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Philadelphia has wrapped Independence month and back-to-school has yet to kick in, making August a perfect time to get out and enjoy late summer’s best events and things to do.
Summer festival season is in full swing come August. Explore cultural events like the BlackStar Film Festival, Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival, Polish American Family Festival and August’s three PECO Multicultural Series weekends. Or find bites and brews at Upper Bucks Brew Fest, Peddler’s Village Peach Festival, Vegandale and the 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties.
Hit up some favorite summer spaces before the season ends at Independence Blue Cross River Rink Summerfest, Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival.
And August also brings the 62nd annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl, New Hope Automobile Show and Philadelphia Eagles preseason at The Linc.
Check out Visit Philly’s guide to the most awesome things to do in Philadelphia in August 2025.
It’s showtime! Gather the family for a joyously spooky and sight-gag-filled time at the Academy of Music as Ensemble Arts Philly’s Broadway Series brings the hit musical Beetlejuice to the stage.
Based on Tim Burton’s cult classic Michael Keaton film, the beloved and darkly humorous story follows a ghost couple who try and fail to haunt the strange inhabitants of their former home into leaving, until a certain stripes-loving “ghost with the most” offers his centuries of experience to assist. Just don’t say the name of the musical three times!
Where: Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Showcasing films by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists, the BlackStar Film Festival brings features, documentaries and shorts from some of the most influential voices in filmmaking and visual arts to The Kimmel Center, Suzanne Roberts Theatre and Wilma Theater. The 14th annual event will feature nearly 100 films (including world premieres) representing dozens of countries.
Tickets for the Oscar-qualifying fest are available for individual performances or as blanket festival-long passes.
Where: Various locations including Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, August 10, 2025
Hundreds of flags and banners stitched by colonial Philadelphia flagmakers like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young were carried by Revolutionary soldiers and militiamen. But only 30 are known to have survived.
The Museum of the American Revolution celebrates the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the U.S. Armed Forces with the milestone exhibit Banners of Liberty: Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags, which showcases over a dozen of these original flags — the largest collection of Revolutionary-era colors seen together in over 200 years.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (Wednesdays only)
The 21st season of the pay-as-you-go Center City District SIPS series is coming to a close, so head out and enjoy the happy hour revelry. The weekly Wednesday night program offers discounts at nearly 100 bars, restaurants and beer gardens throughout Center City.
The SIPS promotion is simple: enjoy $5 beer, $6 wine, $7 cocktails and half-priced appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. at favorites like Franky Bradley’s, Taste Cheesesteak Bar, Harp & Crown, Independence Beer Garden, Square 1682, Bud & Marilyn’s, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Continental Midtown and more. After happy hour, enjoy 15% off dinner at select locations.
Where: Various locations including Air Grille at Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, August 31, 2025
All eyes turn from France to the French-inspired Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the From Paris to Provence exhibition highlighting the Barnes Foundation’s own collection. This self-study of over 50 works examines how France itself informed the native impressionist and post-impressionist painters who have significant presence within the existing gallery.
See how late 19th and early 20th century masters like Monet, Renoir, Manet, van Gogh and Cézanne were influenced by La République, from the streets of Paris to the coasts of Normandy to the South of France, through art, culture and personality.
Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Light up the night at historic Franklin Square for the return of the must-see Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Old City. Celebrate the Year of the Snake among dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns and installations constructed by Chinese artisans. (Bonus: Many of this year’s displays are whimsically interactive with group games, creative activities and fun moving elements.)
Along with the fantastical light display, enjoy live cultural performances, folk art, dumpling-making, fountain shows, festival-themed crafts and lots of international food and drink, including brews at the popular Dragon Beer Garden. Advanced tickets (timed Fridays through Sundays) are required to attend the event, which starts after the park closes.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, September 1, 2025
The latest iteration of the famous three-decade-old traveling exhibition, Body Worlds: Vital is on display through Labor Day weekend at The Franklin Institute. A joint work of anatomists and over 13,000 body donors, the exhibit is an exposition of dissected human bodies, animals and other anatomical figures, which allows visitors to view complex anatomy structures and functions in an unprecedented way through the innovative preservation process of plastination.
