June 2024 in Philly: The 35+ Biggest Events, Festivals & Exhibitions

Through Monday, September 2, 2024

The Art of the Brick returns to The Franklin Institute for the first time in nearly a decade with its display of over 100 pieces of art all made completely of LEGO — from recreations of masterworks like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to original LEGO sculptures including a 20-foot-long T. rex skeleton. Every piece in the hugely impressive display is the handiwork of contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, the first ever to create an exhibition of LEGO art.

Through Sunday, January 5, 2025

In the fascinating Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent exhibition, visitors discover rare documents, inspired works of art and historical objects that paint a fuller picture of the shelter used as George Washington’s headquarters throughout the War for Independence. The tent — the Museum of the American Revolution’s signature artifact — served as the battlefield home, strategic meeting place and office quarters for General Washington, and the exhibition tells the stories of the many individuals who worked to preserve and pass down this vital symbol of America.

April 17 – September 29, 2024 (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 spaces in June 2024:

• Penn Treaty Park, Fishtown (May 31 – June 4, 2024)
• Pastorius Park, Chestnut Hill (June 5-9, 2024)
• Belmont Plateau, West Fairmount Park (June 12-16, 2024)
• Lemon Hill, East Fairmount Park (June 19-23, 2024)
• Pretzel Park, Manayunk (June 26-30, 2024)

Summer brings rollerskating to Dilworth Park’s Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink in the heart of Center City on the west side of City Hall. Grab an advanced ticket for hour-long skating sessions on the retro-inspired checkerboard rink (available afternoons and evenings seven days a week). When you’re done, enjoy eats and drinks at the adjacent Air Grille Garden and Dilworth Park Café for roller rink-inspired snacks and cocktails. Worked up a sweat? Splash through the park’s dancing ground-embedded fountains.

Coming to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for this spring and summer only, the new Mary Cassatt at Work exhibition celebrates the Philadelphia-raised impressionist artist via 130 prints, paintings and pastels that explore gender, labor and feminine agency. Also included: new findings about the advanced processes and materials the painter — who began studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts at age 15 — used in the early 20th century. This is the first major showing of Cassatt’s life’s work in over 25 years.

Hope you’re hungry! The annual Black Restaurant Week kicks off at the end of May, celebrating a selection of over two-dozen Black-owned restaurants in Greater Philadelphia, along with the best of Black, African and Caribbean cuisine across the region. Over the event’s 10 days, participating restaurants — from spots like 48th Street Grille, Jacobs Northwest, Mt. Airy Deli, iMunch Café and Cray Taste Old City — showcase robust flavors through special meal deals, all with the mission of supporting Black entrepreneurs.

The popular annual Philly Beer Week returns with 10 days of events, tastings, happy hours, pub crawls and foamy fun throughout the area. Pouring since 2007, the regional tradition brings together breweries from around the city and countryside and across the country to highlight why Philly is one of the best beer cities in the world. Keep an eye on the official event calendar and Philly Loves Beer’s Instagram for schedules, announcements and lists of participating breweries.

Take a peek behind the scenes at the homes along Elfreth’s Alley — one of the oldest continuously occupied residential streets in America, dating back to 1703 — during the 89th annual Fete Day, where residents open their doors to visitors wishing to take a glimpse of 21st-century life in these 18th-century homes. The traditional 1930s-style celebration, benefiting the Elfreth’s Alley Association and Elfreth’s Alley Museum, also features music, entertainment, food vendors, artisan crafters and trained historians ready to answer all your questions.

The first lager beers were brought to America by Bavarian John Wagner, who began brewing the style in Philadelphia in 1840. Celebrate the connection between Philly and lagers at the Logjammin’ IV festival at Cherry Street Pier, featuring over 80 breweries including local representation from Imprint Beer Co., Attic Brewing, Second District, Carbon Copy, Love City Brewing and more. The event also features food selections and a VIP package with early admission and special amenities.

