Things to Do in Philadelphia This Week & Weekend

Through Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Philly’s OG post-office hang, Center City District (CCD) Sips, wraps up its 22nd season with a final dose of happy hour revelry. 

Offered at 60-plus bars, restaurants and beer gardens throughout Center City, the CCD Sips promotion is simple: $6 beer, $7 wine, $8 cocktails, $6 mocktails and appetizers under $10 from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Returning favorites include Franky Bradley’s, Harp & Crown, Independence Beer Garden, Bud & Marilyn’s, Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse, Chris’ Jazz Cafe and more. 

Good for: Hump day happy hour

Through Thursday, August 27, 2026

The Italians were on to something: We deserve to live la dolce vita all summer long. Inspired by the leisurely, after-work strolls popular in Italy, Passyunk Passeggiata invites you to promenade — and dare we say, frolic — up and down the Ave for one final day.

Live jazz sets the soundtrack for food and drink specials (most under $10) at participating restaurants, like Le Virtu and Stogie Joe’s Tavern, and extended hours at specialty shops like Red Gravy Goods and A Novel Idea. 

Know before you go: The event starts each Thursday at 5 p.m. Check the official website for participating businesses. 

Through Friday, August 28, 2026 (weekdays)

Don’t miss this mid-week excuse to get out of the office. For one final week, this summertime lunch deal in Center City brings $10, $15 and $20 lunch deals to dozens of restaurants, cafes and other tasty spots. 

Participating eateries include Prunella, Darling Jack’s Tavern, Koto Sushi, Dolce Italian and Thanal Indian Tavern. 

Know before you go: Scope out the scene with this hand-dandy map on the official site. 

Through Saturday, August 29, 2026

Women’s professional tennis’ grand return to Philadelphia continues at the Ennoble Care Philly Open (formerly the Philadelphia Tennis Classic). 

With 10 more matches on the docket, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament (and the tour’s only U.S. stop ahead of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships) is fans’ last chance to see the pros at play before the Grand Slam. Big names include Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Liudmila Samsonova, Ashlyn Krueger and Eva Lys. 

Spectators can enjoy sweet views of the city skyline at the host site — the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center — with an additional 1,200 temporary seats coming to center court for the event.

Don’t miss: Additional fan experiences throughout the week-long tournament, including a Pride Night match and afterparty (Thursday).

Through Sunday, August 30, 2026

It’s almost lights out for one of Philly’s favorite seasonal attractions: the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at historic Franklin Square.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the Year of the Horse among dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns, all new for 2026. Enjoy live cultural performances, folk art, fountain shows, festival-themed crafts and lots of international food and drink, including signature cocktails. 

Advanced tickets (timed Fridays through Sundays) are required to attend the event, which starts at 6 p.m. each night.

Know before you go: Make your trip even brighter with special weekday deals. Dig into discounted dumplings on Monday, take a spin on the carousel for free on Tuesday and upgrade date night with free mini-golf for two on Wednesday.

Through Sunday, August 30, 2026 (Fridays through Sundays)

The best public market in America — Philly’s iconic Reading Terminal Market — prepares to take the party back inside as its summerlong pop-up plaza closes up shop. 

Stretching across the 1100 block of Filbert Street right outside the market, visitors can take a break from exploring to grab a drink from Molly Malloy’s bar, shop from pop-up vendors, and kick back and enjoy some entertainment.

Indoors, the historic market boasts over 80 year-round vendors offering prepared food and drink, gifts, specialty items, and surprises around every corner.

Vibe: The epicurean block party you didn’t know you needed. 

Through Sunday, August 30, 2026 

Grab a popcorn bucket for the road. Free Street Movies, presented by Scribe Video Center, closes out its whirlwind neighborhood tour, showcasing independent short films in outdoor community spaces.  

These free, family-friendly showings feature live performances and discussions, ranging in scope from documentaries on the Fletcher Street Riding Club to the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees in the U.S. following the Vietnam War. 

This week, don’t miss screenings at Homies Helping Homies in Point Breeze (Thursday), Las Parcelas Garden in Norris Square (Saturday) and Pentridge Station in West Philly (Sunday).

