Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens studios combo tour
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens hosts a special joint-tour of the Magic Gardens Studio and the Dina Wind Art Foundation/John Wind Studio. At Magic Gardens Studio, a knowledgeable educator will lead guests on a 60-minute tour of the first floor of the Magic Gardens Studio, Isaiah Zagar’s largest art environment. The tour highlights where tiles were created and materials amassed for Zagar’s mosaics and how PMG is preserving the space and actively working in the Studio. The experience continues at the Dina Wind Art Foundation/John Wind Studio, where guests are invited to tour the late Dina Wind’s collection of over 300 dynamic welded metal sculptures and paintings and enjoy refreshments on the rooftop deck. Attendees can also explore and purchase a curated selection of art-to-wear jewelry, fine art, and catalogues by her son, John Wind —all supporting the Foundation’s mission.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Studio, 1002 Watkins St.; and Dina Wind Art Foundation/John Wind Studio, 1606 S. 8th St.
ACHIEVEability’s Backpack Drive
To help provide ample opportunity for local students to continue learning and growing, ACHIEVEability collected and donated supplies to help ensure 1,250 children return to school fully-stocked with all the supplies they’ll need for the upcoming year. Supplies the non-profit collected includes new backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, calculators, and additional classroom must-haves. Free and open to the public; first-come, first-serve.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.
Where: ACHIEVEability, 5901 Market St., Suite #410
Dog Days of Summer Market
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens presents the Dog Days of Summer Market, a free event hosted at Magic Gardens Studios. During this special event, attendees are invited to bring their pets as they explore tables with pet-centered vendors as well as activities such as a bandana-making station, photo booth, and more! Additionally, PAWS, Philly’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, will be onsite with a pet pantry drop-off to collect donations such as food or cat litter (up to 30lb bags). Guests can bring their dogs if they are dog and child-friendly, but must keep them leashed at all times.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Studio, 1002 Watkins St.
Go Mt. Airy Supper Sessions
At Supper Sessions, blocks of Germantown Avenue are closed to cars, trucks and buses, and Mt. Airy’s historic commercial corridor is opened to the people. Patrons can order from their favorite eateries and sit down to enjoy their food at communal tables arranged across the Belgian blocks and trolley tracks of historic Germantown Avenue in the heart of the business district. In addition to brick-and-mortar restaurants, an expanded roster of some of the city’s most popular food trucks will add rotating variety. Not only that, the festival will feature live music, with local musicians showcasing their talents at one end of the festival, and a DJ spinning popular dance tunes at the other. Local shops stay open late along the block with fun shopping opportunities and giveaways. Kids’ activities including a moon bounce, face painting, and balloon art ensure that Supper Sessions is fun for the whole family.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: 7100 and 7200 blocks of Germantown Avenue
”Reframed Realities: Works by Anthony Smith Jr.” opening reception
On Friday, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens invites the public to attend the pay-what-you-wish opening reception of its latest exhibition, “Reframed Realities: Works by Anthony Smith Jr.,” featuring the work of multifaceted artist Anthony Smith Jr. Through his mixed-media pieces, Smith challenges stereotypes, using comedy as a tool to confront and deconstruct complex cultural narratives. In his new exhibition, Smith’s compelling new work fosters a dialogue around race, history, and identity while pushing the boundaries of material and form in contemporary art. On display in the Magic Gardens Museum’s indoor galleries, experience art that pushes boundaries and sparks important conversations!
When: Friday, Aug. 15 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Museum, 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: ends Friday, Aug. 15
Where: various locations across the city
Yoga at Independence
Find your flow with Yoga at Independence, a free outdoor yoga series for all ages and experience levels. Sessions are led by instructors from Monarch Yoga and offer a peaceful morning practice in a beautiful, historic setting. Walk-ups welcome; registration encouraged. Bring your own mat or towel (limited mats available).
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 at 9 a.m.
Where: Independence Historical National Park, 143 S. 3rd 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. 16 at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Where: Woodland Avenue, Southwest Philadelphia
EcoFEST Block Party
The Roots & Resilience: Community, Culture, and Climate EcoFEST Block Party celebrates environmental resilience and community creativity with hands-on learning, local vendors, art, performances, and resources. The event celebrates the Water Shed — a new community-based hub in Germantown offering resources, education about local environmental challenges, and an ongoing calendar of events. Water Shed visitors can also engage in creative workshops related to flooding and contribute to a Germantown flooding archive. The festivities will feature a variety of environmental and sustainability activities, including a Drop-In Science Lab from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Philly Water Bar, paper shredding, electronic recycling, the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership’s Creekmobile, the City of Philadelphia hiring bus, and much more! The event will also feature an art and nature activity with Kaitlyn Pomerantz, the Water Shed’s resident artist, face painting, a community art reveal, and other arts and crafts activities. Participants can also enjoy poetry readings, DJ performances, drumming and dancing, food, raffles, and free giveaways.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 from 12-6 p.m.
