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With dozens of venues cultivating and showcasing live music throughout Philadelphia, it’s no wonder that Jay-Z has chosen the city for his two-day Labor Day Weekend Made In America music festival every year since 2012.
There’s no need to wait until then, though: Philadelphians and visitors can jam out to live music in the great outdoors all summer long.
Outdoor concert spots large and small are plentiful, including amphitheaters like The Mann Center and the Dell Music Center, massive venues like Citizens Bank Park and BB&T Pavilion, and more intimate spots like the River Stage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and Morgan’s Pier.
Of course, the return of live music will be a little different for summer 2021, with venues making changes to bag policies, mobile ticketing and more. Your best bet: Plan ahead and check online with each individual venue beforehand to know what to expect.
Here’s a look at where to catch some of the best regularly scheduled live music outdoors in Philadelphia for summer 2021.
Just a ferry ride or quick drive from Philadelphia, BB&T Pavilion on the Camden waterfront offers a laid-back atmosphere and a picturesque outdoor setting — perfect for seeing concerts. After dark, the lawn-dwellers enjoy a breathtaking view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Philadelphia skyline.
Summer 2021 concerts include the following:
Where: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
South Philly’s Citizens Bank Park has been the gorgeous open-air home of the Philadelphia Phillies since 2004. It’s also played host to more than two dozen concerts from some of the biggest musicians and bands of all time, including Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA
Jazz, soul and hip-hop greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Jill Scott and Brian McKnight have graced the Dell Music Center’s amphitheater stage in West Fairmount Park to entertain crowds of more than 5,000 guests.
Where: The Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Originally founded as the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mann Center provides an open-air venue and two stages for a range of arts programs, including orchestra, opera, dance, pop and rock and roll. Bonus: Clear nights provide a picture-perfect view of the Philadelphia skyline.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
At this waterfront beer garden, nearly every night of the week brings some sort of live entertainment, including DJ nights, karaoke, live bands and more. Best of all, most shows are free or inexpensive.
In addition to DJ nights throughout the summer, summer 2021 concerts include the following:
Where: Morgan's Pier, 221 N. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The River Stage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing hosts patriotic performances, inspirational festivals, smooth jazz and more, all on the Delaware River waterfront. Most concerts are free and family friendly.
2021 summer concerts include:
Where: Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The hills of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania come alive every summer with the sound of folk music during the long-running Philadelphia Folk Festival at Old Pool Farm, where attendees gather to sing along, clap or just enjoy the music of new and favorite performers. The annual fest celebrates its 59 1/2 anniversary with a hybrid in-person/virtual event this year with a jam-packed lineup, workshops, activities and events for all ages. The festival is the longest-running outdoor music festival of its kind in North America, with plans to return fully in person in 2022.
Where: 1323 Salford Station Rd, Harleysville, PA
Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds in Glenmoore, Chester County hosts three days of performances by country music’s biggest stars and serious up-and-comers, now a late-summer tradition in the Brandywine Valley. Among this year’s lineup: Brantley Gilbert, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young.
Where: Ludwig's Corner Horse Show Grounds, 1326 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore, PA
Since 2012, Jay Z has hosted this popular two-day music festival, Made In America, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Previous performers have included Beyonce, Pearl Jam, The Weeknd, Rihanna and, of course, Jay Z. For 2021, headliners Justin Bieber and Lil Baby will be joined by Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Bobby Shmurda, Baby Keem, Lil Durk, A$AP Ferg and more.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
WXPN, the public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, brings together musical legends and new performers along the Camden waterfront at this can’t-miss fest at Wiggins Waterfront Park and BB&T Pavilion. This year’s lineup includes Dawes, Los Lobos, The Record Company, Ani DiFranco and more.
Where: Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
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BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.