Philly’s summer festivals: Philly Pride, Odunde, Wawa Welcome America, Fringe, and more
Phoenixville's Blobfest and North Second Street's food-fueled street fest, too.
Philadelphia’s festival season comes to a full boil in summer and simmers on through early fall. Blockbuster events include the Pride Parade, Odunde, Wawa Welcome America!, and the Manayunk Arts Festival, with the Fringe Festival closing out the season in September.
Pride Parade and Festival (June 7 and 9, 13th and Locust Streets). One of the city’s most vibrant celebrations, this year’s Pride festivities will pay special tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and will take to the streets twice: with a mega block party on Friday, June 7, followed by the main event on June 9. Sunday’s parade steps off at 13th and Locust, traveling a 1½-mile route through Center City and Old City that ends in a festival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. (215-875-9288, phillygaypride.org)
Odunde Festival (June 9, 23rd and South Streets). The nation’s largest African American street festival returns to Graduate Hospital. It begins with a procession to the Schuylkill to give offerings to Oshun, Yoruba goddess of fertility and fortune. Afterward, the crowd spreads out along South Street and the surrounding blocks to peruse African and Caribbean art, clothing, jewelry, and more. (215-732-8510, odundefestival.org)
Peco Multicultural Series (Select weekends through Sept. 15, 101 Columbus Blvd.). Inspired by world cultures, these recurring festivals take over Penn’s Landing’s Great Plaza. Look forward to dancing, food, music, and shopping at celebrations honoring Hispanic (July 6-7), Islamic (July 20), African (Aug. 4), Indian (Aug. 17), Caribbean (Aug. 18), Brazilian (Sept. 8), and Mexican (Sept. 15) traditions. (215-629-3200, delawareriverwaterfront.com)
Manayunk Arts Festival (June 22-23, Main Street). The region’s largest outdoor juried arts festival could only take place right on Main Street, where hundreds of artists set up shop for one weekend. Find jewelry, ceramics, paintings, woodworking, textiles, and more. Plenty of bars and restaurants welcome you to stop by, too. (215-482-9565, manayunk.com)
Wawa Welcome America! (June 29 to July 4, various locations). Philly goes all out for the Fourth of July, making it a weeklong bash. The list of events is long: two fireworks shows (June 29 and July 4), an ice cream festival at Reading Terminal (June 29), Wawa Hoagie Day (July 2), free museum days (June 30-July 4), and the massive Party on the Parkway (July 4). Jennifer Hudson and Meghan Trainor headline the Parkway event, but concerts leading up to the Fourth include performances by the Philadelphia Men’s Fellowship Choir (June 30), the U.S. Army Band (June 29), and the Philly Pops (July 3). (267-546-5424, welcomeamerica.com)
Blobfest (July 12 to 14, Phoenixville). For 20 years, the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville has recreated a scene from the 1950s Steve McQueen sci-fi classic, inviting folks to sprint out of its theater en masse. Besides the reenactment, there’s a street fair featuring a wacky Fire Extinguisher Parade and costume contest, as well as screenings of Teenagers From Outer Space, Forbidden Planet, and, of course, The Blob. (610-917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com)
East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival (July 28, East Passyunk Avenue). Car enthusiasts roll up with their most prized possessions at this sprawling block party. Find vintage and custom cars parked alongside food trucks and vendors. (215-336-1455, visiteastpassyunk.com)
Franklin Square Fountain Show Opening (July 31, 200 N. Sixth St.). Franklin Square debuts its new fountain show, bringing the park’s centerpiece to life with lights, music, and dancing water. While you’re there, consider a round of mini-golf or a ride on the carousel followed by a summer shake at SquareBurger. (historicphiladelphia.org)
BlackStar Film Fest (Aug. 1 to 4, various locations). Highlighting black filmmakers from around the world, this four-day celebration brings a robust, diverse lineup to the big screen. Festival passes are available. (267-603-2755, blackstarfest.org)
2nd Street Festival (Aug. 4, Second Street between Germantown Avenue and Spring Garden Street). Whether you go for the all-afternoon live music or the sea of food options, you’re sure to mingle with other festivalgoers at this popular Northern Liberties event. Craft vendors and craft beer suppliers will be well represented, too. The 10-hour outdoor party raises money for the neighborhood’s business improvement district. (2ndstfestival.org)
Fringe Festival (Sept. 5-21, various locations). Philly’s arts venues are booked solid with dance, theater, comedy, and other performances during this 17-day festival curated by FringeArts. With more than 1,000 events, featuring local and national acts, there’s plenty of art to go around. (215-413-1318, fringearts.com)