Summer in Philadelphia

Just because the weather is heating up in Philadelphia doesn't mean the fun has to stop. In fact, the city boasts a variety of indoor and outdoor events throughout the summer that you won't want to miss. Drexel's campus stays active too, with its ongoing summer quarter, meaning that students can take full advantage of what Philadelphia has to offer during the warm months.

Philadelphia's Chinese Lantern Festival

Debuting in 2016 and now a summertime staple, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival turns Franklin Square into a spectacular light show at dusk. On the border of both Old City and Chinatown, the festival features enormous new handmade lanterns each year based on that year's Chinese zodiac animal. As 2025 is the Year of the Snake, expect to find lots of them lighting your path along Franklin Square — 180 animal lanterns, 2,500 flowers, and 25,000 LEDs, to be exact. The festival runs from June 21 to August 20 and also features a 200-foot-long dragon lantern and live performances in dance, jar juggling, plate-spinning, and Jiu-Jitsu. More than just a beautiful festival of lights, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is fun for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Celebrate Pride Month!

Another historic neighborhood in Philadelphia is Midtown Village, otherwise known as the "Gayborhood." In 2017, a new eight-stripe Pride flag with a black and brown stripe was debuted by the marketing firm Tierney in partnership with Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs to honor queer people of color, inspiring the 2018 "Progress Flag." As opposed to New York City, which hosts its Pride fest at the end of June, Philadelphia's Pride events start at the top of the month. This year's Pride March, themed "Be You," featured a 600-foot-long rainbow flag and began at City Hall on the morning of June 1 before fanning out into a bright, colorful, fun Pride festival across the entire Gayborhood all afternoon. But it doesn't end there — the entire month of June is full of events, from Philadelphia Phillies Pride Night at Citizens Bank Park to drag brunches and history tours, that are open to all. No matter when you celebrate, remember to celebrate with pride!

Fourth of July in the Birthplace of America

Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American democracy, and its Old City district contains the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the foundation of the first President's House. Naturally, Philadelphia is also the place to be for the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the country! Wawa Welcome America hosts events for both Juneteenth and the Fourth of July, making for a 16-day-long celebration of American independence. On July 4, make sure to arrive early to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the best view of a free concert and fireworks show. The entire Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed to vehicles so visitors can spread out picnic blankets and snacks to enjoy the show.

Other Seasonal Events

As spring turns to summer, various corners of Philly modify their attractions for the hottest time of year. At Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, the winter's ice rink transforms into a roller rink and full boardwalk with a Ferris wheel. Summer is the best time of year to try all the water ice you can get your hands on or flag down a Mister Softee ice cream truck jingling down the street. The Southeast Asian Market is open until October for barbecue, sugarcane juice, mango sticky rice, and more. The various museums offer refreshingly air-conditioned, indoor family fun around the city, whether you're interested in history, art, medicine, or science. Finally, Philadelphia offers beautiful scenic neighborhoods: Rittenhouse, Midtown Village, and much of South Philly fully bloom in the summertime with green trees and rosebushes alongside red brick that make for an ideal daytime stroll.

No matter what you're interested in, summer offers all kinds of fun for everyone across the City of Brotherly Love!