With its deep history in soul, rap and hip-hop, it’s no wonder Philadelphia is home to one of the nation’s most prestigious hip-hop and R&B festivals. The annual Roots Picnic — curated by Philly icons The Roots — features a yearly lineup highlighting groundbreaking up-and-comers and legendary acts alike. The 2024 edition at The Mann Center presents over 35 acts, including headliners Lil Wayne, Nas and Philly’s own Jill Scott, plus André 3000, members of Wu Tang Clan, Fantasia, Babyface, Gunna, Victoria Monét and The Roots, of course.

Grab your kicks and don your colors — the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival is back. This year’s Pride Month celebration, with the theme of “Be You,” begins with a morning Pride March through Center City (departing from 6th and Walnut streets) and features a welcome ceremony, speeches, music and a record-breaking 400-foot Pride flag (twice the size of last year’s!). After noon, the supersized Pride Festival hits the parade’s endpoint in Philly’s vibrant Gayborhood with over 200 artists and vendors, pay-as-you-go food trucks, live performances and more.

The annual Odunde Festival is back for its 49th year with a week of events — inspired by Yoruba pilgrimages to Nigeria — including yoga classes, a bevy of business, leadership and community forums, and more. The celebration culminates with the country’s largest Black and African cultural street festival on Sunday, June 9, 2024, which fills 16 blocks of South Philly with over 500,000 attendees. On offer: over 100 African marketplace vendors, pay-as-you-go authentic African, Caribbean and soul food, two stages of live music and performances, and a procession to the Schuylkill River with offerings of fruit and flowers.

June 5 – August 28, 2024 (Wednesdays only)

No summertime sadness here: The dog days mark the start of Philly’s favorite Wednesday night party. Center City District SIPS features happy hour deals at participating restaurants and bars all summer long, with $7 tequila cocktails, $6 wine, $5 beer and half-priced apps at establishments like Double Knot and the Air Grille Garden at Dilworth Park. This year, you can also look forward to 15% off dinner at select participating restaurants.

If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, check out the spring version of the semiannual Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll. The fest offers special $1, $3 and $5 deals from participating vendors and neighborhood businesses at multiple locations like Cedar Park, Clark Park, the 50th Street Triangle, Trolley Portal Gardens and the HMS School, plus a block party along 48th Street with live music and crafts. Also on offer: pay-as-you-go food and drinks (including beer and cocktails).

The popular biannual Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show — the oldest outdoor fine arts show in the country at 97 years strong — is true to its name, offering only original fine art. The free-to-attend event showcases 145 professional fine artists manning booths ringing Rittenhouse Square park (plus 16 more student artists in the central patio) offering works in oil, acrylic, drawing, printmaking, watercolor, sculpture and more. Peruse the collections, buy something to take home, or just meet and greet with some of the best fine artists from across the nation.

First held in 2018, Philly VegFest is a celebration of the love for vegan and whole-food plant-based eats and lifestyles. The free local event in the Newbold neighborhood of South Philly brings together the Philadelphia vegan community, plant-based gourmands and non-vegans alike. Expect food vendors, craft artisans, vegan cultural and communal organizations, live music, panel discussions, speakers, vegan historians and food scientists — all promoting the wellness of living plant-based.

Delaware County celebrates Pride Month with its fourth annual Delaware County Pride Festival in Upper Darby, the culmination of a week of events (following a Pride Parade and Pride on State in Media on Saturday, June 1, 2024). The festival features over 120 vendors, joyful music, a live DJ, dancing, food vendors, face and nail painting, kid-friendly activities, and more, including programming that will expand across the county. The event is free to attend, but donations are suggested.

Celebrating the communities surrounding West Fairmount Park, dancers, artists, musicians and vendors of all flavors join in the free West Park Arts Fest. While filled with handcrafted goods by local artists, kid-friendly activities and a bevy of food vendors and trucks, the festival is known for its live music and performances across two stages. This year’s event features Jahwula Seapoe, Blues Reincarnation Project, Mobbluz, Isa Latin Rhythms, Breia Smalley, danceLogic, the Philadelphia Dance Academy, Womba Africa Drum and Dance and more.

