Planning your summer bucket list? We already built it for you! Our Summer Event Guide features events for America's 250th Anniversary, and seasonal must-dos. Check it out!
Memorial Day Weekend Events
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration at Sesame Place (May 22-25): Celebrate the holiday with fireworks and Sesame Street friends on Sunday, May 24, and meet and greet everyone all weekend long!
Memorial Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution (May 23-25): Commemorate the holiday at the Museum of American Revolution. Check out family-friendly activities, including gallery guides for fallen revolutionaries, costumed theatrical performances, and more.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Washington Crossing Historic Park (May 24): Washington Crossing Historic Park will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday, May 24 at 1 PM at the Revolutionary War Soldiers’ Gravesite. The observance will include a colonial color guard, fife and drum music, Revolutionary War reenactors, veterans, and other honored guests as we honor those who have served.
Memorial Day at Elmwood Park Zoo Free Admission (May 25): Elmwood Park Zoo will offer free admission on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day this summer as part of the nationwide America 250 initiative, inviting the community to celebrate three iconic holidays at the Zoo. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution will also be at the Zoo handing out American flags to guests in recognition of the holiday.
Memorial Day Parades in Greater Philadelphia (May 23-25)
- Pennridge Memorial Day Parade | Diamond Street and Clymer Ave. May 23 at 9 AM
- Doylestown Memorial Day Parade | War Memorial Field | May 25 at 9 AM
- Kennett Memorial Day Parade | South and Union Streets | Union Hill Cemetery at 10 AM
- Radnor Memorial Day Parade | Lancaster Avenue | May 25 at 9 AM
- Collegeville-Trappe Memorial Day Parade | Main Street | May 25 at 10 AM
America's 250th Anniversary
52 Weeks of Firsts' Firstival: (May 23-December)
52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city's many historic achievements every Saturday, all throughout 2026. Check out these celebrations all summer long!
- First World's Fair on American Soil: 1876 | Please Touch Museum | May 23
- First Steamboat For Passengers and Freight: 1787 | Independence Seaport Museum | May 30
- First American Flag: 1777 | Betsy Ross House | June 6
- First U.S. Army: 1775 | Museum of the American Revolution | June 13
- First Annual Reminder Demonstration: 1965 | Philly Pride Visitor Center | June 20
- First Paper Maker in America: 1690 | Rittenhouse Town | June 27
- First Bank of the United States: 1791 | First Bank of the United States | July 4
- First Organized Baseball Team: 1833 | Citizens Bank Park | July 11
- First Ice Cream Soda: 1874 | The Franklin Fountain | July 18
- First Art School and Museum in America: 1805 | Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts | July 25
- First Scientific Society of Natural History: 1812 | The Academy of Natural Sciences | August 1
- First Zoo in America: 1874 | Philadelphia Zoo | August 8
- First U.S. Mint: 1792 | United States Mint | August 15
- First Selfie: 1839 | Franklin Square | August 22
- First Slinky: 1945 | American Philosophical Society | August 29
- First Signing of the Constitution: 1787 | National Constitution Center | September 5
- Frist Continental Congress: 1774 | Carpenters' Hall | September 12
- First Naming of the United States: 1776 | Independence Hall | September 19
- First Ronald McDonald House: 1974 | Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House | September 26
Historic Philadelphia Inc.'s Semiquincentennial Summer Programming (May 22-September 7)
- America 250: Stars, Strips, and Symphonies at the Kimmel Center (May 22)
- Say You Want a Revolution at the Kimmel Center
- America's Founding Gallery at the National Constitution Center
- Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail (Through September 30)
- The Declaration's Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution (Through January 3)
4th of July Parades, Festivals, Fireworks (More Info Coming Soon!)
Wawa Welcome America (June 19-July 4)
- Free Museum Days: African American Museum in Philadelphia (June 19)
- Philly Fair 250 - Day 1 (June 20
- Philly Fair 250 - Day 2 (June 21)
- Waterfront Concert & Fireworks (June 27)
- Wawa Hoagie Day (July 1)
- All American Block Party (July 2)
- Flat Fest (July 2)
- Red, White & Blue To-Do (July 2)
- Salute to Independence Semi quincentennial Parade (July 3)
- Pops on Independence (July 3)
- Celebration of Freedom Ceremony (July 4)
FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia
South Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field (temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium) hosts six of the tournament’s matches total.
FIFA Fan Festival (June 11-July 19) The FIFA Fan Festival takes over Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, where anyone can gather for a free, 39-day watch party — complete with giant screens broadcasting live matches, food and beverage vendors, live music and entertainment, and international cultural events. General admission to the FIFA Fan Festival is free and open to the public. However, all those planning to participate must register in advance through an online platform.
PHILADELPHIA HOSTED GAMES
- Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. | Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Match 9, Group E
- Friday, June 19, 2026 at 9 p.m. | Brazil vs. Haiti | Match 29, Group C
- Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. | France vs. Iraq | Match 42, Group I
- Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 4 p.m. | Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Match 55, Group E
- Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 5 p.m. | Croatia vs. Ghana | Match 68, Group L
- Round of 16 match at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026
MLB All-Star Week Events
MLB Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (July 11): The Pennsylvania Convention Center hosts the first rounds of the MLB Draft, free and open to the public in the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s Grand Hall.
Capital One All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (July 11-14): The Capital One All-Star Village sets up shop at the Convention Center for four days, featuring an indoor baseball-themed park with activations and meet-and-greets with former players.
All-Star Sunday Double Header at Citizens Bank Park (July 12): Rising baseball stars take the spotlight for the All-Star Futures Game, a seven-inning exhibition game featuring top Minor League baseball players.
T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park (July 13): The T-Mobile Home Run Derby gives eight hitters three rounds of chances to take the title.
More Summer Fun
May Twilight in the Gardens at the Magic Gardens Museum (May 22): Twilight in the Gardens is back for another season of music, art, and fun! BYOBBS (Bring Your Own Booze, Blanket, and Snacks) and spend a relaxing evening picnicking in our glittering mosaicked space!
Eastern State Penitentiary: Preservation Fest (May 23-24) This Memorial Day Weekend, go beyond the typical tour and learn more about historic preservation at Eastern State by taking part in pop-up talks, watching live demonstrations, and engaging in interactive, family-friendly activities—all included with admission.
Philadelphia Renaissance Faire at Fort Mifflin (May 23-25): The Philadelphia Renaissance Faire returns to the historic Fort Mifflin this Memorial Day Weekend. Check out live comedy, jugglers, music, interactive activities, artisan vendors, and more.
Twilight Tours at the Liberty Bell Center (May 22-September 7): Enjoy *FREE* evening walking tours around Independence National Historical Park. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or exploring your own backyard, there’s something new to discover!
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest (May 22-September 7): Experience roller skating, outdoor boardwalk games and rides, mini-golf, and great food and drinks, all set against soaring views of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Summerfest is the perfect place for a family outing, a school trip, date night, or a meet-up with friends.
Philly Pride Festival (June 7): Philly Pride 365 moves to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 2026 as one of Philadelphia’s largest civic celebrations. Festival admission is $10, with options to support community access. The Pride March remains free.
Spruce Street Harbor Park (May 22 - Late September): Whether you want to kick back with friends under the illuminated trees or enjoy the fresh breeze on the floating barges, Spruce Street Harbor Park has it all. Experience live music, chiliboats adventures, akk0new swan boat and glow night rides, plus more!
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute (Through September 7): This world-premiere exhibition, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.
Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens (Through September 27): All late spring and summer, Longwood Gardens’ glorious fountains come to life across its Kennett Square campus during the attraction’s annual Festival of Fountains.
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