22 free events in Philly this weekend and next week
The best things to do in Philly this week that won't cost you a penny.
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Free Museum Days
(Fourth of July) Now’s your chance to see the city’s best cultural and art institutions for free or cheap. Through the Fourth, some of the city’s best attractions will participate in free or pay-what-you-wish days. Some require pre-registration or timed tickets. Participants this weekend include:
Friday: Powel House, Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, Penn Museum, Rodin Museum, Science History Institute, Masonic Temple Library and Museum
Saturday: Stenton, National Liberty Museum
Sunday: Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Monday: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Christ Church and Burial Ground
(Through July 4, Various locations, welcomeamerica.com)
Our American Now: Expressions of Freedom & Waterfront Fireworks
(Fourth of July) Kick off your weekend at the waterfront for a night of great food, music and, of course, fireworks. Performances include everything from spoken word to song and dance. Fill up on your favorite local food trucks and try your luck at games and activities. Then, end your night with a grand fireworks display over the Delaware River. (Free, July 1, 6-10 p.m., 121 N. Columbus Blvd., welcomeamerica.com)
First Friday West Philly Trunk Show
(Art) Kick off your weekend with contemporary art and a glass or two of sangria. Indie Life Creative Studio is hosting urban folk artist Susan Ragland and sketch master Robert Bradley for an evening of local art and fun. Stop by to enjoy a drink, light bites, music by DJ Rocdaspot and hang with fellow art lovers. (July 1, 5-9 p.m., 4616 Baltimore Ave., universitycity.org)
Catbite
(Music) The Philly ska band fronted by singer Brittany Luna are back home after a U.S. tour. The Specials- and Selector-influenced quartet will kick off the holiday weekend in support of its 2021 album Nice One with a Free at Noon at World Cafe Cafe Live that will also be broadcast on WXPN-FM (88.5) and live streamed at xpn.org. (Free, July 1, noon, 3025 Walnut St., worldcafelive.com)
Celebration of Community & Culture @ Esperanza Arts Center
(Fourth of July) Esperanza hosts a block party to celebrate Latinx cultures in the city. The fest has food, music, and local vendors, as well as indoor performances from pianist Emiliano Messiez and his quartet, dance lessons with members of the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, and more. (Free, July 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4261 N. Fifth St., welcomeamerica.com)
Block Party at The Bourse
(Fourth of July) Stop by this beer garden and pre-party before you make your way to the POPS Concert. Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut will turn into a festive block party with delicious food, performances by Rev. R2 and Da’Crew and so much more. (Free July 3, 4-9 p.m.,)
Philly POPS July 4th Concert
(Fourth of July) The Philly POPS are back to continue their 44-year Independence Day tradition. This year’s show features guest artists Terell Stafford, Cam Anthony, and Paula Holloway. Philly’s own Mother Bethel AME Choir will also perform, all alongside the POPS Big Band. (Free, July 3, 7-9 p.m., Independence Mall Block 2, phillypops.org)
Salute to America Independence Day Parade
(Parade / kid-friendly) Red, white, and blue take over the city streets on Monday, complete with lavish floats, marching bands, dance, pomp, and a lot of American flags. Miss America is the grand marshal. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Market and Second Street, and makes its way along Market to City Hall. (Free, July 4, 11 a.m.-noon, Market Street from Second Street to City Hall, welcomeamerica.com)
Walk Fourth
(Community) Grab your walking shoes and check out all of the Fourth celebrations on foot. Covering a distance of about eight miles, you’ll start at Jefferson Station and make your way along the Ben Franklin Parkway, stopping at various July 4th celebrations along the way. Stay all day or hop on and off at your own pace. (Free, July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 10th and Filbert Sts., eventbrite.com)
Trivia Night at The Post
(Quizzo) Test your knowledge skills with a free trivia night every Tuesday at The Post. Get quizzed on different theme genres each week while also enjoying drink specials. Winners will take home special prizes. (Free, July 5, 6-8 p.m., 129 S. 30th St., eventbrite.com)
Barre on the Plaza
(Outdoors) Get ready to sweat your way into summer. Barre3 Rittenhouse is bringing you a full body workout that combines cardio, strength training and mindfulness practices. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and light hand-held weights, if you have them. (Free, July 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 2005 Market St., eventbrite.com)
