Summer is here and if you are wondering what you can do during, check out our Summer Fun Guide. We got together concerts, festivals and events that are happening in and around the Philadelphia area for you to go and enjoy. We all need some help with planning when we want to go out, so just consider this your free Philly event guide for the summer. Enjoy!
July
June 25-July 5: Wawa Welcome America Celebrations!
Come and celebrate America’s birthday at Wawa Welcome America two week long celebrations. Starting on June 25, take the family out to become a part of history and celebrate our freedom. Whether is it learning about the history of our nation, tasting the many flavors of Philadelphia, or watching fireworks with the Goo Goo Dolls, there are events for the whole family to take part and enjoy.
July 1- August 26: Screenings Under the Stars at Penn’s Landing
Not doing anything on Thursday nights this summer? We have the perfect solution to your problem, go see a movie. Unlike movie theaters, you will watch movies outdoors and it is for free! Grab a group of friends, bring some snacks and enjoy a free movie experience like no other. Your outdoor movie experience starts at 8:30pm in July and 8pm in August. Go and enjoy, it’s free!
July 1: Dave Matthews Band
Get in touch with your college experience at the Dave Matthews Band concert at the Susquehanna Bank Center at 7pm. Go and relax with friends as you listen to the band’s ever changing musical genre and dream of the days when you listened to them in your dorm room. If you cannot get tickets to the show, I suggest tailgating in the parking lot will fulfill your youthful fantasies.
July 2- August 27: First Friday
Is it the first Friday of the month? Did your rent completely clean you out this week and you want to do something on this Friday night, then go see some art. Every first Friday of every month this summer, most of Old City’s Art Galleries are offering viewings of their art and want you to come experience the arts in Philadelphia. So go out, view the art, talk to the artist and enjoy this free offering of different cultures.
July 3-5: Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Being a part of Wawa Welcome America celebration, this all-you-can-eat ice cream festival is the perfect remedy to the heat waves attacking our area. For just a $5 donation, you can have all the ice cream you want and help the Joshua Kahan Fund find a cure for Pediatric Leukemia. The ice cream scoops start scooping at 12pm-5 and on July 3rd 6pm-9pm as well.
July 3-4: Brandywine Big Bang BBQ
Are you looking for a July4th celebration that is not filled with screaming kids and cheap beer, then head to the Brandywine Big Bang BBQ and celebrate the 4th with fine food and wine. This is the perfect place to have a great weekend with friends to celebrate our nation’s birthday. With seven different vineyards participating in this festival, you have several opportunities to sample the local wines and enjoy Chester County.
July 9: Southern Music Tour Featuring Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, and Love & Theft
If you love country music, then you will love this tour! Performing at the Susquehanna Bank center on July 9 at 7pm, catch some of America’s top country stars perform their hits and experience what the south has to offer.
July 9: OneRepublic
It’s going to be “Too Late to Apologize” if you miss OneRepublic perform at the Electric Factory at 7:30pm.
July 10- August 14: Fireworks and Fountains at Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is known for their beautiful landscaping and endless supply of blossoming flowers, but during the summer months they offer something a little different. From July 10 to August 14 enjoy their Fireworks and Fountains event on Saturdays and you will not be disappointed. With two different shows, enjoy music from the Beatles with the show “Ladies and Gentlemen… The Beatles” and relax with the show “Gershwin Gala”.
July 10: Sting
With classics like “Roxanne” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” you cannot miss Sting in concert at the Susquehanna Bank Center. Tickets are still available, so do not wait and go see this amazing performer. Concert starts at 8pm.
July 11: American Idol Live Tour 2010
Admit it, you watch American Idol from start to finish and you want to see the contestants live. This is your chance to do so at the Wachovia Center on July 11 at 7:30pm. Go and see the top ten finalists demonstrate their crowd pleasing talents.
July 15-29: University City Dining Days
Do you want to have a great meal but you do not want to empty your bank account? University City Dining Days will give you a great meal for a small price. With over 20 restaurants participating, this 3 course 3 price deal you cannot go wrong. With prices set at $15,$25, and $30 this great meal will only affect your belt buckle, not your pocket.
July 16: Warped Tour 2010
Who is ready for a day long music festival? Vans Warped Tour is back again at the Susquehanna Bank Center for their day long concert with performances by Sum41, Motion City Soundtrack, and All American Rejects and many more. The heat is the last thing that should stop you from being a part of this day long concert. Concerts take place on different stages and start at 12pm.