The exhibit explores health concerns of contemporary times and celebrates the living human body in its optimal state: healthy, vibrant, vigorous and in motion.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
On display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through Labor Day weekend, Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s showcases the monumental changes in design aesthetics that came during and after World War II. The exhibit highlights a shift toward creativity and a departure from norms across media, including fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture and more.
Works from the museum’s permanent collections explore how artists brought new ideas to their work and began to express a creative spirit that flourished despite the restrictions and adversity of the era across the decade.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Head to the Delaware River waterfront before Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest comes to a close this Labor Day. The open-air festival’s centerpiece is the NHL-sized rollerskating rink surrounded by a double-decker carousel, a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel, mini-golf, a moon bounce, and a midway with boardwalk games and rides.
Hit up any of those popular tentpole attractions, or just chill and indulge in plenty of food and drink alongside soaring views of the river and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Admission to the festival is free, with food, rides and skating pay as you go.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, September 1, 2025 (Tuesdays through Saturdays)
Family-friendly Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches feature free tales performed by specially trained, uniformed historians at key locations around Philadelphia’s Historic District, from Independence Visitor Center and National Constitution Center to Betsy Ross House and Carpenters’ Hall. Benches are available on select days now through Labor Day.
Told in three- to five-minute summaries, the stories recount details about some of our nation’s earliest citizens — well- and not-so-well-known — who shaped America’s history, shared in the places where the events actually happened. Visit all the benches and receive a certificate and a special surprise in Franklin Square.
Where: Various locations including Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
One of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to travel around the city all summer long is aboard the colorful Philadelphia PHLASH Downtown Loop. Single rides on the purple buses are just $2 per person or $5 for an all-day pass, with free rides for children under 5, seniors, and SEPTA Pass and Key card holders.
The PHLASH service loops from Penn’s Landing to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with over a dozen stops along the route near attractions like Independence National Historical Park, The Franklin Institute, LOVE Park and the Please Touch Museum.
Where: Various stops including Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, September 28, 2025
The popular Spruce Street Harbor Park (SSHP) warm-weather attraction on the Delaware River features a bevy of activities, a boardwalk with concessions and plenty of spaces to chill — in waterside Adirondack chairs, in flat-bottomed net lounges above the river or in cozy hammocks in the meadow.
Enjoy amenities including The Lazy Hammock covered bar and stage with video wall, Blue Anchor Barge local beer and cocktail bar, and The Trading Post waterside snack and ice cream bodega. And don’t miss SSHP’s free summerlong events like Dance Nights, After Work Sessions, Sunsets at Spruce, concerts and more.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The glorious waterworks at Longwood Gardens — named one of the world’s 100 greatest places — spring 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 sprays in changing patterns spinning and dancing to music. Nighttime brings the dazzling displays of the spectacular Illuminated Fountain Performances, with special Fireworks & Fountains Shows on select dates (including August 9 and August 31, 2025).
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
Through Sunday, September 28, 2025 (select dates)
Spend the waning dog days of summer at gorgeous Citizens Bank Park as Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and your 2025 Philadelphia Phillies heat up for the pennant race.
The August schedule features three straight interleague home series as the Phils take on the Detroit Tigers (August 1 to 3, 2025), Baltimore Orioles (August 4 to 6, 2025) and Seattle Mariners (August 18 to 20, 2025). The month wraps up with two key NL East division home matchups, first versus the Washington Nationals from August 22 to 24, 2025, and a heated set against the Atlanta Braves from August 28 to 31, 2025.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, October 12, 2025 (Wednesdays through Sundays)
Philly’s beloved roving beer garden Parks on Tap brings brews and bites to urban parks and green spaces across Philadelphia, with a new neighborhood to visit each week. Expect drafts from Mainstay Independent Brewing, Conshohocken Brewing, 2SP Brewing and more, as well as cocktails, burgers, cheesesteaks and snacks.