Vibe: Your favorite dog park turned into an outdoor movie theater.

Now open

Imagine the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum opened up a swanky cocktail lounge. Cannonball Cafe, a members-only social club located on Frankford Avenue, might be the most interesting concept to open in years. It features a full-scale restaurant and private bar, plus a storage garage for serious car collectors.

Wait, there’s more: Owner Chris Allen is a professional race car driver who has entered competitions across the globe, including the Pirelli GT4 America and 24 Hours of Daytona. 

Good for: Anyone who has a need for speed 

Dates vary by event

National Dog Day comes only once a year, so don’t miss out on these paw-fect celebrations across the city and countryside: 

• Happy National Dog Day! on the Schuylkill River Trail: Release the hounds! Various stops along the Schuylkill River Trail — Greys Ferry Crescent and CHOP Plaza, plus the Walnut Street Bridge underpass and Schuylkill Banks pergola — hand out complimentary dog treats from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Wednesday).

• Yappy Hour at The Logan Hotel Courtyard: Sip and socialize for a good cause when pups take over Urban Farmer for cocktails in the courtyard from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefit Morris Animal Refuge (Wednesday).

• Yappy Hour at Penns Woods Winery: Enjoy bites from Savannah’s Southern Cuisine food truck while Rick Caldwell serenades pups and people at one of the Brandywine Valley’s favorite wineries (Friday).

Philly’s newest food corridor gets its first-ever restaurant week! Graduate Hospital Restaurant Week debuts in South Philly as neighborhood restaurants roll out special three-course prix fixe menus for $30 or $45. 

Confirmed participants include Banshee, L’Anima, Say She Ate, Chick’s Philly, Chateau Rouge, La Sera Italiana, Olde Towne & Sanna’s, Saigon Grace Cafe, The Sidecar Bar & Grille, and Grace Tavern. Check Instagram for last-minute additions. 

Know before you go: Grace Tavern’s signature burger comes on an English muffin, an ode to former Fairmount stalwart London Grill. 

Fresh off tour stops in Boston and Brooklyn, Kehlani is set to command the stage along the Camden waterfront. 

With a chart-topping album, a certified No. 1 hit, two Grammy wins, saying the Folded singer had a breakthrough year would be an understatement. The only thing that could make it better is, say … a major world tour.

That’s so crazy because the Oakland hitmaker happens to be headlining a massive stadium jaunt across the globe. Kehlani brings her West Coast vibes and R&B bangers, plus special guests fellow Grammy winner Durand Bernarr, Isaia Huron, Big Sean and more. 

Good for: Anyone who loves summer anthems and fitted Kangols

August 28 & 29, 2026

Time to monkey around. The Philadelphia Zoo is the place to be for two end-of-summer events, highlighted by the Wildest Art Festival (Saturday) when 30-plus local artists pop up on the Impala Lawn to showcase colorful masterpieces devoted to nature. 

And don’t miss After Hours (Friday) as the zoo keeps its gates open until 8 p.m. This is your chance to enjoy Surfside samplings and live music while perusing exhibits like Big Cat Falls and the new Carey Bear Country. 

Know before you go: The zoo’s popular Pherris Wheel rises a whopping 110 feet in the air. 

Fourth Friday On & Around South Street encourages people to wander around and explore a new restaurant (or art exhibit or comedy show or pop-up DJ booth) — every fourth Friday, every month. 

This Friday, Twilight in the Gardens at Magic Gardens Museum puts the groovy guitar duo of Tipsy Wicked on stage, along with a screen-printing demo from Kristina Bickford and self-guided tours of the museum’s mosaicked basement. 

Additionally, 3rd Street Gallery holds an artistic celebration and community gathering on South Street, with light snacks provided by Bridget Foy’s. 

Know before you go: Keep an eye on social media for updates on what other South Street businesses are participating. 

Hut, hut! The two-time Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Cincinnati Bengals in the team’s only home preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Don’t expect to see many starters (if any!) suit up in this final tune-up prior to the regular-season opener on September 13, 2026. 

