Our epic semiquicentennial sports season is winding down, but football is on the horizon. Get ready, get fit for your things to do this week, Philly!

The Philadelphia Tennis Classic continues, while the Cycling Classic makes its triumphant return, complete with watch parties. If you’re looking to get more athletic, join Jacklyn Fit and Waka Flocka Flame for Sweat & Sculpt Philly.

Stephen Fried is presenting a talk on his new book at the Mütter Museum, the Philly Pops are paying tribute to Jerry Garcia, and musician The Bird Calls hosts their new album release party at Young American. If country is more your speed, the Zac Brown Band is coming to The Mann.

If drag and burlesque is more your speed, don’t miss Inconteasable, a princess bride tribute like no other.

Bring your own chairs to South Street for an evening of film and fun, and bring your picnic gear to the Magic Gardens for August Twilight in the Gardens.

If you want to raise money for shelter animals, bring your dog to Yappy Hour at The Logan. Elmwood Zoo is also getting charitable with a backpack and food giveaway for the kids.

And finally, do you or someone you know look like Cooper DeJean? Then head to Libertee Grounds for their lookalike contest.

• • • • Things to do this week
      • Things to do this weekend
      • Ongoing things to do

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

Philadelphia Tennis Classic, Parks on Tap, Stephen Fried at the Mütter Museum, Yappy Hour, backpack and food giveaway at Elmwood Park Zoo, Cooper DeJean Lookalike Contest, Twilight in the Garden, Inconteasable, Philly Pops does Jerry Garcia

ATTEND THE PHILADELPHIA TENNIS CLASSIC. For the first time in 20 years, women’s professional tennis returns to Philadelphia for the Ennoble Care Philly Open at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center August 23 through August 29. Tickets for individual sessions and all session passes are available. $21-$515+. Located off River Fields Drive at the University of Pennsylvania 

LEARN HOW AMERICA CAUGHT THE FEVER. Author and journalist Stephen Fried comes to the Mütter Museum August 25 at 6pm for Rush, Hamilton, Yellow Fever and the Politicizing of American Medicine, a talk covering how Revolutionary era politics, medical expertise, civics, and the establishment of public health infrastructure intersected in response to catastrophic outbreaks. Copies of Fried’s book, Rush: Revolution, Madness, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father, will be available for purchase and signing. $25. 19 S. 22nd Street

TAKE YOUR DOG TO THE BAR. In honor of National Dog Day, Urban Farmer is hosting Yappy Hour August 26 from 5:30 to 8pm in the Logan Hotel courtyard. In addition to a special menu of treatos for your doggo, guests enjoy food, drinks, local vendors, and a specialty cocktail made with event partner Tito’s Vodka. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Morris Animal Refuge. Pay as you go. One Logan Square

DRINK BEER IN EAST FAIRMOUNT PARK. Parks on Tap comes to Lemon Hill Mansion August 26 through August 30 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. Lemon Hill Drive

IF YOU’RE IN NEED, PICK UP THE ESSENTIALS. The nonprofit It Takes a Village to Feed One Child (ITAVTFOC) is partnering with Elmwood Park Zoo to host a free backpack and food distribution event August 27 from 9 to 11am. Everything kids need to succeed in school will be offered and for the first 100 attendees, fresh produce, shelf-stable items, and zoo tickets! Recipients can visit the zoo that day or hold their tickets for a future visit. A couple of the zoo’s residents will be there for a meet and greet, as will former Sixer Jumaine Jones. No ID required. Free. 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown

ARE YOU A CUTE WHITE GUY AROUND 20-25 YEARS OLD? Maybe enter the Cooper DeJean Lookalike Contest at Libertee Grounds to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation August 27 from 5 to 8pm. Guest judges will choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Cooper; all participants have a chance to win prizes. Register here! $5. 1600 W. Girard Ave

SPEND AN EVENING IN THE MAGIC GARDENS. August Twilight in the Garden returns August 28 from 7 to 10pm. Level up your screen printing skills, have a picnic to live music courtesy of Tipsy Wicked, and check out the galleries. It’s BYOB! $20-$30. 1020 South Street

HAVE FUN STORMING THE CASTLE!  BluDyx Productions proudly presents  Inconteasable: A Drag and Burlesque Tribute to The Princess Bride at Franky Bradley’s August 27 starting at 8pm. Be ready for lightning sand, fire spurts, R.O.U.S, audience games, and an inconceivable drag and burlesque show! $17.80-$20. 1320 Chancellor Street

LET THERE BE SONGS TO FILL THE AIR. Come to the Highmark Mann August 28 at 8pm (doors open at 6) when the Philly Pops honors one of America’s greatest composers at the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration. Take your time, you’ll get home before daylight. $58-$113. 5201 Parkside Avenue

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

BYOC South Street, Sweat & Sculpt Philly, Zac Brown Band, Philadelphia Cycling Classic, East Falls Bike Party, The Bird Calls new album release party,

BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR TO SOUTH STREET. On August 29 and 30 from 4 to 10pm, South Street will be closed to cars from 2nd Street to 4th Street for BYOC South Street. Enjoy live music, food, and a movie at dusk. Free. 200 & 300 South Street

HAVE FUN, GET HARD IN DA PAINT, GET FIT. Jacklyn Fit proudly hosts its Largest-Ever Women’s Fitness Event, Sweat & Sculpt Philly, a morning of movement and celebration featuring refreshments, facials, smoothies, and a live performance by the one and only Waka Flocka Flame! I know, right?? Happening August 29 starting at 9am (please get there by 8:30 to be prepared) at Friends Select School. $120. 1651 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

HAVE SOME CHICKEN FRIED? If you’re into that, then you’ll enjoy an evening at The Highmark Mann for Zac Brown Band: Love & Fear Tour presented by Margaritaville at Sea, with special guest Grace Potter. August 29 at 7pm (doors at 5:30). $165-$595+. 5201 Parkside Avenue

SEE THE CLASSIC RETURN. After a 10-year hiatus, the Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns August 30 with events beginning at 6:30am. Watch world-class professional cyclists master a city-wide 14.4 mile circuit that begins and ends on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Spectators can line up at their favorite course landmarks, attend the Manayunk Family Watch Party with the best vantage point of the famous Manayunk Wall, enjoy the fan festival, and attend the awards ceremonies. See the full schedule and map here. There are also still some volunteer opportunities too! 

ATTEND A CYCLING CLASSIC WATCH PARTY. Come to the East Falls Bike Party August 30 from 10am to 4pm to watch the race from the best vantage point in the city, featuring food trucks and kid-friendly activities. Pay as you go. Midvale Avenue and River Drive

COME TO AN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY. NYC-based local native Sam Sodomsky is a writer, podcaster, senior editor at Pitchfork, and also the real identity behind The Bird Calls. His new album Take Leave comes out August 28, and to celebrate, Young American is hosting The Bird Calls Album Release with Kristin Daelyn and Adeline Hotel August 30 at 7pm. $17.85. 6350 Germantown Avenue

ONGOING EVENTS

Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.

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, now extended through August 30 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 through 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 through the fall 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