Some posts contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
The heart of summer is a great time to enjoy all that Philadelphia has to offer. Whether you’re looking for outdoor fun in a waterfront park, you want to live it up on Independence Day, or you want to beat the heat at a special museum exhibit, there is a lot to do in Philadelphia in July.
Visit the Chinese Lantern Festival
Colorful lanterns, great food, and cultural performances make visiting the Chinese Lantern Festival a summer highlight. Each year, about 40 fanciful, hand-painted displays light up throughout Franklin Square. This year, fish a lobsters swim through coral, mythical deer relax in a bamboo forest, and there are more interactive games and sculptures than ever.
We love the festival and go every year. In addition to the incredible lanterns, our favorites include the face changer performances and the artisans. Don’t miss out on the chicken satay and the smoothies served in a whole pineapple. Advanced tickets (timed Friday through Sunday) are required. The festival runs through August 31, 2025.
Hang out at Spruce Street Harbor Park
Philly’s waterfront oasis, Spruce Street Harbor Park offers awesome hammocks, food vendors, games, and frequent special events for the whole family. Get some crabfries at Chickie’s and Pete’s and join the line for ice cream at Frozen Delights before grabbing a seat right by the river.
Special events in July include (see the full calendar):
- Spruce Street Dance Nights – Evening lessons and dancing July 11, 18, and 25
- Summer Concert Series – Evening show on July 26
- Family Funday with PopUpPlay – Free activities and games every Sunday of the month
Visit a museum for free
One of my favorite things about the weeks before July 4th are the free museum days. As part of Wawa Welcome America, over 30 museums and cultural institutions offer complementary admission on select days.
Free places to visit in July include:
- July 1 – See natural history displays at the Wagner Free Institute of Science
- July 3 – Enjoy the artwork at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- July 3 – Immerse yourself in religious history at Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives
- July 4 – Explore the unique Cliveden House
Celebrate the Fourth of July
It’s no surprise that the city that brought you the Declaration of Independence goes big on July 4th. There are three main experiences on the big day that are not to be missed.
- Salute to Independence Parade: Beginning at 11am in Old City, thousands of dancers, musicians, and float riders begin their procession along the parade route from Independence Hall down Market Street and ending at Chestnut and Front. Expect to see plenty of colonial re-enactors who have been training for this day.
- July 4th Concert: LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan take the stage on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a free concert. The section closest to the stage requires tickets, but anyone can line up along the Parkway for music, food trucks, and games in a family-friendly environment. Gates open at 4pm and the show starts at 7pm.
- Fireworks: The day culminates with fireworks above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They begin right after the concert ends (typically between 9:35 and 9:45pm) and can be seen from the Parkway, Belmont Plateau, and around Fairmount Park.
Enjoy a rooftop bar
Philly is full of excellent rooftop bars perfect for enjoying a nice summer day, and we’ve been to them all. Bok Bar has the best views in the city, and they’re serving Gabriella’s excellent Vietnamese food this month. For great drinks perched above the Parkway, Assembly is the place to go. If you’re craving Mexican, head to El Techo—the roof there is retractable, so you don’t need to worry about the weather.
Indulge at the Ice Cream Festival on Filbert Street
If trying some of the city’s best ice cream and water ice all in one place is your idea of heaven, the Ice Cream Festival on Filbert Street is the place to go. From Milk Jawn to Siddiq’s Water Ice and, of course, the classic Bassetts, nearly a dozen frozen treat vendors will set on Filbert Street beside Reading Terminal Market. Even better: more ice cream specials are available inside the market. Swing by on July 12 from 1-5pm for demonstrations, music, and lots of good ice cream.
Have fun at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
In July, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest feels like a riverside carnival. Rides and boardwalk games are big draws, and there is a huge arcade and plenty of food options. I mean, who doesn’t love a good funnel cake?
Play mini-golf and enjoy the roller skating rink, which is back this summer. General admission is free, and the attractions, roller skating, and concessions are pay-as-you-go. Summerfest is open daily through September 1, 2025.
Experience Blobfest
Lovers of the campy and quirky, rejoice! Phoenixville’s annual Blobfest festival is back from July 11 to 13. The 3-day event commemorates the 1950s sci-fi/horror movie The Blob starring Steve McQueen, which was filmed in and around the area.
Blobfest’s main event is a recreation of the movie scene in which people run screaming out the doors of The Colonial Theatre. This year, there are two run-outs. Saturday’s Street Fair includes lots of music, food, and unique vendors plus a parade, a costume contest, and a kids’ talent show. Sunday brings a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. See the full schedule of events.
See a movie at Sunset Social
Catch a movie 12 stories up at Sunset Social. The bar and restaurant at Cira Green hosts movie nights every Wednesday throughout the summer. Grab a burger and enjoy a show on the 60-foot screen at the city’s unique rooftop park. Many showings are accompanied by a costume contest. Dogs and kids are welcome.
July showings include:
- July 2 – Black Panther
- July 9 – Ready Player One
- July 16 – Captain America: Brave New World
- July 23 – Everything Everywhere All At Once
Shakespeare in Clark Park
One of West Philly’s most anticipated traditions returns for its 20th year. From July 23-27, Shakespeare in Clark Park presents a different spin on A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the musical A Bottom’s Dream. The free show is a fun “queer pop disco adaptation” of the classic play and features local drag entertainer Lili St. Queer and lots of youth performers singing and dancing their hearts out. If you like great music and top-tier entertainment under the stars, head to the park’s bowl for this must-see show.