Things To Do In Philadelphia – Live Music, Free Movie Screenings, & Festivals

Live Music, Free Movie Screenings, & Festivals in Philly

‘Middle of Summer Fun’

Kick off today with a very Big Soccer Ball with Mayor Nutter, MLS, and the City of Philadelphia. Check out the many free movie screenings, festivals, and concerts all summer long. Just a good way to spend time with the family, friends, to relax some, and enjoy these free activities.

How excited are you about this great city! Did you know : Philly was named #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure. In the last 8 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, #1 in Culture; and we can feel that the list will be growing in 2012. This city just keeps impressing us, but then why should it. Philadelphia is a city with a lot of pride and is being recognized for much more than its historical events.

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  ~ July 20 – 26

• Follow the Big Soccer Ball ~ July 20 ~  The City of Philadelphia is hosting the MLS All-Star game July 25th. Come join Mayor Nutter to kick off the week of events starting at 2 pm today at the Philadelphia Museum of Art  and sign the Big Soccer Ball.~ MLS Soccer & Big Soccer Ball at Phila Museum of Art ~
• 19th annual XPoNential Music Festival ~ July 20 – 22 ~ Featuring 30 + artists for three awesome days of great music and family fun which will be held on the Camden Riverfront. ~ Music & Fun! ~
• Sleigh Bells at Festival Peir at Penn’s Landing ~ July 20 ~ Live musicfrom 6 pm – 11 pm.  ~Sleigh Bells ~
• Moonlight Movies In Mt. Airy ~ July 20 ~ Free movie screenings every Friday night, showing movies outside for the whole summer. Tonight’s movie, The Muppets. Seating at 8 pm & movie starts at 8:30 pm. Held at Lovett Library Park on Germantown Ave, which this event is also hosted with the Free Library of Philadelphia. ~ Moonlight Movies in Mt. Airy ~
• Art After 5 ~ July 20 ~ Orquesta La Paz – Originating in Philadelphia in 1974, Orquesta La Paz is the only salsa band from the city to ever reach the final entry nomination list for the Latin Grammys in four categories, including “Album of the Year.” Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall, starting at 5 pm. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Philadelphia Phillies ~ July 20 – 22 ~ Series against the San Fransisco Giantsat 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! ~ Phillies Tickets ~
• Summer Concert Series at Penn’s Landing ~ July 16 – 22 ~  From jazz to gospel to R&B, & much more. Held on Friday nights and sometimes on Saturdays. ~ Music at Penn’s Landing ~
• Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival ~ July 21 ~ From 10 am to 4 pm at Reading Terminal Market. Hosted by Bassetts Ice Cream and featuring delicious frozen desserts from some of Philadelphia’s finest! The event also features arts and crafts for the kids, live music, games, and more!  ~ Ice Cream Festival ~
• Summer Ale Festival ~ July 21 ~ At Philadelphia Z00 with 21 brewers and 24 restaurants. Plus music and furry animals. ~ Summer Ale Festival ~
• 6th annual Global Fusion Festival ~ July 21 ~ (Free) National headliners include multi-platinum singer and actress Brandy, hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar, vocalist and songwriter Elle Varner, Grammy-nominated singer Kenny Lattimore, Reggaeton duo R.K.M. & Ken-Y and R&B crooner Luke James. From Noon – 8:00 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. ~ Global Fusion Festival ~
• 8th Annual “Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest Is History” ~ July 21 ~ From 6 – 9pm at The Shambles (Head house Square Market), 2nd & Lombard Sts. Join Farm to City and Slow Food Philadelphia for their annual joint fundraiser. This year gourmet food trucks will offer tasty meat and veggie options and great breweries from the region will pour you their best! ~ Good Food & Good Beer ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ July 21 & 25 ~ 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 ~
• Center City Sips ~ July 25 ~ Every Wednesday until August 29th. Enjoy discounts on beer, wine, cocktails, and food from 88 bars and restaurants in Center City.  ~ Center City Sips ~
• Penn Summer Nights with Magdaliz and her Trio Crisol ~ July 25 ~ The Penn Museum presents a melting pot of folk and traditional music from throughout Latin America from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. ~ Penn Summer Nights Event ~
• Movie Nights with Schuylkill Banks ~ July 26 ~ The Schuylkill Banks puts out movie nights every other Thursday during the summer, under the stars. This week, see O Brother, Where Art Thou? ~ Movie Nights on the Schuylkill Banks ~
• Shark Week at Adventure Aquarium ~ Now until September 3 ~ Adventure Aquarium in Camden this summer be showcasing the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast as well as the only two “great hammerheads” in the United States. ~ Sharks at Adventure Aquarium ~
• Light Installations By Bruce Munro ~ Now until September 29 ~ This will allow visitors to explore Longwood Gardens after-hours, while giving you a different perspective with cool displays of lights & more. ~ Light Installations by Bruce Munro ~
• Free Play on the Parkway ~ Now until September 30; except Mondays ~ Play In between recognizes the need for free play in children’s education. Come check out what it’s all about. ~ Free Play on the Parkway ~
• Morgan’s Pier ~ Now Open ~ Philadelphia’s newest waterfront location with a beer garden, food, and live bands. ~ Morgan’s Pier ~
• Barnes Foundation ~ Now Open ~  The new building finally opened May 19th. You get to explore the world’s largest collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings–including tons of works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, van Gogh and Renoir—inside this new 12,000 square-foot gallery. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• Bruce Springsteen ~ Now –until Sept. 3 ~ Springsteen comes to the National Constitution Center. The first exhibit of Bruce Springsteen to ever be seen outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You will have the opportunity to view more than 150 artifacts, videos of his first successful audition, and much more. ~ Bruce Springsteen exhibit~
• Dead Sea Scrolls ~ Now until October 14 ~ The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit arrives at The Franklin Institute. Get a glimpse of ancient Israeli culture with more than 600 artifacts and 20 of the rarest scroll. ~ Dead Sea Scrolls ~
• Maya 2012 – Lords of Time Exhibit at Penn’s Museum ~ Now until January 13, 2013 ~ Learn more about that superstition and the culture behind the Mayan prophecy. This exhibit will showcase the fascinating and mysterious Mayan people.~ Maya 2012 Exhibit ~
• 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 ~

Visiting Philadelphia

Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too many of the 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 ~

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• Summer Concert Series at Penn’s Landing ~ July 27 & August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 ~ From jazz to gospel to R&B, & much more. Held on Friday nights and sometimes on Saturdays. (more to follow)
• Labor Day Weekend in Philly ~ September 1 & 2 ~ The “Budweiser Made in America” concert will have Jay-Z to Headline the Musical Festival.  The two day festival will feature 30 acts on three stages. (more info to come)

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 July 20 – 22

 

Friday  |  80% Thunder Storms  |  High 73  | Low 65

Saturday  |  40% AM Showers  |  High 82 | Low 64

Sunday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 86 |  Low 69

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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pictures courtesy of WXPN & vistitphilly.com