Welcome to the 2025 Good Philadelphia Citizen Calendar, full of good things to do in Philly, all year long. This month-by-month list has civic holidays, neighborhood festivals, historic Philadelphia traditions, and dozens of opportunities to engage with your city.
But truth be told, you can be a good citizen any day of the year: Sweep your block. Donate a book to a little free library. Donate your time to any kind of shelter. Buy a box of overpriced candy from a kid on the subway. Lend a hand to someone who could use it. Patronize a local business. Get out there. Participate in our city. Mark down these civic holidays and Philly-centric events, to make this year in Philadelphia your — and our — best year, ever.
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JULY 2025
July through mid September: Enjoy The Oval
Thursdays through Sundays, Eakins Oval, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s across-the-street neighbor, becomes The Oval, a pop-up park featuring mini golf, live performances, food trucks, festivals, and, on Sundays, family activations. 2451 Ben Franklin Parkway
July 4: Catch the Fireworks on Independence Day
The city’s tourism bureaus like to say, “The city that did it first, does it best.” Well, Philly’s certainly done it longest. Welcome America is a multi-day, event-filled run-up to Independence Day, replete a morning parade (11am along E. Market Street), concerts and fireworks, including the biggest of the year over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Fourth of July Perspectives We Need Right Now
July 9, 16, 23 and 30: Hear Music Outside the Penn Museum
The University of Pennsylvania opens its museum’s historic courtyard for Garden Jams most Wednesdays in July from 5 to 8pm, inviting the local global music acts to play — and inviting you to the outdoor bar. Museum admission included. $15. 3260 South Street
July 12: Get in your licks at the Ice Cream Festival outside Reading Terminal Market
July 12 from 1 to 5pm, the block outside the Reading Terminal Market is an all-scream kind of spot, with an annual Ice Cream Festival on Filbert Street that celebrates local makers — Wecklery’s (ice cream sandwiches), Cloud Cups (peanut butter stracciatella), Franklin Fountain (root beer floats), Milk Jawn (ice cream tacos), Tubby Robot (mini ice cream hoagies) — plus onsite vendors like Bassett’s and Flying Monkey. Demonstrations too. Pay as you go. 11th & Filbert streets
July 13: Go to the Barnes on the Block
Now in its eighth year, the Barnes, in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, hosts the Eighth Annual Barnes on the Block, a free, outdoor celebration of all — — not just inside-a-gallery kind of — art, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, art-making activities on July 13 from 11am to 5pm. If you want to go inside the esteemed museum, you can — and for free — but register ahead. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
July 31 through August 3: Attend BlackStar Film Festival
Now in its 14th year, this 100-film, three-theater festival is about more than the screen. It’s about the gathering BIPOC members of the film industry, and film lovers in general. It’s also about accessibility. And wellness. Don’t miss BlackStar. Last year’s price for an all-access festival pass was $350, and virtual screening pass: $175; individual event and screening ticket prices vary.
AUGUST 2025
August 9 and 10: Bug Out at BugFest.
City dwellers, more than others, tend to shy away from 80 percent of the earth’s species — insects. The Academy of Natural Sciences aims to calm nerves, open minds and maybe even help save the planet with its annual weekend long BugFest, taking place indoors and outdoors.
SEPTEMBER 2025
September 1: Give Unions a Fair Shake On Labor Day
Unions get a bad rap. Some of us blame … gangsters. But, to review some American history, workers created unions as protection against on-the-job exploitation and discrimination. Here, a union president argues why we still need them. Also, go to a parade on and festival, hosted by the Sheet Metal Workers Union, from 8:30am to 2pm, starting at 1301 and ending at 101 S. Columbus Boulevard.
September 15: Recognize Democracy Day
“Democracy,” the saying goes, “is not a spectator sport.” As the The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin told us at an Ideas We Should Steal Festival, “Unless you participate, it’s going to fail. Run for office. Join a campaign. Don’t just give money. Don’t just write a check. Subscribe to a newspaper. Do something. Become a political participant.”
