The Best Things You Can Possibly Do in Philly This Week

This week in Philly: The World Cup comes to Philly, Odunde, TED Democracy, Pride Month continues, and much more.

GayBINGO / Photograph by Jeff Fusco

This is a jam-packed week in the Philadelphia region, so we dug deep to find you the best of the best. Enjoy!

PRIDE

It’s Pride Month! From drag shows to block parties, we’ve got a whole guide to how Philly is planning a month of events for the LGBTQ+ community and allies of all ages to celebrate. Click here for full the rundown, but here are some favorites this week:

Sip City Prom of Your Dreams

Head to the W Philadelphia for a magical, inclusive “prom redo.” Expect DJ music, a dance floor, a photo booth, themed cocktails, and a community of LGBTQ+ Philadelphians who get to do prom night on their own terms this time around.
June 10th at W Philadelphia

Friday Night: Pride Edition at the Art Museum

Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts a pay-what-you-wish Friday evening with live music from Black Buttafly, art activities with artist De’von Downes, gallery talks, and more.
June 12th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Pride on Passyunk

East Passyunk Avenue hosts an all-day Pride sip-and-stroll with drag performances, drink specials, DJ sets, store specials, and much more. It kicks off with a 10 a.m. Drag Queen Story Time at Tildie’s Toy Box! Other highlights of the day include drag brunch at Cantina los Caballitos, a dog pool party ball pit and sundae bar at Philly Unleashed, “Queer Improv” at Sawubona, and an afterparty at Echo Echo. See the full schedule here.
June 14th on East Passyunk Avenue

GayBINGO

For 30 years, GayBINGO has raised money for AIDS Fund with a monthly themed bingo game hosted by the “Bingo Verifying Divas.” This month is extra special, because it’s the final show for co-founder and longtime hostess Carlota Ttendant. They’ll also be collecting new school supplies for children affected by HIV. Tickets available online.
June 13th at Congregation Rodeph Shalom

FESTIVALS

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

Clay Fest

This annual festival celebrates “clay and community” with a fun, all-ages day of hands-on collaborative art projects that will get your hands dirty.
June 13th at the Clay Studio

B[l]ok Party

South Philly’s beloved Bok Building hosts its annual “classic summer-in-the-city block party” featuring live music and performances, plus vendors, food, drinks, a bounce house, kid stuff, and more.
June 13th at Bok

Juneteenth Jubilee at Bartram’s Garden

The West Philly garden’s Juneteenth celebration returns for its sixth year with storytelling, performances, lawn games, vendors and more. The event features live vinyl DJ sets by Vinyl Tap 215, who also co-host.
June 14th at Bartram’s Garden

Odunde Festival

Odunde is billed as “the largest African cultural festival in the U.S.” and it certainly feels like the biggest party in Philadelphia every year. This year’s festival culminates with a 16-block-long party featuring a marketplace; African, Caribbean, and Soul food; and two stages of live performances — headlined by Bel Biv Devoe.
June 14th at 23rd and South streets

Flag Fest

If you’ve ever felt a bit underwhelmed by the Betsy Ross House, you’re not alone. But if there’s any time to give the house a second chance, it’s this summer. Textile demonstrations, country dancing, historical reenactments — curators are even teasing the unveiling of a new artifact on Flag Day.
June 5th–14th at the Betsy Ross House

ON STAGE

Dear Evan Hansen at the Arden / Photograph by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.

