The Best Things You Can Possibly Do in Philly This Week
All-Star Week begins! Blobfest returns! The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100! Here’s what’s happening this week in Philly.
Blobfest / Photograph courtesy of Colonial Theatre
This is a jam-packed week in the Philadelphia region: All-Star Week begins! Blobfest returns! The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100! Here’s the best of the best happening this week.
ALL-STAR WEEK
Citizens Bank Park / Photograph by Colin Lenton
The Midsummer Classic will unfold at CBP on July 14th, but there’s plenty of fun leading up to those nine innings. Here’s what’s happening opening weekend:
- First, we’ve got the All-Star Village at the Convention Center all through All-Star Week. Think an indoor (read: air-conditioned) baseball-themed carnival with all kinds of fun and games, plus mascots, a merch shop, photo and autograph sessions with baseball legends, and more.
- On Friday, July 10th, the HBCU Swingman Classic kicks things off featuring student-athletes playing at Citizens Bank Park.
- The MLB Draft is also happening during All-Star Week: That’ll be on Saturday, July 11th, at the Convention Center — and it’s free and open to the public.
- Sunday, July 12th, brings two big events, both at Citizens Bank Park. First up, and perhaps the most underrated All-Star Week event, is the All-Star Futures Game. It’s an incredible opportunity to see prospects we’ll be rooting for in a few years. Then, a new event called MLBx : All-Star 3-on-3, a fast-paced, co-ed, baseball-esque exhibition game with (you guessed it) three players on each team. Among those players? DeVonta Smith and Terrell Owens, because why not? Bonus: Phillies legends Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Shane Victorino will all be there as team captains!
FESTIVALS
Blobfest / Photograph courtesy of Colonial Theatre
Blobfest
Phoenixville was featured prominently in the 1958 horror classic The Blob, so every year they celebrate it with parties, screenings, a street fair, the Blob Ball, and other events in and around the Colonial Theatre. (The most iconic events involve everybody running screaming out of the Colonial Theatre like they did in the movie!) July 10th-12th, downtown Phoenixville.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge Centennial
The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100 and will celebrate with a kind of “Open Streets” vibe — it’ll be closed to vehicular traffic, so bring the fam to frolic. Plus, on the Camden side of the bridge, there will be a festival with carnival rides, food trucks, live entertainment, and more fun. July 11th, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
FIFA Fan Festival
There are no more Philly games in this year’s FIFA World Cup, but that doesn’t mean the party has to end. Head to Lemon Hill for the Fan Fest, which runs all 39 days of the World Cup with watch parties, those viral bracelets, and more. (It’s free, but you have to register online.) Through July 19th at Lemon Hill.
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Franklin Square will once again light up with giant, colorful sculptures of steel and silk. From the fan-favorite dragon to dozens of all-new illuminated installations, plus performances and other special features, there’s so much to see and do (and photograph) at this family-friendly festival. Check out our preview for everything you need to know about the festival. Through August 16th in Franklin Square.
Barnes on the Block
The Barnes Foundation’s annual summer celebration returns to the Parkway, and includes live performances, a craft market, hands-on art making, and a beer garden. Plus, free access to the museum (with registration). July 12th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
RiverFest
Glen Foerd’s annual festival features hands-on activities, live music, food trucks, and, of course, the opportunity to float and paddle along the Delaware River (and the nearby Poquessing Creek) in kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. The Delaware River Yacht Club will also be there, holding sailboat races. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue.
ON STAGE
The cast of The Sound of America rehearses / Photograph courtesy of FringeArts
The Sound of America
This rock musical created by Randall Lane and Todd Schwartz reimagines Benjamin Franklin as “America’s first rock star.” How, you ask? Ben “accidentally unlocks the power of electric rock n’ roll after a lightning strike changes everything,” then “forms a scrappy band with his Leather Apron Club friends.” But wait, there’s more! Every ticket includes a 45-minute musical walking tour of historic Philadelphia, hosted by the show’s own Benjamin Franklin. July 1st-August 1st at FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard.
