We have a reprieve from the oppressive heat and it’s safe to breathe again so let’s see what things to do we have this week, Philly!

There’s festivals and food galore as Queen Village is holding its annual Restaurant Week, Northern Liberties holds its annual 2nd Street Festival, and South Street holds its Night Out on 9th. The ACANA Festival returns to bring African culture to Cherry Street Pier.

Mötley Crüe is live in Camden with Tesla and Extreme, Ortlieb’s hosts a burlesque tribute to John Waters, and the Philadelphia Zoo presents a 1920s mystery at Zoo Done It.

Parks on Tap is in Gorgas Park, and Shakespeare in Clark Park kicks off with Hamlet.

The legendary Herbie Hancock is live at the Kimmel Center, and The Philadelphia Orchestra presents All Mozart and All Beethoven to introduce first-timers to classical music.

If you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out the Yo Adrienne! Improv Festival for three days of comedy and more.

• • • • 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

Queen Village Restaurant Week, Mötley Crüe with Tesla and Extreme, a burlesque tribute to John Waters, Parks on Tap, Herbie Hancock, Shakespeare in Clark Park

STUFF YOUR FACE IN QUEEN VILLAGE. Now through August 9 (excluding Saturdays) the third annual  Queen Village Restaurant Week offers prix fixe-style menus from your favorite local eateries with Lunch at $25 or less and dinner from $40-$60. $25-$60. Various locations. 

GRAB THE HAIRSPRAY AND CALL DR. FEELGOOD. On July 27 at 6:30pm, Freedom Mortgage Pavillion hosts WMGK Big Gig 2026: The Return Of The Carnival Of Sin – Mötley Crüe, featuring Tesla and Extreme. $26-$212+. 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ

“HAVE FAITH IN YOUR OWN BAD TASTE.” Pay homage to the legendary John Waters at In Bad Taste: a filthy burlesque tribute to John Waters July 28 at 9pm (Doors open at 8:30) at Ortlieb’s, proudly produced by EvilPony productions (Pony Corbeau & HoneyTree EvilEye). $23.18. 847 North 3rd Street

DRINK BEER IN ROXBOROUGH. Parks on Tap comes to Gorgas Park  July 29 to August 2 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. 6300 Ridge Avenue

SEE AN ARTIST SEVEN DECADES STRONG. On July 29 at 7:30pm, jazz legend Herbie Hancock is live at the Kimmel Center. Here’s some Cantaloupe Island to listen to while you wait. $91-$287

SEE MORE SHAKESPEARE, BUT IN THE PARK. Shakespeare in Clark Park kicks off with Hamlet, presented in collaboration with Revolution Shakespeare, July 29 through August 2 at 7pm. Bring a blanket to the bowl and enjoy theater outside. Free, but donations are welcome. 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

All Mozart and All Beethoven with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Yo Adrienne! Improv Festival, The Night Out on 9th, Zoo Done It, 2nd Street Festival, ACANA Festival

MAKE YOUR FIRST TIME A MASTERPIECE. The Philadelphia Orchestra invites you to Marian Anderson Hall to experience two of classical music’s most beloved composers in accessible, single-composer programs: All Mozart July 31 at 2pm and All Beethoven August 1 at 2pm Designed for first-time concertgoers! $39.20-$72.80. 300 S. Broad Street

ATTEND PHILLY’S BIGGEST IMPROV COMEDY FESTIVAL! More than 30 teams descend on Philadelphia for three days of independent, community-driven improv performances, jams, and workshops at the second annual  Yo Adrienne! Improv Festival July 31 through August 2 at Adrienne Theater. Day passes and festival passes available; workshops sold separately($25-$50). $21.94-$37.38. 2030 Sansom Street 

HAVE A NIGHT OUT. The Night Out on 9th: Night Market returns July 31 from 5 to 9pm on South Street. The evening includes the opening of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens new exhibition, Philadelphia Union’s IBX Kicking Challenge, local artisan vendors, live music, food and drinks, family-friendly activities, games, community resource and information booths, and an opportunity to meet Bailey, the Philadelphia Police Department’s new crisis response canine

SOLVE A MYSTERY AT THE ZOO. Step back into the year 1926 to solve a missing Tasmanian tiger mystery at Zoo Done It? happening August 1 at 5:30pm. Participants have the chance to win prize competing individually or as a group. This event is 21 and over only! $55-$80. 3400 W. Girard Avenue  

PARTY IN NOLIBS. Since 2008, the 2nd Street Festival has grown to several blocks and thousands of visitors. The food, drink, and entertainment comes to Northern Liberties August 2 from noon to 10pm. Pay as you go. 2nd Street from Girard Avenue to Spring Garden Street  

CELEBRATE GLOBAL AFRICAN CULTURE. The ACANA Festival comes to the Cherry Street Pier August 2 from 2pm to 8pm featuring African music performances, globally inspired cuisine, and unique crafts from African vendors. Pay as you go. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard

ONGOING EVENTS

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

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 

SEE THE STAGE PRODUCTION BASED ON THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE MOVIE. The Notebook is directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, with choreography by Katie Spelman, and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. It’s open through August 2 for evening and afternoon performances at the Academy of Music. $31-$153. 240 S. Broad Street

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 THE ROLE OF THEATER IN CIVIC LIFE. PlayPenn presents its 2026 New Play Development Conference July 17 through August 2. The public are invited to readings of new plays and a citywide series of civic gatherings, workshops, artists exchanges, and conversations focusing on this year’s theme, Democracy in Action. Most events are free; full schedule is here. Various locations.

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