re craving jerk chicken, roti, or tropical treats, this is the place to be. Attendees can expect authentic Carribean dishes, live music and entertainment, local vendors and fun activities for the whole family.
When: Sunday, Aug. 10 from 12-7 p.m.
Where: 29th & Chalmers Park, 2700-2748 Chalmers Ave.
”Of Earthen Kin: Works by Katie Kaplan” at PMG
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) presents a new exhibition titled “Of Earthen Kin: Works by Katie Kaplan.” The exhibition features new work by Katie Kaplan, a Philadelphia-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans printmaking, sculpture, textiles, video, and installation. Her artistic practice is rooted in cultural organizing, activist art, and mutual aid. These values manifest through her commitment to collaborative and community-centered art-making. Her current body of work focuses on the environment, particularly through the lens of vibrating landscapes and close-up examinations of fungi and foliage.
When: ends Sunday, Aug. 10
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
CraftNOW Create Summer Camp
Following four successful years, CraftNOW and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are partnering again to bring Philadelphia’s biggest free art class back to 129 neighborhood recreation centers, serving nearly 20,000 campers since the program was launched. CraftNOW, through its CraftNOW Create program, will coordinate with local galleries and museums to provide over 10,000 hours of free craft instruction to 6,000 children. This year’s program expands into nine new recreation centers, allowing CraftNOW to reach new neighborhoods and communities. This year’s summer camps offer a variety of craft activities provided by 14 CraftNOW Partners, including Asian Arts Initiative, The Clay Studio, DesignPhiladelphia, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Museum for Art in Wood, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. In collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, CraftNOW will be providing take-home kits with art supplies and free passes to the museum for each student and up to five more members of their family.
When: through Friday, Aug. 15
Where: various locations across the city
”Where I’m From” at the Barnes
This summer, the Barnes Foundation and Mural Arts Philadelphia present “Where I’m From,” an exhibition of original work created by artists from Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Rec Crew, a 24-week job readiness and life skills program for justice-impacted young adults, and artists at State Correctional Institution Phoenix (SCI Phoenix), southeast Pennsylvania’s maximum-security prison for men. Free with general admission to the Barnes, “Where I’m From” will be on view in the second-floor classroom of the Collection Gallery.
When: through Monday, Aug. 25
Where: The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Center City District SIPS returns
The pay-as-you-go Center City District SIPS series is back for its 21st season with lots of happy hour revelry. Enjoy CCD SIPS happy hour al fresco at Cret Park and Dilworth Park. The weekly Wednesday night program offers substantial discounts at nearly 100 (and counting) bars, restaurants and beer gardens throughout Center City. The CCD SIPS promotion is simple: $5 beer, $6 wine, $7 cocktails and half-priced appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. at favorites like Franky Bradley’s, Taste Cheesesteak Bar, Harp & Crown, Independence Beer Garden, Pizzeria Vetri, Square 1682, Bud & Marilyn’s, Cavanaugh’s, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Continental Midtown and more. After happy hour, enjoy 15% off dinner at select locations.
When: Wednesdays through Aug. 27 from 5-7 p.m.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
East Passyunk’s Italian Passeggiata returns
East Passyunk Avenue, South Philadelphia’s historic commercial corridor known for its 160+ independently-owned restaurants and shops, will become the ultimate local hangout on Thursday evenings this summer. This year’s event is sponsored by Top Dog Cocktails with featured products available at bars up and down the Avenue. Participating bars and restaurants will offer special happy hour pricing, which includes $6 beers, $7 wines, and $8 cocktails, complemented by $8 small bites. Retailers and service businesses will activate the sidewalk in front of their businesses with pop-up shopping, bins of books and vinyl, flower bars, and more, encouraging visitors to leisurely stroll along the Avenue like an Italian promenade. This event echoes the Italian tradition of the passeggiata — a “leisurely walk or stroll, especially one taken in the evening.”
When: Thursdays through Aug. 28 at 5-7 p.m.
Where: East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
For 2025’s Year of the Snake, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square will showcase magnificent giant lighted sculptures crafted from steel frames and wrapped in vibrant silk, blending light and culture. The popular 200-foot-long dragon returns along with never-before-seen giant lantern displays, with more lights, more lanterns, and more wattage than ever before. Exploring more than 1,100 individual sculptures placed in nearly 40 groupings, visitors will embark on a magical journey through enchanting forest-themed displays and a radiant underwater realm, where lanterns and interactive delights showcase the splendor of China’s culture alongside diverse wildlife and vibrant marine wonders. In addition to the gorgeous light installations, guests can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, taste food and drink options including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Cocktail Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts.
When: through Sunday, Aug. 31 from 6-11 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St.
