”A Summer Day”
Experience the haunting beauty of Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse’s “A Summer Day,” directed by inventive Co-Artistic Director Yury Urnov in a production that delves into the depths of human connection, memory, and existential longing. Is there one day in your past that you keep replaying again and again? When do we start spending more time in the past than in the present? Through Fosse’s poetic language and Urnov’s innovative direction and immersive visual design, audiences are transported into an epic and intimate world where past and present intertwine, inviting reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the eternal search for meaning. Often referred to as a modern-day Ibsen, Fosse won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023 – one of the few playwrights to ever receive that honor – and is rarely produced in the United States.
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad 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: Monday, July 7-Aug. 15
Where: various locations across the city
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: Monday, July 7-Sept. 7
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American 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, July 9 from 5-9 p.m.
Where: 7100 and 7200 blocks of Germantown Avenue
Front Street Walls 2025 Mural Dedication
Front Street Walls is an ongoing mural project, reignited in 2023, that rotates biannually, offering four Philly artists the opportunity to create their first solo, artist-led commissioned public mural! Created by curator and Fishtown-native Conrad Benner in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, CookNSolo‘s Lilah Events, and Goldie Falafel, this project continues the wall’s history as a rotating mural exhibition space, starting with Honeygrow from 2016 to 2018. This project aims to continue creating dynamic, artist-led public art in Philadelphia while building more pipelines for emerging local artists to establish a career in public art. This year’s muralists are Anna Mraz, Chelsey Luster, Dan Fetters, and Gianni Lee.
When: Thursday, July 10 from 12-2 p.m.
SAFER Mural Dedication
In summer 2024, Nazeer Sabree, painter and Mural Arts Art Education Lead Teaching Artist, and participants in the summer Career Connected Learning program embarked on a journey to create a mural inspired by Mayor Cherelle Parker’s “One Philly: A United City! Safer, Cleaner, Greener” initiative. Nazeer and his students talked about life as a young person living in Philly and their vision for a safer, cleaner, greener city. These discussions resulted in the creation of SAFER, a mural combining Sabree’s “false face” approach to portraiture and student-selected imagery.
When: Friday, July 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Tacony LAB First Friday: Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia Art Exhibition
Join us at the Tacony LAB Community Art Center for a special First Friday event, featuring an exhibition of work from the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia. The Autistic Artist Coalition of Philadelphia is a partner organization that has met in our space bi-weekly since November 2023. This Exhibit will feature several local artists involved with the AACOPhilly.
When: Friday, July 11 from 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Tacony LAB Community Arts Center, 6918 Torresdale Ave.
Sherri Shepherd at Rivers Casino
Emmy-winning actress, comedian and talk show host Sherri Shepherd is bringing her quick wit and relatable comedy to Rivers Casino Philadelphia for a one-night performance. Dubbed TV’s “new feel-good queen” by the media, Shepherd is currently riding high on the success of her No. 1 daytime talk show, “Sherri,” which airs weekdays on FOX and recently earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Talk Show. Tickets are required.
When: Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N. Delaware Ave.
Cirque du Soleil: OVO
World famous alt-circus Cirque du Soleil returns to the Wells Fargo Center with its cherished production OVO, including all the acrobatic performances, high-energy acts, colorful visuals and elaborate costumes you’d expect from the French-Canadian troupe. The romantic, family-friendly story immerses audiences in the bustling world of insects on the arrival of a quirky bug known as The Foreigner and his mysterious egg (“ovo” in Portuguese), which becomes a symbol of life and transformation within the insect community. The vibrant production features foot-juggling ants, hand-balancing dragonflies and contorting spiders on slacklines.
Where: The Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.
Camp Blobfest
This weekend, Phoenixville will be swept up in Blob-mania as the Colonial Theatre hosts Camp Blobfest, a weekend-long celebration of all things The Blob. Now in its 26th year, the three-day festival pays homage to the theatre’s starring role in the 1958 classic Steve McQueen film, The Blob. Phoenixville’s favorite movie monster oozed into town more than 60 years ago after the Colonial Theater was featured in the famous 1958 film during a scene where a large crowd runs out of the theatre to escape the renowned blob. Fans can kick off the weekend on July 11 with an electrifying Stage Show and iconic Run-Out, a must-see tradition for Blobfest enthusiasts. The fun continues on July 12 with the Camp Blobfest: Saturday Street Fair, an action-packed day of community festivities. The festival’s final day on July 13 kicks off with the 8th Annual Blobfest 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon. The race is thrown each year to help celebrate and support the historic theatre that appears in The Blob.
Where: Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
2025 Windgate Arts Residency Program in Wood Open Studio Day
The Museum for Art in Wood invites the public to participate in a special behind-the-scenes look into the creative process of the 2025 Windgate Arts Residency Program (WARP Wood) at NextFab. This event offers a unique opportunity to meet the Resident Fellows and engage in discussions about their concepts and works in progress across various media, including wood, film, writing, and documentation. Now in its 28th year, the internationally recognized residency, sponsored by the Museum for Art in Wood and hosted in partnership with NextFab, brings artists together for an intensive 8-week program marked by independent and collaborative work, research, and regional cultural exploration.
When: Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: NexFab, 1800 N. American St.
Africatown 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.
