The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: From upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) This vibrant outdoor night market brings together food, music and community pride for a night of neighborhood fun. Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants and food trucks, drinks from nearby breweries and live music performances. Plus, check out fun activities like a rock climbing wall, body airbrush art, outdoor games and so much more.

⌚️June 24, 5p.m., 📍Cottman & Rising Sun Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19111, 🌐 july4thphilly.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Join quilter and storyteller Mama Carla in the garden at Stenton for guided quilting and embroidery. All skill levels are welcomed, so come ready to learn or bring your own project to work on alongside your neighbors at your own pace.

⌚️June 25, 4-7p.m., 📍4601 N. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19140, 🌐 events.ticketleap.com, 💵 Free

(Music) This free night of music celebrates Black Music Month, which was founded in Philadelphia. Enjoy an amazing evening of musical performances honoring the excellence of Black women in music, with a headlining performance by Grammy Award Winner and Philly Native, Eve.

⌚️June 25, 7-9p.m., 📍2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19132, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Free

(Community) This kickback for local creatives combines everything you love about an art show with a chill, laid back gathering vibe. The night will include complimentary wine, live DJ sets, and delicious food from Tequeria El Guero.

⌚️June 26, 7-10p.m., 📍6380 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19144, 🌐 eventbrite.com/, 💵 Free

(Music) There’s no place like this Philadelphia Orchestra performance. The iconic film The Wizard of Oz will come to life as the score is performed live while the film is played on screen. Come experience Judy Garland’s iconic performance like you’ve never seen it before.

⌚️June 26-27, 📍300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $44-161

(Community) Celebrate the best of Philly’s Latino culture, community and tradition at this annual festival. You can expect amazing live music performances, dancing, interactive cultural exhibits, delicious food and so much more.

⌚️June 27, 2-9p.m., 📍1501 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 elconcilio.net, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Head to the Navy Yard for a fun afternoon filled with live music, delicious food and fun activities. There’s something for the entire family including pay-as-you-go food trucks, kid-friendly activities, local art and craft vendors, and a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic.

⌚️June 28, 12-5p.m., 📍Central Green, Rouse Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19112, 🌐 navyyard.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Since 1990, this art festival has run and is now one of the tri-state area’s largest outdoor, juried art festivals. 300 local artists and nationally known crafters are heading to Manayunk for a weekend of creativity. All weekend long, you’ll enjoy art, delicious food and drinks and incredible art from a range of disciplines.

⌚️June 27-28, 📍4000 Main St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19127, 🌐 manayunk.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup Buzz taking over the city? Don’t miss out on Fan Fest, a visitor experience unlike any others. On match days, come enjoy watch parties, great food and amazing activations. And on non-match days, will offer ticketed concerts.

⌚️Through July 19, 📍1 Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 phillyfwc26.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This Juneteenth, kick off the Wawa Welcome America Festival with free access to 47 museums and history sites. Each day of the festival, you can enjoy free admission to at least one site, with some days offering free admission to multiple sites.

⌚️June 19 - July 4, 📍Various locations, 🌐 july4thphilly.com/, 💵 Free

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated lantern festival is returning and bringing the magic. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dozens of detailed hand-crafted lanterns. You’ll even spot soccer themed displays honoring the countries coming to Philly for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

⌚️June 5- Aug. 16, 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-32

(Movies) This beloved festival is celebrating 15 years as the Greater Philadelphia region’s only festival showcasing innovative work of emerging and established Latine/x/a/o filmmakers. If you love all things film and Latino culture, grab a pass to enjoy well crafted cinematic magic. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 24-July 5, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 $10-150

(Community) As America celebrates her 250th, there’s no better time to ask “what now?” ArtPhilly is presenting a five-week long arts and culture festival that seeks to answer that question through a range of experiences. Tap in for thought provoking performances, exhibitions and an amazing month of arts programming.

⌚️May 27-July 2, 📍Various locations, 🌐 artphilly.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This exhibit celebrates Philadelphia’s rich immigrant history through bold flags designed by artists from around the world. The designs will be displayed all summer long at Spruce Street Harbor Park in honor of all of the people who have made Philly their home.