Find Parks on Tap at these great spaces during August:
Where: Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
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Pretzel Park, 4300 Silverwood Street, Philadelphia, PA
Stephen Girard Park, 2101 W. Shunk Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dickinson Square Park, 1600 E. Moyamensing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, October 18, 2025 (select dates)
Dooooop! The Philadelphia Union turn it up for the MLS season’s second half as Kai Wagner, Andre Blake, Alejandro Bedoya and their teammates kick into August with a three-match home slate at soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester.
The month opens with an exciting friendly with Bundesliga (Germany’s national league) contender Eintracht Frankfurt e.V. on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Then it’s back to the playoff push as the Boys in Blue are also visited by Toronto FC on Saturday, August 9, 2025, then by the Chicago Fire on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Where: Subaru Park, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA
Through Saturday, October 25, 2025 (select dates)
The popular PECO Multicultural Series returns for its 30th year celebrating diverse communities with free summertime festivals of culture, dance, crafts and cuisine from diverse Philadelphia communities.
Here’s what’s coming up for August, with all events at Cherry Street Pier:
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, October 26, 2025 (Saturdays & Sundays)
Hailed as “one of the best food markets in the United States” by Food & Wine, the seasonal Southeast Asian Market brings the tastes of the region to FDR Park each weekend through October.
The massive culinary treasure includes over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, street food, native produce, plants, jewelry, apparel and more, all set up at the festival’s ”season two” location on the bank of Edgewood Lake. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy your food fresh along with your take-home haul. Please note: Some vendors are cash-only and there’s no ATM on site.
Where: FDR Park, South Broad Street & Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Ongoing
Give the City of Brotherly Love a standing ovation: The internationally renowned TKTS ticket booth service is available right here in Philly.
Joining the ranks of New York, Tokyo and London, TKTS Philadelphia offers unbeatable deals of 30% to 50% off last-minute tickets to select Philly theater and performing arts shows (within 72 hours of the start time), including performances by Ensemble Arts Philly and The Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as shows at over 20 venues like The Wilma Theater, Forrest Theatre and Walnut Street Theatre. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Independence Visitor Center.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Where: Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
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Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA
The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA
Highmark Skyline Stage at the Mann, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Head to West Chester to learn more about rotorcraft, convertiplanes and other spiral wing aircraft at the under-the-radar American Helicopter Museum. The site is now featuring the special Over the Horizon exhibit, part of The Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration honoring milestone semiquincentennial birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marines.
Discover how helicopters from autogiros to tiltrotors — and their hero pilots and aviators — help the Navy and Marines step to the forefront of power projection during (and preparing for) naval warfare through the museum’s collection of military helicopters, models, videos and photos.
Where: American Helicopter Museum, 1220 American Boulevard, West Chester, PA
This August, Peddler’s Village will have you feeling peachy with its annual kickoff to National Peach Month.
This free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go peachy paradise offers peach treats, live entertainment and scenic summer strolls through the gardens. Plus, while you’re savoring stone fruit, don’t miss the chance to check out the brand-new village-wide Safari in Sand sand sculpture installation.
Where: Peddler's Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA
The first Sunday in August is Northern Liberties’ time to shine. Since 2008, the free annual 2nd Street Festival brings thousands of revelers to the corridor of the River Wards neighborhood between Girard Avenue and Spring Garden Street.
Expect a Philly-centric lineup of live bands on stages (at Germantown Avenue and at Fairmount Avenue), more than 150 art and apparel merchants and vendors, multiple beer and cocktail gardens featuring selections from local craft breweries and distilleries, and the finest food fare NoLibs (and beyond) has to offer.