That means no Jalen Hurts or Cooper DeJean, but roster spots are on the line. Cut-down day — the date when final rosters need to shrink down to 53 players — is scheduled for August 30, 2026. This is the time for players to show out or ship out.

Good for: Cole Payton fans. The Eagles’ rookie quarterback out of North Dakota State is expected to see a ton of snaps. 

August 28 & 29, 2026

C’mon, you know you’re going to cry (and we are, too!) when Broken Halos echoes across the Delaware River. 

Chris Stapleton, one of the most respected voices in modern country and Southern soul, brings his All-American Road Show to Camden for two rollicking performances at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. 

Whether it’s the emotional Tennessee Whiskey or the beltable and bluesy I Was Wrong, Stapleton puts every bit of his soul into his music — and the music of others, being a songwriter for artists like Luke Bryan and Adele.

Good for: Cowboy fans. But not Cowboys fans (see: Go Birds). 

The words from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech carry extra weight at the National Constitution Center. These are the rights he fought to protect. 

On Saturday, the museum hosts the Let Freedom Ring: Family Day Honoring the March on Washington. This free community event, in collaboration with the Association for Public Art, explores Dr. King’s legacy through art-making workshops, interactive gallery experiences and live musical performances. 

Know before you go: Stay for a special talk that takes visitors behind the history of famous patriotic songs like My Country ’Tis of Thee.

52 Weeks of Firsts is a yearlong, citywide series of events highlighting the groundbreaking ideas, inventions and milestones that began right here. 

On Saturday, the First Slinky receives its wonderful, wobbly due at Benjamin Franklin’s hub for useful knowledge. This cultural icon and toy gets honored with a special #1 sculpture designed by local artist Jenn Procacci. 

History lesson: Richard T. James, a naval engineer, accidentally invented the Slinky in 1943 when he dropped some coil springs on the floor at a Philadelphia shipyard. His wife, Betty, coined the name Slinky … and the rest is, well, you know. 

Good for: Happy accident activists everywhere 

This monthlong festival honoring 81 years of Indonesian independence closes with a community festival at Fleisher Art Memorial. 

Philadelphia’s Indonesian Festival starts with a flag-raising ceremony at 11:15 a.m. before cultural performances take center stage. Expect to see vendors serving authentic Indonesian food, live bands, street dancing, a drag queen show and more. Kirain di Jakarta! 

Vibe: A lively, family-friendly homage to Indonesian culture, 81 years in the making

History on the Street: Back to School Edition at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania spotlights the work of student historians for a full day of programming and exploration. 

Watch National History Day documentaries, explore pop-up exhibits on Black history and connect with partner organizations — including the Museum of the American Revolution and National Constitution Center. 

Look for family-friendly entertainment at a high-energy street festival with food trucks, live music and merch vendors. This is an end-of-summer bash, perfect for wrapping up America’s 250th anniversary. 

Know before you go: The Science History Institute is tabling a preview of their Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks exhibition. 

A block party with serious street cred turns Point Breeze all the way up.

Grammy-nominated rappers Remy Ma and Fabolous, along with R&B trio SWV, turn the intersection of Point Breeze Avenue and Tasker Street into a silky smooth soirée. 

This free concert — 100% free with no strings attached — doubles as a feel-good event for the community, in collaboration with Council President Kenyatta Johnson and local nonprofit I-LEAD. 

Don’t miss: Kid-friendly activities and food vendors, plus free bookbags and school supplies 

Delaware County’s summer of Semiquincentennial celebrations comes to a close this week, culminating in a dazzling drone show.

The day-long event transforms the Haverford High School Football Stadium into a huge festival, featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, a craft village, costumed historical characters, a dedicated kids’ zone with inflatables, and — the grand finale — an illuminated and choreographed drone show.

Know before you go: Visit Delco sponsors the event, free and open to the public, with recommended pre-registration tickets.

Spend one of summer’s last fleeting days enjoying the flavors and sounds of Southeast Asia with the family-friendly Celebrate Asia festival hosted by Kampoeng Indonesia. 

