Weekend Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ WAWA Welcome America and 4th Of July Events, Free Museums and Movies, Fireworks, Philly Ice Cream Scoop At Reading Terminal Market and More!

‘4th Of July Weekend In Philadelphia’

The weekend kicks off with many events and activities through WAWA Welcome America, Spruce Street Harbor Park & the Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, Chinese Lantern Festival, Parks On Tap, the continuation of the Game Masters at The Franklin Institute, Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation, & the Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey exhibit, the Parkway 100 Celebration and more.

During the weekend enjoy the Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences, FREE tours of Yards Brewing Co, farmers’ markets, free yoga, Burger Brawl and much more.

During the week enjoy the 4th of July parade, a major outdoor concert, fireworks, Chinese Lantern Festival, Parks On Tap, the continuation of the Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey exhibit, Pay-What-You-Wish and much more.

In upcoming weeks get ready for the Penn Museum Summer Concert Series, Schuylkill Banks Movie Nights, the Mummers Concert Series, 4th Fridays in Headhouse District, 40th Street Summer Series, First Friday, First Sunday and much more.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below. Tip: If you haven’t done so in recent months or years, visit the many wonderful museums in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Museums

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our Facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of ~ June 29 – July 5 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”. Also, check back daily for updates!

Informational Posts For Things To Do Year Round or Seasonal

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelpha Museums ~
• Parks On Tap at Columbus Square ~ June 29 – July 1 ~ Columbus Square ~ Columbus Square is a vibrant community gathering place located between 12th and 13th Streets and Wharton and Reed streets in the Passyunk Square neighborhood of South Philadelphia. ~ Map  ~ Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~
• Broadway Philadelphia Presents Aladdin At The Academy Of Music ~ June 29 – July 1 ~ Held at Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street. From the producers of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle.  It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and  three wishes make the possibilities infinite.  ~ Broadway Philadelphia Presents Aladdin At The Academy Of Music ~
• Guide to WAWA Welcome America & 4th of July Events ~ June 29 – July 4 ~ Enjoy many free events & activities such as free admission to Philly museums, free movie screenings, PECO’s Go 4th & Learn book readings, live musical festival, live music concerts, fireworks, food and more! ~ Guide to WAWA Welcome America & 4th of July Events ~
• Photo Pop Philly ~ June 29 – July 8 ~ 3 pm to 11 pm at the Philadelphia Building, 1315 Walnut Street. Enjoy an interactive pop-up exhibit that showcases the creative work of local artists! The exhibit is presented by Visit Philadelphia and curated by Philly PR Girl. It features five red-white-and-blue themed rooms filled with original, Instagram-worthy art, murals and installations. ~ Photo Pop Philly ~
• Chinese Lantern Festival ~ June 29 – July 8 ~ Take pleasure in the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square! The square will come alive and glow with 28 larger-than-life illuminated displays such as a huge 200-foot Chinese dragon, pandas, sea creatures, mythological creatures and more. Enjoy special food, shopping, live performances as well.  ~ Chinese Lantern Festival ~
• Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~ June 29 – September 2 ~ Held at the National Museum of American Jewish Museum. Audiences may be familiar with many of Bernstein’s works, notably West Side Story! The exhibition consists of a collection of artifacts, films and sound bites that not only celebrate the talented composer’s 100th birthday, but also bring to light the stress, fear and eventual hopefulness of an American Jew living through the Holocaust, World War II and the Vietnam War.  ~ Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~
• Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ June 29 – September 3 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~
• Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ June 29 – September 3 ~ Held at the Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the roller rink, mini-golf course, The Midway (with the giant Ferris wheel!) and food concessions this weekend! It will be open 7-days a week starting Thursday, May 24! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ 
• Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~ June 29 – September 3 ~ Held at The Franklin Institute. Game Masters showcases the work of over 30 innovative game designers and takes visitors on an interactive journey inside their favorite video games, from the trailblazing arcade era through today’s web and console games. Visitors can challenge themselves to achieve a high score on more than 100 playable games! ~ Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~ 
• Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~ June 29 – September 3 ~  FREE on every 1st Sunday. Held at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The exhibit explores the relationship between impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir and master filmmaker Jean Renoir by juxtaposing the father’s paintings and drawings with the son’s films, costumes, photos and ceramics. ~ Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~
• Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey Exhibit ~ June 29 – September 9 ~ Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From Pop Art and psychedelia to the civil rights and anti-war movements, the 1960s was a decade of liberation—and of great loss. See how designers, artists, and architects responded to the tumultuous period that still looms large in the American imagination. ~ Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
• PHS Pop-Up Garden ~ June 29 – until fall ~ Relax while enjoying food & beer at two different locations! South Street, 1438 South Street and University City Square, 36th & Filbert streets. ~ PHS Pop-Up Garden ~
• Parkway 100 Celebration ~ June 29 to Nov 16 ~ The Ben Franklin Parkway is turning 100 and Philadelphia is set to mark this milestone with a year of special events, promotions, and family-friendly experiences through November 18, 2018. ~ Parkway 100 Celebration ~
• Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~ June 29 – December 31 ~ Held at the National Constitution Center.  The exhibition focuses on Alexander Hamilton and the challenging relationships and friendships he had with some of our country’s history makers such as James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Aaron Burr. ~ Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~
• Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ June 29, 2018 – January 21, 2019 ~ Come face-to-feet with nearly 20 massive, colorful, moving bugs! From a fluttering oversized monarch butterfly and a fluffy tri-colored bumblebee to a gigantic Madagascar hissing cockroach and a blood-sucking bed bug, these towering animatronics tell a rarely seen story of the behaviors and intricacies of extreme bugs. Get a bug’s-eye view of the world, explore critter calls, dig for ancient arthropods, and play an Xtreme bug facts game. ~ Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ June 29 – July 5 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of June ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for June 2018 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~   
• Friday Nights Art ~ June 29 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ The Mini Q’s – A blend of jazz and funk with Luke Carlos O’Reilly on organ, Anwar Marshall on drums, and Ben O’Neill on guitar. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~  
• Guide to WAWA Welcome America & 4th of July Events ~ June 29 – July 4 ~ Enjoy many free events & activities such as free admission to Philly museums, free movie screenings, PECO’s Go 4th & Learn book readings, live musical festival, live music concerts, fireworks, food and more! ~ Guide to WAWA Welcome America & 4th of July Events ~
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ June 30 ~ From 9 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 23rd and Pine Streets. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~
• Liberty Lands Market ~ June 30 ~ From 9 am until 3 pm at 926 N. American St in Northern Liberties. One can find everything from fresh organic produce to hand crafted wears and lotions. Hand made soaps, Ice Creams, sauces, organic teas and coffees and more. Part of the market, you will find animal rescues with adoptables & pet products. ~ Liberty Lands Market ~
• Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ June 30 ~ From 9 am to 3 pm from 18th & Walnut Streets, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, fresh seafood, fresh bread and much more! ~ Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ 
• Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ June 30 ~ From 10 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 43rd St and Baltimore Ave. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~
• Ice Cream Scoop Festival ~ June 30 ~ Held at Reading Terminal Market from 11 am – 4 pm. Guests will enjoy over 13 ice cream specials from various ice cream purveyors, as well as an ice cream eating contest, live music, and other treats from some of the Reading Terminal Merchants. ~ Ice Cream Scoop Festival ~
• Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ June 30 & July 1 ~ FREE – Saturdays & Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm at Yards Brewery, enjoy a wonderful tour of the brewery! All tour-goers must be 21+ unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bus tours, private tours and guided tastings are offered by appointment only. Please contact events@yardsbrewing.com for booking information. ~ Yards Brewing Co Tours ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ June 30 & July 4  ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 115-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~]
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of July ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for July 2018 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~   
• Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ July 1~ Established in 2007, this market is located in the historic Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Featuring more than 40 vendors, Headhouse is one of The Food Trust’s largest farmers markets. ~ Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~
• Center City Sips ~ July 4 – August 29 ~ Enjoy discounted drinks & food during happy hour at more than 90 establishments throughout Philadelphia. It’a great way to break up the work week! ~ Center City Sips ~
• Pay-What-You-Wish ~ July 4 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~ 
• Parks On Tap at Shofuso Japanese House & Garden ~ July 5 – 8 ~ Shofuso Japanese House & Garden in West Fairmount Park ~ Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a traditional-style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park that reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from the 1876 Centennial Exposition to present day. ~ Map  ~ Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~
• Old City Eats Program ~ July 7 – August 30 ~ Old City District Introduces Old City Eats Summer Program! The program will include 25 + restaurants and bars, taking place every Thursday night from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. until August 30. Establishments will offer two or more appetizers at half the price, $5 drink specials, off-menu dishes and seasonal cocktails.   ~ Old City Eats Summer Program ~
• Chinese Lantern Festival ~ July 7 – 8 ~ Take pleasure in the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square! The square will come alive and glow with 28 larger-than-life illuminated displays such as a huge 200-foot Chinese dragon, pandas, sea creatures, mythological creatures and more. Enjoy special food, shopping, live performances as well.  ~ Chinese Lantern Festival ~
• The Rail Park Opening ~ Open Now ~ This awesome new public space is FREE to the public.  This space allows visitors to enjoy seating, public art, greenery and elevated city views! The area stretches from Broad and Noble streets, jumps up to the Reading Viaduct overhead and ends above the 1100 block of Callowhill Street. ~ The Rail Park Opening ~
• Franklin Square ~ Now Open 2018 ~ Enjoy mini-golf, a carousel, food and drink options and an outdoor space for kids or to simply hang out at Franklin Square. ~ Franklin Square ~
• Dilworth Park ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy seating areas for relaxation, food & live music. ~ Dilworth Park ~
• Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy this 2,000 foot new extension bridging the South Street Bridge & the Locust Street bike trail. ~ Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~
• “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ Now Open ~ A permanent exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Travel through a two-story tall neural network climbing structure with dynamic lighting and sound effects that are triggered by your footsteps. Kids can act as a Doctor by scanning the brain with an MRI machine, explore your brain, challenge your brain & much more.   ~ “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ 
• Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~ Now Open ~ Stop over at Penn Museum in University City and learn about contemporary issues in Native America. Uncover the rich history and identity of the Native American people through 200 plus objects on display & much more. ~ Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~
• The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~

