Marian Bailey’s “We Are What We Need” mural dedication
Mural Arts will celebrate the dedication of a new mural by Philadelphia-based artist Marian Bailey, “We Are What We Need,” whose work centers Blackness, gender diversity, and reflections on community, history, and healing. This mural reflects the weight of the past the urgency of the present, and the hope we hold for the future. It’s a bold, vibrant tribute— especially to Black women and femmes — honoring those who have built foundations, created change, and shaped what’s possible. Through color, movement, and layered meaning, the mural serves as both a mirror and a love letter to those who make us feel seen. Come experience the work, hear from the artist, and celebrate a powerful new addition to the South Philadelphia landscape. This event is free and open to all.
When: Tuesday, July 22 from 3-4 p.m.
125 Years of The Philadelphia Orchestra
Join The Philadelphia Orchestra in celebrating the 125th anniversary of The Philadelphia Orchestra as it returns to its summer home at the TD Pavilion for an evening of classical music hits, led by Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo. The evening will begin with two of the most iconic musical segments from Walt Disney’s 1940 classic Fantasia, the score of which was originally recorded by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1939 at the Academy of Music: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Paul Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Following intermission, the Orchestra will perform Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2, which the composer himself described as “a confession of the soul.” Pack a picnic and enjoy this exciting celebration of classical music and Your Philadelphia Orchestra under the stars! Tickets required.
When: Wednesday, July 23 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.
A Championship Season with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Mann Center, the Philadelphia Eagles, and NFL Films take center stage this summer to celebrate another Eagles Championship Season with this special concert event hosted by the “Voice of the Eagles,” Merrill Reese. Relive NFL Films’ stunning video highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Championship Season on three giant screens alongside the great Philadelphia Orchestra, performing the inspiring, uplifting, and wonderfully symphonic music of NFL Films. Tickets required.
When: Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.
Inaugural North Philadelphia History Festival
Scribe Video Center proudly presents the North Philadelphia History Festival, a vibrant, multi-site celebration of the African American and Puerto Rican cultural legacy of North Philadelphia. Taking place this weekend, this four-day festival will transform historic sites, community centers, and public spaces with a series of free events. Under the banner “Arts. Culture. Music. History.”, the festival will feature exhibitions, installations, performances, screenings, and conversations created by artists, historians, cultural workers, and neighborhood organizations committed to honoring the spirit and resilience of North Philadelphia. Festival programming features an impressive lineup of installations, performances, and conversations led by acclaimed artists and cultural workers. See full schedule.
When: Thursday, July 24-27
Where: various location in North Philadelphia
Twilight in the Gardens
Twilight in the Gardens returns, offering guests the opportunity to bring drinks, snacks, and some friends for a dreamy evening at the Magic Gardens Museum’s glittering mosaicked space! Find a place to picnic and enjoy a live performance by Xemi in the sparkling outdoor sculpture garden. A Philly native, Xemi is a vocalist and musician specializing in merging the electronic and acoustic worlds of music. The evening also includes craft tables, where Teaching Artist Caro Thomas leads guests in a create-your-own tote bags workshop using the historic cyanotype printing process. Participants learn the traditional “sun printing” technique while drawing inspiration from the Magic Gardens’ intricate and bold mosaics. No previous experience necessary – each participant will leave with their own unique cyanotype tote bag and the knowledge to continue exploring this captivating art form at home!
When: Friday, July 25 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Museum, 1020 South St.
Nas — “Illmatic: Live”
Timeless poet and rhyme-master Nas, coming to the Philadelphia stage, delivered his first full-length album, “Illmatic,” in 1994. He went on to release 14 subsequent albums, eight of which are multi-platinum and platinum including “Nastradamus,” “Stillmatic,” “God’s Son” and “Street’s Disciple.” With 16 GRAMMY nominations, Nas released “King’s Disease” in 2020, giving him his first ever GRAMMY win for Best Rap Album, and released “King’s Disease II,” a sequel to the GRAMMY Award–winning album, produced by Nas and Hit-Boy. Most recently, Nas released the third installment of the “King’s Disease” series. With no features, “King’s Disease III” was produced by Hit-Boy and executive produced by Nas and Hit-Boy. Most recently, they released “Magic 3,” featuring 15 brand new tracks, also marking the final chapter of the legendary run for the prolific rapper-producer duo. “Magic 3” serves as the duo’s sixth album together in the last three years and serves as the third installment to the Magic series. Tickets required.
When: Friday, July 25 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.
Royal Rummage
Get ready for one of Chestnut Hill’s most beloved summer traditions — the Royal Rummage Sidewalk Sale! This weekend, visitors can stroll along the charming, cobblestone streets of Germantown Avenue while browsing unbeatable deals, seasonal specials, and unique finds from local shops. For over 60 years, this cherished event has drawn shoppers from near and far, as storekeepers spill out onto the sidewalks with tables full of top merchandise at deeply discounted prices. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore your favorite boutiques, discover something new, and enjoy the best bargains of the season — all in the heart of Chestnut Hill.
