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There is never a shortage of things to do, places to go and sights to see in Philly.
The City of Brotherly Love is a year-round destination for good food, good times and all-around revelry, including fun festivals, major concerts and brand-new exhibitions.
Below, find our curated guide to the biggest events, festivals and exhibitions in Philadelphia and the surrounding four counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery).
Can’t find your favorite event? Don’t worry. New events are added to this list regularly once they are officially announced.
One important note: Event dates and details can change at any time. Always check ahead with event organizers and/or on official event sites to confirm event dates and times.
Here’s a look at the biggest upcoming events, festivals and exhibitions in Greater Philadelphia.
Through Sunday, May 31, 2026
Nearly a half-century before Hamilton, Broadway was privy to another iconic show focused on the Revolution.
This year, the Walnut Street Theatre hosts a new production of the 1969 classic 1776: The Musical. The award-winning retelling recounts the story — set right here in Philadelphia — of Adams, Franklin and Jefferson as they fight for independence against a deadlocked Continental Congress, with humor, romance and nail-biting tension.
Need more historical significance? Walnut Street Theatre remains the oldest continuously operating theater in the entire English-speaking world, opened just 30 years after the events depicted.
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, June 7, 2026
Inspired by the spirit and culture of Mexico, LUZIA is a high-flying, vibrant, dreamlike celebration of light (luz) and rain (lluvia).
The folklore-themed circus performance weaves together nature and surreal visuals with water acrobatics — a first for a touring Cirque du Soleil production — while aerial feats, contortion, clowning and other spectacular displays of artistry engage your senses in four dimensions.
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA
Through Sunday, September 27, 2026
All late spring and summer, Longwood Gardens’ glorious fountains jet to life across its Kennett Square campus during the attraction’s annual Festival of Fountains.
Daytime performances include the daily Main Fountain Garden show with its 1,719 jets soaring as high as 175 feet and the 110-year-old Open Air Theatre’s 750 jets in changing patterns, spinning and dancing to music. Nighttime brings the dazzling displays of the spectacular Illuminated Fountain Performances.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
Through Sunday, August 2, 2026
All roads lead to Rocky, don’t they?
Inspired by one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Philadelphia — the Rocky Statue — this brand-new exhibition is all about monuments: Why we make them. Who gets one. And the role they play in society.
Curated by Paul Farber, co-founder of Monument Lab and the host of NPR and WHYY’s acclaimed podcast The Statue (TL:DR: He knows his stuff), the expansive exhibition covers 2,000 years of history and features over 150 artifacts and works of art by 50-plus artists, including Keith Haring, Carrie Mae Weems and Andy Warhol.
The show arrives at the Philadelphia Museum of Art just in time for the 50th anniversary of the movie that started it all.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, August 9, 2026
Film, video and immersive art installations tell the stories of how Americans of color have helped shape our shared identity throughout the past 250 years at this Barnes Foundation exhibition, timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.
Moving-image artists Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja’Tovia Gary and Tourmaline create a contemporary meditation on the past, present and future, and ask viewers to contemplate how Americans of color have carved out spaces of joy and resistance despite systems that seek to oppress.
Access to the special exhibition comes with regular museum admission, good for two days.
Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, September 7, 2026
How are theme parks made? This world-premiere exhibit, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.
Spanning 18,0000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the experience showcases over 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda, and Universal Monsters. And, in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, September 27, 2026 (select dates)
After back-to-back National League East Championship titles, the Phils return to the Bank for a new season full of high hopes, starting with the home opener against the Texas Rangers (Thursday, March 26, 2026).
Early-season match-ups include games against the Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves and more. The most notable stretch in the six-month-long campaign comes in mid-July when Citizens Bank Park hosts the MLB All-Star Game (more on that below), followed by series against the division-rival New York Mets, the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA
Through Wednesday, September 30, 2026
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet, and hotels throughout the city are celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a toast to its birthplace.
More than 30 hotels are shaking things up during Philly’s Semiquincentennial celebrations as part of Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail.
These spots are serving up delicious history all spring and summer long in the form of innovative cocktails and mocktails inspired by Philadelphia’s central role in the nation’s founding.
Where: Participating hotel bars include The Wayward at Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, 1170 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through September 2026
Two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s work takes center stage at the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s latest exhibition, Afrofuturism in Costume Design.