Enjoy live music and cultural performances (including a lion dance), strike a pose in the fashion show, and savor some delicious, authentic Asian cuisine. The kiddos can look forward to crafts and other activities. 

Vibe: A vibrant celebration of the diversity of Asian culture, heritage and cuisine 

The biggest names in motorsports entertainment — including Bigfoot, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Gunkster, Skelesaurus and the brand-new Rhinomite — come to Xfinity Mobile Arena as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-n-Fire show roars into town.

Last year’s show won a Pollstar Family Show of the Year Award, with this year’s event promising even more pyrotechnics and daring stunts. The first half of the show typically features dramatic glow-in-the-dark lighting, then transitions to a blazing fire-enhanced spectacle.

Know before you go: Doors open one hour before each show.

Break out the spandex! The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back after a decade-long hiatus as part of Philly’s monster year celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

The internationally renowned race — a beloved tradition in the city for more than 30 years — returns for the first time since 2016 with both men’s and women’s races, plus a weekend-long Fan Fest (Saturday and Sunday). 

A 14.4-mile circuit course takes riders down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Lemon Hill and up the “Manayunk Wall,” a grueling hill featuring a 17% grade. Ouch. Catch us rooting from the sidelines, ideally at a race-day street party, like the East Falls Bike Party.

Know before you go: Check out the site’s FAQ for the best viewing spots.

An all-star roster of culinary minds assembles for this epic celebration of Black food and culture. 

Featuring over 15 acclaimed chefs  — including Michelin-starred restaurateur Chad Williams (Friday Saturday Sunday), James Beard nominee Omar Tate (Honeysuckle Provisions) and Top Chef alum Nana Araba Wilmot (Love That I Knead Supper Club) — the third annual Oxtail Collective culinary experience celebrates the life and legacy of Hercules Posey, an unsung pioneer in American food and George Washington’s enslaved head chef. 

Come hungry and leave full — literally and figuratively — with tastings from across the Black diaspora, chef demonstrations, panels, a curated Black-owned marketplace, live music and DJ sets. 

Good for: A delicious and inspirational history lesson for foodies and history buffs alike

Dates vary by screening

’Tis the season for free outdoor movie screenings. Bust out the popcorn and BYO blankets and chairs for these open-air and drive-in films in Greater Philadelphia:

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) at Sunset Social (Wednesday)
• Jumanji (1995) at the Drive-In at Elmwood Park Zoo (Friday)
• The Matrix (1999) at Clark Park (Friday)
• Desert Hearts (1985) at Penn Treaty Park (Friday)
• Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) at Sunset Social (Saturday)

Dates vary by event

Treat yourself at one of these food-related happenings in Greater Philadelphia. Hungry for more? Chow down on our top picks for must-try roast pork sandwiches in Philadelphia.

• Pay What You Can: A Global Day of Hospitality at Post Haste: This East Kensington restaurant and cocktail bar takes one important worry off your plate: the bill. Eateries across the world — Post Haste included — let their diners set their dinner prices (alcoholic drinks not included) for Global Pay What You Can Day, an international celebration of hospitality (Wednesday). Busy? Post Haste offers pay-what-you-can meals every Sunday. Plus, don’t miss the opening reception for James Heimer’s new exhibition Ink Creep, on view at the restaurant (Monday).

• Vegan Night at Little Walter’s: Little Walter’s — the Polish perełka tucked away in Kensington — changed the game for gluten-free foodies with its monthly series reimagining its dinner offerings sans the wheat. For its next trick, chef Michael Brenfleck’s restaurant gives its menu of pierogies, kielbasas and other Polish delicacies a full veggie makeover for Vegan Night. Snag a reservation, and treat yourself to a guilt- and worry-free evening (Tuesday).

Dates vary by event

Soak up these live performances at venues across Greater Philadelphia. Looking for an encore? Pump up the jams with our seasonal guide to Philly’s biggest concerts.

• Keyshia Cole & Jaheim at the Dell Music Center: What did they put in the early 2000s R&B? Those songs made you want to sing, then cry, dance and sing some more. Two major culprits were the princess of hip-hop soul Keyshia Cole, and soulful crooner Jaheim. Travel back in time to the early oughts with the duo for a few hours, singing along to heartbreak anthems and love songs, like Let It Go and Put That Woman First (Thursday).

