Philly celebrates Juneteenth | Things to do

Philadelphia is feeling a little more international than usual these days.

World Cup watch parties are drawing crowds, fans from around the globe are filling bars and public spaces, and another big match arrives at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday when Brazil faces Haiti.

Beyond the soccer spectacle, Wawa Welcome America gets underway with a Juneteenth celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia and free access to dozens of historic attractions. Father’s Day also brings plenty of excuses to get out of the house, from family-friendly festivals to sky-high adventures.

Keep scrolling to see what’s happening this weekend.

Also in this week’s edition:

— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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The largest Independence Day celebration in the country kicks off this Friday.

The festivities begin with the Juneteenth Jubilee at the African American Museum, hosted by Philadelphia’s Patty Jackson. Headliners include Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Leah Jenea, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The 16-day celebration will bring dozens of free concerts, six days of firework displays, and other attractions leading up to a commemorative concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4, featuring Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, Will Smith, Seal, and other big-name artists.

Read more about the celebration here.

📽️ Film lovers rejoice: The fifth annual United We Heal Festival takes over Underground Arts to celebrate 11 Black and Brown filmmakers. See and hear from these visionaries at the two-day festival.

🎶 High times at the Highmark: Grab last-minute tickets for the musical collaboration between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Grammy Award-winning choir, The Crossing, at the Highmark Mann Center. It’s a celebration of 50 Years of Music, honoring luminaries like Beethoven, Maurice Ravel, and Gustav Holst.

🪂 A Father’s Day in the air: Surprise your father with something that will make him float. This Saturday the 18th Chester County Hot Air Balloon Festival is offering picturesque rides across the region’s skies.

🏎️ Rev your engines: Hop in your car and drive down to Bordentown City for the 14th Annual Street of Dreams Car Show. There will be a fleet of classic rides and your favorite childhood Hot Wheels in real life.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Ambler Arts & Music Festival, TFI Block Party at The Franklin Institute, Midsommarfest! at American Swedish Historical Museum, World Cup Watch Parties on East Passyunk.

A total of 47 museums and history sites are opening their doors for incoming visitors for free.

This offering is part of this year’s WaWa Welcome America Festival. Guests can enjoy no-cost admission to at least one site every day during the 16-day celebration. Some days also offer free entry to multiple sites.

Participating locations include the African American Museum, Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Historic Rittenhouse Town, and others.

For all other locations, visit july4thphilly.com

🎊 Pop up at the Plaza: Stop outside the doors of the Reading Terminal Market for additional seating, games, artisanal shops, and everything else that makes the site such a Philly essential. The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market runs now through Aug. 2.

🎉 Juneteenth celebrations continue: For the 20th Juneteenth celebration at the Johnson House Historic Site, there will be music, food, re-enactments, and community engagement for all visitors to enjoy.

💐 Stop and smell the roses: A Delco outdoor tradition is back with the return of the months-long, Rose Tree Summer Festival. Here is where you can freely enjoy a mix of live entertainment, from Motown to Broadway, classical to rock, and everything in between.

🇺🇸 Women of the 18th century: Meet the women of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House’s courtyard. A new series that highlights the contributions of pioneers such as Susanna Cooke, Sarah Coltman, Hannah Till, Peggy Chew, and Ross herself.

Here’s pop music critic Dan Deluca’s list of the top concerts this weekend.

Thursday: Experimental art-rock sibling band Fiery Furnaces are stopping by the Philadelphia Ethical Society as part of the group’s six-date tour.

Friday: Hurray for the Riff Raff, fronted by Puerto Rican songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra, is headed to King of Prussia to perform at Concerts Under the Stars.

Saturday: Father’s Day weekend will be booming at the Shore. North Philly’s own Meek Mill will headline a star-studded lineup, featuring T.I., Eve, Shyne, Havoc of Mob Deep, and Ms. Jade, at the Boardwalk Hall on Saturday.

Monday: Prolific country artist Charley Crockett, whose released 17 albums since 2015, is headed to Met Philly on Monday for a night of Americana tunes and outlaw ballads.

Where was the nation’s first Father’s Day celebration?

a) Here in Philly (duh)

b) Burlington, VT

c) Abilene, TX

d) Spokane, WA

I’m starting something new for the newsletter, and I want your participation.

Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.

I have you covered. Any questions you have now and in the future, email me for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

World Cup matches and watch parties aren’t the only thing taking over the city this weekend. There’s so much to do and celebrate, and this week’s Things To Do edition is proof.

– Earl Hopkins