Where: North 2nd Street from Girard Avenue to Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
August 7 & 16, 2025
Get pumped, Philly: Your Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are back! Head down to Lincoln Financial Field as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and all your favorites hit the gridiron for the first time this year for two preseason games to help decide who’ll make the 2025 squad.
It’s an all-Ohio affair for the Birds’ pair of home exhibition contests. The Cincinnati Bengals are first up on Thursday, August 7, 2025, for a 7:30 p.m. tilt under the stars. Then the Cleveland Browns visit for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA
Attention comic book and anime lovers! Head out to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for the third annual Liberty Comic Con to meet like-minded pop culture fans, stop by a slew of vendors, and interact with voice actors, artists, writers, cosplayers and more over the three-day weekend.
The event features panels, cosplay performances and contests, gaming tournaments from Video Game Corners, quizzo challenges and opportunities to meet and greet with voice artists from series like Attack on Titan, One Punch Man, My Hero Academia, Death Note, The Simpsons, and lots more to be announced.
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA
A fully functioning 300-acre farm, Linvilla Orchards also offers attractions like produce picking, a year-round market, animal barnyard and beer garden. Celebrate August’s peak sunflowers growing season and National Peach Month at the farmstead during the annual Peach & Sunflower Festival.
Enjoy acres of sunflower fields and crates of peaches with a pick-your-own ticket entitling you to a container to fill with fruits and veggies and a hayride to and from the fields. The farm’s bakery also offers items like a peach cobbler sundae topped with a peach donut.
Where: Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA
Join fellow bibliophiles and over 50 independent authors to celebrate the power of storytelling for the LiteracyNation Indie Author Book Fair at Pennsylvania Convention Center. The free-to-the-public event promises a day filled with books, learning and entertainment.
Fair attendees can meet writers and small publishers at Indie Showcases, get tips on writing and self-publishing from experts during Panel Discussions, and absorb in-depth knowledge and strategies for success in the book industry at Master Workshops. The event also features book signings and readings, and a Children’s Pavilion with storytellers, face painting and a magician.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
For nearly seven decades, the New Hope Automobile Show has showcased the finest in antique and classic automobiles to nearly 10,000 yearly attendees on the campus of the New Hope-Solebury High School. The juried weekend event offers a different theme each day, plus a two-day 75th anniversary celebration of the Volkswagen Bus.
Saturday is Domestic Day with American regular car classes, replicars and various rods (hot, rat, street, restored and custom). Come back Sunday at Foreign Day with overseas manufacturers from Alfa Romeos to Bentleys plus exotics and historical vehicles.
Where: New Hope Solebury School District, 180 W. Bridge Street, New Hope, PA
It’s a wild weekend of invertebrates at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University during the annual Bug Fest celebration. The festival — and the Now & Then Market of local artists and artisans — is free with general admission to the museum.
Fest events include scientist-guided Bug Walks on the Parkway, the famous Roach Races, exhibits from the class Entomology Collection, “Ask the Experts” scientist meet-and-greets, Beetle World with Lauren Cat West, film screenings, food trucks, and special activities across Dinosaur Hall, North American Hall, the African and Asian Halls and throughout the building.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
The massive annual Philadelphia Folk Festival returns with a fresh lineup of contemporary and legendary folk artists and bands. This year’s slate of performers includes John Gorka, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, SONiA disappear fear, Solas and more.
The 62nd annual event, produced by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, also offers camping, craft vendors, festival food, family activities, workshops and more at the 40-acre Old Pool Farm site in Montgomery County. Check out the official website for the full lineup of performers.
Where: Old Pool Farm, 1212 Barnbridge Drive, Collegeville, PA
The world’s largest traveling oddities event returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Billed for “lovers of the strange, unusual and bizarre,” the Oddities & Curiosities Expo offers a weekend of vendors, dealers, artists and a slew of weird, odd and plain strange attractions and items.
