The Ultimate Philadelphia July Fun Guide

The Union has set their fans’ expectations very high, leaving the first half of the season in first place of the eastern conference. So far in this transfer window, head coach Jim Curtin has strengthened the squad with American international striker, Andrew Wooten. They will surely need his help as they take on Orlando City and stars, such as Nani, a Manchester United legend. This month will put the Union to the true test, in hopes of keeping their number 1 position. 

In the patriotic month of July, catching a game of an American past time seems almost necessary. The Phillies will be taking on the Washington Nationals at home, a truly exciting matchup. Phil’s fans are hoping that young slugger, Bryce Harper, can prove his worth after being left out of the 2019 All-Star Game. Moreover, an even more exciting part of this game will be a colorful, post-game firework show! You can’t afford to miss this one! 

This is a day that wrestling fans have been waiting for! The Undertaker is finally returning for an all-out battle in this extreme rules event! This ruling means that all the superstars will play by their own, extreme rules. In addition to The Undertaker, see fan favorites such as, Randy Orton and AJ Styles! Be sure to get your tickets soon, as WWE routinely sells out in the Philly area. 

This game is one that may cause some to shed a few tears. In addition to another exciting game against Bryce Harper’s ex-team, the Washington Nationals, this game will offer a retirement ceremony for Phillies legend, Ryan Howard. Rhino spent the better part of his career here in Philly, some of his accolades include NL Rookie of the Year and MVP, 3 time All-Star, and of course, World Series champion. This game is crucial if you’re a true Philly sports fan, so come down and pay your respects to this class act! 

Philly fans love our sports teams, however, many are unaware that we have a professional tennis team! The Philadelphia Freedoms have displayed they are a true league powerhouse, as last season they went 12-2. Contributing to much of this success is their head coach, Craig Kardon, voted as the coach of the year this past season. Regardless if you are an avid tennis fan or enthusiast, it is always great to go out of your comfort zone and support a local team! 

When it comes to legendary acts, not many top Diana Ross. Much of her fame is due to the massive success as the lead vocalist of Motown group, The Supremes. Through her impressive involvement with the group, they were later an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Enjoy some of her hit songs such as, “I’m Coming Out,” and, “I Will Survive.” This is truly a show for the ages. 

A little R&B is absolutely perfect for a Thursday summer night. Philly will welcome him with open arms, as he’s won the hearts of thousands. Ne-Yo has a voice like no other, and is a true master of his craft. From countless BET and Grammy awards, he has without a doubt earned his spot and reputation. Missing this show will surely leave you “so sick.” 

She’s a pop star, she’s an actress, she’s a TV host, and of course she is fierce. Jennifer Lopez will grace the stage at the Wells Fargo Center, and will surely leave all visitors with a night full of memories. Not only is she equipped with a stellar voice, her dance moves are always immensely impressive and capture the audience’s attention. Get your ticket to this show and enjoy her stage presence, as well as hit songs such as, “Jenny from the Block,” and, “Ain’t Your Mama.” 

Nothing says summer quite like a country performance. Bringing his southern twang from Georgia, Jason Aldean is ready to put on a performance to remember! Aldean has found himself as a cornerstone of the country music community, headlining countless festivals and achieving many sold out tour dates. For this concert, we recommend you leave your “big green tractor” at home, and possibly opt for an Uber. 

For the most part, Monday’s are something we all dread. However, this Monday will be one that many will be counting down to. In a dwindling music world of true musicians, John Mayer provides a refreshing act showcasing his talents of not only an incredible vocalist, but a truly one of a king guitarist. From, “Free Fallin’,” to, “Gravity,” it is safe to say we all enjoy his hits. 

Bringing his talents from across the pond in Ireland, Andrew Hozier-Bryne is coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Many are more familiar with Andrew by his stage name, Hozier. Hear remarkable songs such as, “Take Me To Church, and, “Movement.” Be sure to get your tickets soon, as Hozier is not performing in our area for another 4 months! 

Aside from a very interesting name, Hootie & The Blowfish are true masters of American Rock. Accolades of the band include two Grammy’s, as well as multiple MTV Music Awards. A fun fact about Hootie & The Blowfish is lead singer, Darius Rucker, is also a very notable country singer. Getting the chance to hear hit songs such as, “Let Her Cry,” and, “Hold My Hand,” is an opportunity not to miss. 

Performing from venues as large as the Madison Square Garden, Aziz Ansari is always sure to keep the entire audience laughing throughout his set. Aziz has done it all, from acting to writing and producing, even creating his own Netflix special, “Master of None.” On top of this, many came to love Aziz for his hit role on NBC series Parks and Recreation, as Tom Haverford. Looking for a mood booster? This event is for you!

This man is truly iconic, a seasoned veteran of not only stand up comedy, but a writer, producer, and an actor. George Lopez has spread laughs all throughout America for over 20 years. Moreover, what really won all of our hearts is his hit TV sitcom, “George Lopez.” This is your chance to see him live, and better yet, spend a night out in Atlantic City. 