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of when the last enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom, a date celebrated locally since 2016 at the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival. The Juneteenth Parade is the largest in the nation with 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and over two-dozen floats parading down 1.5 miles of 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. The day also features the Juneteenth Marketplace & Art in the Park at historic Malcolm X Park with over 250 vendors, and the family-friendly Juneteenth Music Festival at 52nd Street and Larchwood Avenue.

The 16-day-long Wawa Welcome America festival celebrates America’s founding in the heart of the nation’s birthplace. The event, the largest July 4th celebration in America, offers two-plus weeks of free and fabulous events across the city, including free admission to museums and attractions (on select days), live musical performances from local and national artists, community-centered events and Juneteenth celebrations, the popular Wawa Hoagie Day and more, leading up to the stunning fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Independence Day.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a glowing, 200-foot-long serpent and dozens of other handcrafted creations. The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival invites you to explore Franklin Square under the light of massive, intricate lanterns depicting fantastical creatures, familiar critters and more. As you roam, learn and buy from expert artisans, take in cultural performances, and indulge in classic Asian cuisine and American comfort food. The park’s regular attractions remain open alongside the installations, so feel free to hop on the Parx Liberty Carousel, play a round of mini-golf (both at discounted rates), or catch a fountain show before you go.

The largest outdoor juried arts festival in the tri-state area, the two-day Manayunk Arts Festival returns to Main Street for two days of food, fun and creativity. The free-to-attend festival in the trendy Manayunk neighborhood brings together over 300 fine arts and crafts artists and creators from around the country who showcase works in media from glass and ceramics to photography and paintingsAttendees can also expect plenty of music and food options.

The annual PECO Multicultural Series, engaging diverse culture, dance, crafts and cuisine from across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, kicks off the season with the free Concilio’s Hispanic Fiesta (hosted by the city’s oldest Latino nonprofit and Wawa Welcome America), attended by upwards of 15,000 revelers each day. Enjoy a weekend at the fest’s new location on the John F. Kennedy Boulevard Bridge (by 30th Street Station) with a plethora of live music, salsa dancing, kid-friendly entertainment and food, craft and apparel vendors with a Latino flair. Check the event website for the music lineup and fireworks schedule.

You may not know the names of these 19th- and 20th-century leaders in the American art scene, but you would recognize their work (French’s Seated Abraham Lincoln is the centerpiece of Washington, D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial and Saint-Gaudens’s Diana sat atop Madison Square Garden until it found a permanent home welcoming guests to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.) For the first time ever, the Michener brings the sculptures of the two contemporaries (and rivals) together in conversation to explore the role public art plays in reflecting, informing and sometimes obscuring truths about our nation.

A decade after finishing in the top six on the third season of NBC’s The Voice, Queens-born singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez brings her first stadium tour (and famously side-by-side dual-colored hair) to the Wells Fargo Center, performing songs from each of her three albums, including 2023’s Portals.

A soulful singer and colorful lyricist, Chris Stapleton brings his whiskey-soaked world and genre-fluid tracks like You Should Probably Leave, Tennessee Whiskey and White Horse from his latest album Higher to Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion this June with plenty of country, blue-eyed soul, Southern rock and bluegrass along in tow.

Curated by Philly’s nationally recognized radio station WXPN, this family-friendly music festival shuts down part of Wayne Avenue to traffic and welcomes over 10,000 music fans and a stacked lineup of local, regional and national acts each June. This year’s lineup plays across three stages and includes popular rock act Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy, Philadelphia funk band Snacktime, and more. You can also expect 75 local restaurants to keep you full, beer gardens, and plenty of activities for the whole family.

If you’re a music fan on a limited budget, grab one ticket to see two of the biggest acts in the world as the country-meets-beach of Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band both take the stage at Lincoln Financial Field on their Sun Goes Down Tour.