Carter won Oscars for her costume designs for the Black Panther films and was also just nominated in 2026 for her work on Sinners. She is the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards in any category.
The modular exhibition — with interactive elements — showcases costumes and artifacts from Carter’s esteemed career, including a rare glimpse of the artist’s personal sketches and costumes from Carter’s private collection.
Wakanda Forever! Black Panther is a big deal in my family, so a trip to costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s exhibition was a must.
Seeing the Dora Milaje’s fiery uniforms and Queen Mother Ramonda’s regal headdress and gown up close activated major levels of nostalgia — as expected — but Wakanda was just the beginning.
Sketches, murals and movie clips, plus stunning costumes from over 10 films — and one video game — transported me from the fictional nations of Wakanda and Zamunda to Civil Rights-era Georgia to 1980s Brooklyn. Along the way, the exhibition highlighted the real-life people, cultures and history that inspired classics like Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X and Sinners.
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, October 31, 2026
Started over 35 years ago by refugee and immigrant community members, Philly’s nationally renowned Southeast Asian Market pops up every weekend (save for during Eagles home games and occasional special events), showcasing some of the city’s best Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine.
Last year’s market saw over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, authentic street food and culturally specific produce, plus plants, jewelry and clothing. For the best experience, pack a picnic blanket and don’t forget to bring cash — some vendors are cash-only, and there’s no ATM on site.
Where: Southeast Asian Market, 1500 Pattison Avenue & South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, November 7, 2026
DOOP! On the heels of a stellar season with a hard-fought loss in the playoffs in 2025, Andre Blake, Alejandro Bedoya and local wunderkind Cavan Sullivan join the rest of the Philadelphia Union crew to kick off their 17th season.
The team is set to take the field against Chicago (Saturday, March 21, 2026), Washington D.C. (Saturday, April 18, 2026), Columbus (Saturday, May 16, 2026) and more at their Delaware County stadium, Subaru Park.
Where: Subaru Park, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA
Through Saturday, December 26, 2026
Hosted by the Philadelphia Historic District, 52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city’s many historic achievements all year long.
Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like bifocals; cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day; and significant locations like Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philly, America’s very first botanical garden.
Also on the docket: special guest speakers, free giveaways, historical tales told by professional storytellers, scavenger hunts and monthly main events.
Where: Various locations including Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, January 3, 2027
“When in the course of human events …” The document from which that seminal phrase originates is the centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming. The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of America’s founding charter and its continuing influence, inspiring over 100 independence movements worldwide.
The Declaration’s legacy is explored through records, art and artifacts, including Thomas Jefferson’s chair, a Marquis de Lafayette-annotated draft of the French Declaration of Rights, the prison bench where Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a spinning wheel presented by Gandhi and more.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, February 14, 2027
It’s not a pop quiz. (Or is it…?) What do you know about Lewis and Clarke?
You probably remember that President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with exploring the United States’ western territories after the Louisiana Purchase. But did you know that Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences is home to almost all of the explorers’ original journals and preserved specimens? And that the Corps of Discovery has the Indigenous peoples living out west to thank for much of the plant knowledge that they brought back?
This exhibition traces the explorers’ journey and highlights the stories, cultures and sciences of the Indigenous nations they met along the way.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through September 2027 (dates vary by museum)
Two of Philly’s most storied art institutions team up with avid art collectors John and Leigh Middleton for a blockbuster Semiquincentennial exhibition.
Highlighting over 300 years of American art, the collection showcases over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across two museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited alongside oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists.
A Nation of Artists debuts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (April 12, 2026 to July 5, 2027) and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (May 2026 through September 2027).
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (1)
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through April 2027
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History marks the Semiquincentennial by overhauling its space to include a 4,500-square-foot special exhibition space, plus two new permanent exhibit spaces later this year.
The space’s first special exhibition, The First Salute, takes a look at never-before-told stories of the Jewish community’s connections to the American Revolution. The exhibit features rare artifacts, original films and immersive videos, all weaving together a story about religious freedom, antisemitism in the colonial world, trade and life on the high seas.
Where: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, January 3, 2028
We all know how the Revolutionary War ended. Now, a brand-new exhibition at the Independence Seaport Museum explores how our new nation built its economy back up in the aftermath.
Featuring roughly 150 rarely seen objects and artifacts, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade and the Making of America examines how the dream of America survived (and thrived) through new economic relationships and international trade alliances — and how China helped build America into the global superpower it is today.