Where: Chestnut Hill, 8000 to 8600 block of Germantown Avenue
Franklin Square’s 19th birthday
Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit that funds, manages, and operates Franklin Square, celebrates the 19th birthday of this beautiful public space with free daytime fun in beautiful Franklin Square, one of the original William Penn squares and one of the city’s most charming historic parks filled with expansive lawns and shady trees. The celebration will be filled with family fun and lots of free activities including birthday crafts, temporary tattoos, music, a scavenger hunt, and Once Upon A Nation storytelling. In addition, there will also be fitness fun, and play for children with YoYo, a special “Happy Birthday” song with Benjamin Franklin with free treats, and the first 100 guests will receive a free ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel. The celebration concludes with the Franklin Square Fountain Show in the Rendell Family Fountain at noon.
When: Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St.
Guest Artist Workshop with Elliot Kayser
Join The Clay Studio for a one-day workshop with Summer Resident Artist Elliot Kayser! In this one day hands-on workshop, Kayser will walk students through creating life-like animal sculptures. Students will learn how to model reductively from a solid block of clay, create simple support armatures, measure to achieve accurate proportions, and hollow them out for firing. Students are encouraged to come to the workshop prepared with gestural photographs, Schleich toy models and/or reference illustrations of animals they would like to work from.
When: Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St.
WKDU’s Black Experience in Music
WKDU’s Black Experience in Music and the Producer’s Guild invite you to “Unity in the Community: Meet the Communicators,” a free public celebration of culture, creativity, and connection in West Philadelphia. This powerful day of uplifting music, spoken words, dance, dialogue, and unity is rooted in the spirit of community and powered by the mission of the Black Experience in Music, WKDU’s signature Sunday programming that has aired since the 1970s. The event invites the public to reconnect with the voices behind the mic—your community communicators—and join in a movement of positive information, inspiration, and healing. The event features live performances by local artists, Community Spotlight Panel Discussion featuring advocates for young people’s safety, mental health, and futures, and interactive activities like line dancing, The Healing Haven Hut, community engagement tables, and more.
When: Saturday, July 26 from 12-5 p.m.
Where: Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave.
Savannah Bananas at Citizens Bank Park
This ain’t your grandfather’s baseball team. The TikTok-famous baseballers take the field in South Philly for nine innings of trick pitches, choreographed dances and epic entrances against their opponents, the Texas Tailgaters. Last year’s game featured some only-in-Philly surprises, like a special guest appearance from former Phillie Ryan Howard.
When: Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m., & Saturday, July 27 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Wy.
Paul ‘Unk P’ Gripper Tribute Mural dedication
A winning submission of our public mural application process, this project honors the life of Paul “Unk P” Gripper, a North Philadelphia community member who inspired and mentored young men — many of whom garnered entrance and scholarship to college — through the game of basketball. Paul was described as a larger-than-life figure, known for his loud, braggadocious personality. He embodied the spirit of Philadelphia — always cracking jokes and having fun, often silly but uplifting. Paul had a heart as big as his stature and was considered “a teddy bear with street smarts” by those closest to him. He often wore sneakers or Timberland boots. He was a beloved basketball coach and a father figure to many young people in the community. The mural was designed by artist Nilé Livingston and produced by Keisha Whatley.
When: Sunday, July 27 from 12–3 p.m.
Verizon Wireless stores gift back-to-school backpacks
On a single afternoon this July, thousands of team members and franchise owners will open their doors, ready to greet long lines of eager families. Furthering its commitment to supporting the communities it serves, Round Room, LLC – one of the country’s largest Verizon Authorized Retailers – is hosting its annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” at more than 1,200 of its TCC and Wireless Zone stores, offering complimentary backpacks to families for the upcoming school year. Now in its 13th year, Round Room’s “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” has become more than an event – it’s a moment of continued care for families preparing for the school year. Families are invited to attend their local event to pick up a complimentary backpack, one per present child and as supplies last. To find the closest participating store, visit the TCC and Wireless Zone websites and select the “Backpack Giveaway Participating Stores” filter.
When: Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m.
Where: various locations across the Greater Philadelphia area
”Life of Pi”
A striking adaptation of the Yann Martel’s book of the same name, Life of Pi enthralled audiences on Broadway and the West End with its larger-than-life puppetry and enchanting tale of survival and faith. Shipwrecked 16-year-old Pi Patel floats through the Pacific Ocean all alone, save for his unlikely travel companions: a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning play transforms the Academy of Music stage, bringing to life Pi’s fantastical account of his 227 days at sea.
When: ends Sunday, July 27
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.
”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.
When: ends Sunday, July 27
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad 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
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: through Friday, Aug. 8
Where: ACHIEVEability, 5901 Market St.
”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.
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.
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.
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