When: Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 PM
Where: Woodland Avenue, Southwest Philadelphia
Ice Cream Festival at Reading Terminal Market
One of the largest ice cream festivals in America is back! Reading Terminal Market and Bassetts Ice Cream will host their annual Ice Cream Festival. In addition to Bassetts, 10 local ice cream artisans will join in the fun alongside Reading Terminal Market merchants. The event will feature ice cream eating contests, sweet treat specials, food demonstrations, live entertainment, and more. Philadelphia ice cream favorites including Milk Jawn, Franklin Fountain, Scoop DeVille, Tubby Robot, Weckerly’s, and more will be outside on Filbert St. selling their sweet treats and hosting activities throughout the day. In addition to classic ice cream treats, guests will enjoy specials from various Market merchants. A DJ will entertain attendees throughout the day outside on Filbert St. Inside, there will be family-friendly demonstrations everyone can enjoy, including sugar cookie cone decorating with The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, a baked Alaska “how to” with Flying Monkey Bakery, and funnel cake frying with Fox and Son Fair Foods. The festival is free, pay as you go.
When: Saturday, July 12 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St.
Family Workshop – Animal Planters
Join The Clay Studio for its latest Family Workshop to create Animal Planters! Participants in this workshop will be able to design and create Animal Planters using provided templates and patterns. Participants are welcome to use their imagination or bring images of their animal friends for inspiration! The tuition fee covers one individual. You must register for each adult and child attending. This workshop is appropriate for ages eight and up. For participants under 18, an adult must also register and be present in the workshop. All supplies included, and work will be ready for pickup in two to three weeks.
When: Sunday, July 13 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St.
Eighth Annual Barnes on the Block
The Barnes Foundation presents the eighth annual Barnes on the Block, in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia. An annual summer celebration, Barnes on the Block invites all to gather and enjoy a free day of art, community, and creativity. Taking place on the grounds of the Barnes, and adjacent streets that will be closed to vehicular traffic — the Parkway between 20th and 21st Streets, and 20th Street between the Parkway and Callowhill Street — this popular outdoor event features entertainment and activities for guests of all ages, including hands-on art making, music from local DJs, dance performances, local bites from food trucks and vendors including Darnel’s Cakes, Kona Ice, and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, and a Barnes on the Block Beer Garden by Constellation Culinary Group.
When: Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Glen Foerd to Host Annual RiverFest
Glen Foerd, the 18-acre historic estate and public park along the Delaware River, invites the public to celebrate the outdoors at its annual RiverFest event, a free, family-friendly celebration of nature, community, and culture. Guests can enjoy open boating on the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River throughout the day using Glen Foerd’s fleet of kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. New this year will be a small regatta, for which six to 12 competitors are being recruited. On land, visitors will find a wide range of hands-on environmental and arts activities provided by Glen Foerd’s own River Ambassadors teen program, Lily P.A.D.S., and partner organizations. RiverFest will also feature informational tables and activities from local partners, including the Pennypack Environmental Center, PA Game Commission, Riverfront North, Tacony Lab, and others. Attendees can enjoy local vendors, music, and food from Good Karma, along with sweet treats from Mister Softee.
When: Sunday, July 13 from 3-7 p.m.
Where: Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave.
“40 Years Ago Today: A Live Aid Tribute Concert”
In honor of Live Aid’s 40th year anniversary, Philly is planning an epic tribute concert. It’s hard to believe, but this July marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, perhaps the most ambitious concert spectacle of all time. Live Aid happened simultaneously at Philadelphia’s storied JFK Stadium and Wembley Stadium in England on July 13, 1985, featuring everyone from a reunited Led Zeppelin to Madonna to Queen to Run-DMC to Philly hometown heroes like Patti LaBelle and the Hooters. On Sunday, an all-star collection of Philadelphia musicians will converge on Union Transfer for “40 Years Ago Today: A Live Aid Tribute Concert.” The concert will feature beloved local musicians and 100% of the ticket proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
When: Sunday, July 13 at 6 p.m.
Where: Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.
”Demond Melancon: As Any Means Are Necessary” at AAMP
Demond Melancon (b. 1978) works solely with a needle and thread to sew glass beads onto canvas. He began this practice in 1992 when he first became part of the Black Masking Culture of New Orleans, a culture whose roots are woven through more than two centuries of history. Big Chief Demond Melancon is well known for creating massive Suits as a Black Masker. His Suits are sculptural forms based on the size of his body, which are composed of intricate, hand-sewn beadwork revealing a collective visual narrative. In 2017, Melancon pioneered an emerging contemporary art practice using the same beading techniques he’s been refining over the past 30 years in the Black Masking Culture.
When: through Sunday, July 27
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
Discover play mode at the LEGO® Summer of Play
This summer, families in Philadelphia and beyond can get ready for a celebration of play like no other at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia with an all-new event. The LEGO® Summer of Play event will have new activities to help kids discover their unique play mode — whether they love to create, discover, build, dance or simply play their own way. Families can join a workshop to learn how to create a LEGO bee and design a playful city with the Master Model Builder where their imaginations can run wild. Kids of all ages can boogie to the DJ GoodVibes dance party and then have fun spotting surprise LEGO creations in MINILAND which has Philadelphia’s cityscape created out of more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
When: through Sunday, Aug. 3
Where: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia, in Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pk., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
”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: through Sunday, Aug. 10
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
”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.
”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.
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