This next act is just flat-out hilarious. Another perfect event to plan a night out at the Casinos in Atlantic City, is catching Chris Tucker perform live! You may recognize him from all three “Rush Hour” movies, or even his feature in Michael Jackson’s, “You Rock My World,” music video. Regardless of how you know him, or if this is the first time you have stumbled upon his name, this event is well worth it. 

If you’re a follower of Saturday Night Live, you’ll love this act. Leslie Jones is coming to Philly! Her work on Saturday Night Live has been so outstanding, Leslie found herself nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In addition to SNL, Leslie recently played a star role in the new “Ghost Busters” movie as Patty Tolan, which was hilarious to say the least. Finally, the Merriam Theater is a sight to see, so consider it a bonus for catching this awesome show! 

Amanda Seales is a jack of all trades. From being a Comedian, a DJ, and actress to a recording artist and radio personality, her talents truly shine. Even more recently in her career, Amanda will be hosting an NBC series airing July 9th, “Bring the Funny,” in which judges will decide which comedic act is most worthy of winning the $250,000 grand prize. If you can’t find a way to make the show, be sure to tune in to her new show, as it looks just as hilarious as her! 

How’s this for a unique comedic experience? Listen live to a hilarious podcast known as “How Did This Get Made?” featuring Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael. The show surrounds discussing and dissecting the world’s worst movies, many of which left the audience wondering how did this get made? In 2019, they won a Webby Award for Best Comedy Podcast. Get your tickets soon as it is known to routinely sell out! 

A warm summer day plus a cold bottle of beer? Sign us up! The Uptown Beer Garden will be hosting a craft beer festival to satisfy your thirst for delicious, craft beer. Your ticket includes unlimited sampling from over 22 of the best craft breweries countrywide! One of our personal favorites, Cape May Brewing Co. will also be one of these hand selected breweries.  A great bonus of this event, is there will be a live DJ, so if you’re feeling brave enough after a few tastings, go out on the dance floor!

Fan of hip-hop? This event is a must. The Dope Shows Festival features some of the hottest hip-hop artists in the industry. Your ticket gets you a day full of music, and of course, memories. Some acts you will get to see include Philly’s own PnB Rock, as well as other big names such as Pusha T. This event will be very energetic, so bring your hype man! 

If you are a beer connoisseur, or just like having good times with a brew in hand, check this event out. Summer Fest Live! is a craft beer festival, which Xfinity Live! hosts, featuring UNLIMITED sampling from over 175 of the best summer beers from over 75 breweries! Enjoy live music, thirst quenching beer, and of course, take in the outdoors. Want to maximize your day here? Look into getting the VIP bracelet, as it will get you in an entire hour early!

July is National Blueberry Month! What better way to celebrate than at the Peddler’s Village Bluegrass and Blueberries festival? It’s completely free, including parking. Indulge in the best things blueberry, including pies, butters, cupcakes, muffins, and more! After you’re done eating your heart out, dance to some of the live bluegrass music, or take a stroll and visit some of the 60+ shops this little gem of a village offers to the area. 

Introducing the XPoNential Music Festival! This festival is over a three-day span, sure to create summer memories for all, and it’s family friendly. The performances will span over three stages, and will include over 30 performers! Headliners include Hozier, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and Blondie! Ticket options vary for this festival, however, the three-day pass is definitely a great buy.

Summer fun, shouldn’t break your bank account, so here is another festival, completely free! The East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival is returning for its 14th annual year, and sure to leave you impressed. This festival has it all, ranging from classic cars and motorcycles, to food trucks and live music. Have a family? Bring them down. Want to make it a date with your significant other? This is perfect. Have a friend, or two? Make it a fun get together. 

Mamma Mia! is a show full of songs and dancing, that will leave you wanting to get up from your seat and join in! The basis of the story is On the eve of her wedding, Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past to try to discover who her father truly is. Through this, you’ll hear hit songs such as, “Dancing Queen,” and, “Take a Chance on Me.” Plus, the Bucks County Playhouse is excellent for an intimate show experience, so it makes it that much more worth it. 

Here is the perfect thing to make your Wednesday 100 times more fun! RuPaul is a legend in the realm of the drag community, and pioneered much of what the community has become today. Many love him for his hit show, “Ru Paul’s Drag Race,” so here is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the show live! This tour includes Queens from season 11 of Drag Race, and could include stars such as Nina West, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Ariel Versace. Not a drag fan? Heres your chance to get out of your comfort-zone and experience something that is unlike any other event. 

Harry Potter quickly became an immensely popular film, and book series world-wide. Now, Philadelphia is having the best event for any Harry Potter fans out there! The Mann Center will be projecting “Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire” on a 40-foot screen, and have the Philadelphia Orchestra perform all the music from the movie, live! Grab your wands and your wizard friends, and mark this down on your calendar! 

