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The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

If you're looking for the best things to do in Philly this week, you've come to the right place.

Happy Hour at the Air Grille Garden at Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall June 1, 2022, as the summertime afterwork Center City District SIPS are back with $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday from 4:30 -7 p.m. Dozens of local bars and restaurants will offer weekly discounts this summer, as workers return to the office and have the opportunity to socialize with colleagues after hours with the revival of Philadelphia’s favorite happy-hour tradition.
Happy Hour at the Air Grille Garden at Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall June 1, 2022, as the summertime afterwork Center City District SIPS are back with $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday from 4:30 -7 p.m. Dozens of local bars and restaurants will offer weekly discounts this summer, as workers return to the office and have the opportunity to socialize with colleagues after hours with the revival of Philadelphia’s favorite happy-hour tradition.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: from upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

You can always find our favorite activities of the week at sinomn.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.


Odunde Festival

(Community) This year marks 50 years of Odunde, North America’s largest Black and African cultural street festival. Celebrate with a week of activities and events inspired by Yoruba pilgrimages to Nigeria. On Sunday, enjoy 16 blocks packed with vendors, authentic food, performances and more.

⌚️ Jun. 1-8, 📍Various locations, 🌐 odundefestival.org/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll

(Community) Big deals and a great time are going down on Baltimore Avenue. Local businesses and vendors are offering one-night-only deals for $1, $3 or $5. While you shop, local musicians and artists will provide live entertainment, and food vendors will keep you fueled to shop.

⌚️Jun 4, 5-8p.m., 📍40th St., - 51st St., Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19143, 🌐 universitycity.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Delaware River Waterfront Promenade

(Community) Experience a truly magical night, right on the Delaware River. Some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants will be serving up delicious food alongside live entertainment and performances. Come eat, mingle and enjoy a fun night out on the water. Your ticket includes complementary good, beer, wine, cocktails as well as fireworks and entertainment.

⌚️Jun. 4, 6-9p.m., 📍120 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 $150

Center City SIPS

(Community) Raise a glass and celebrate Philly’s favorite happy hour as it returns for it’s 21st season. Select locations in Center City will be serving up half-priced apps and drink specials. After 7p.m., select locations will also offer 15% off of dinner.

⌚️Jun. 4 - Aug. 27, 📍Various locations, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

(Art) One of the oldest outdoor art festivals in the country is popping up in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square. Over 1,000 professional fine artists will be showing their best work at booths surrounding the park. Come browse, meet talented local artists and hang with fellow art lovers.

⌚️Jun. 6-8, 11a.m., 📍1800 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 rittenhousesquareart.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Boots ‘N Beats

(Music) This banger combines the best of Country music with the energy of EDM. The night will open with a live Country singer performing your favorite hits, and then a headlining DJ will spin an epic Country-EDM set. Wear your dancing boots and get ready for a great night.

⌚️Jun. 7, 8p.m., 📍1100 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 axs.com, 💵 $33-36

Elfreth’s Alley Day

(Community) Get ready for a neighborhood fete on the oldest residential block in the city. Come discover how generations have preserved and added to the historic homes on the block. There will be plenty of entertainment, reenactors, vendors and crafters.

⌚️ Jun. 7, 1-5p.m., 📍126 Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 elfrethsalley.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Disability Pride on the Parkway

(Community) This daylong party on the Parkway celebrates all people with disabilities and allies, aides, family and friends. The day kicks off with a parade starting at the City Hall apronAfter the parade, stick around for a festival packed with food trucks, accessible games, giveaways and more.

⌚️Jun. 7, 11a.m., 📍1400 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19107, 🌐 disabilitypridepa.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Latino Arts & Film Festival

(Movies) Film lovers, this one’s for you. Enjoy well crafted cinematic magic created by established and emerging Latino filmmakers. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 25- July 6, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Dining Under the Stars in Media

(Community) ‘Tis the season for outdoor eating, all summer long in Media. Grab an alfresco table at one of over two dozen participating restaurants, and enjoy a meal in the fresh air with the street closed to traffic.

