Take a deep breath, Philly. America’s milestone birthday might be behind us, but the things to do continue to roll on.
After the concerts and fireworks, the best thing we can do now is laugh, and to help you out there are two comedy festivals this week: Variety Pack Volume 3 and the Swear Jar Jamboree Indie Comedy + Improv Festival. Take your pick, go to both, whatever works for you!
It’s not just America celebrating its birthday this year. Our Benjamin Franklin Bridge turns 100, and a festival marks the occasion. Parks on Tap moves to the Shofuso Japanese House, and West Philly’s annual Celebrate Mantua festival returns.
If you’re in a storytelling mood, The Moth’s StorySLAM is back and Studio 34 hosts a SEPTA-themed healing evening of comedy, poetry, and storytelling.
For the more niche interests, Joe Lex is leading a baseball-centric walking tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery, and Phoenixville embraces its legendary movie history at its annual Blobfest.
And if you want to party for a good cause, The National History Museum holds its Great American Tailgate fundraiser this week, and the Hoopbus makes two stops at Dock Street and ACHIEVEability.
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY
StorySLAM, Parks on Tap, Swear Jar Jamboree, Variety Pack comedy fest, Great American Tailgate
EXPLORE TRUE STORIES OF RETALIATION. The Moth StorySLAM: Revenge returns to Punch Line Philly July 7 at 6pm for an evening of true, personal storytelling on the theme of REVENGE. $49-$90.16. 33 E. Laurel Street
DRINK BEER AT WEST FAIRMOUNT PARK. Parks on Tap comes to Shofuso Japanese House July 8 to July 12 from 4 to 10pm (noon to 10pm Saturday and Sunday). The roving beer (and cocktail and food) garden provides a great excuse to bring your friends and your kids to happy hour in a natural green space. A portion of all proceeds benefits each park. Free admission. Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Drive
GET YOUR LAUGHS AT A COMEDY FESTIVAL. The second annual Swear Jar Jamboree Indie Comedy + Improv Festival takes over The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake July 9 through July 12 for four days of stand-up, sketch, clown, experimental comedy, and more. $80-$90. 302 S. Hicks Street
GET MORE LAUGHS BECAUSE THERE’S ANOTHER COMEDY FESTIVAL. Philadelphia’s alt comedy festival VARIETY PACK Volume 3: The Weirdest, Wildest, Most Unclassifiable Comedy Yet is happening July 9 through July 13 at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (with a final show at The Proscenium Theatre). Enjoy workshops, late night, evening, and afternoon performances, screenings, and more. $15-$25. 302 S. Hicks Street
ATTEND A UNIQUE (FUN) FUNDRAISER. The National Liberty Museum hosts The Great American Tailgate July 9 from 6 to 9pm (5pm for VIPs). Guests are treated to creative takes on classic tailgate grub, live music, and lawn games. Proceeds support the museum’s newest exhibitions. $76+. 321 Chestnut Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Blobfest, Ben Franklin Bridge birthday party, West Philly’s Celebrate Mantua, Baseball walking tour of Laurel Hill, SEPTA story sharing evening, Hoopbus
TRUST ME, YOU WANT TO TAKE A RIDE TO PHOENIXVILLE FOR THIS. The one-of-a-kind annual Phoenixville Blobfest is happening July 10 through July 12. The iconic Colonial Theater starred alongside Steve McQueen in the 1958 sci-fi classic, The Blob, and celebrates its claim to fame with a genre film festival, retro dance party, street fair, costume contest, “run-out” events recreating a famous scene of terror, and more. This year’s theme is Cirque Du Blobfest! If you don’t want to drive, SEPTA buses 99 and 139 can get you there. $15-$135. 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville
WALK AROUND ON THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE. Benjamin Franklin Bridge will close to traffic on July 11 from 10am to 2:30pm for its 100th Anniversary Celebration. Head over to the Camden side for live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and historical displays. Free, registration encouraged. Benjamin Franklin Bridge Plaza, Camden, NJ
SHOOT HOOPS FOR A GREAT CAUSE. The Hoopbus rolls into Philadelphia July 11 with two events bringing its mission of youth development, community revitalization, and resource distribution to Dock Street Brewery South from noon to 1:30pm and at ACHIEVEability from 4 to 7pm. Enjoy basketball contests, free giveaways, and interactive games for all ages. Free. 2118 Washington Ave and 60th Street, between Market and Arch Streets
CELEBRATE CULTURAL EXPRESSION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION. On July 11 at 11am, DANCE IQUAIL’s signature West Philadelphia community festival Celebrate Mantua comes to Miles Mack Playground to mark 20 years for the organization. Artists and community partners will treat neighbors to a day of dance, music, food trucks, giveaways, and more. Free. 3601 Aspen Street
DO YOU LIKE BASEBALL AND HANGING OUT IN CEMETERIES? YOU’RE GONNA LOVE THIS. In preparation for the All Star Game, host of the acclaimed All Bones Considered podcast Joe Lex leads This Sporting Life: Baseball Fever, a walking tour around Laurel Hill West to learn about all the baseball notables buried there. Tours are scheduled for 10am and 1pm on July 12, 13, and 14. $2-$20. 225 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEPTA. Come to Studio 34 July 12 from 7 to 9pm for Doors Are Opening: A Healing Happening about SEPTA, an evening about transforming SEPTA stories through story sharing, poetry, music and improv comedy into a positive communal experience. $5-$25. 4522 Baltimore Avenue
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
VIEW A NEW EXHIBIT ON THE ART AND HISTORY OF AMERICAN FURNITURE. Open through July 26 at The Museum for Art in Wood, BA Harrington’s exhibition Suite Américaine brings to life the history of American furniture making through the lens of a contemporary feminist imagination. Museum hours are Wednesdays Through Sundays from 11:30am to 5pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