Where: 5300 block of Wayne Avenue between Queen Lane & Penn Street
Hands on Clay workshops
Artists of all ages are invited to get creative with The Clay Studio during its monthly Hands-on Clay series! Hosted at The Clay Studio, the free, drop-in event offers participants of all skill levels the opportunity to explore hand-building with clay while The Clay Studio’s talented teaching artists provide step-by-step guidance. The Clay Studio will glaze the finished pieces and have them ready for pick-up in 2 to 4 weeks. Hands on Clay is proudly supported by PNC Arts Alive.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St.
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. 16 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Utility Works, 32 East Baltimore Ave. Lansdowne, PA 19050
Bakers Centre hosts
val
Bakers Centre, an open-air retail shopping center in Philadelphia (https://www.shopbakerscentre.com), invites the community to wrap up the summer season in style at its annual End-of-Summer Festival, a free community celebration filled with entertainment, giveaways and interactive experiences for all ages. The festival will feature classic carnival-like attractions, including games, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, face painting, balloon animals, a mini train ride, and an interactive school party bus. Guests can strike a pose in the onsite photobooth and take home great memories. Attendees can also enjoy free food samples from tenants like Wingstop, Wendy’s and ShopRite as well as giveaways from JD Sports, Planet Fitness and T-Mobile. To help students start the new school year strong, the event will feature back-to-school giveaways, including free backpacks and essential supplies courtesy of ShopRite (while supplies last). This event is free of charge and open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: Bakers Centre, 2800 Fox St.
Art Under the Stars III
Art Under the Stars III, a one-night-only event that celebrates Philly’s creative pulse through visual art, live music, food, and community — all in an open-air courtyard setting. Now in its third year, Art Under the Stars has become a summer favorite among artists, collectors, curators, and community members alike. It’s grassroots, soulful, and deeply connected to Philadelphia’s creative community. Festivities include a curated lineup of emerging and established local artists, live jazz from Dahi Divine & Band, paired with two DJs keeping the vibe going, soul food by Mr. D’s Homestyle Cooking and sweet treats from Cloud Cups Gelato, and friendly-priced summer cocktails and a community-centered atmosphere under the stars.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 from 5-10 p.m.
Where: The Sculpture Courtyard, 1717 N. Hancock St.
Chris Brown comes to Philly
Two-time Grammy winning global R&B superstar Chris Brown brings his summer stadium run across North America and Europe to Philadelphia in his Breezy Bowl XX Tour. The trek will feature two of R&B’s powerhouses: Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum hitmaker Summer Walker, and three-time Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum selling artist, Bryson Tiller. Breezy Bowl XX celebrates 20 years of Brown’s career and builds on the momentum of his highly successful 2024 11:11 Tour, which supported his Billboard R&B Albums chart-topping studio release. The tour delivered sold-out shows across North America and sold-out stadium shows in Brazil and South Africa, reaffirming Brown’s global touring power and audience demand.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Wy.
Free Healthcare Clinic comes to Philly
For millions of Americans access to basic healthcare is a challenge at best and an impossibility at worst. Due to geographic or economic barriers, much of the U.S. population is uninsured or underinsured. Remote Area Medical (RAM®) is stepping in to address this issue by offering a free, comprehensive dental, vision, and medical clinic. All services are free, no ID required and on a first-come, first-served basis, until capacity is reached. Sunday, clinic services are an abbreviated day. RAM Clinics are a lifeline for underserved communities, offering free healthcare services that include general medical exams, women’s health exams, dental cleanings, extractions, eye exams, and prescription glasses made on-site. By bringing healthcare directly to those in need, RAM’s free clinics remove the barriers of cost and distance that often prevent people from seeking care. This upcoming clinic in Philadelphia is open to anyone in need. RAM encourages anyone who could benefit from these services to attend and receive the care they deserve. Clinic doors open at 6 a.m.
When: Saturday, Aug. 16-17
Where: School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave.
39th annual Caribbean Festival
As one of the oldest Caribbean Festivals in our region, the festival brings lots of family fun and games to Philadelphia. Festivities include children’s games, Caribbean workshops, handicrafts, food and drinks, music, dancing and live entertainment.
When: Sunday, Aug. 17 from 12-8 p.m.
Where: Penn’s Landing, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.
”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.
”Receipts: We Have Them” at the Painted Bride
Curated by Andrea Walls of the Museum of Black Joy, a group photography exhibition and visual archive offering a powerful meditation on the creative labor, joy, and resistance that shape Black cultural life in Philadelphia. “Receipts” features work by Ursula McCarthy, Ken McFarlane, Terrell Halsey, Tash Billington, Jorden Di’lean, and Koren Martin. Framing the generational wisdom of Black Philadelphia, the exhibition reveals culture not as ornament, but as architecture, foundational, instructive, and enduring. Mirroring the Bride’s “Proof of Life” season theme, the show presents textured images as testimony, evidence of brilliance embedded in everyday Black life. Rather than documenting crisis, “Receipts” honors the beauty, memory, and meaning alive in daily rituals of care, creativity, and survival. The show reaffirms the Painted Bride’s commitment to grounded, expansive, and people-powered visual storytelling.
When: through Sunday, Oct. 25
Where: Painted Bride Art Center, 4029 Cambridge 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.
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