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Dates vary by event
Warmer temps mean the return of open-air concert season! Philly sees some of music’s biggest stars rolling into venues across the city — both indoors and out — this spring.
Where: The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (5)
The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA
Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Met, 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Giddy up! The beloved Devon Horse Show is an annual equine tradition dating back to 1896, making it the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse competition in the nation. Held at Chester County’s famous Devon Show Grounds, the pageant features equestrian disciplines, open-air exhibitions and events including a dog show, a carriage showcase and a Memorial Day tribute.
Alongside the competition is the old-fashioned Devon Country Fair, itself an institution since 1919, with a half-dozen pop-up restaurants and plenty of fair food stands, dozens of boutique shopping and souvenir vendors, and a family-friendly Midway featuring a Ferris wheel and carousel.
Where: Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, 23 Dorset Road, Devon, PA
Film buffs and fans of Latino culture celebrate cinematic grandeur from established and emerging Latino filmmakers at the 15th annual Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival.
This season’s selections traditionally feature more than 100 films, shorts, music videos, animations, web series and documentaries, along with new and emerging digital media like virtual reality.
2026’s festival also features the return of its annual LOLA Awards, which recognize achievements in artistic direction, acting, writing, cinematography and storytelling. The theme of this year’s LOLA Awards? Joy.
Where: Locations TBA, Philadelphia, PA
Stay gold, Ponyboy. A four-time Tony Award-winning musical, The Outsiders is a musical take on the classic coming-of-age story by the same name — featuring the same sense of gritty determination, paired with new high-energy choreography and even more emotional heft.
Ponyboy Curtis, Cade and their band of greasers dream of bigger things in a world that refuses to accept outsiders like them. The family-friendly musical explores what it means to break away from your labels and become the person you want to be.
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fan Expo returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this May, honoring all things genre from sci-fi, horror and gaming to comics, anime and cosplay.
The expo — drawing around 50,000 attendees annually — features plenty of panels, workshops, screening rooms, red carpets, trivia competitions and fan group meetups, plus a quarter-million square feet of exhibitor space for creators, independent artists and game developers.
The event also welcomes a slew of voice actors, special guests and celebrities, with 2026’s event featuring a Lord of the Rings hobbit reunion with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd; Star Trek: The Next Generation’s own Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden and Jonathan Frakes; and so many more.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
What is it like to actually live and create art in the City of Brotherly Love?
That’s the idea behind the brand-new What Now creative festival — presented by arts and culture organization ArtPhilly — which features 10 days of multidisciplinary arts, including thought-provoking musical concerts, theatrical shows, dance performances, visual art exhibits and new museum experiences from over 80 local artists.
The fest — focusing on Philly’s history, neighborhoods and artistic legacy — makes all of Philadelphia a stage with performances, exhibitions and projects taking place across a selection of iconic museums, landmarks and venues.
Where: Various locations throughout Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Philly’s annual Pride Month kickoff goes bigger than ever in honor of the Semiquincentennial.
Themed “Pride Is Power,” this year’s celebration spans a whole week (!) and includes panels and roundtables, a poetry slam, unfurlings of the massive 1,000-foot Pride flag (the largest in Philly history) at iconic locations across the region, and more.
The supersized celebration culminates with a day of marching, music, art and community at the annual Pride March & Festival (Sunday, June 7, 2026).
Originally built as part of America’s bicentennial festivities in 1976, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts hits the big 5-0 this year.
In celebration of both the anniversary milestone and America’s 250th anniversary, the beloved open-air music venue is collaborating with titans of Philly arts and culture for four major celebratory performances, plus a brand-new mural by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Don’t miss a weekend of epic ballet performances with Ballet X (June 4-5, 2026), a world premiere concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing (Wednesday, June 17, 2026), and a culminating commemorative concert with the orchestra (Thursday, June 18, 2026).
Where: Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Light up the night at historic Franklin Square with the must-see Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Old City.
2026’s fantastical light display celebrates the Year of the Horse with dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns and installations constructed by Chinese artisans, plus cultural performances and plenty of international food and drink.
Stay tuned for more info on the 2026 theme, which highlights countries represented at FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia. (More on that below.)
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
June 5-7 & September 18-20, 2026
This twice-a-year event — the oldest outdoor fine arts show in the country — curates fine art from across a variety of media to Rittenhouse Square for a massive outdoor gallery of work by nearly 150 talented artists and crafters.