July 18: Jordan Sparks
See the American Idol alumni perform hits from her latest album at the Theater of Living Arts at 7pm.
July 25: Hanson
Be honest, as soon as you see “Hanson” posted somewhere, you begin to sing “MmmBop” admit it. Well Hanson has returned and this is a must see if you were a true Hanson fan when you were younger. On July 25 at 8pm at the Theater of Living Arts, you will get that chance to see the band who gave us “MmmBop”.
July 27: Summer Ale Festival at the Philadelphia Zoo
What better way to spend your evening than at the zoo having a beer with your favorite animals. The Philadelphia Zoo and Rolling Barrel Events are hosting the Summer Ale Festival for its second year and want you to come out and enjoy it. Learn about different types of ale and animals at this unique event. The taps open at 6:30pm and close at 9:30pm.
July 30: John Mayer
Making his way across America, John Mayer is making his mark in the Philadelphia Area. On July 30 at 7:30pm, make sure you are at the Susquehanna Bank Center to experience John Mayer’s enchanting voice and quirky sense of humor on stage. Tickets still available along with VIP ticket packages.
July 31: Celtic Women
Listen to the bells of Ireland. Do not miss the internationally known Celtic Women performance at The Mann Center at 8pm. This famous concert series is for the entire family to enjoy and sing along to.
August
August 6: KISS
This isn’t Detroit Rock City, but the legendary band KISS is coming to the Philadelphia area. On August 6 at 6:30pm get your platform shoes and black and white face paint over to the Susquehanna Bank Center to watch one of the biggest bands ever known in history. Don’t have tickets; there are many parking spots to enjoy a tailgate session during the concert.
August 7: Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band
Get out your floral printed tops and sip on a margarita, Jimmy Buffet is coming back to Philadelphia. Dance to the tropical sounds of Buffet at the Susquehanna Bank Center on August 7 at 8pm. If you cannot get tickets to the first show, a second show on August 10 has been added.
August 12-14: Reading Terminal Market’s Pennsylvania Dutch Festival
If you have ever gone into the Reading Terminal and smelled the wonderful food coming out of the Pennsylvania Dutch booths, then this festival is perfect for you. On August 12-14 the Pennsylvania Dutch will be hosting a festival the entire family can enjoy. Bring the family out for a petting zoo, hayrides and most importantly cooking demonstrations from the Pennsylvania Dutch to learn a few tricks of their culture.
August 12-26: Concerts in the Park
It’s Wednesday night in August, what can you do? We have the solution to you problem, Concerts in the Park at Rittenhouse Square will cure your Wednesday blues. The concerts are free and you are welcome to bring all your friends to sit and enjoy the night’s entertainment. Concerts start at 7pm and run till 9pm. It’s free, so come and enjoy it!
August 14: Maroon 5
Come out and see Maroon 5 perform their chart topping hits at the Susquehanna Bank Center on August 14 at 7:30pm.
August 18: Rihanna featuring Ke$ha
Celebrate what’s left of the summer with two of the hottest female entertainers. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the hottest concert of the summer, Rihanna: Last Girl on Earth Tour with special guest Ke$ha. Catch them at the Susquehanna Bank Center on August 18 at 7:30pm.
August 20-22: 49th Annual Philadelphia Folk Music Festival
Do you love Folk Music? The 49th Annual Philadelphia Folk Musical Festival is the perfect place to get your folk music fix this summer. With musical guest being added daily, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Bring the whole family to listen to great music, make some crafts and enjoy the weekend with friends.
August 21-22: Livestrong Challenge Philly
Do you want to do some good this summer and get in shape at the time? The Livestrong Challenge Philly is back again this year and wants you to take apart of this great cause. Help fight cancer while getting into shape at this wonderful cause. If you are not in great shape and still want to be a part of the challenge, there are many different distances you can choose and still be a part of a great cause. Help Philadelphia fight cancer!
August 22: Caribbean Festival
What's a better way to end the summer than with a tropical celebration. The Caribbean Festival on August 22 from 2pm-8pm will have you feeling as if you were in the Caribbean with the sights, sounds and tastes of the islands. Come down to Penn’s Landing and experience what the Caribbean Islands have to offer, it’s free!