Southern hip-hop and trap rapper 21 Savage brings his raw storytelling, deadpan delivery and finesse flow to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, performing tracks from the Atlanta hitmaker’s decade-long career, from Bank Account to My Life, along with new songs like Redrum and Née-Nah from his latest release, American Dream.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Rolling Stones first came to Philadelphia in 1965. Nearly six decades (and many other Philly shows) later, the Stones return as the legendary group hits Lincoln Financial Field on their Hackney Diamonds Tour (sponsored by AARP, no joke), their first since 2019, in support of their first album since 2005.

The Philadelphia Orchestra goes out-of-doors to celebrate classical music’s romantic king during the Tchaikovsky Spectacular at The Mann Center. Pack a picnic and enjoy the Russian composer’s emotional Symphony No. 6, selections from Swan Lake and a rousing 1812 Overture finale culminating in an epic fireworks display against the Philadelphia skyline.

New York rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie carries on The Bronx’s hip-hop legacy (as a member of XXL’s Freshman Class of 2017), bringing hits like Drowning, Look Back at It and Swervin to light up Wells Fargo Center with his magnetic charisma and catchy hooks.

Most likely foreshadowing the show’s full attendance (best to get your tickets now), Tim McGraw — son of Phillies legend Tug McGraw — hits the Wells Fargo Center stage on his new Standing Room Only Tour, promising big thrills and big hits from the superstar’s 17 albums of material.

Come dance with the devil in the pale moonlight at The Mann Center as the Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates both the 35th anniversary of the original Batman (starring Michael Keaton) and the 85th anniversary of Batman’s first comics appearance with Batman in Concert. Danny Elfman’s classic score gets paired with the fifth-highest-grossing film of the ’80s as it’s projected on a larger-than-life screen.

Janet (or Ms. Jackson if … you know) elevates her hits when performing live, so don’t miss your chance to see her belt the classics at the Wells Fargo Center. Expect mesmerizing choreography, gorgeous production and plenty of opportunities to sing along to favorites like Rhythm Nation and Control. Come early to get Hot in Herre with special guest opener Nelly.

Through Wednesday, September 25, 2024 (select dates)

This June, Philadelphia Phillies’ superstars like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Zack Wheeler take the Citizens Bank Park field for key home series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers (including the return of Rhys Hoskins), San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins. (See the online schedule for dates and times.) The Phils also take on the New York Mets in London on June 8 and 9, 2024, and if you can’t get across the pond, check out the action at your fave Philly sports bar.

Through Saturday, October 19, 2024 (select dates)

Dooooop! The Philadelphia Union kick into June as Dániel Gazdag, Kai Wagner, Andre Blake and their teammates start their run towards the MLS Cup Playoffs with midseason home dates versus CF Montréal on June 1, 2024, Inter Miami CF on June 15, 2024 and Charlotte FC on June 22, 2024, all at stunning soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester under the beautiful Commodore Barry Bridge.

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. Some notable hotel pools in Philly include:

• the 57th-floor indoor infinity pool at the 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 heated “pool in the sky”
• the Philly-themed Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown pool
• The Logan’s saltwater pool, and
• the heated rooftop pool at the W Philadelphia, which can be booked by non-guests.

Find our full guide to hotel pools here.

It’s a somewhat confusing name, but water ice (locally pronounced “wooder ice”) is a quintessentially Philly warm-weather treat. Similar to Italian ice, the simple combination of fruit or syrup with finely shaved ice can be found at traditional shops like John’s Water Ice, Rose’s Real Italian Water Ice, Morrone’s Water Ice, Tranzilli’s Real Italian, Ice Pop’s Homemade, suburban Yardley Ice House and Philly’s ubiquitous Rita’s Water Ice. For creative flavors like strawberry daiquiri and cantaloupe, check out Siddiq’s Water Ice, and for gourmet options, stop by D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats. We’ve got 11 great water ice spots in our guide.