• Zac Brown Band at Highmark Mann Center for Performing Arts: America’s favorite Southern-flavored jam band returns to Philly for its Love & Fear tour. Sing along to the outfit’s medley of feel-good hits, new favorites and timeless country classics when the Zac Brown Band hits the amphitheater stage (Friday). 

• Netflix Is a Joke at Netflix House: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Some of Philly’s funniest comics. Netflix House’s Tudum auditorium transforms into a proper comedy club, when comedian Brent Lowrey hosts local stand-ups Carmen Morales, Ryan Foster and more. Get ready for LOL-level jokes, ROTFL-worthy one-liners, and more. Tickets are available online or at the door (Friday).

• Chico Bean at Helium Comedy Club: Roasting is an art form, a love language if you will. Wild ‘n Out’s Chico Bean is not just conversant. He’s a master with a PhD in quick wordplay, mic-drop moments and punchlines. The comic brings his improvisational prowess to Helium for a weekend of straight laughs (Friday-Sunday).

• Patty Jackson’s Party in the Park at the Dell Music Center: Radio legend Patty Jackson’s taking it back to the golden era of souuul with her annual end-of-summer music fest. Jeffrey Osborne, The Whispers and Howard Hewett headline this year’s festivities at the Dell Music Center in Fairmount Park (Saturday). 

Dates vary by tour

Are you with the tour? (You should be.) Check out our picks for some of the top guided tours in Philly this week. Looking for more? Go at your own pace and head out on one of these self-guided tours.

• Bells Across Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt: I spy with my little eye … nearly 30 vibrant artist-designed Liberty Bells. The fiberglass replicas have popped up across the city, along commercial corridors, in public parks, outside libraries and more, for the nation’s 250th birthday. Your mission — should you decide to accept it — is to find as many bells as you can using the Access Philly app for the chance to win tickets to concerts, popular Philly attractions, sports games and more (through December 31, 2026).

• East Park Trails to Ales: Guided Hike + Drinks at Mount Pleasant Mansion: Explore East Fairmount Park, grab a cold drink, and maybe make a friend or two during this 2.5-mile social hike near Lemon Hill. The one-way hike runs from Lemon Hill Mansion to the Water Works Cider and Beer Garden. Tickets are required, brews are pay as you go, and BYO water and snacks (Thursday).

• Art Tour: Brandywine Workshop and Archives: Go behind the scenes of Brandywine Workshop and Archives’ latest exhibitions, Print Lab: Material Futures and “We” the People. Explore the featured artists’ inspirations and take a peek behind the curtain with an exclusive look at Brandywine’s printmaking studios, archives and collection during this guided tour (Saturday).

Dates vary by party

Can we get a “whoop whoop”? Can we get an “oh yeah”? Philly nightlife is looking cooler than cool with these dance parties this week:

• Madonna Night at Khyber Pass Pub: Strike a pose! Vogue, vogue, vogue the night away at this high-energy dance party dedicated to the original Material Girl herself, her Madgesty Madonna. Dance your way through the Queen of Pop’s many eras from her debut and Like a Virgin Days to present day at Khyber Pass Pub (Friday).
  

• Brown Sugar Neo Soul & R&B Party at Mr. Ivy: What better place to channel your inner Jilly from Philly or Musiq Soulchild than in the birthplace of neo soul itself? Belt your heart out and ride out the jazzy vibes right alongside your fellow R&B-loving partiers at this late-night shindig at Mr. Ivy (Friday).

• Boy Band Night at MilkBoy: Everybody, Backstreet’s back, alright! And for one night only, so is every other boy band we’ve ever known and loved. Cue the nostalgia as you hit the dance floor to the music of *NSYNC, 5 Seconds of Summer, One Direction, BTS and more at MilkBoy (Saturday). 