Held in June and September this year, the art event traditionally showcases paintings, glassware, illustrations, sculptures, accessories, photography, textiles and so much more. Check out the official website for the upcoming lineup of artists, along with works from last year’s exhibitors.
Where: Rittenhouse Square, 1800 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
ODUNDE — one of the country’s largest Black and African cultural festivals — has brought an authentic taste of Africa to South Philly each summer for the last 50 years and counting.
The beloved celebration begins with a week of events (June 7 to 13, 2026) and culminates on the second Sunday of June with a high-spirited outdoor festival along South Street. Festivalgoers can expect dozens of vendors, live music, performances, and pay-as-you-go African, Caribbean and soul food dishes. Stay tuned to the official website for announcements about this year’s event.
Where: Centered around South 23rd & South streets, Philadelphia, PA
Visit Philadelphia and TED are collaborating to create TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures — a one-day event at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Held in honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, this flagship event marks the culmination of Visit Philadelphia’s three-year partnership with TED Democracy.
The full-day event features more than a dozen brand-new TED Talks from the Marian Anderson Hall stage, as well as interactive activations, performances, culinary pop-ups and networking opportunities. Tickets are on sale now.
Where: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
June 14 – July 4, 2026 (select dates)
This summer, the eyes of the world will be on South Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field (which will be temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium), one of just 11 U.S. stadiums to hold matches during the FIFA World Cup 26 soccer tournament.
The Linc is hosting five Group Stage “pool play” matchups — featuring national teams from semi-randomly assigned groups — leading up to a July Fourth Round-of-16 Knockout Stage tilt for the right to advance to the Quarterfinals.
Philly is also hosting a FIFA FanFestival at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park featuring giant game-watch screens, food, music, parties and more.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA
Lemon Hill, Philadelphia, PA
The cornerstone of Independence Day festivities in Philadelphia — the annual Wawa Welcome America festival — kicks off on Juneteenth and keeps going until the fireworks explode high above the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Independence Day.
This year’s festivities promise to be bigger than ever to mark the nation’s 250th birthday, featuring the largest July Fourth parade in the country and six nights of fireworks.
Philly residents and visitors alike can also expect dozens of free and festive events leading up to July Fourth, including:
Check out our complete guide to Wawa Welcome America 2026 here.
Where: Various locations including Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Summa, summa, summatimeeee. With an ever-growing list of artists and tours coming through Philadelphia, the city’s concert scene couldn’t get any hotter this summer.
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (3)
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA
Summer 2026
Wanna hear a story? Expert wordsmiths with a knack for the overlooked and hidden history of Philadelphia man sites across the Historic District during the warm-weather months.
Costumed History Makers regale visitors with memories from their past, while specially trained, uniformed storytellers are stationed at benches near historic sites, bringing to life free three- to five-minute tales.
In honor of the milestone year, Once Upon a Nation adds several additional storytelling benches to its roster — bringing the total to a whopping 13 — and an expanded cast of History Makers.
Where: Various locations including Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Historic Germantown celebrates Black culture, heritage and ancestry during its 20th annual Juneteenth Festival.
Hosted by the Johnson House Historic Site — once an important stop on the Underground Railroad — this annual (and free!) Freedom Day celebration marks the anniversary of Black emancipation from enslavement with tons of vendors to shop, food trucks, live music and history re-enactments. Festivalgoers can also expect plenty of family-friendly festivities and fun to go around.
Where: Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we cannot forget that Jefferson’s words — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” — did not extend to all Americans in 1776.
Each year, the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival honors the anniversary of when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865.
One of the largest in the nation, Philly’s Juneteenth Parade typically features 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and over two-dozen floats parading through West Philly.
The day culminates with music, vendors, a youth pavilion, a car show and more at the Juneteenth Festival at Malcolm X Park. Stay tuned for more details about this year’s event.
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Memorial, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
The largest outdoor juried arts festival in the tri-state area, the Manayunk Arts Festival returns to Main Street for two days of food, fun and creativity. The 37th annual free-to-attend festival in Manayunk brings together over 300 fine arts and crafts artists and creators from around the country.
Artisans showcase works in media from glass and ceramics to photography and paintings. Art fans, collectors, buyers and designers can also look forward to two days of music, food from Manayunk restaurants, and shopping around the neighborhood’s boutiques and shops.
