Celebrate Pride and the Country’s Largest African American Street Festival This Weekend in Philly
Here’s your guide to fun things to do in Philly this weekend.
Never settle for a mid-tier weekend ever again. The Philly accolades keep on coming, with a few local restaurants taking some of the top prizes at the recent James Beard Foundation Awards. Friday Saturday Sunday was honored for Outstanding Restaurant, Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, and Ellen Yin of High Street Hospitality for Outstanding Restaurateur—good luck on securing a reservation now.
Summer event season is also in full swing and you’ve got the social calendar to prove it. Between a speakeasy aboard the oldest floating steel warship in the world and the largest African American street festival in the country, there are a lot of superlatives baked into the entertainment over the upcoming days. Take your pick among the only-in-Philadelphia events and thank us later.
Here’s everything fun you can do in Philly this weekend. And to check the local air quality before venturing out of the house, take a look at the city’s interactive air quality map updated in real time.
Friday, June 9
Delaware River Waterfront
Picture this: It’s Prohibition and you’re sneaking into a speakeasy for a few. That’s the scene at tonight’s inaugural speakeasy pop-up aboard the cruiser Olympia at Independence Seaport Museum. The oldest floating steel warship in the world will be outfitted with all the secret bar trappings and the crew will be dressed in period uniforms. Sip a few cocktails, play some games, and learn about life as a Navy sailor during the 1920s.
Cost: $30-35
Friday, June 9
University City
On the other side of town, the 1920s energy continues apace. World Cafe Live is hosting a Harlem Renaissance-themed cabaret, with renditions of songs performed by Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, and Billie Holiday, as well as several unpublished works by Margaret Bonds and Florence Price newly arranged for voice and band. Expect dance, poetry and more at the evening’s two shows—8:30 pm and 10:30 pm. A jazz-inspired fit is encouraged.
Cost: $25
Saturday, June 10
Logan Square
After last weekend’s massive Pride parade and festival kicked off a month’s worth of celebrations, another pair of such events takes place this weekend. The culminating event of Disability Pride Week in Philly is a parade that leaves from City Hall’s north apron at 11 am where participants will march to 16th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway for an all-day festival including speakers, live music, games, resource tables, and food trucks.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go
Saturday, June 10
Newbold
The cozy neighborhood of Newbold (just south of Point Breeze, encompassing the blocks west of Broad) hosts a music, food, and beer festival at 16th Street and West Passyunk Avenue. Musical acts Birdie Busch, Philadelphia Clef Club Senior Ensemble, Dylan Band Trio, Paul Green Rock Academy, and Florry will take the stage all day while breweries like Brewery ARS, Cartesian Brewing, Dock Street Brewery South, Evil Genius Beer Co., and Second District Brewing sling brews. Grab some food from Deke’s BBQ and TNT Smoke and Go Truck in between all the action.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go
Saturday, June 10
Olde Kensington
It’s a day for clay, baby. The Clay Studio’s Clay Fest welcomes mud-throwers of all ages and skill levels for a day of artistic activities. Among the day’s programming, watch artist Robin Williams-Turnage demonstrate traditional Ghanaian pottery techniques, mold a clay slab into a bowl, create clay stop motion animation, or decorate a ceramic tile. Later in the afternoon, grab some free ice cream from Jeni’s. The event is on rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 10
Olde Kensington
While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Art For The Cash Poor, the region’s largest affordable outdoor art sale. Over 100 artists, like painter Jasmine Alleger and accessories maker Patrick Michael, will line North American Street from Oxford to Master selling prints, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, sculpture, and photography—all for under $250 a piece. Who said you had to drop big bucks for great art?
Cost: Pay-as-you-go
Saturday, June 10
Gayborhood
Giovanni’s Room, the oldest LGBTQ+ and feminist bookstore in the country, is turning 50—and they’re throwing a massive block party to celebrate. Queerapalooza will encompass the block at 12th and Pine Streets and will feature local queer bands, musicians, DJs, and drag performers. Plus, vendors selling artwork, crafts, and vintage goods. Dancing in the street is strongly encouraged.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go
Saturday, June 10
West Fairmount Park
Over the river and through the woods—well, just the over the river part—is the West Park Arts Fest, a huge cultural affair in West Fairmount Park on South Concourse Drive along the West Fairmount Park Centennial Commons. On the music stage, you’ve got acts like Everyday People and Badd Kitti, while BalletX and the Philadelphia Jazz Tap Ensemble hold down the dance stage. Aside from the performances, kids can do hands-on activities with the Shofuso Cultural Center, Please Touch Museum, and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Plus, plenty of art and craft vendors.
Cost: Free
Sunday, June 11
Graduate Hospital
Attracting thousands of attendees each year, the Odunde Festival is the largest African American street festival in the country. Held at 23rd and South Streets, the festival boasts a traditional African marketplace, with vendors selling clothing, art, fabric, jewelry, and accessories—along with soul food and dishes from the Caribbean and African diaspora. There’s also a stacked entertainment lineup, complete with African drum and dance ensembles, vocalists, and more.
Cost: Pay-as-you-go