Dear Evan Hansen

The musical from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul is loosely based on events at Friends Central School, from when Pasek was a student there. He’s doing okay for himself, having dropped $13 million on Amy Schumer’s Manhattan penthouse not long ago.
Through July 5th at the Arden

The Great Privation (How to Flip Ten Cents Into a Dollar)

Set in South Philadelphia, the New York Times called this dark comedy about how the United States has harmed Black people in the name of science “robust and enlivening.”
Through June 14th at Theatre Exile

EXHIBITS

“This Is (Not) a Celebration: Queer Resistance 1976/2026”

Organized by the William Way LGBT Community Center, this exhibit depicts Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ organizing, activism, and protest during the 1976 Bicentennial. The exhibit pairs archival materials with the work of three local artists — Scarlett DeLorme, Justin Jain, and Amy Cousins.
June 11th through July 3rd at Huddle (338 Brown Street)

“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 so much more.
Through August 2nd at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

“A Nation of Artists”

A two-venue exhibit showcasing more than 1,000 pieces of American art, part of the Semiquincentennial.
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art and PAFA

MISCELLANY

Kylian Mbappé / Photograph by Xavier Laine/Getty Images

FIFA World Cup 2026

It’s finally here! The first of 104 World Cup matches kicks off on June 11th, when Mexico takes on South Africa in Mexico City. Here in Philly we’ve got six matches, beginning with Ecuador-Ivory Coast on June 14th. If you’re not one of the lucky fans who’ve scored tickets to the Linc — excuse us, Philadelphia Stadium, per FIFA’s convoluted sponsorship rules — or you’re simply too far away from your favorite team, fear not. We’ve got you covered with the best places to watch, here. The United States won’t be playing at the Linc, so if you’re not sure who you’ll be rooting for, look no further. And head to Lemon Hill for the Fan Fest, which runs all 39 days of the World Cup with watch parties and more. (It’s free, but you have to register online.)
June 11th-July 19th at Lincoln Financial Field (matches) and Lemon Hill (Fan Fest)

Clue: A Walking Mystery

An interactive IRL version of the murder-mystery game, with clues hidden throughout Philly. Book your timeslot with Ensemble Arts Philly online.
June 11th-July 5th starting at the Kimmel Center

Olympia After Hours

If you’re looking for a unique night out, Independence Seaport Museum is planning a pair of evenings aboard the warship Olympia. The first one will be on June 12th, and the theme “draws inspiration from ‘Crossing the Line’ ceremonies onboard naval vessels to initiate new sailors (or pollywogs)” and hints at a visit from King Neptune. (Is this literal or figurative? Stay tuned!)
June 12th at Independence Seaport Museum

TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures

For decades, TED Talks have explored ideas with the potential to change the world. Now, in 2026, in the birthplace of democracy, the organization is tackling possibly its biggest idea yet: What will we build together over the next 250 years? The Kimmel Center will play host to 15 new TED Talks, plus a host of performances, immersive experiences, and live interviews.
June 13th at the Kimmel Center

The Great Chefs Event

So many restaurants, so little time — it’s the Philadelphia diner’s conundrum. That’s why the Great Chefs Event is such a game-changer: the city’s (and country’s) top chefs, all cooking in one place, for a worthy cause. The annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser — founded by Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin — attracts Philly names like Nok Suntaranon, Michael Solomonov, Greg Vernick, and Cristina Martinez, plus icons Nancy Silverton, Jonathan Waxman, Chris Bianco, and Michael Cimarusti.
June 13th at Urban Outfitters HQ

ArtPhilly

In honor of the whole Semiquin thing, a citywide arts festival of exhibits, performances, and more.
Through July 2nd in various locations

Art for the Cash Poor

InLiquid’s annual art sale features works by painters, designers, crafters and more — and everything’s $250 or less. See the whole list of artists and samples of their work here.
June 13th at InLiquid Gallery

LOOKING AHEAD

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns this summer. / Photograph by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto/Getty Images

After years — centuries, even — of anticipation, summer 2026 is finally here. Yes, that means the World Cup and the semiquincentennial and the MLB All-Star Game and a bunch of other big-ticket events that have surely crossed your radar. But it also means happenings you might not yet have heard about: hot dog contests, kayak flotillas, electronic festivals, and lighthouse climbs — enough adventures to fill every day between now and Labor Day. Here’s our guide to your best summer ever.