Where: Main Street, Philadelphia, PA
Opening Wednesday, July 1, 2026
From Memorial Hall in 1876 to the African American Museum in 1976, Philadelphia has a long history of institutions constructed for milestone anniversaries. The most prominent for 2026 is the reopening of the site of the First Bank of the United States, which will be publicly accessible for the first time in half a century with new temporary exhibits.
The First Bank — located in Independence National Historical Park — originally opened in 1797 under Alexander Hamilton as the nation’s first centralized national bank, and opens again with a ribbon cutting the morning of July 1, 2026.
Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming exhibits (which include an exhibit being displayed for the first time ever in the United States), as well as special events like the First Bank Gala on June 16, 2026.
Where: First Bank of the United States, 120 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Before July 4 was known as Independence Day, John Adams predicted the nation would celebrate the occasion on July 2 each year, given that was the day in 1776 that the Continental Congress officially declared independence from Great Britain.
To mark the occasion, Philadelphia’s Historic District celebrates with the Red, White, & Blue To-Do each July 2, featuring a big parade and block party that include concerts, games, extended hours at historic attractions, restaurant happy hour specials and much more. 2026’s lineup features the addition of a huge picnic, fueled by numerous food trucks.
Where: Various locations including Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA
This national historic park — a gift from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the American people in honor of America’s last big birthday — toasts its Golden Jubilee with a weekend of festivities.
Bookended by opening and closing ceremonies on July 3 and July 5, 2026, Valley Forge’s birthday celebrations really get going on July Fourth with celebratory musket and cannon firings, birthday and thank-you card signings, and — the main event — a party at Washington’s Headquarters with live music and a reenactor portraying Anna Morris Holstein, who helped pave the way for the site’s preservation.
Bonus: Keep an eye out for special Semiquincentennial exhibits and events throughout the national park all year long.
Where: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 5 p.m. – midnight
This year’s Independence Day festivities go out with a (literal) bang. Following the conclusion of Wawa Welcome America, the new free-for-everyone One Philly Unity Concert for America on the evening of July Fourth brings some of music’s biggest names to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sponsored by Wawa and hosted separately by the city of Philadelphia, the free concert features live musical performances by Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, The Roots, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kathy Sledge, State Property, Seal and many more — with the show emceed by comedy legend Wanda Sykes and a big fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
July 4, December 13 & December 25, 2026
Washington Crossing Historic Park — the site of George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware — honors the bravery, dedication and lasting legacy of the general and the Continental Army.
In addition to its regular lineup of living history programs, guided tours and more, the park is set to host three major community-wide events in 2026: an expanded Independence Day celebration and fireworks display (Saturday, July 4, 2026), and two reimagined December Crossing Reenactments (December 13 & 25, 2026).
The park is also debuting some exciting new enhancements to the visitor experience, including upgrades to its Visitor Center Gallery and renovations to its historic buildings. Stay tuned to the official website for more information.
Where: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA
The Midsummer Classic returns to Philly for the first time in 30 years when the 96th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to Citizens Bank Park this July. Stars from across the National and American leagues descend on Philly for the fifth time in the event’s existence — and first ever at The Bank — with the city previously hosting in 1943, 1952, 1976 and 1996.
Ahead of the game, All-Star Week festivities also include the Home Run Derby, All-Star Futures Game, All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, MLB Draft and the All-Star Village fanfest. Stay tuned for more info on these events.
Just off the main drag in West Powelton, the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival at Saunders Park Greene draws thousands of revelers each year to celebrate jazz music in all its flavors.
This year, the free festival honors the legacy and music of John Coltrane, the legendary artist who once called Philly home, with an afternoon and evening of performances. The family-friendly event typically also features pay-as-you-go shopping with local vendors and tasty food truck eats.
Where: Saunders Park, 39th Street and Powelton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Get ready to cry. Based on the best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel that inspired the cult classic film, The Notebook follows Allie and Noah, whose devotion endures across a lifetime despite coming from very different worlds.
A story about determination, memory and rain-soaked declarations of love, this musical adaptation features original music and songs by Ingrid Michaelson.
July 23-30, 2026 (dates vary by event)
Every four years, the world’s top mathematicians gather together at an event dubbed the “Olympics of Mathematics” to share new findings and look to the future. This year, the global gathering comes to Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center. Members of the public can enjoy math-infused events, including:
Everything is peachy keen come August as Bucks County play-shop-and-dine destination Peddler’s Village brings the fuzzy, delicious fun during an annual free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go fest to kick off National Peach Month.