Dino-Mite Summer
Connect with the wonders of the natural world through hands-on discovery, dinosaur exploration, and real science in action this July and August at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Unearth fossils like a paleontologist at The Big Dig, meet live turtles and insects, and chat with Academy scientists. From stormwater science and sustainability to fashion, dinosaur tours and a weekend-long celebration of insects, every visit brings new opportunities to investigate biodiversity, ecology, evolution and more.
When: through Sunday, Aug. 31
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Summer Resident Artists Exhibition
The Clay Studio, Philadelphia’s preeminent ceramic arts and resident artist center, premieres three new exhibitions highlighting and celebrating the work of its Resident Artists. The Clay Studio’s Jill Bonovitz Gallery features “Where Do We Go When We Open the Heart?” by Hawaiian multi-disciplinary artist Akiko Jackson, Parallax by South Korean sculpture artist Minah Kim, and New Work by Philadelphian ceramic artist Kevin Snipes.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 7
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St.
”Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art” at NLM
“Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art” is a juried exhibition that examines the dynamic relationship between censorship, freedom of expression, and diverse perspectives. Bringing together a range of artistic voices, mediums, and subject matter, the exhibition challenges visitors to reflect on their role in safeguarding the right to free speech and better understand how language can be manipulated, suppressed, or celebrated. The works on display invite audiences across the political and cultural divide to engage with the potency of words, demonstrating how art can spark vital conversations and illuminate our collective voice.
When: through Monday, Sept. 8
Where: National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.
“The Pearl Bailey Showcase” at AAMP
Pearl Bailey was an award-winning actor, singer, songwriter, and author. Whether she was performing on Broadway, opening for Duke Ellington, captivating audiences in Philadelphia nightclubs, or starring in her own daytime television show, Pearl Bailey’s passion and talent made her a beloved entertainer worldwide. Objects from the Bailey-Bellson Collection, including scrapbooks, archival photographs, and letters from friends and admirers worldwide, will be on display.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 13
Where: Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
”Voices of the Community: Local Black Preservation” at HSP
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) proudly announces the opening of its summer exhibit, “Voices of the Community: Local Black Preservation.” Support for this exhibit comes from The Haverford Trust Company and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Endowment Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation. The exhibit explores the history, migration, and preservation of African American communities in Philadelphia, and Lawnside, New Jersey. Through personal archives, flyers, photographs, and ephemera, the exhibit highlights how Black individuals and communities have preserved their own stories across generations through the built environment, music, memory, and collective action.
When: through Friday, Sept. 26
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.
”A Plank in a Shipwreck” at Museum for Art in Wood
Museum for Art in Wood presents the opening of “A Plank in a Shipwreck,” the exhibition created by the fellows of the 2025 Windgate Arts Residency Program in Wood (WARP Wood). The exhibition represents the culmination of the highly renowned international residency, which supports artistic exploration, collaboration, and collegial exchange among artists and thinkers in wood. A Plank in a Shipwreck brings sculpture, marquetry, woodworking, and research created during the WARP Wood program to the Museum’s main gallery. “A Plank in a Shipwreck” is a direct translation of the Latin phrase “tabula in naufragio,” which has been used in legal contexts to describe a final hope, a last lifeline. The phrase offers an apt visceral metaphor for the bold leap each of the 2025 WARP Wood Fellows has made, crossing oceans and borders, letting go of safety, and trusting in a collaborative, uncertain process. Each WARP Wood exhibition reflects the fellows’ creative journey, featuring individual and collaborative works, including pieces made before and during their residency.
When: through Sunday, Oct. 19
Where: Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.
Storytime in the Square
Join Ms. Chen from Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia every other Wednesday for free storytime and crafts in the Pavilion or on the Great Lawn. Stories, rhymes, and dancing explore different themes throughout the season ending with bubbles and fun crafts. All kids and their caregivers are welcome.
When: through October 22 from 10-11 a.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St.
Lansdowne Farmers Market
The 18th season of the Lansdowne Farmers Market features the borough’s first-ever fully themed summer lineup. The new program is designed not only to nourish our bodies but also to strengthen community connections and promote mental well-being. Following a successful winter pilot and the buzz-worthy Egg-nostic Egg Hunt, the market will now feature a unique theme every Saturday including Pride, Juneteenth, Classic Cars, Food Truck Day, International Blues Day, and more. Each week, visitors will find live music, fresh local food, artisan vendors, and interactive nonprofit and community partners offering a welcoming space to connect, decompress, and celebrate together. Themed programming is part of a broader effort by the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation to create consistent, joyful experiences that support emotional wellness and reduce social isolation—an urgent public health need.
When: Saturdays through Oct. 25 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Veterans Landing, 30 N. Lansdowne Ave.
Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here