Philly Beer Gardens

• Morgan’s Pier ~ It might still not feel like spring just yet, but the fun outdoor bar, Morgan’s Pier, is now open for business. Enjoy food, drinks, live music and more. ~ Morgan’s Pier ~

• PHS Pop-Up Garden ~ Relax while enjoying food & beer at two different locations! South Street, 1438 South Street and University City Square, 36th & Filbert streets. ~ PHS Pop-Up Garden ~

• Parks On Tap ~  Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

• The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
• Museum of the American Revolution – The Museum of the American Revolution tells the full story of the American Revolution and explores its ongoing legacy, showcasing a vast collection. There are over 3,000 artifacts that have been collected to include General George Washington’s marquee and much more. The museum anchors the eastern end of Independence National Historical Park. ~ Museum of the American Revolution ~
• Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
• Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell ~
• Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall ~
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
• Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House ~
• Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
• National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
• Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia ~ July 6  & beyond

• Friday Nights Art ~ July 6 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ The Mini Q’s – A blend of jazz and funk with Luke Carlos O’Reilly on organ, Anwar Marshall on drums, and Ben O’Neill on guitar. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 
• First Friday’s in Old City~ July 6 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~ 
• First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ July 6 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ July 8 ~ FREE – On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Barnes Foundation will enjoy free admission, family entertainment and informative seminars from 10 am to 6 pm. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation beginning at 9 am. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays. ~ First Sunday’s at Barnes Foundation ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ July 8 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 1st Sunday of the month from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~
• Summer Nights Concert Series at Penn Museum ~ July 11 ~ From 5 pm to 8 pm every Wednesday night at Penn Museum until September 5. What a great way to relax and break up your work week. Live cultural music with food and refreshments. $10 gets you into the weekly concert and to explore the museum itself after 5 pm. ~ Summer Nights Concert Series at Penn Museum ~
• Schuylkill Banks Movie Night ~ July 12~ FREE – Watch Casablanca under the Walnut Street Bridge around 8 pm to 8:30 pm (movies start around dusk). Don’t forget to bring your chairs. ~ Map ~ ~ Schuylkill Banks Movie Nights ~
• Mummers Museum Concert Series ~ July 12 ~ FREE – Starts at 8 pm every Thursday at the Mummers Museum until September 13. Listen to a Mummers String Band once a week. Tonight is Durning String Band. Refreshments are served starting at 7:30 pm. Come out for some fun and excitement and relive the Mummers! ~ Mummers Museum Concert Series ~
• Old City Eats Program ~ July  12- August 30 ~ Old City District Introduces Old City Eats Summer Program! The program will include 25 + restaurants and bars, taking place every Thursday night from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. until August 30. Establishments will offer two or more appetizers at half the price, $5 drink specials, off-menu dishes and seasonal cocktails.   ~ Old City Eats Summer Program ~
• 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ July 22 ~ Starting at 5 pm in the South Street Headhouse District, Experience the creativity and energy of the fabulous Fourth Street and South Street business communities with an evening of extended hours, art, music, food and shopping along Historic Fabric Row (and beyond). ~ 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ 
• 40th Street Summer Series ~ July 23 ~ FREE – Starts at 6 pm at 40th and Walnut streets. Enjoy the West Philadelphia Orchestra and Dan Blacksberg’s Hot Klezmers. Guests can enjoy free scoops of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a craft activity led by the University City Arts League. ~ 40th Street Summer Series ~

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out. If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of June 29 – July 1

Friday  |  Sunny  |  High 93°  |  Low 71°
Saturday  |  Sunny  |  High 97°  |  Low 74°
Sunday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 99°  |  Low 75°
4th of July (Wednesday)  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 91°  |  Low 73°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Tibor Puskas for MyPhillyAlive

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