Every year, the Peach Festival offers live entertainment, summer gardens strolls, elaborate sand sculptures, and a slew of peach-themed food and drink specials at restaurants and eateries throughout the campus. Shops remain open additional hours on Saturday, and parking is always free.
Where: Peddler's Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA
Showcasing films by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists from around the world, the BlackStar Film Festival brings features, shorts, documentaries, panel discussions and parties to venues around the city.
Stay tuned to the official website for more details about the 2026 festival’s programming, including the full slate of genre-defying films.
Where: Location TBA, Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Folk Festival shines the spotlight on contemporary and legendary folk artists and bands with three full days of effervescent performances.
The 63rd annual event, produced by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, also offers camping, craft vendors, festival food, and plenty of all-ages activities at the 40-acre Old Pool Farm site in Montgomery County. Keep an eye on the official website for this year’s performances and additional details.
Where: Old Pool Farm, 1212 Barnbridge Drive, Collegeville, PA
Traditional folk music and dance, authentic foods (including a barbecue picnic), Ukrainian beer and spirits, and arts and crafts converge to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, as well as America’s 250th anniversary, at the Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival.
The centerpiece of the popular event, the summer outdoor Festival Grove Concert, showcases dance troupes, musicians and ensembles honoring Ukrainian liberty and unity. The 2026 lineup features special performances by Chicago-based dance ensemble Hromovytsia; singer-songwriter (and the official Ukrainian singing voice of Elsa from Disney’s Frozen) Shanis; and more.
Where: Ukrainian American Sports Center, 1 Lower State Road, North Wales, PA
Break out the spandex! The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back after a decade-long hiatus as part of Philly’s monster year celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
The internationally renowned race — a beloved tradition in the city for more than 30 years — returns for the first time since 2016 with both men’s and women’s races.
A 14.4-mile circuit course takes riders down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Lemon Hill and up the “Manayunk Wall,” a grueling hill featuring a 17% grade. Ouch. Catch us rooting from the sidelines.
Where: Course begins at Logan Square, 200 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
One of Bucks County’s favorite autumnal happenings, Scarecrows in the Village at Peddler’s Village is back for its 47th season.
For six weeks, more than 150 creative and colorful locally handmade scarecrows (ranging from silly to spooky, and even some famous faces) line the grounds’ brick pathways, part of an annual competition during which you can vote for your faves.
The free display’s apex is the annual Scarecrow Festival, with scarecrow-making workshops, pumpkin painting, live music and kids’ activities (September 19 and 20, 2026).
The fall fun doesn’t end there. Ready your stein: The village’s German-inspired OctoberFeast celebration brings food, beer, music and more (October 10 and 11, 2026).
Philly’s boldest and most adventurous artists burst onto Philly’s theatre scene each fall for the annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
This 19-day celebration showcases hundreds of alternative, cutting-edge and avant-garde performances throughout the city — ranging from theater and dance to film screenings and immersive gallery installations to cabaret shows and stand-up comedy. The 2026 lineup is still in the works, so keep an eye on the official website for updates.
Spotlighting the bustling arts scene in Bucks County, the Doylestown Arts Festival is a two-day juried art, music and food showcase along the streets of Doylestown.
Celebrating its 35th year in September, the festival features over 160 vendors, live art demonstrations, five stages of live music and a food court.
Where: Doylestown, Doylestown, PA
WXPN, the public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, brings together musical legends and rising stars — including many local names — for one can’t-miss annual fest at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden.
Over the last 30 years, the XPoNential Music Festival’s eclectic lineup has included everyone from Bob Dylan and Sarah McLachlan to Kurt Vile and The War on Drugs. This year’s performance slate is still TBA.
Where: Wiggins Waterfront Park, 2 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
That autumnal chill can’t stop the music. Check out these performances coming to area venues this fall:
Where: Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Produced by the Center for Architecture and Design, DesignPhiladelphia highlights the brilliance and creativity of Philadelphia’s design community — from young aspiring artists to the most seasoned designers.
Now in its 22nd year, the multi-day fest features a whole host of events and installations. Be on the lookout for panels, parties, hands-on family-friendly activities and tours when this year’s programming is announced on the event’s official website.