The curious event features taxidermy, preserved specimens, artwork, horror-inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafts, “quack” medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls and bones, and funeral collectibles. Sideshows perform throughout the day, and classes in raccoon taxidermy and entomology are also available. Bonus: Kids 12 and under can attend free.
Head down to Xfinity Live! for a truly grande experience at the eighth annual Philadelphia Taco Festival.
Indulge in selections from 45 of Philly’s best restaurants, food trucks and eateries offering over 130 styles of tacos, plus multiple margarita bars and a giant nacho station.
Also on the docket: live bands, Mariachi music, DJs, lucha libre wrestling, mechanical bull riding, axe throwing, a kids zone and hot chili pepper and taco eating contests for the brave of heart and stomach.
Where: Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Featuring hit songs from the two next-generation Disney franchises, the Disney Presents Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour brings a one-of-a-kind interactive live concert experience to Xfinity Mobile Arena. The high-energy show features family-friendly performances by stars from the musical fantasy shows made to dance, sing and engage with your favorite cast members.
The lineup includes Descendants’ Joshua Colley, Malachi Barton and Dara Reneé and Zombies’ Malia Baker, along with Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Mekonnen Knife and more to be announced. And if you don’t know who these people are, just ask your kids!
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Italians were on to something: We deserve to live la dolce vita all summer long.
Inspired by the leisurely, after-work strolls popular in Italy, the summertime Passyunk Passeggiata invites you to promenade — and dare we say, frolic — up and down the Ave on Thursdays. But this month’s special Open Streets edition kicks it up a notch by offering a full evening of car-free bliss.
Indulge in special happy hour bites and drinks, including $6 beers, $7 wines, $8 cocktails and $8 apps, from local eateries and shop the sidewalk at boutiques and service providers. Participating businesses include Barcelona Wine Bar, DaVinci & Yu, A Novel Idea bookshop, Tildie’s Toy Box and more.
Where: East Passyunk Avenue between Moore Street and Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, August 23, 2025 (times vary by location)
Stretching from Phoenixville and Fishtown to Germantown and Delco, the third annual Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl is a celebration of the city’s vibrant and plentiful bookstore scene, challenging book lovers to explore the region’s ever-growing collection of independently owned shops.
Nearly 50 participating bookshops throughout the city spend the day hosting special events, holding surprise giveaways, offering deep discounts, and presenting meet-and-greets and in-store book signings with respected authors. Don’t know where to start? Check out the official website for details and a full list of bookstores, or peruse the Interactive Bookstore Crawl Map.
Where: Various locations including A Novel Idea, 1726 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Each year, The Franklin Institute — one of the country’s leading science museums — lets kids and families experience experiments and presentations with a level of danger only to be handled by experts during the annual Caution! Don’t Try This at Home Day.
The “Extreme Science Ahead” spectacle features hourly over-the-top experiments where objects are lit on fire, launched into the sky and a-sploded to showcase the power of gravity, pressure, combustion and chemical reactions. Highlights include a 500-ball blast triggered by liquid nitrogen, hydrogen balloon explosions and 42-foot drops of Jell-O, slime and watermelons.
Part traveling music festival, part vegan foodie and wellness paradise, Vegandale is North America’s largest vegan festival, bringing over 100 of the best whole and plant-based food, drink and lifestyle purveyors to the Marine Parade Grounds at The Navy Yard.
In between bites, dance to live music, groove to spinning DJs, snap shots by the Instagram-ready interactive art installations and connect with other sustainability-minded festival goers — whether you identify as vegan, plant-based, pescatarian, vegetarian, omnivore or anything on the spectrum.
Where: Marine Parade Grounds at The Navy Yard, South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Experience the best midsummer beer festival in the far-northern suburbs during the annual Upper Bucks Brew Fest in Quakertown. Held at the Univest Performance Center in the Park at 4th, the event features live music, food from local restaurants, raffles, a cornhole tournament and lots of beer.