OCTOBER 2025
October 13: Honor Indigenous People
All of Philadelphia was once the domain of the Lenni Lenape. On this, the day that used to be Columbus Day, we have a chance to celebrate them. Here’s how:
October 18: Join the Philly Bike Ride
The city shuts down 20 miles of streets — including streets around historic sites — to vehicular traffic and opens it up to thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities for the annual fundraiser for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. Taking part isn’t cheap, but the fee goes to supporting safer bike lanes and such in our car-clogged city. Register here. Starts at 7:30am at Eakins Oval.
October 11 + 12 and 18 + 19: Go on an Open Studio Tour
For two weekends — and the 26th year — the Center for Emerging Visual Artists invites Philadelphia artists to open their work spaces to the public. Drawing back the curtain on the artistic process, makers of fine arts share their secrets and inspirations. The first weekend, tours take place in art studios East of Broad Street. The second, they’re West of Broad.
October 20: Hurry! It’s Your Last Day To Register to Vote before the General Election
Pennsylvania gives eligible residents — ages 18 and over — the chance to register to vote for up to 15 days before an election. This makes October 20 the last day to register before Election Day on November 4. As a Philadelphian, as a citizen, this is one of the most crucial things to do. So, do it.
October 28: Hurry! It’s the Last Day to Request a Mail-In or Absentee Ballot Before the General Election on November 4
NOVEMBER 2025
November 1: Eat Your Veggies on World Vegan Day
Didya know that Philadelphia has one of the highest ranked vegan restaurants … in the world? Vedge sure is a treat. But you can also get your vegan on at Monster Vegan, Bar Bombón, HipCityVedge, The Tasty, LUHV, The Nile Cafe, Miss Rachel’s Pantry, Fitz on 4th, Charlie was a sinner …
November 4: It’s Election Day. Vote for the next District Attorney of Philadelphia and more
If you haven’t already, do it. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.
November 5: Show Your Philly Pride on Jason Kelce’s Birthday
Philadelphians don’t often adopt out-of-towners as one of our own. Kelce keeps being one of our favorite exceptions.
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November 8: Run like Rocky
The annual Rocky Run offers participants options: a 5K, a 10 miler, or a half marathon around town. Of course, the route could never follow Balboa’s, since his wasn’t filmed in geographic order. But you can enter as a group and dedicate your jog to the Special Olympics.
November 27: Give Thanks by … Giving
Thank those Philadelphians who are making this city a greater city for all. Then, take some time to honor those in need. Here are some ways to do that:
November 29: Shop Small Saturday in Philadelphia
We’ve got some of the best urban main streets — although few go by that name — in the country. Choose one. Or more. Buy stuff there.
DECEMBER 2025
December 3: Celebrate Rocky Day
On December 3, 1976, a little film called Rocky made its big-screen debut. Last year, December 3 officially became “Rocky Day,” Sylvester Stallone and all. Celebrate by running up and down the art museum steps, boxing some frozen beef, or shouting “Yo Adrian!” during your commute. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps)
December 7: Write a Letter
On National Letter Writing Day, think about someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to — a far-away friend, grandparent, sibling, anyone you’ve lost touch with — and take a few minutes to send them a card or drop them a line.
December 21: It’s Quinta Brunson’s Birthday. Respect your Teachers
The creator and star of Abbott Elementary made us fall in love again with Philadelphia’s public schools, warts and all — but especially with Philly educators. You know what they like: Gift cards for school supplies … and coffee shops.
December 26 through January 1: Join One of the Oldest Kwanzaa Celebrations in the Country. (And Bake Cookies.)
That’s here, in Philadelphia, in case you didn’t know. Listen to Tonya “Food Griot” Hopkins’ podcast about the history of the holiday in Philly. Then start the festivities in the best way: Bake Kwanzaa cookies.
MORE THINGS TO DO AND WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN PHILADELPHIA
The crowd at The Roots Picnic. Photo by Jeff Fusco for Visit Philadelphia.
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