October 1-25, 2026 (dates vary by event)
It’s the Philadelphia Film Society’s big 35 (and we’re not just talking about mm film). Bust out the proverbial popcorn for these Film Society celebrations:
Where: Various locations including Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Hundreds of artists and community spaces open their doors to the public during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), an annual tradition that seeks to make workshops, galleries and other creative spaces more accessible.
Expect free self-guided tours, live demonstrations, exhibitions and more to pop up in more than 20 neighborhoods across the city, making POST one of the largest open studio events in the nation. Studios west of Broad Street are open October 10 and 11, 2026, while studios east of Broad Street are open October 17 and 18, 2026.
Philly doesn’t revel in Pride just in June. Each October since 1990, the city has held the annual OURfest (which stands for “Our Uniting Resilience Festival”) to celebrate National Coming Out Day (NCOD).
The festival block party (known as OutFest until 2022) typically features live performances and DJ sets, craft and apparel vendors, festival refreshments, and scores of organizations offering NCOD resources and promoting LGBTQ+ visibility.
The Philly Bike Ride invites cyclists of all skill levels to cruise through 20 miles of car-free streets. The closed-course route takes bicyclists from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and back, ending with a festival featuring music, food and activities.
Registration is required to participate in the Philly Bike Ride, but the finish line festival is open to the public and free to attend.
Where: Route begins at North 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Rowers of all levels — high school, college, elite and world champions — converge on the Schuylkill River for the two-day Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.
Drawing over 8,000 rowers and 20,000 to 30,000 spectators, the 2.3-mile race winds along Kelly Drive, which offers optimal viewing points to enjoy the festive atmosphere and watch 260-plus clubs, high schools and colleges race.
Where: Centered around Kelly Drive & Fountain Green Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate a half-century of hand-crafted art and singular talent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show.
Museum-quality handmade jewelry, textiles and mixed media are on display and for sale during this juried show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The highly anticipated annual event commemorates its milestone anniversary year by exhibiting 195 artists across 13 different categories of craft and design.
Salute the 70,000 vets who live in the Philadelphia region with this annual Veterans Day celebration.
The celebration typically kicks off along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with the annual parade — featuring marching bands, honorarium brigades, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, local celebrities, and motorcyclists — before culminating with an all-ages festival at Eakins Oval.
Where: Parade begins at 21st Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
One of the country’s top — and most scenic — running events, the Philadelphia Marathon sends thousands of athletes through the city.
Racers traverse Center City, Fairmount Park, University City and Manayunk past iconic landmarks like Penn’s Landing and Boathouse Row before ending at the Rocky Steps … all while hordes of spectators (and their memorable signs) cheer them on.
The marathon is only one part of a full weekend that also includes an 8K, a half-marathon, a children’s run and more.
Where: Begins at North 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and spectacular illuminated fountain shows combine to create an incredible winter wonderland at A Longwood Christmas.
Marvel at miles of lights setting the award-winning botanic garden aglow, before slipping inside Pierre S. du Pont’s Historic Main Conservatory, with its festively decorated trees, thousands of poinsettias and plentiful magical decor.
With more than 65 specialty shops perfect for holiday shopping, picturesque Peddler’s Village rings in the holiday season with festive events and plenty of decorations.
Santa personally ushers the festivities with live entertainment at Holiday Kickoff Weekend (November 20 to 22, 2026) and the Grand Illumination celebration (November 20, 2026), where the village is set aglow with 1 million twinkling lights. Other festive happenings include the annual Gingerbread Competition & Display (November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027) and plenty of family-friendly fun during Holly Jolly Weekend (December 5 and 6, 2026).
America marks a huge anniversary in 2026: its 250th birthday. As the birthplace of America, Philadelphia serves as the heart of the celebration. And we gotta say, it’s shaping up to be a pretty amazing year filled with festivals, fireworks, freedom and fun.
From major sporting events like FIFA World Cup 26 and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game to dynamic festivals like ArtPhilly: What Now and Red, White, & Blue To-Do to thought-provoking cultural events like the inaugural TED Democracy, you can expect nonstop happenings for all ages, all year long.
Check out our guide to 2026 in Philadelphia for the lowdown on how you should celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Be sure to check back often: There is so much more to be announced in the coming months.
Senior Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
Contributing Writer
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet!
Make the most of it by booking the Visit Philly Overnight Package, which comes with free hotel parking and complimentary tickets to some of the most popular attractions in each of Greater Philadelphia’s five counties including Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County and Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County.
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