Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Dutch Festival, Dragon Boat Race, Free Movies and more!

‘Explore The Many Festivals in Philadelphia’

The City of Brotherly Love seems to keep exploding with many excellent things to do, always keeping you busy.

Experience the Pennsylvania Dutch Festival that continues until Saturday, the Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday or the Night Market Philadelphia taking place on South Street on Thursday, August 15.

Don’t forget about the many free movies throughout the city at any given night, the backyard bash and beach party or the mock beach at Eakins Oval, which continues until August 18.

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

Did you know : Philadelphia was named 1 of the top 10 US travel destinations for 2013. Also named for having the best sandwich in America, #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure and in the last 8 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, and #1 in Culture. We can feel that the list will be growing in 2013.

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share these events and attractions with you. Here are a few highlighted events or attractions for this weekend in Philly and some upcoming attractions or events to put on your calendar. Please don’t hesitate to stop by here tomorrow for any new updates of what is going on this weekend or during the week.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ August 9 – 15 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of August ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for August 2013 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
• Pennsylvania Dutch Festival ~ Now until August 10 ~ Held at the Reading Terminal Market, come experience Dutch foods, quality craftsmanship of handmade rugs, quilts, wooden furniture and live bluegrass music, Amish buggy rides, petting zoos and horse-drawn wagon rides! ~ Pennsylvania Dutch Festival ~
• Art After 5 ~ August 9 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Silk Road – The Jōst Project  – Come listen to Classic Rock in a Jazz format. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Fantastic Fridays Concert ~ August 9 ~ FREE – From 6 – 9 pm in Penn Treaty Park, enjoy live music by Stars Apart. ~ Events at Penn Treaty Park ~
• Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~ August 9 ~ FREE – Starting at 7:30 pm, head down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and listen to Najee. There will be fireworks afterwards.  ~ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 9 ~ FREE – At Liberty Lands from 9 – 10:45 pm, come watch The Lost Boys!  ~ Awesome Fest Movie Night ~
• Fireworks in Philadelphia ~ August 9 ~ Land-side fireworks display from the Penn’s Landing Marina at approximately 9:15 pm as a finale to the Smooth Jazz Summer Nights Concert Series ~Fireworks in Philadelphia ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ August 10 & 14 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-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 ~
• Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival ~ August 10 ~ From noon – 8 pm at the Penn’s Landing Marina, come watch the Dragon boat race and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the people of Southeast Asia with food, music & much more.  ~ Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival ~
• Paddle Penn’s Landing ~ August 10 & 11~ From noon – 8 pm,  try your luck on a kayak or swan boat, located at the Penn’s Landing Marina. ~ Paddle Penn’s Landing ~
• Mess Fest ~ August 10 & 11 ~  Noon to 4 pm both says, science turns slimy, oozy, gooey, and explosive for two weekends in August during The Franklin Institute’s MESS FEST 2013. Check out what all the fun is at the Franklin Institute.  ~ Mess Fest ~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 10 ~ FREE – At Parx Casino from 8 – 9:45 pm, come watch Raiders of the of the Lost Ark!  ~ Awesome Fest Movie Night ~
• Philadelphia Union vs DC United ~ August 10 ~ Come to PPL Park as the Union take on DC United at 8:00 pm. ~ Philadelphia Union Tickets ~
• Kayak Tour on the Schuylkill ~ August 11 ~ Starting at noon, professionally guided tours of the Schuylkill River between Walnut Street Dock and Fairmount Water Works, including 1/2 hour of instruction and 1 hour on the water. ~ Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tours ~
• Philadelphia Eagles Practice ~ August 11 ~ FREE – From 12:30 – 3 pm, come watch the Eagles practice live at Lincoln Financial Field. The first 10,000 kids entering Lincoln Financial Field ages 12-and-under will receive a LeSean McCoy mini-bobblehead doll, presented by ACME. ~ Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Info ~  ~ Free Tickets to Practice ~
• River Tours on the Summer Wind ~ Now until August 11 ~ Visitors can set sail on The Summer Wind, a 48-foot Chinese Junk-rigged schooner, that docks at the Independence Seaport Museum. ~ The Summer Wind River Tours ~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 12 ~ FREE – At the Trocadero from 8 – 9:45 pm, come watch Sixteen Candles!  ~ Awesome Fest Movie Night ~
• Lunchtime Concert Series ~ August 14 ~ From Noon – 1:30 pm at specific locations. Wednesday, come listen to Andrew Neu Jazz Ensemble at the Comcast Center. ~ Lunchtime Concert Series ~
• Center City Sips ~ August 14 ~ A great opportunity to sample cocktails and appetizers at new restaurants and visit local favorites with friends and co-workers for happy hour every Wednesday during the summer.  ~ Center City Sips ~
• Pay As You Wish ~ August 14 ~ 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 ~
• Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~ August 14 ~ Every Wednesday night, from now until September 11, come experience eclectic live music in a laid-back fun atmosphere, listening to musicians from all around the world. Just $5! ~ Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~
• Pairings on the Parkway ~ August 15 ~ From 5 pm – 8 pm every Thursday, until September 26, come enjoy the fun at Sister Cities Park.  Bring your own bottle of wine and Milk & Honey Café will have cheeses and other goodies for sale that will pair perfectly with your selection. Grab a seat and enjoy the light entertainment from 5:30-7:30 pm. ~ Pairings on the Parkway at Sister Cities Park ~
• Night Market Philadelphia ~ August 15 ~ Night Market hits South Street, from 6 pm – 10 pm. Come experience the many foods, shops on South Street with live music & food trucks. ~ Night Market Philadelphia ~
• Backyard Bash & Pool Party ~ August 15 ~ From 6 pm – 11 pm in Rittenhouse, come enjoy cocktails, a cookout, models in bikinis and DJ Alexander aka Adrock playing beats by the new infinity pool. Party goers will have the chance to play bocce ball and volleyball. You must RSVP here to be on the list. ~ Backyard Bash & Pool Party ~
• String Band Music Under the Stars ~ August 15 ~ FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Every Thursday through September, join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Fralinger String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI – BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
• Movie Nights by Schuylkill Banks ~ August 15 ~ FREE!  A movie each week until August 22nd. Come watch Clueless at Grays Ferry Crescent Movies. The movies usually begin around dusk, between 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm, but come early for free snacks. ~ Free Movie Nights with Schuylkill Banks ~
• Screenings Under the Stars ~ August 15 ~  FREE! Come down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing at 8 pm to watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, outdoors. ~ Screenings Under the Stars ~
• Beach Fun at Eakins Oval ~ Now until August 18 ~  The Oval has been transformed into a mock beach, which is offering an array of free activities for all ages. Relax on beach chairs, play large board games, enjoy live music, and try some of Philly’s Food Trucks. ~ Beach Fun at Eakins Oval~
• Join the Continental Army! ~ Now until September 2 ~  The Continental Army is recruiting a few good kids for drills in the art of marching and musket etiquette. Taking place at Independence Hall, Musters will occur at 2 pm & 3 pm. From June 18 through August 10, the musters will occur twice daily, Tuesday through Saturday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Starting August 16 through August 31, musters will occur on Fridays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Musters will occur at the same times on Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).  ~ More info ~
• End of Day Declaration Readings ~ Now until September 2 ~ Between 3:30 pm and 4 pm, behind Independence Hall, listen to History Makers as they tell the story of every day Philadelphians during this moving version of the Declaration of Independence. From June 18 through August 10, history makers operate Tuesday through Saturday. From August 16 through August 31 and will operate for Labor Day Weekend, September 1 and September 2. ~ More info ~
• Raise the Flag with Betsy Ross ~ Now until September 2 ~ Start your Memorial Day Weekend with Betsy & raise the flag at the Betsy Ross House, daily, starting at 10 am. Complete with interactive pomp and circumstance. The Betsy Ross House is located at 3rd & Arch Streets. ~ More info ~
• Cemetery, Serial Killers; Blood & Beer! ~ Now thru November ~This tour takes you from grave robbers to psychopathic killers, and to the pub at the end of the tour. Check out Grim Philly’s other tours also. ~ Cemetery, Serial Killers, Blood & Beer! ~
• 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 ~
• Franklin Square ~ Now Open for 2013 Season ~ Enjoy miniature golf, take a spin on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, enjoy food at Square Burger and special weekend events for the kids. ~ Franklin Square ~
• Special Information! – Do you know that Philadelphia has its own slide? Yes, the Philly Slide. With Jaye Moore & Tony Luke Jr, to help support Little Kids Rock. Check it out. ~ The Philly Slide~
• Stop Hunger Now Packaging Event ~ October 26 ~ From 9 am – 2 pm, help Stop Hunger Now & MyPhillyAlive, in packaging meals for those who are hungry or make a donation.  ~ Stop Hunger Now ~