Ongoing

Give the City of Brotherly Love a standing ovation: The internationally renowned TKTS ticket booth service is now here in Philly. Joining the ranks of New York City, Tokyo, and London, TKTS Philadelphia offers an unbeatable deal: 30% to 50% off tickets to select Philly theater and performing arts shows within 72 hours of the performance.  

Want the full scoop? Read on in our guide.

Know before you go: Tickets must be purchased in person at the Independence Visitor Center and include shows by Ensemble Arts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Wilma Theater and many more.

Ongoing

Now that Philly has officially thawed for springtime — or as we like to call it, outdoor dining season — you can’t let the warm-weather days, sultry nights and moments of sunshine-y bliss go to waste. 

Take your meal alfresco at one of Philly’s uber-popular outdoor venues, like 

• cozy Old City hangout Liberty Beer Garden 
• buzzy Rittenhouse Square escape Walnut Garden 
• ever-popular rooftop attraction Bok Bar 
• always-changing Center City go-to Uptown Beer Garden
• lively waterfront hot spot Liberty Point 
• verdant happy hour getaway The Garden Bar at the Rodin Museum
• super secret city hideout Frankie’s Summer Club
• revolutionary open-air destination (and Founding Fathers’ favorite) The Garden at City Tavern, or 
• PHS Pop Up Gardens’ lush urban oases on South Street and in Manayunk. 

Feeling adventurous? Dig into something interesting with our brand-new guide to out-of-the-ordinary outdoor bars and restaurants. 

Through Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (Tuesdays only)

Let the good times flow! Every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., over two dozen of your favorite Fishtown restaurants and bars, like Barcade and LMNO, offer a whole bevy of food and drink deals for Fishtown Taps. 

Get your fill of $5 beers, $6 wines, $7 signature cocktails and discounted apps for your after-work indulgence.

Know before you go: Pop into Fishtown shops like Harriet’s Bookshop or Toile in between sips. 

Through Sunday, September 6, 2026

Celebrates Black history, community and culture — from colonial Philadelphia to modern-day Wakanda — with these exhibitions at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. 

• Afrofuturism in Costume Design: Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s work takes center stage in this exhibition, which showcases award-winning costumes and artifacts from Carter’s esteemed career — including a rare glimpse of the artist’s personal sketches and costumes from Carter’s private collection. Keep an eye out for your favorite costumes from Black Panther, Sinners, Coming to America, Roots and more.

• A League Apart: The first interracial baseball game in the United States happened on September 3, 1869 on a historic field in North Philadelphia. Dig deeper into that story and many more during A League Apart, a new exhibition focusing on the never-before-told stories of the boundary-breaking Black baseball players, like Octavius Catto, Dick Allen and Mo’ne Davis, as well as the enduring legacy of the Philadelphia Negro Leagues. 

• Who Is Ona Judge: History is full of contradictions, and this immersive video installation dives into just one. Meet Ona Judge, a colonial young woman enslaved by Founding Father George Washington and his wife Martha. Hear about her life before and after taking her freedom, fleeing the Washingtons’ presidential household here in Philadelphia.

Through Monday, September 7, 2026

No need to leave the city to enjoy a Universal theme-park experience. This world-premiere exhibition, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.

Spanning 18,000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the interactive experience showcases more than 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows. And, in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.

Good for: Gamers can channel their inner Mario, Luigi or Peach with a Nintendo World selfie station.

Through Monday, September 7, 2026

You know that warm-weather days are here to stay once Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest springs to life. 

The riverside venue’s spring and summertime version boasts a carnival-like atmosphere with a massive roller skating rink, rides, boardwalk and arcade games, mini-golf, food and drink options, and events throughout the season.

Admission to the family-friendly destination is free and open to the public. Mini-golf, games, rides and concessions are pay-as-you-go. ​

Know before you go: Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas at Summerfest. Just make sure to keep your furbaby on a leash.

Through Saturday, September 26, 2026 (Fridays and Saturdays)

This spring and summer, experience nine of the community’s impressive sites — all for one affordable price — with the return of the Historic Germantown One Pass. 

Visit hidden gems like a completely intact 18th-century schoolhouse, the site of the Battle of Germantown and the Underground Railroad spot where family legend says Harriet Tubman laid her head. 