Skate and Sip
(Outdoors) Toast to the start of summer, without the buzz. Spend the afternoon tasting and learning about Seedlip non-alcoholic spirts. Then, head to the rink to lace up your skates, enjoy lunch and, of course, a few more zero-proof cocktails. (Free, July 5, noon-2 p.m., 1 S. 15th St., eventbrite.com)
Just Believe at LOVE Park
(Music) Philly has never been short on local musical talent. Stop by LOVE Park for a showcase of local musicians performing across genres. (Free, July 7, 5-8 p.m., Love Park, eventbrite.com)
Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert
End the weekend with an epic concert with Jason Derulo, Ava Max, and Tori Kelly followed by fireworks synced to a DJ set. (If you don’t want to see it in person, the show will also be broadcast live on NBC10 & TeleXitos). If you do want to go, here are some tips: You can bring food, a small cooler, pets, and chairs/blankets (as long as you’re not in the ticketed section). You can’t bring fireworks, weapons, large signs or banners, skateboards, glass containers, selfie sticks, laser pointers, and a few other contraband items.(Free, July 4, 7-10 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Parkway, welcomeamerica.com)
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
(Community) Celebrate the Fourth at the spot where it all began. Independence Hall will serve as this backdrop to this celebration of our history. You’ll hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence as well as remarks from a lineup of special guests. There will be limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Free, July 4, 10-11 a.m., Sixth & Chestnut St., welcomeamerica.com)
First Free Sunday, Barnes Foundation
(Museums) The Barnes partners with Temple’s famed Blockson Collection to present BLAM: Black Lives Always Mattered! a new graphic novel about 14 Black Philadelphians, plus interactive activities with Baby Wordplay, a reading by Philly Youth Poet Laureate Cydney Brown, plus plenty of art-making. Registration required. Ages 2+. (Free, July 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., barnesfoundation.org)
Art Kids, Philadelphia Museum of Art 🖼️
(Museum / kid-friendly) The art museum has eased into an expanded summer menu of children’s programming, including family art-making every Friday night in July and August, extra studio time in the South Vaulted Walkway and in the outdoor sculpture garden, pop-up studios with local artists, and pay-what-you-wish admission for grown-ups on July 3. Guests up to age 18 are always admitted free. Ages 2-12. (Through Aug. 28, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., philamuseum.org)
Wellness on the Waterfront 🧘
(Fitness / outdoors) Grab a mat, towel and a bottle of water and prepare for an evening of wellness. Alyssa Martin from Lumos Yoga & Barre leads yogis through an hour of guided practice at Race Street Pier. In case of rain, this event will move to Cherry Street Pier. (Thursdays through July 28, 6-7 p.m., Columbus Blvd. and Race St., eventbrite.com)
Sand Sculptures in the Village, Peddler’s Village 🏖️
(Seasonal / in-person / kid-friendly) Those of us tired of waiting for a beach day can swing by these outdoor shops to watch four pro-sand-sculpting teams build whimsical, gritty art. The castles and such will be complete to wander among, and, sandboxes will be open to play in. Ages 2+. (Through Aug. 31, 400 State Rd., New Hope, peddlersvillage.com)
Yoga on the Banks 🧘
(Fitness / in-person / outdoors) Head to the Schuylkill Banks for a morning of zen movement. Bring your own yoga mat or towel and enjoy this all-levels instructor-led yoga class. Yoga classes take place (weather permitting) on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. throughout the spring and summer. (Pay what you can, various dates through October, 2500 Locust St., eventbrite.com)
(Art / in-person / outdoors) Magical Fantasy, a collection of bold and bright 3D art pieces by London-based artist Morag Myerscough, has transformed The Navy Yard into a colorful playground. Stop by to wander through the exhibit and escape into an abstract dreamland without leaving the city. (Through October, Broad St. and Constitution Ave., navyyard.org)
Youth Bike Fridays, Bartram’s Garden 🚲
(Outdoors / multiday / kid-friendly) Philly’s oldest research garden has teamed up with the Bicycle Coalition to lend, repair, and teach kids about bikes every Friday after school. There are snacks, too. Ages 5-17. (Fridays through Nov., 3-6 p.m., 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., bartramsgarden.org)
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