Come Back later this afternoon or evening for more things added to the Philly to do list!

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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 ~
• 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.

Are you Visiting Philadelphia and need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more. Try the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours Company~ Philly Sightseeing Company ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 16 ~ FREE – At Liberty Park from 9 – 10:45 pm, come watch Over the Top with Sylvester Stallone!  ~ Awesome Fest Movie Night ~
• Philadelphia Phillies ~ August 16 – 18 ~ A three game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Cool Tip! Free face painting before every Sunday home game by Paint Your Face, inside McFadden’s Ball Park from 10:30 am until the game starts. Anyone can stop by for a free Phillie’s P or even have the Phanatic painted on their cheek!
• Moonlight Kayak Tour ~ August 24 ~ Starting at 8 pm, professionally guided tours of the Schuylkill River between Walnut Street Dock and Fairmount Water Works, including 1/2 hour of instruction and 1 hour on the water. ~ Moonlight Kayak Tour ~
• Philly Naked Bike Ride ~ August 25 ~ Details of where it will start is still being worked on. It will end near the Piazza at Schmidt’s. ~ Info on Philly Naked Bike Ride ~
• 40th Street Summer Series ~ August 31 ~ Starting at 6 pm, come listen to the Spaceship Aloha. Spaceship Aloha’s performances present a kaleidoscope of lush melodies and joyous electronic rhythms inspired by Hawaii’s musical landscape. ~ 40th Street Summer Series in University City ~
• First Friday Movies Under the Stars ~ September 6 ~  Movie night at the Betsy Ross Housestarting at 8 pm.  Grab a chair or blanket, bring a snack, dinner or beverage of your choice and enjoy a big-screen movie in the courtyard. Featured movie is Screaming Skull. $5 admission gets you a tour of the house also! ~ Movie Night at Betsy Ross House ~
• Stop Hunger Now Packaging Event ~ October 26 ~ From 9 am – 2 pm, help Stop Hunger Now & MyPhillyAlive, in packaging meals for those who are hungry or make a donation.  ~ Stop Hunger Now ~

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 Weekend Weather for the weekend of August 9 – 11

 

Friday  |  60% Scattered Thunderstorms  |  High 85°  | Low 70°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 87° | Low 66°

Sunday  | Partly Cloudy  |  High 84° |  Low 65°

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 ~

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Photo by Kelley Wilhelm – from Parkway House