⌚️May 22 - Sept. 7, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com/, 💵 Free

(Music / free) At Smith Memorial Playground, this annual kid-focused music festival welcomes summer with performances spanning Mexican son jarocho fusion, Afrocentric R&B and dance, Brazilian percussion, and family-friendly cabaret. Stick around for fireworks at the end of the night. (Plan ahead: nearby FIFA Fan Fest activities may make driving and parking more challenging than usual.) Ages 0-10.

⌚ June 26, 4–9 p.m., 📍3500 Reservoir Dr., Philadelphia, Pa. 19121, 🌐 smithplayground.org, 💵 Free

(Art / free) Spruce Street Harbor Park’s newest attraction is part art installation, part playground. Visitors wander through a maze that responds to movement with changing lights and music, creating an immersive, hands-on experience along the Delaware River waterfront. All ages.

⌚ June 26–Aug. 17, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free

(Music) At Marian Anderson Hall, the Philadelphia Orchestra performs the beloved film score live while Dorothy, Toto, and the rest of the gang journey down the Yellow Brick Road on the big screen. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ June 26, 7:30 p.m.; June 27, 2 p.m., 📍300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $44–$161

(Outdoors) The self-proclaimed world’s largest inflatable attraction lands in Oaks with more than 50,000 square feet of bouncing, climbing, sliding, and obstacle-course fun. New additions include a foam party, a 900-foot obstacle course, and a sports-themed play zone. Admission includes a three-hour session. Ages 1 and up.

⌚ June 27–28 and July 3–5, times vary, 📍100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa. 19456, 🌐 thebigbounceamerica.com, 💵 $35–$45

(Community / soccer / free) East Passyunk Avenue turns a pair of South Philly blocks into an outdoor soccer celebration, complete with giant screens, food and drink specials, and plenty of room to cheer on World Cup matches without heading to the stadium. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ June 27, 4–8 p.m.; July 3, 5–9 p.m., 📍1300 and 1500 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

(Seasonal / free) The Navy Yard’s Central Green gets even more family-friendly for this annual summer celebration, adding inflatable mini golf, pickleball, arts and crafts, food trucks, live music, and an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic. All ages.

⌚ June 28, noon–8 p.m., 📍Rouse Blvd. and Intrepid Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19112, 🌐 navyyard.org, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

(Theater / history) At Center City’s historic Plays & Players Theatre, Pig Iron Theatre revives its imaginative sci-fi adventure that asks a very Philadelphia question: What if Benjamin Franklin really could control the weather? The time-bending production returns after a successful debut last summer. Ages 10 and up.

⌚ June 12–28, times vary, 📍1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 franklinskey.com, 💵 $39–$80

(Animals) At the Philadelphia Zoo, a refreshed and expanded habitat debuts for the zoo’s Andean and sloth bears, giving visitors a closer look at two species considered vulnerable in the wild. All ages.

⌚ Daily beginning June 4, from 11:30 a.m., 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 $24–$29

(Culture) At Franklin Square on the edge of Chinatown, giant illuminated sculptures, live acrobatic performances, food vendors, and countless photo opportunities return for another summer of after-dark magic. All ages.

⌚ June 5–Aug. 16, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$32

(Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

⌚ May 22–September, dates TBA, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Seasonal / free) Just north along the Delaware River Waterfront, Summerfest reopens with roller skating, mini golf, carnival rides, games, and indoor space to cool off once summer humidity fully kicks in. All ages.

⌚ May 22–Sept. 7, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Community / free) At Cherry Street Pier along the Delaware River, this three-part market series — in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial — highlights Latino makers with food, music, art, and plenty to browse and buy. All ages.

⌚ April 18, May 30, July 11, noon–5 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.

⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry

(Movie-making) The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery, with behind-the-scenes looks at Universal’s biggest franchises — from Minions and Jurassic World to dragons, monsters, Mario, and Luigi — via immersive sets and interactive displays. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ Feb. 14–Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. plus extended hours, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $25–$65