Philadelphia is one of the most important and welcoming cities for the LGBTQ+ community, which makes it a perfect spot to celebrate Pride Month in June. Visit the heart of Philly’s queer community in The Gayborhood, which features rainbow crosswalks, gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs, and LGBTQ+-owned shops, cafes and bookstores. Looking for a Pride parade or festival? Check out events from Philly Pride 365, the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival and the Delaware County Pride Festival, Pride Parade and Pride on State in Media.

There’s nowhere better than Philly for outdoor urban attractions that run all summer long. The Spruce Street Harbor Park seasonal space is one of the World’s Best Urban Beaches, featuring floating riverside net lounges, a boardwalk and LED-lit tree-slung hammocks. The Delaware waterfront’s Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest features a full-sized roller-skating rink, carnival rides and a midway with games and food. And Dilworth Plaza’s Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink at City Hall is also open for skating, along with an adjacent garden café and patio bar.

Let the music wash over you on a warm June evening at a plethora of open-air concert venues in Philly. West Fairmount Park’s The Mann Center has a pavilion and lawn for 14,000 people with stunning skyline views from one of the city’s highest points. Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion holds 26,000 between seats and the lawn with across-the-river views of the Philly skyline. East Fairmount Park’s secluded and leafy Dell Music Center hosts up to 5,300. And don’t miss a colossal summer show at sports stadiums Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park.

June’s transitional 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, café or diner that features open-air seating at patio tables, street enclosures, rooftop decks and parklets. Check out spots like Suraya, LMNO, Sunset Social, Independence Beer Garden, Alma del Mar, Liberty Point, Love City Brewing and more.

Whether you favor an urban park or secluded green space, a hidden trail or riverside path, there are countless ways enjoy June’s perfect outdoor weather in Philly. Hikers and bikers can find amazing trails blazed through the woods at Fairmount Park or Wissahickon Valley Park. Joggers and strollers can enjoy fantastic views from the Delaware River Trail or Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk. Aquaphiles can grab a kayak or canoe at Glen Foerd or Penn’s Landing. Or just relax with an amble among the flowers at Morris Arboretum or Longwood Gardens.

The weather in June in Philadelphia is relatively mild. At the start of the month, daytime high temperatures average 78 degrees Fahrenheit with overnight lows around 60. By the end of the month, those average highs jump to 85 degrees, bottoming out at night near 65 degrees. June offers over 10 hours of sunshine per day, with only about 8 days with rain all month. Brief scattered spring thunderstorms are common, some occasionally strong. The record high for June is an even 100 degrees, last occurring in 1994.

Many locals would target the sports scene in Philly in June as one of the best, as the boys of summer have the city’s attention for a full month of games in perfect baseball weather at Citizens Bank Park to catch the Phillies with a hot dog, some Crabfries and a cold drink. Not to be outdone, the MLS’ Union continues its quest for the playoffs as midseason approaches at Subaru Park in Chester.

If you enjoy outdoor concert season in Philadelphia, you’ve been waiting all year for June. Philly’s largest open-air amphitheaters — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, The Mann Center in West Fairmount Park and the Dell Music Center in East Fairmount Park — go headlong into their summer concert schedules, enormous stadiums like Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park become giant parties with outdoor shows featuring A-list headliners, and scores of neighborhood festivals dot the calendar with live music from a multitude of genres.

Philly is a great destination any month of the year, and June is one of the best and busiest, nestled between Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July. Late spring and early-summer temps are pleasant for outdoor fun at city summer outdoor attractions like Spruce Street Harbor Park, Independence Blue Cross River Rink Summerfest, Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink at Dilworth Park, the roving spots for Parks on Tap, the Wawa Welcome America celebration and scores of neighborhood food, beer and music festivals

Spring blooms have transitioned to summer spectacle ahead of mid-summer’s heat, making June a great time to get outside and experience all of nature’s colors from flowers, plants and trees nearly anywhere in Philadelphia and its Countryside at preserves, flower-lined parks, botanic gardens and arboreta like Morris Arboretum, Bartram’s Garden, Barnes Arboretum, Awbury Arboretum, Scott Arboretum, Chanticleer, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Tyler Arboretum, Peace Valley Lavender Farm and more.