CATCH THE BEST BEN FRANKLIN MUSICAL EVER. The New Ben Franklin Rock Musical (A True Story!) The Sound of America is open through August 1 at FringeArts. This epic rock musical about Philadelphia’s most famous resident doesn’t end at curtain call. Attendees are treated to a 5-minute musical walking tour of historic Philadelphia led by the show’s Benjamin Franklin. All royalties for this production go to Teen Cancer America, a partner of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. $60-$76. 140 N. Columbus Blvd
HANG OUT AT READING TERMINAL. The Plaza at Reading Terminal Market presented by Jefferson opens with a celebration June 8 at 11:30am and stays open daily from 11am to 7pm until August 2. Reading Terminal’s expanded pedestrian-friendly space welcomes live music, local vendors, sponsored activities, and a Molly Malloy’s bar. Pay as you go. 1100 block of Filbert Street
EXPLORE BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY AND IDENTITY. The Barnes Foundation presents Freedom Dreams, a multimedia exhibition by Black artists that deconstructs race, gender, and class in American history. On view through August 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday, 11am to 5pm. $5-$30. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
DON’T MISS THE 200-FOOT LONG DRAGON. You’d think that’s impossible, but you will if you don’t hit the 2026 Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square, open through August 16 from 6 to 11pm nightly. In addition to the spectacular light displays, there’s food, fountain shows, and live performances. $16-$29. 200 N. 6th Street
SIP IN CENTER CITY. Philly’s “favorite happy hour’ Center City SIPS begins June 3 and continues every Wednesday through August 26. Dozens of bars and restaurants are offering exclusive discounts weekly from 5 to 7pm: $8 cocktails, $7 wine, $6 beer, and appetizers under $10. Select locations will offer 15 percent off dinner after 7pm. Pay as you go.
VIEW YOUR VISIONS OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Printmaking by the People: Posters for a Reimagined Declaration of Independence is an exhibition of hundreds of posters created by Philadelphians sharing their visions of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This special exhibition at the Parkway Central Library is part of Printmaking by the People, Philadelphia’s largest 2026 public art and community engagement project inspired by the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The exhibit is open through August 2026. Free. 1901 Vine Street
KICK OFF SUMMER ON THE WATERFRONT. Spruce Street Harbor Park and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest are open for the season. Enjoy roller skating, outdoor boardwalk games and rides, mini-golf, and great food and drinks seven days a week through September 1 (and later for Spruce Street Harbor Park). Pay as you go. 101 and 301 S. Columbus Boulevard
SEE 1,000 WORKS OF ICONIC AMERICAN ART. Whispered about among art aficionados for years, the Middleton family’s (yes, those Middletons, who own the Phillies) massive, dating-back-150-years collection makes it public debut at two venues, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA is open Thursdays through Sundays only). A Nation of Artists is on view from September 5. $10-$30. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 128 N. Broad Street
SIT DOWN FOR SOME STORYTELLING. Historic Philadelphia proudly celebrates the 20th anniversary of Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches. Professionally trained, costumed interpreters deliver 3- to 5-minute stories filled with historical insights and facts from eight (mostly) outdoor benches all summer until September 7. Free. Various locations in Old City
SEE THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A UNIQUE EXHIBIT. The Franklin Institute’s new Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition explores theme parks through the lens of Universal’s greatest attractions like Jaws, NINTENDO WORLD, Jurassic World, and more. Open through September 7, museum hours are 9:30am to 5pm daily with added evenings Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8pm. $23-$65. 222 N. 20th Street
NEED AN ALTERNATIVE TO SIPS? Fishtown TAPS takes place every Tuesday from 5 to 7pm through September 29, offering a select list of $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails, along with appetizer specials to neighborhood favorites across Fishtown. Pay as you go. Various locations throughout Fishtown.
SEE A MOVIE IN THE PARK. More than 20 Philly parks will host Park Friends Movie Nights this summer and fall through October 16. Bring a blanket, snacks, and arrive before dusk. Check with your local Park Friends Group for updates and schedule changes. Free. Various locations.
VIEW SELECTIONS OF JESSIE KRIMES’S WORK. Mural Arts Philadelphia and The Fabric Workshop and Museum present Jesse Krimes: Elegy Quilts, on view through November 1. Museum hours are noon to 6pm Wednesday through Friday and noon to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free, donations suggested. 1214 Arch Street
FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour returns for the 2026 season May 15 with tours at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are treated to fun, mind-bending magic relevant to the historic and off-beat Old City locations on the tour. Philly Magic tours also partners with local charities on passes and group outings for fundraisers and free tours for deserving school classes. $32.40. Tours meet behind the Bourse near 4th and Ranstead streets
EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street
LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street
TAKE A FOOD JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHWEST PHILLY. Stuff your face with Jamaican, West African, and Southern African American cuisines while walking it off on Woodland Avenue during your Africatown Food Tour, scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 10:30am and 1:30pm. $56. 5741 Woodland Avenue
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
Photo by Albert Yee