Historic Germantown’s brand-new visitor center is the perfect place to start (or end) your adventure. The center features exhibits detailing Germantown’s 300-year history, starting before it was even part of Philadelphia, plus maps to guide your exploration and a gift shop with Germantown-themed merch.

Don’t miss: Wyck, which houses one of the oldest rose gardens in America, boasts more than 50 cultivars of historic roses — some dating back to the late 1700s

Through Sunday, September 27, 2026

All late spring and summer, Longwood Gardens’ glorious fountains come to life across its Kennett Square campus during the attraction’s annual Festival of Fountains.

Daily Main Fountain Garden Performances start at 11:15 a.m. and run every two hours throughout the day, featuring fountains with 1,719 jets soaring as high as 175 feet. Over in the Open Air Theatre, catch a bonus 5-minute show starting at 10:15, running every two hours.

Weekend evenings bring dazzling displays of color at the spectacular Illuminated Fountain Performances set to a rotating list of musical selections. 

Don’t miss: Longwood’s fine dining restaurant, 1906. Helmed by executive chef George Murkowicz, it has garnered the attention of Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan.

Through Wednesday, September 30, 2026

It’s Philly’s biggest year yet, and hotels throughout the city are celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a toast to its birthplace.

More than 30 hotels are shaking things up during Philly’s Semiquincentennial celebrations as part of Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail.

These spots are serving up delicious history all spring and summer long in the form of innovative cocktails and mocktails inspired by Philadelphia’s central role in the nation’s founding.

Don’t miss: The Secret Knock (punch of house-aged whiskey) at Bank & Bourbon inside the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. 

Through September 2026

Reserve a hammock and a pedal boat: Serving as a Delaware River waterfront oasis since 2014, Spruce Street Harbor Park is open for the 2026 season with a treasure trove of goodies, including a boardwalk with concessions, plenty of spaces to chill (think: Adirondack chairs and flat-bottomed net lounges above the river, and a popping weekly events lineup.

Once the sun sets, the park lights up with hundreds of multi-colored LEDs strung among the tree canopy. The seasonal waterfront park is free and open to the public through the fall, with select activities pay-as-you-go.

Don’t miss: Chiliboats Adventures and a new fleet of Swan Boats — sign up for after-dark Glow Night rides! — provide plenty of water fun. 

Through Sunday, October 11, 2026 (Wednesdays through Sundays)

Back for 2026, Philly’s beloved roving beer garden, Parks on Tap, brews and bites at urban parks and green spaces across Philadelphia, with a new neighborhood featured each week. 

Expect cans and drafts from Mainstay Independent Brewing, Conshohocken Brewing, Dogfish Head and more, as well as sippable seasonal cocktails, and bites ranging from cheeseburgers and pulled pork sandwiches to raspberry cheesecake cups and adult Lunchables (!). 

This week’s stop: Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park. 

Good for: A cold one with your besties or a grown-up treat while the kiddos run around.

Through Sunday, October 18, 2026

On the heels of its year-long Nation of Artists exhibition (see below), the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts an exhibition showcasing the region’s historic arts and crafts works as part of the museum’s 150th anniversary programming.

The exhibition features 250 objects — like ceramics, furniture, textiles, stained glass and more — that tell the story of how Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition and reputation as the “workshop of the world” contributed to arts and crafts making in America.

Good for: Learning about Philly’s role in American arts and crafts

Through Sunday, October 25, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays only)

Philly has always been a city of neighborhoods, and for 20 weeks this spring, summer and fall you can take free, insider-curated tours to explore what makes each neighborhood special.

Each week, the Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series heads to a different ‘hood to visit local restaurants, shops, parks and historical landmarks — all led by an experienced guide. Where to this week? The grand estates of the Far Northeast and the picturesque Poquessing Trail. 

Tours happen Fridays at 2 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration is required in advance, so hit this link to sign up. Bonus: Participants get a free neighborhood tote!

Vibe: Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man chartered a tour bus. 

Through Fall 2026

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Philly PHLASH! Everyone’s favorite way to conveniently travel from one iconic Philadelphia attraction to another is back for a brand-new season. 

