Philly Youth Music Fest<\/p>\n
Now in its third year, the Philly Youth Music Fest is back. Spruce Street Harbor Park will host the festival for the first time, transforming one of Philadelphia’s most beloved public spaces into a six-hour celebration of the city’s young artists and the organizations that support them. Organized collectively by a coalition of Philadelphia’s youth music and arts programs, this year’s festival brings together more than 200 young performers and 30+ community organizations from across the city. What began as a small gathering of youth music programs has grown into a powerful reflection of the work happening every day across Philadelphia \u2014 young people building skills, finding their voice, and stepping into leadership within their communities. This year’s performing lineup includes some of the most respected student-driven organizations in the city like Beyond the Bars and West Philadelphia All Stars. Philly Youth Music Fest is free, family-friendly, and open to all.<\/p>\n
When:<\/strong> Tuesday, July 15 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n The Jazz Age: American Songs at their Centennial<\/p>\n Bandleader V. Shayne Frederick presents a hourlong program of popular music of the 1920s interpreted by an ensemble of the region\u2019s \ufb01nest jazz musicians including Tim Brey, Madison Rast, Donovan Pope, Joe Anderson, Jasyn Brazobyn, and Ben Karp. This event is free to attend, registration is recommended.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Wednesday, July 15 from 1-2 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Waterworks Dr.<\/p>\n Center City District SIPS<\/p>\n Center City\u2019s premier after-work experience returns on Wednesday evenings this summer at dozens of locations. Participating locations will serve $8 cocktails, including specials made with Hornitos\u00ae Tequila, $7 wine, including selections from Kim Crawford, $6 beer, and appetizers under $10. For the first time, mocktails will be offered for just $6 at all locations. Some restaurants will offer 15% off dinner after 7 p.m. From vibrant beer gardens and lounges to popular restaurants, there\u2019s a place for everyone at Center City District Sips.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Wednesdays through Aug. 26 from 5-7 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> various locations including Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.<\/p>\n Manayunk Stroll After Dark<\/p>\n This summer, Main Street Manayunk is turning Thursday nights into a celebration of community, culture and entertainment. Stroll After Hours will bring residents and visitors together for four evenings filled with live music, local artists and vendors, food trucks, outdoor movies, interactive activities and special experiences from Manayunk’s shops, restaurants, and businesses. The series offers a unique opportunity to experience the neighborhood in a lively after-hours atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs and enjoy family-friendly entertainment under the stars. In addition to music and movies, attendees can participate in interactive art projects, kids activities, face painting, caricatures, soccer activations, axe throwing, and other rotating experiences throughout the district.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, July 16 from 6-10 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Main Street Manayunk<\/p>\n Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire come to Philly<\/p>\n On Thursday, legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie and one of the best-selling bands of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire bring their North American tour to Philly. International superstar Lionel Richie boasts a discography of albums and singles that is second to none. With more than 125 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar\u00ae, Golden Globe\u00ae, and four Grammy Awards\u00ae, Richie has been honored with distinctions including 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year, and the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors. Earth, Wind & Fire are a music institution. With soul as deep as the plant, Earth, Wind & Fire charted a history that will live on forever. They\u2019ve scored eight number one hits and have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. They\u2019ve released 23 albums; eight of those albums went Double Platinum and hit the Top 10, making them one of the best-selling artists of all time.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n “Ten (More) Things To Know About the American Revolution”<\/p>\n Join the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR) and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for a lively mid-day program exploring the American Revolution through fast-paced, engaging talks. Ten dynamic speakers will each share a compelling insight, untold story, or surprising perspective they believe everyone should know \u2014 each in three minutes or less. This energetic format offers a wide-ranging look at revolutionary history in a single hour. Attendees will also be able to visit HSP\u2019s current exhibition “Paths To Independence, 1765-1787.”<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, July 17 from 1-2 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.<\/p>\n Ice Cream Day<\/p>\n Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a sweet day of play at Please Touch Museum! Families can enjoy free scoops of Bassetts Ice Cream while supplies last, plus ice cream-themed activities throughout the Museum, including make-your-own ice cream workshops.