Memorial Day through Labor Day, Philadelphia becomes something different. While some residents flee the city for the Shore or mountains, the rest of us reap the benefits of the space the escapees have left — and continue the good, fun work of keeping local arts, culture, historic attractions, dining and farmers markets alive and thriving.
Below, you’ll find all the biggest events happening in Philly through Labor Day — though events are only a small part of what makes summer in Philadelphia so great. You could also check out some of our amazing breweries and distilleries that are serving up great drinks — and good causes — do some outdoor dining at some of Philly’s best restaurants with atmospheric patios and lush gardens, or explore some of our city and region’s most beautiful parks.
Use this month-by-month guide to fill your summer calendar, and keep Philly going. We’ll be updating this list throughout the season, so keep coming back for more ideas about what to do this summer in Philadelphia.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FUN THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST
Celebrate Philly’s Welsh roots
Welsh Week in Philadelphia, happening August 27 through September 4, celebrates three centuries’ worth of rich Welsh traditions in the City of Brotherly Love. Look out for all kinds of entertainment throughout the weeklong fest, including live music at the Kimmel Center, food- and drink-centric events, films and historic panels. Welsh Week also just so happens to coincide with the debut of a new TV series about Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) buying a Welsh soccer team. Various times and locations.
Drink on the cheap every Wednesday this summer
What’s one surefire way to get over Hump Day? Center City District Sips, the annual Wednesday night Happy Hour at restaurants downtown. Enjoy $6 cocktails, $5 wine and $4 beer every Wednesday from 4:30 to 7pm at participating locations through August 31. This summer SIPS adds Style, with select boutiques, spas and shops offering a 25 percent off weekly discount program on select items and services on Wednesdays. Check out the list of participating restaurants, bars, and shops here.
Follow the lights to Longwood Gardens
Artist Bruce Munro’s new exhibition “Light: Installations by Bruce Munro” is now open at Longwood Gardens. Experience art created by light in locations all across the Gardens with Field of Light, featuring 18,000 illuminated bulbs along the pathway near Large and Small Lake, Gone Fishing, three 15-foot structures formed with 100 fishing rods on illuminated discs that reflect on the surface of Small Lake, C-scales, in the Exhibition hall, where 8,960 CDs serve as the screen for a unique film and sound sequence, and much more. The exhibit is on view Thursday thru Sunday evenings until October 30. Timed Tickets are required, and member reservations required after 3pm.
THINGS TO DO OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Get lost in the music on the Ben Franklin Parkway
The 2022 version of Jay-Z’s massive outdoor music festival, Made in America, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, features two-days of performances, including headliners Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator, and opening acts like Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Uzi Vert, Burna Boy and Victoria Monét. It’s all going down Labor Day weekend, on September 3 and 4.