Along with pay-as-you-go catering from Dominick’s Pizza and music from Total Zeros Band throughout the event, tickets offer unlimited samplings, a tasting glass and a tasting card. Check in with the festival’s official website for an updated list of participating breweries to be announced.
Where: The Park at 4th, 301 W. Mill Street, Quakertown, PA
Located in the beautiful Bucks County countryside, Fonthill Castle is the 110-year-old residence-turned-museum of archeologist, anthropologist and ceramist Henry Chapman Mercer. Each August, the manor transforms into stunning festival grounds for the annual Fonthill Castle Beer Fest.
The event features over a dozen local and regional craft breweries from Aristaeus to Wissahickon Brewing (and a commemorative beer-tasting glass), plus live music and light fare in a singular outdoor setting. Stick around to explore the castle’s 44 rooms, 32 stairwells, 18 fireplaces, 21 chimneys, 200 windows and bookcases carrying over 6,000 titles.
Where: Fonthill Castle, 525 E. Court Street, Doylestown, PA
The biggest names in motorsports entertainment — including Bigfoot, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Gunkster and the brand new Skelesaurus dinosaur skeleton machine — rev up the night as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire show roars into Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The first half of the show features dramatic glow-in-the-dark lighting, then transitions after intermission to a blazing fire-enhanced spectacle highlighted by a transforming robot-truck and fire-breathing “dragon” display, plus a performance from the high-flying Freestyle Motocross team. Upgrade for access to an up-close pre-show party or backstage VIP experience.
A staple in the D.C. region since 2001, the Heritage India Festival comes to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for the first time. Highlighting the culture, cuisine and wares of South Asia, the event allows visitors to revel in the colors of the subcontinent.
The festival’s marketplace features over 150 booths with vendors presenting the finest in fashion, jewelry, garments, accessories, handicrafts and more. And the fest is highlighted by culinary delights from some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants, including samosas, bhel puri, chaat, curries, kabobs, idlis and desserts.
Traditional folk music and dance, authentic foods (including a barbecue picnic), Ukraintsi beer and spirits, and arts and crafts converge to celebrate the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence at the Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival at Montco’s Tryzub Ukrainian American Sports Center.
The event is highlighted by the summer outdoor Festival Grove Concert showcasing dance troupes, musicians, singers and ensembles that honor the struggles of today’s Ukrainian people. $2 from each admission (sold only at the gate on the date of the event) go to humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine.
Where: Ukrainian American Sports Center, 1 Lower State Road, North Wales, PA
The Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneer Hall of Famer and iconic WDAS radio host returns to the Dell Music Center for another edition of her late-summer R&B concert extravaganza, Patty Jackson’s Party In The Park — a tradition since 2016.
This year’s smooth-jamming lineup includes singer/songwriter icon Jeffrey Osborne (On The Wings of Love), R&B trio After 7 and funk-disco band Heatwave, all hosted by the legendary Philly voice, with a family-friendly atmosphere and festive vibe.
Where: Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA
August 30-September 1 & September 6-7, 2025
The 59th annual Polish American Family Festival transforms the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa into one of the country’s oldest and largest Polish cultural fests. The five-day Doylestown party is a celebration of family, fun and heritage attracting over 25,000 attendees.
The two-weekend event features amusement rides, a “little circus,” shopping, reenactors, tributes to Polish heritage, a Polish vodka tasting and Polish cuisine like kielbasa and pierogi. Enjoy continuous entertainment on two outdoor stages with polka and disco polo bands, Polish folk dance groups and the Mummers’ Polish American String Band.
Where: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, PA
There’s nowhere better than Philly for outdoor urban attractions running all summer long, highlighted by the waning days of the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square with its massive handcrafted lanterns, international food options and the Dragon Beer Garden.
