The biggest bash in July is Independence Day, but the party doesn’t stop on July 4. From movies-in-the-park to street fests to free boating, here’s how to have fun and stay refreshed this month.
🎇 Independence Day Celebrations
Enjoy free museum days on July 1 at the Wagner Free Institute of Science, Carpenter’s Hall, and Paul Robeson Museum; on July 2 at The Mütter Museum; on July 3 at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Historic St. George’s Museum & Archives; and on July 4 at Cliveden of the National Trust, Fireman’s Hall Museum, and Arch Street Meeting House.
Philadelphia’s Historic District is kicking off Independence Day festivities with its Red, White, & Blue To-Do. July 2 will be filled with a flag-raising ceremony at the Betsy Ross House, extended hours at attractions, and an All American Block Party.
This year’s Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Concert is headlined by LL Cool J and Philly’s own Jazmine Sullivan. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
🌊 Get a Splash of Summer Fun
The city has pools and spraygrounds open at parks and playgrounds across Philadelphia. Find your nearest pool here.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can participate in free boating activities at Bartram’s Garden, Glen Foerd, and FDR Park.
If you’re willing to pay a little extra, the Independence Seaport Museum has paddleboats available to rent Fridays through Sundays. You can also opt for a six-mile kayak excursion on the Delaware River on July 5 for $75.
From paddleboarding to whitewater kayaking, the Philadelphia Canoe Club is hosting social events and lessons throughout July.
Gone fishing? The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership is offering free fishing lessons on July 1, July 8, July 23, July 26, and July 29 in neighboring Montgomery County. Find all events on its calendar.
🍿Movies in the Park
What’s a better way to celebrate Independence Day than watching “Independence Day”? The July 1 screening is part of an ongoing Movies on the Mall series right on Independence Mall. Pre-show activities start at 5:30 p.m.
Park Friends Groups across Philadelphia are hosting outdoor screenings at their neighborhood parks throughout the summer. Enjoy movies under the stars from “Paddington in Peru” to “The Wild Robot.”
Sunset Social is continuing with its Movie Nights and Movie Matinees programming through July. Catch a movie Wednesday nights or Saturday mornings at Cira Green.
Enjoy movies by the river down at the Schuylkill Banks.
🛍️ Shop at These Markets, Pop-Ups, and Sidewalk Sales
Manayunk's Stroll After Hours summer tradition is taking place July 10, July 17, July 24, and July 31 with pop-up vendors, live art demos, and music.
Mayfair’s Third Thursday Night Market returns this month on July 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. The market will take over Frankford and Cottman Avenues with music from The Great Scott Band.
El Mercado Cultural with Fleisher Art Memorial wraps up its stay at Cherry Street Pier on July 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
The Northern Liberties Night Market is back on 2nd Street between Fairmount Avenue and Laurel Street on July 23.
Chestnut Hill is back with its Royal Rummage Summer Sidewalk Sale. Between July 25 and July 27, stroll and shop for deals from the neighborhood’s small businesses.
🎉 Continue the Party on the Parkway
If you’re searching for some additional family-friendly fun, Barnes on the Block is taking place July 13 with the theme “The Place Where Art Meets Hope.”
📽️ Learn Some Philly History
Celebrate and learn about North Philly’s African American and Puerto Rican communities at Scribe Video Center’s North Philadelphia History Festival. The four-day festival will take place between July 24 and July 27 with free programming at neighborhood parks and cultural centers.
🍽️ Take a Break From Manning the BBQ
Sip on some cocktails as you watch the Founding Fathers debate the country’s independence. The immersive experience will demonstrate to guests what happened at the First Continental Congress and what it took to found the United States. Cocktails & Congress launches July 2 and will proceed every Thursday from July 3 to August 28.
Taste the menu from Mt. Airy’s small business community at Go Mt. Airy Supper Sessions. The 7100 and 7200 blocks of Germantown Avenue will be closed to traffic for a community dinner, live music, and activities for the kids on July 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The rain date is July 16.
Cool down this summer at the Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival on Filbert Street. The pay-as-you-go event on July 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. will have a multitude of flavors to pick from in and outside the market, along with live demonstrations and DJ performances.
Aperol Spritz fans can band together for Aperol Hour at Cafe Click on July 17. The citrus experience will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Philadelphia Zoo’s promising a wild time at its Summer Ale Festival on July 19. This 21+ event will have over 100 award-winning craft beers, ciders, hard iced teas, and hard seltzers, plus local food trucks.
🎶 Catch a Concert
The Penn Museum is hosting Garden Jams all month long in its Stoner Courtyard. Hear the musical stylings of the West Philadelphia Orchestra, Vertical Current, Los Bomberoes de la Calle, and Malidelphia.
Kick back and listen to an acoustic set from Joe O’Brien at Konrad Park on June 20.
Lucy Dacus, Remi Wolf, and Magdalena Bay are taking the stage at the Make The World Better concert at FDR Park on July 25 and 27.
Spruce Street Harbor Park’s summer concert series continues July 26 with a performance from Bartees Strange.