⌚️May - September 24, 📍State St., between Jackson St., and Orange St., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 visitmediapa.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Festival of Fountains

(Community) A visit to Longwood Gardens is a must on your spring and summer bucket lists. All spring and summer, the fountains in the gardens come to live, with some jets blasting as high as 175 feet. Whether you stroll through during the daytime, or catch an illuminated night time performance, you’re bound to have a great time.

⌚️ May 9 - September 28, 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Sq., Pa, 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $8-35


The best events for kids in Philly

The school year may be winding down, but the theater and festival scenes are just kicking into high gear. Don’t miss a world premiere from Pig Iron Theatre, kid-led musicals, a mural-filled Pride party, and one of the city’s most beloved street festivals — Odunde.

The Wiz

(Musical / multiday) At the Academy of Music, this modernized, Tony Award-winning Broadway touring version of The Wizard of Oz has been refreshed by comedian Amber Ruffin and set to soul, funk, gospel, jazz, ballet, and pop. Ages 9 and up.

⌚June 3–15, times vary, 📍240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $34–$184

Franklin’s Key

(Play / multiday) Pig Iron Theatre brings its world premiere to Plays and Players Theatre, where Benjamin Franklin is reimagined as a man who actually controls the weather. Think Stranger Things meets Harry Potter meets 1776 Philadelphia. Ages 10 and up.

⌚June 5–29, times vary, 📍1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 🌐 franklinskey.com, 💵 $29–$65

Seussical and Seussical Jr.

(Musical) At Independence Seaport Museum, young performers from Music Theatre Philly split into two age groups to present the rhyming chaos of Seussical and Seussical Jr. — a musical showcase filled with song, silliness, and Seussian joy. Ages 3 and up.

⌚Seussical: June 6 & 7 at 7 p.m.; Seussical Jr.: June 7 at 2 p.m. & June 8 at 7 p.m., 📍211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 musictheatrephilly.com, 💵 $25

Juneteenth: Literacy & Artistic Freedom

(Books / free) At the Athenaeum, children’s book illustrator EB White discusses his creative process, working on more than 80 picture books, including I Love My Hair and Everywhere Beauty is Harlem. Presented by the African American Children’s Book Project. Ages 5–12.

⌚June 7, noon, 📍219 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 philaathenaeum.org, 💵 Free

Spring Family Fest

(Outdoors / free) Central Green at the Navy Yard throws a 25th anniversary bash with pay-as-you-go food trucks, vendors, and a packed lineup of kids’ crafts and performances. All ages.

⌚June 7, 1–6 p.m., 📍Rouse Blvd. & Intrepid Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19112, 🌐 navyyard.org, 💵 Free

Pride at the Please Touch Museum

(LGBTQ) At Please Touch Museum, muralist Kah Yangni and DIY expert Mercury Stardust lead inclusive creative workshops, while Ants on a Log performs. Families can make affirmation mirrors and strut their stuff in a mini Pride fashion show. Ages 1–8.

⌚June 7, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $22, $2 ACCESS cardholders

Odunde Festival

(Festival / free) On South Street west of Broad, the 49-year-old Odunde Festival returns with a vibrant celebration of African culture and community. Expect nonstop music and dance, vendor-lined blocks, and joy for all ages.

⌚June 8, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., 📍23rd & South Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19146, 🌐 odundefestival.org, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

RiverRink Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park

(Seasonal / multi-day) These two Delaware River-side parks reopen for summer with roller skating, boardwalk games, hammocks, oversized board games, and all the snacks you could want. All ages.

⌚May 23–Sept. 1 (later for Spruce Street Harbor Park), 📍101 & 301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

The Questioneers

(Books / multi-day) At the Please Touch Museum, kids explore the worlds of Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, and friends through themed games in engineering, science, government, and more. Ages 2–7.

⌚May 24–Aug. 27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $22

Banners of Liberty

(History / multi-day) At the Museum of the American Revolution, explore nearly half of the Revolutionary War flags that still exist — many made by Philadelphians like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young. Ages 5 and up.

⌚April 19–Aug. 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org, 💵 $13–$25; $2 ACCESS; free 5 and under