Or head to the Delaware River for Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest at Penn’s Landing with its full-sized rollerskating rink, double-decker carousel, 60-foot Ferris wheel and boardwalk midway. Then check out nearby Spruce Street Harbor Park and its floating riverside net lounges and LED-lit tree-slung hammocks, concessions boardwalk and free concerts.
Where: Various locations including Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
August’s late-summer temps and sunny days are the perfect weather to get out and enjoy outdoor dining spaces across the city to feast alfresco. Grab a seat under the sun (or stars … or awning) at a new or favorite restaurant, bistro, cafe or diner that features open-air seating at patio tables, street enclosures, rooftop decks and parklets.
Philly offers a plethora of outdoor spots from balconies to beer gardens, including favorites like Suraya, LMNO, Sunset Social, Independence Beer Garden, Liberty Point, Morgan’s Pier or your favorite rooftop space.
Where: Various locations including Liberty Point, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Let the music wash over you on a warm August evening at a plethora of open-air concert venues in Philly, the largest of which — Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion — holds 26,000 between seats and the lawn, with across-the-river views of the Philly skyline.
West Fairmount Park’s Mann Center pavilion and lawn accommodates 14,000 with stunning skyline views from one of the city’s highest points, while East Fairmount Park’s secluded Dell Music Center hosts up to 5,300. And don’t miss colossal summer shows at Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park stadiums.
Where: Various locations including Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Summertime in Philly means Philadelphia Phillies baseball with America’s most passionate fans at Citizens Bank Park, one of the game’s most beautiful venues. Cheer on your favorite stars and grab some of the nation’s best ballpark food along centerfield’s Ashburn Alley.
August also marks the return of Philadelphia Eagles football as the preseason gets underway at Lincoln Financial Field, with plenty of “Go Birds” greetings and “E-A-G-L-E-S” chants. Or hit the pitch with the Philadelphia Union at soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester with marquee views of the Commodore Barry Bridge soaring above the stadium.
Where: Various locations including Subaru Park, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA
Each of Philly’s two major rivers offer distinct summery experiences along their riverside trails popular among hikers, runners, walkers and cyclists.
The Schuylkill River Trail stretches 40-plus miles from Montgomery and Chester county river towns to South Philly, passing wooded parks, iconic museums, historic landmarks and the stunning Schuylkill Banks along paved sections and scenic suburban rail-trails. Meanwhile, the vibrant multi-modal Delaware River Trail offers a more urban four-mile route from Penn Treaty Park to Pier 68 connecting numerous city parks, dining spots and attractions along Penn’s Landing.
Where: Delaware River Trail, Philadelphia, PA
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Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is home to hundreds of Black-owned shops and eateries to support in August during National Black Business Month. The city offers singular spots for visitors checking out the town, restaurant-goers and shoppers picking up everyday wares.
Visit historic Black-owned booksellers like Hakim’s Bookstore and Harriett’s Bookshop, boutiques such as Blk Ivy Thrift and Common Ground, lifestyle experiences at Trunc and Yowie, and wellness spots like Dope Botanicals and Watts Fitness Studio. Or eat up at Black-owned restaurants from Amina to Lou & Choo’s Lounge to South Restaurant & Jazz Club.
Where: Various locations including Dope Botanicals, 257 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
It’s a somewhat confusing name, but water ice — locally pronounced “wooder ice” — is a quintessentially Philly warm-weather treat. Similar to (but different from) Italian ice, the simple combination of fruit or syrup with finely shaved ice can be found at shops across the city.
Explore traditional flavors at shops like John’s Water Ice, Rose’s Real Italian Water Ice, Morrone’s Water Ice, Tranzilli’s Real Italian, Yardley Ice House and Philly’s ubiquitous Rita’s Water Ice. For creative flavors like daiquiri and cantaloupe, visit Siddiq’s Water Ice, or enjoy gourmet options at D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats.