All-day passes run just $5 (free for SEPTA Key holders), and stops include Reading Terminal Market, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo and many more. For the first time ever, the distinct purple bus also stops at 30th Street Station, the Mütter Museum and the Fashion District.

Vibe: Paul Revere took over SEPTA. 

Through Saturday, October 31, 2026 (Saturdays & Sundays)

This beloved culinary treasure returns to the heart of South Philly’s FDR Park, ushering in outdoor market season. A nationally renowned seasonal market, the Southeast Asian Market pops up every weekend (except for occasional special events), showcasing some of the best Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine in the city.

This year’s market sees over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, authentic street food and culturally specific produce, plus plants, jewelry and clothing. 

Know before you go: Pack a picnic blanket and don’t forget to bring cash — some vendors are cash-only, and there’s no ATM on site.

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026

Stamp your ticket for LGBTQ+ history — and really neat swag — with the Pride Passport, a brand new collaboration between the Philly Pride Visitor Center, right here in the Gayborhood, and the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City. How does it work? Glad you asked! 

Step 1: Pick up your free passport from either site.

Step 2: Visit both locations before the end of the year and collect a stamp at each.

Step 3: Show your completed passport to staff at either visitor center location to score a limited-edition Baron von Steuben tote bag and rock it with pride. 

Don’t miss: Head over to Valley Forge National Historical Park to see the General Baron von Steuben statue, erected in 1915. 

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

“When in the course of human events …” The document from which that seminal phrase originates is the centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming. The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of America’s founding charter and its continuing influence, inspiring over 100 independence movements worldwide.

The Declaration’s legacy is explored through records, art and artifacts, including Thomas Jefferson’s chair, a Marquis de Lafayette-annotated draft of the French Declaration of Rights, the prison bench where Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a spinning wheel presented by Gandhi and more.

Don’t miss: George Washington’s war tent, aka the First Oval Office.

Through Sunday, February 14, 2027

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with exploring the nation’s western territories following the Louisiana Purchase. But did you know that Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences holds nearly all the explorers’ original journals and preserved specimens related to their botanical research in its Lewis & Clark Herbarium?

The museum’s new Botany of Nations exhibition reexamines that rich collection through an Indigenous lens, blending botany (the study of plants) with ethnobotany (the study of how people use plants) to reshape the way we interpret the colonial journey.

Vibe: Sacajawea retells the fateful events of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 

Through mid-2027 (dates vary by museum)

With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (the country’s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history for this blockbuster exhibition, timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.

Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection — which includes pieces from Phillies Owner John Middleton and his wife Leigh’s incredible personal collection — features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents.

Know before you go: The exhibit is included with general admission at both museums. Purchase a full-price ticket to either museum for 50% off admission to the second museum (valid within seven days).

It’s true: Philly is an award-winning, headline-grabbing kinda town. Need help keeping up with all the buzz? Get the scoop with this weekly roundup of our favorite Philly stories. Hot off the presses:

• Makin’ the cut: A Philly Mexican restaurant lands a coveted spot on a national list.
• Philly’s grittier side gets its own museum. You got a problem with that? 
• Anchor dropped: A historic tall ship returns home to Philly. 
• Fierce: Meet the Philly youth dragon boat team repping the city on the world stage.
• A new Fishtown club combines coffee, cars and camaraderie.

It’s all gas, no breaks, on the seasonal fun. Next stop: the newest content from visitphilly.com. 

• Summer may be on its way out, but concert season — is forever in Philadelphia. Some of music’s biggest acts are coming to town this fall. Find out who in our newly updated guide. And check back often for the latest. 

• Over two centuries  of medical history and scientific breakthroughs come to life at Philly’s newest museum. Get the rundown on what to see at the Pennsylvania Hospital Museum in our new guide. 

• From Allen Iverson to “Trust the Process” to the King James era, the Philadelphia 76ers know how to keep things exciting. New fan? Welcome, in the club we’re all fam. Catch up on everything you might have missed in the last 80 years (give or take) in our brand-new guide to the team.