Patti LaBelle
The larger-than-life Philly icon plays the Dell Music Center, along with Avery Sunshine, Pieces of a Dream and Jeff Bradshaw. July 9th, 7 p.m., 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive.
Dave Matthews Band
If your summer just isn’t complete without a 15-minute rendition of “Two Step,” head to Camden for DMB — their setlists run deep, so spring for the two-day tickets and you probably won’t hear any repeats. July 10th & 11th, Freedom Mortgage Pavillion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden.
Rick Ross
Celebrating 20 years since his debut album Port of Miami, Rick Ross will be joined by the Renaissance Orchestra for a “black tie affair.” July 11th, 8 p.m. at the Met, 858 North Broad Street.
Variety Pack Comedy Festival
Five days, 15 original comedy shows. Variety Pack returns to The Drake with everything from a game show to a dating show to a kids’ show and more. And each show is just $15. July 9th-13th, the Proscenium Theatre and the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street.
EXHIBITS
The First Bank of the United States reopens this week. / Photograph by C. Smyth for Visit Philly
Reopening of the First Bank of the United States
Have you ever walked down 3rd Street in Old City, stared up at the hulking, empty Classical Revival building looking back at you, and wondered just what the hell was going on in there? Wonder no longer. For the first time in 50 years, the First Bank of the United States has reopened to the public. Along with admiring the 18th-century architecture, you can learn about the history of banking in America — well, whatever you haven’t already picked up from Hamilton. The Bank is now open Thursdays through Sundays. 120 South 3rd Street.
“Just Us”
The Barnes hosts a powerful new exhibit featuring original artwork by artists at SCI Phoenix and members of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Rec Crew, a job-readiness and life skills program for justice-impacted young adults. Developed through workshops with the Barnes Foundation, the show brings together deeply personal work that explores memory, heritage, resilience, and hope. Through August 24th at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
PrismaPhonik
Part of the Waterfront’s “Where Freedom Flows” public art series, this new installation by artists William Simard and Anthony Gagnon Boisvert is described as “a magical stroll through music and light.” The artists created a glowing labyrinth of 12 colorful prisms, each representing a different orchestra musician. As you walk through it, each prism will respond, lighting up and playing symphonic music. To create the soundscape, the artists collaborated with local musicians Snacktime and Orchestra 2001. Through August 17th at Spruce Street Harbor Park.
“Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments”
Why do more people visit the Rocky statue than any other monument in Philadelphia? Did you know that about as many people visit the Statue of Liberty each year? And wait — is the Rocky statue even a monument? Or is it just a movie prop? This fascinating exhibit curated by local monument expert Paul Farber explores all of these questions, and more. Through August 2nd at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
“A Nation of Artists”
A two-venue exhibit showcasing more than 1,000 pieces of American art, part of the Semiquincentennial. Through July 5, 2027 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and PAFA.
MISCELLANY
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Delaware River Waterfront / Photograph by Matt Stanley
Philly Phlotilla
Grab a paddle and celebrate Philly the way it was founded — by river. Kayakers are encouraged to join the Philly Phlotilla, a group of paddlers making the eight-mile trek down the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers from the Walnut Street Dock to Fort Mifflin. (Meetup is at the fort; shuttles will take everyone to Center City.) Hate getting wet? Cheer on the group from the South Street Bridge as they pass. July 11th, 1-7 p.m. from Walnut Street Dock to Fort Mifflin.
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
If you’re looking for some uptempo, family-friendly activities by the riverside, try Summerfest: They’ve got roller skating, of course, plus carnival games, mini-golf, rides, food, drinks, and a nice view of the Delaware River. Through September at Penn’s Landing.
See Also: Everything to Do, See, and Eat on the Delaware River Waterfront This Season