Where: Various locations including John's Water Ice, 701 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA
When you’re on vacation (or staycation), there’s nothing like hitting a relaxing, luxurious hotel pool to cool down, get some exercise or chill poolside. Here are some of Philly’s best.
Check out: the 57th-floor indoor infinity pool at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, the four-story glass atrium rooftop pool at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City, AKA University City’s 75-foot-long stainless steel “pool in the sky,” the Philly-themed Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown pool, The Logan’s salt water pool or the heated rooftop at the W Philadelphia (which offers day passes for non-guests).
Where: Various locations including the W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Make no mistake: August in Philadelphia can get pretty hot, but temperatures remain relatively comfortable for the second half of summer. Daytime high temperatures average 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows below 70 degrees.
August remains sunny even as days get shorter, averaging over eight hours of sunshine per day, with only around 10 days experiencing at least some rain — with occasional brief scattered summer thunderstorms. The record high temperature for August is 101 degrees, achieved in 1953 and 2001. Back in 1986, thermometers dropped to a chilly 44.
August is a top month in Philly for all manner of sports. On the pro scene, the Phillies garner the city’s full attention as pennant races heat up at Citizens Bank Park. Meanwhile, the Eagles are just getting underway as preseason games begin at Lincoln Financial Field.
Not to be outdone, the Union continue their quest for a spot in the MLS playoffs at Subaru Park in Chester. City parks, courts and fields are also filled during August with recreational athletes participating in everything from tennis and softball to disc golf and water polo.
During August, enjoy live music outside on warm evenings or indoors in the air conditioning. Experience the open air at amphitheaters like Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion and Fairmount Park’s The Mann Center and Dell Music Center as they start to wrap their summer concert schedules.
Not to be outdone, enormous stadiums like Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park become giant parties with outdoor shows featuring A-list headliners. Or grab a spot in the AC at Xfinity Mobile Arena or music halls like The Met, Fillmore Philly and Franklin Music Hall.
Surround yourself with good eats, good drinks, good music and good company outdoors in parks and along neighborhood blacktops during the apex of summer festival season.
Grab a glass at Upper Bucks Brew Fest or Fonthill Castle Beer Fest, explore plant-based delights at Vegandale at the Navy Yard or bite into a summery fave at the Peddler’s Village Peach Festival or Linvilla Orchards’ Peach & Sunflower Festival. Hit the streets for the 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties, chill with music vibes at the Philadelphia Folk Festival or rev your engines at the New Hope Automobile Show.
Oh, yeah! Philadelphia can get pretty warm during August. That makes for a great month to head into the air conditioning at one of the city’s myriad of art, cultural, science and historical museums.
Start at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the city’s largest with 14,865 feet of gallery space. From there, discover more spots along the Ben Franklin Parkway and beyond, from the beloved Franklin Institute and historic Academy of Natural Sciences to the eerie Mütter Museum and quirky American Treasure Tour, all in the comfy indoors with plenty of new exhibits.
So many, we can’t list them all here! Philadelphia is filled with emigrants and native-born citizens from a plethora of backgrounds, and August is a great month to celebrate multicultural events in the city.
Discover your (and your neighbors’) roots at cultural fests like the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, Polish American Family Festival, Heritage India Festival and Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival. And each summer brings the PECO Multicultural Series which celebrates the city’s diverse cultural heritage through free weekend festivals, highlighted in August by the ACANA African Festival, Festival of India and Caribbean Festival.
Philly is a great destination any month, but August is one of the best as visitors take advantage of smaller post-Independence Day crowds and families get in that last vacay before school starts up again.
August’s decreasing summer temps are pleasant for outdoor fun at city season-long outdoor attractions like Spruce Street Harbor Park and Independence Blue Cross River Rink Summerfest, along with the roving neighborhood sites for Parks on Tap. It’s also a great month to enjoy a bevy of outdoor concerts and neighborhood food, beer and street festivals.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
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