Ice Cream Festival on Filbert at Reading Terminal Market
When: July 12, 1-5 p.m.
Where: North 12th & Filbert streets, Philadelphia, PA
I scream, you scream, we all scream for the Ice Cream Festival on Filbert at Reading Terminal Market. The annual outdoor celebration of the frozen treat brings together nearly a dozen shops from the Philly artisanal ice cream community. Among participating ice creameries scooping at the event are Bassetts Ice Cream, Cloud Cups, Milk Jawn, Franklin Fountain, Scoop DeVille, Siddiq’s Water Ice and more offering their creations out on Filbert Street in front of the venue. The free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go event also includes activities like ice cream demonstrations, games and live music.

Tanabata at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
When: July 9 - July 13
Where: Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Horticultural and Lansdowne drives, Philadelphia, PA
Tanabata is the yearly star festival that is recognized across Japan on July 7th. This is the one day a year where two celestial lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, are said to meet. We celebrate this meeting of star crossed lovers by appreciating the beauty of the cosmos and the wonders of the night sky. And we invite you to celebrate with us!
Fairmount Park’s Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center celebrates the holiday with comet-like decorations, written wishes adorning bamboo reeds and a special Taiko drumming performance (on Saturday at  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM only). Tickets are required. All Tanabata activities are included with the admission ticket to Shofuso.

Music in the Stacks: Penn Flutes
When: Jul 10, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Chemistry Laboratories, 1973 Wing - Chemistry Library, 231 S. 34th St
Penn Flutes take part of the Music in the Stacks series for their second performance in the Chemistry Library. RSVP is encouraged for non-Penn card holders

Origami
When: July 8, 2025 11:30am - 1:30pm 
Where: Room LL02A: Electronic Classroom, Evans Building, Levy Dental Medicine Library
Join the Leon Levy Dental Medicine Library for a screen-free break featuring origami and other paper crafts.

Garden Jams: West Philadelphia Orchestra
When: Wednesday, Jul. 9 2025, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET
Where: Stoner Courtyard, Penn Museum
Known for stellar musicianship and dynamic live shows, West Philadelphia Orchestra (WPO) is a brass band inspired by the Romani brass “orkestras” and “fanfares” of Eastern Europe. The band’s sound is large, loud, and extremely danceable. WPO began as a village band for their neighborhood in 2006, performing at parks, rocking street festivals, and collaborating with community theaters. Their albums WPO (2008),  Live at Tritone (2012), and Tour de Filli (2016) are available on Bandcamp.com and streaming platforms.

Free Museum Day
When: July 4, 10 am - ​closing time depends on different museums
Where: Cliveden, Fireman’s Hall Museum, ​Arch Street Meeting House
​As the birthplace of our nation, Philadelphia takes the Independence Day season very seriously. One of the festival’s most popular programs is Free Museum Days, a two-week-long celebration of some of Philadelphia’s most beloved attractions. Each day from June 19 through July 4, at least one Philly museum offers free (or pay-what-you-wish) admission.

Salute to Independence Parade 
When: July 4, 11 am - 12:30 pm
Where: beginning at South 5th and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia
This is the nation's largest Independence Day procession that features dozens of floats and thousands of dancers, marching bands and more performers to celebrate the nation's history.
The parade will being at Independence Hall and end north of City Hall.

Concert and Fireworks at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway  
When: July 4, 7 pm
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The grand finale to Wawa Welcome America's July Fourth celebration will take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The concert will feature hip-hop artist LL COOL J and Philly's own Jazmin Sullivan. Following this event, fireworks will light up the sky to end Wawa Welcome America's 16 days of celebration.

Edible Alphabet: Learn English through Cooking
When: Fridays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (May 23 - June 27, 2025)
Where: Northeast Regional Library
Adults are invited to this FREE class for English language learners. Each week we read, write, and speak in English - and cook a meal together!
The class is in the basement meeting room. 
To sign-up, call, email [email protected], or visit www.bit.ly/EAEnglish

Free Museum Days in Philadelphia
When: June 19 – July 4, 2025 (dates vary by attraction)
More than 40 of Philly’s most celebrated cultural institutions offer free admission on select days during Philly’s 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival. This week, look forward to free admission at the following attractions:

• African American Museum in Philadelphia: Thursday | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• Masonic Temple: Friday | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Pre-registration required)
• The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: Friday | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Pre-registration required)
• Johnson House Historic Site: Friday | Noon – 3 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• Historic Rittenhouse Town: Friday | Noon – 4 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• Elfreth’s Alley Museum: Friday | Noon – 4 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• The Print Center: Saturday | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• Stenton: Saturday | 1-4 p.m. (Pre-registration recommended)
• American Philosophical Society Museum: Sunday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (No pre-registration required)
• Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion: Sunday | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (No pre-registration required)

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square
​When: June 20 - August 31, 2025
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Light up the night at historic Franklin Square for the return of the must-see Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Old City. Celebrate the Year of the Snake among dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns and installations constructed by Chinese artisans.
Along with the fantastical light display, enjoy live cultural performances, folk art, dumpling-making, fountain shows, festival-themed crafts and lots of international food and drink, including brews at the popular Dragon Beer Garden. Advanced tickets (timed Fridays through Sundays) are required to attend the event, which starts after the park closes.

Avenue of the Arts Block Party on South Broad Street
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025 | Noon-6 p.m.
Where: South Broad Street between Walnut Street & Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
​Find blocks of fun for everyone at the all-day Avenue of the Arts Block Party, presented by Wawa Welcome America and Ensemble Arts Philly along Philly’s most musical street. Check out live performances, carnival-inspired entertainment, photo ops, local artisan vendors, food trucks, water ice, free giveaways and much more.
This year also celebrates 20 years of Philly Fashion Week with a free fashion show, and the 21-and-over crowd can enjoy a beer garden with pay-as-you-go sips and free Casamigos samples. Plus, your four-legged friends can get in on the fun too with the pooch-centric Avenue of the Barks play area on Spruce Street.