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, July 18 from 9-11 a.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic<\/p>\n The Wicked Gluten Free Expo & Food Festival<\/p>\n The largest gluten-free food festivals in the country is coming to the Greater Philadelphia region this summer for what organizers are calling the “best gluten-free day ever.” This year’s festival is set to be the single largest gluten-free event in the state of Pennsylvania, with organizers expecting to welcome 5,000 attendees. The event will feature its largest lineup yet, including 110+ restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, brands, artisan food purveyors, health organizations, community groups and more. Every food vendor is gluten-free and celiac-safe, individually vetted by the event organizer, with vegan and other allergen-sensitive options available throughout. Highlights include complimentary samples, products for purchase, food trucks, health organizations, cooking and food demonstrations, family-friendly fun, and complimentary parking. Attendees are invited to nibble their way through the event, sampling gluten-free foods from local and national bakeries, restaurants, and brands. Many exhibitors will be offering vegan and allergen-free treats, including dairy-free ice cream, complimentary samples, and access to all presentations. Tickets are required.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456<\/p>\n Under the El Bazaar: Christmas in July Edition<\/p>\n Who says you have to wait until December for holiday cheer? The Fishtown District is bringing the magic of the season to summer with a Christmas in July edition of the Under the El Bazaar beneath the Market-Frankford El along the 1700 block of North Front Street. This no charge, family-friendly event transforms the space under the El into a festive holiday marketplace featuring local artisans, makers, vintage vendors, food, drinks, music, games and plenty of summer holiday spirit. Visitors can browse unique vendors to get a head start on holiday shopping or simply treat themselves to something special. Whether you’re checking names off your gift list months early or discovering one-of-a-kind finds just because, the Under the El Bazaar is the perfect place to shop local.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, July 18 from 12-6 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 1700 block of North Front Street<\/p>\n Philly Foodie & Fireworks Festival \u2014 250th Anniversary Celebration<\/p>\n Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia is proud to host the Philly Foodie & Fireworks Festival – 250th Anniversary Celebration, transforming the Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia Outdoor Pavilion & Racetrack into a massive summertime celebration of food, music, and community. This milestone edition brings together dozens of restaurants, food trucks, artisans, and entertainers for a full day of flavor and festivities, capped off with a spectacular fireworks finale over the Delaware River. Guests can explore 250+ menu items, enjoy live performances across two stages, browse a large outdoor vendor market, and take part in family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon and evening.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, July 18 from 2-10 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Chester, PA 19013<\/p>\n Summer Ale Festival<\/p>\n Get ready to go wild at Philadelphia Zoo\u2019s favorite summer bash! Summer Ale Festival is back with over 100 beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, teas, spirits and non-alcoholic options, including 13 new vendors. This fan-favorite event is the only place in the region where you can sip with snow leopards, toast near tigers and cheers with Andean bears! Performing live this year on the Impala Lawn Stage are Philly-based bands Nik Greeley and the Operators, Echo Kid and Moonroof. This year\u2019s beverage lineup includes newcomers like Bald Birds Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery, Good Boy Vodka, Ironbound Cider and NA Beer Club. For tasty bites throughout the night, some of the region\u2019s best local food trucks will be serving up specials to satisfy any appetite. This annual summer tradition will take over trhe Zoo’s 42-acre campus for the wildest festival of the season. Summer Ale Fest is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification; no children, including infants, permitted. Tickets are required.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, July 18 from 6-10 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.<\/p>\n “Sleeping Beauty”<\/p>\n Storybook Musical Theatre, the Abington-based professional children\u2019s theatre company, will present the final show of its 32nd season with the original musical \u201cSleeping Beauty.\u201d Adapted from the original Charles Perrault story by Storybook\u2019s Resident playwright, Patricia Goldberg, with original music by Kevin Arruda and directed by Dorian Belle, this delightful tale puts the fate of a sleeping beauty, and her entire kingdom, in the hands of a brave, young prince. \u201cSleeping Beauty\u201d opens with a woodsman, in an enchanted forest, telling the prince about a hundred-years\u2019 curse that was cast upon the kingdom by an evil fairy after the young princess, Briar Rose, pricked her finger on a spinning wheel\u2019s thimble. Only the brave prince, Bryon, is courageous enough and romantic enough to break the spell but he faces many thorny obstacles that stand in his way.