Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Free Movies, Concerts, Fireworks and Much More!

‘Two Weeks Left of Summer Fun in Philly’

The summer is nearing quickly. But don’t sweat the small stuff, because there is still much to enjoy throughout the city before the kids go back to school.

There are many free movies and free concerts throughout the city at any given night, art tours, kayaking and don’t forget about the mock beach at Eakins Oval, which ends this weekend on 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 16 – 22 ~

• 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 ~
• Art After 5 ~ August 16 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Tim Warfield – Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield will pay tribute to Shirley Scott, the late queen of jazz organ, and her unique brand of bebop-laced soul-jazz. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Fantastic Fridays Concert ~ August 16 ~ FREE – From 6 – 9 pm in Penn Treaty Park, enjoy live music by Philly’s own Kenn Kweder & the Nines. ~ Events at Penn Treaty Park ~
• Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~ August 16 ~ FREE – Starting at 7:30 pm, head down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and listen to Peter White. There will be fireworks afterwards.  ~ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~
• 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 ~
• Fireworks in Philadelphia ~ August 16 ~ 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 ~
• 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!
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ August 17 & 21 ~ 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 ~
• Kitchen Science ~ August 17 ~  11 am to 3 pm, explore the science of nutrition with a focus on our brains  at the Franklin Institute. Find out: Can you boost your brain power by eating certain foods? Is the flavor of your food really just about taste? ~ Kitchen Science at the Franklin Institute ~
• Paddle Penn’s Landing ~ August 17 & 18~ From noon – 8 pm,  try your luck on a kayak or swan boat, located at the Penn’s Landing Marina. ~ Paddle Penn’s Landing ~
• Family Weekend: Pets in Prison ~ August 17 & 18 ~ From noon – 4 pm both days at Eastern State Penitentiary, hear stories of those animals that lived on the prison grounds. Officers once patrolled the grounds on horseback, and kept German Shepherds for security. ~ Family Weekend: Pets in Prison ~
• Philadelphia Eagles Practice ~ August 17 ~ FREE – From 12:30 – 3 pm, come watch the Eagles practice live at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles will honor members of the Philadelphia Police Force, Fire Department and First Responders on the 4th annual Health and Safety Day. ~ Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Info ~  ~ Free Tickets to Practice ~
• Festival of India ~ August 17 ~ From 1 pm – 7 pm, stop down at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing & celebrate India’s Independence Day with delicious food, colorful art & live music. ~ Festival of India ~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 17 ~ FREE – At Parx Casino from 9-11  pm, come watch Killer Clowns from Outer Space!  ~ Awesome Fest Movie Night ~
• Liquid Air Shows ~ August 18 ~ FREE! From 1-1:30 pm at the Oval, come join the Franklin Institute‘s science educators as they present some chilling science with liquid nitrogen! See how ultra-cold temperatures change the ways that familiar materials behave. Great for kids of all ages!  ~ Liquid Air Shows ~
• 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~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 20 ~ FREE – At Drexel park from 9 – 10:10 pm, come watch Adventures in Babysitting! ~ Adventures in Babysitting ~
• Free Bike Tuneups ~ August 21 ~ FREE! From 7-9 am, noon – 2 pm &  5-7 pm, get your bike tuned at Hotel Monaco thanks to Keswick Cycle. ~ Free Bike Tuneups ~
• Lunchtime Concert Series ~ August 21 ~ From Noon – 1:30 pm at specific locations. Wednesday, come listen to R& B with First Class at the Mellon Independence Center. ~ Lunchtime Concert Series ~
• Center City Sips ~ August 21 ~ 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 21 ~ 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 21 ~ 5 pm – 8 pm; 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! Tonight, West Philadelphia Orchestra. ~ Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~
• Serpentine Sketching Class ~ August 21 ~ From 6-9 pm, for adults,  this class provides a rare opportunity to sketch live reptiles as you observe them up close. Held at the Academy of Natural Sciences. ~ Serpentine Sketching Class ~
• Pairings on the Parkway ~ August 22 ~ 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 ~
• String Band Music Under the Stars ~ August 22 ~ FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Every Thursday through September, join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Tribly 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 22 ~ FREE!  A movie each week until August 22nd. Come watch My Cousin Vinny at Walnut Street Movies. The movies usually begins 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 22 ~  FREE! Come down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing at 8 pm to watch Pitch Perfect, outdoors. ~ Screenings Under the Stars ~
• Awesome Fest Movie Night ~ August 22 ~ FREE – At Drexel park from 9 – 11 pm, come watch Batman! ~ Batman ~
• 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

• Kayak Tour on the Schuylkill ~ August 24 ~ Starting at 6 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. ~ Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tours ~
• 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 ~
• Lunchtime Concert Series ~ August 28 ~ From Noon – 1:30 pm at specific locations. Wednesday, come listen to Pop music with The Untouchables at 1818 Market Street. ~ Lunchtime Concert Series ~
• Made in America Music Fest ~ August 31 & September 1 ~ Starting at noon both days, join musical talents such as Beyonce, Nine Inch Nails, Public Enemy and many others as they rock out the end of the summer on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  ~ Budweiser Made in America ~
• 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 ~
• Philadelphia Union vs Montreal Impact ~ August 31 ~ Come to PPL Park as the Union take on Montreal Impact at 7:30 pm. ~ Philadelphia Union Tickets ~
• 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 ~
• Friday the 13th Summer Camp Sleepover ~ September 13 to 14 ~ From 4 pm the 13th to 1 pm the 14th, the Awesome Fest will screen 6 movies while offering the usual summer camp activities as well as fishing, rock-climbing, campfires, food trucks, horror themed vendors, marshmallow roasts, scary stories, as well as many surprises! “Campers” are even encouraged to BYOB and BYOT (bring your own tent)! ~ Friday the 13th Summer Camp Sleepover ~
• Target Community Nights at Franklin Institute ~ September 18 ~ FREE fun at the Franklin Institute from 5 pm – 8 pm on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise specified (until January 22, 2014). Tonight’s theme is Construction, Build It! ~ Free Fun at Franklin Institute ~
• 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 16 – 18

 

Friday  |  Sunny  |  High 80°  | Low 58°

Saturday  |  Mostly Cloudy |  High 81° | Low 64°

Sunday  | 30% Few Showers  |  High 76° |  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