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Saturday, July 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Storybook Musical Theatre, 7605 Old York Rd., Melrose Park, PA 19027<\/p>\n \u201dAmerica Today: Voices in Contemporary Print\u201d at the Print Center<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica Today: Voices in Contemporary Print\u201d brings the works of more than 30 artists from across the country together to explore core principles of democracy, including civil rights, social justice, racial equality, and political engagement. With Philadelphia at the center of America\u2019s founding, the exhibition bridges past and present, inviting audiences to reflect on how democratic ideals continue to evolve at a pivotal moment in the nation\u2019s history. Featuring widely recognized artists whose work has been exhibited in major museums around the world, \u201cAmerica Today\u201d offers a compelling opportunity to engage with contemporary perspectives on urgent national issues.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Saturday, July 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Print Center, 1614 Latimer St.<\/p>\n \u201dMuliebrity\u201d by Viola Bordon<\/p>\n Philadelphia-based interdisciplinary textile artist and educator Viola Bordon blends sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and fibers to explore the interplay between materiality and environmental fluctuation. Her textile-focused practice draws upon pre-industrial craft techniques like weaving and quilting, intertwining them with inquiries into contemporary issues in our society. For Radical Americana, Bordon conducted research at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to create her exhibition, Muliebrity, where she examines the invention and evolving meanings of American liberty in the national identity.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, July 26<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.<\/p>\n The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market<\/p>\n Reading Terminal Market will extend its footprint outdoors this summer with The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market presented by Jefferson, a new pedestrian-friendly destination transforming 15,000 square feet of the 1100 block of Filbert Street into an outdoor gathering space in the heart of Center City. The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market presented by Jefferson will feature expanded outdoor seating, live entertainment, local vendors, sponsor activations, and a bar operated by Molly Malloy\u2019s. The eight-week activation arrives as Philadelphia prepares to welcome visitors for a summer filled with major events, including FIFA World Cup activities, America\u2019s 250th anniversary celebration, and MLB All-Star Week. Market Day Stalls on the Plaza will feature more than 15 rotating local entrepreneurs offering handmade goods, artwork, apparel, candles, cosmetics, and other specialty products. Reading Terminal Market will also operate a Market Merch cart featuring limited-edition soccer and market-themed apparel, with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit steward of Philadelphia\u2019s public market, the Reading Terminal Market Corporation.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Aug. 2 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 1100 block of Filbert Street<\/p>\n \u201dFreedom Dreams\u201d at the Barnes<\/p>\n As Philadelphia and the nation prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, Freedom Dreams brings together powerful works by artists in film, video, and installation that invite viewers to immerse themselves in the memories, dreams, and histories of Black Americans. The exhibition features works by Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja\u2019Tovia Gary, and Tourmaline, all exploring history, archives, and cultural memory. Freedom Dreams highlights the fluid boundary between past, present, and future and encourages viewers to reflect on how Americans of color have shaped identities and created spaces of resistance, joy, and resilience in the face of systemic oppression. The exhibition is co-curated by Maori Karmael Holmes, Chief Executive and Artistic Officer of BlackStar Projects, and James Claiborne, Fleischner Family Vice President for Engagement at the Barnes.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Aug. 9<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival 2026<\/p>\n In celebration of the Year of the Horse \u2014 symbolizing energy, passion, freedom and transformation \u2014 the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square will glow with breathtaking light, art, culture, and global spirit. The Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage and master craftsmanship behind this timeless art form. Visitors will wander through glowing landscapes filled with magnificent, illuminated sculptures, each piece crafted from steel frames and vibrant silk. All of the lanterns will be brand new, including one-of-a-kind lanterns celebrating the international events coming to Philadelphia this summer. The lanterns blend the magic of Chinese tradition with the spirit of global connection and friendly competition, along with themes of animals and flowers. In addition to the stunning lantern displays, guests can enjoy live cultural stage performances, a choreographed fountain light show at the historic Rendell Family Fountain, as well as food and drink offerings such as Asian cuisine, American comfort food, and signature cocktails in the Cocktail Garden.<\/p>\n