With Cirque du Soleil, you know you’re in for a good time. Amaluna is one of their many touring shows, originally premiering in 2012. The story is set on an island governed by goddesses, to which a group of men one day appear and the drama ensues. The Queen’s daughter falls in love, and the trials of their love are then highlighted throughout the show. This show comes highly recommended by critics, so be sure to check it out! 

Once in a galaxy far, far away, is now in your backyard! Another film series performance will be taking place in July, this time, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back! Enjoy the iconic soundtrack of the film, performed by the widely talented Philadelphia Orchestra. They do urge you to leave your toy weapons and masks at home. 

To keep our little ones occupied for an entire day and night, seems almost impossible, however, this is a surefire way to do so. Sesame Place will be presenting a bright and colorful firework display celebrating the 4th of July! This means, spend your entire day enjoying the park, its many rides, and of course meeting your favorite neighborhood friends, such as Cookie Monster and Elmo! The fireworks will start promptly after the 9:00 PM neighborhood parade. Want to upgrade your experience? Check out their firework grab bags! 

Free movie screen under the stars? Yes please! This showing will feature Captain Marvel, which received spectacular reviews, and even if you’ve seen it, it’s definitely worth watching again, as watching a movie on a big screen outside is really quite unique. Grab your favorite lawn chair or blanket to kick back in.

Something about space is magical. If you have a child that shares this same interest over stargazing, take them down to the Franklin Institute for Night Skies at the Observatory! All evening there will be continuous telescopic observings, hands-on astronomy activities, and of course, experts to answer any questions. See space from a whole new perspective, and you will surely become a cool parent in your son/daughter(s) book.

Sure, you could spend your national ice cream day at a Dairy Queen, but why not take the kids to the Please Touch Museum for a day of interactive learning, and free ice cream?! At this museum, everything is designed to be hands on, which can create a very stimulating learning experience for any child. After a long day of learning, they are able to treat themselves, free of charge, to a scoop of Bassett’s ice cream! Be sure to get your scoop before they stop serving it at 4:00 PM! 

How’s this for a surprise date? Enjoy a magical, romantic Philadelphia sunset via a helicopter tour! You may think you know this city like the back of your hand, however, seeing it from the sky will provide a brand new perspective. Your ticket includes a tour for two, as well as champagne, and an FAA certified and experienced pilot. Flight options include either a 30 or 45 minute tour, so choose according to what you feel most comfortable with! 

Here’s a date idea where you can learn a fun new skill of paddle boarding, but also experience Philadelphia from the water! Your day will begin with an on land lesson before getting in the water. You will have a certified instructor to help you along the way and we are confident your significant other will be pleasantly surprised by this.

You might be asking yourself, what is float therapy? Essentially, you enter a tub filled with a certain level of salt, which allows you to float with ease. Through this, you are free from all external stimuli, resulting in a true stress-reliving experience. The experience is unlike any spa treatment, and has many benefits. Give it a try! 

Here, couples can take in the many scenic views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Delaware River. This pier, designed for year-round fun is unlike anything in Philadelphia. It’s impressive 55,000-square-feet has everything, from food and drink vendors, to a garden, and even pop-up markets. Overall, it’s a relaxing getaway from a busy, hectic life, and is truly a gem among the forever growing city.

Want to make your significant other feel like a King or Queen for the day? Heres your chance! The Fonthill castle is just outside of Philly, nestled in Doylestown. Here, an immaculate castle lies, which was previously home to Henry Chapman Mercer. Enjoy splendid architecture throughout the castle’s forty-four rooms, over two hundred windows, and eighteen fireplaces. Once you visit here, you’ll never want to leave!

Celebrate America this year at none other than Longwood Gardens. Here, you’ll be able to take in a beautiful illuminated fountain show, as well as live patriotic music, and of course, fireworks! This event brings a large crowd, so we recommend you set up your chair(s) beginning at 12:00 PM, as it is the beginning of when they allow setup! 

This is the perfect plan for a fun 4th of July for anyone. Your ticket allows you access to not only the Independence Seaport Museum but also the Cruiser Olympia and Submarine Becuna. After a day full of knowledge and exploring, comes what everyone is waiting for, the fireworks! The absolute best part about your ticket to the Museum is that it will be staying open late, meaning the second-floor deck and rotunda viewing areas will be open to allow the best viewing of the fireworks show!

As Philadelphians, there is something we can all agree on, we all love and treasure Wawa. In addition to making some of the most delicious hoagies, they will also be hosting the Wawa Welcome America Concert & Firework show! This will last around 3 hours and feature nothing but fun for you and the family. The headlining performances for this night will be none other than Jennifer Hudson, as well as Meghan Trainor! Did I mention this event is 100% free? It’s a win-win for everyone!

If you are a fan of the beach, this 4th of July celebration is for you! Ocean City is a beautiful beachside town, with an even more unique boardwalk. The boardwalk stretches over a mile and features shops, restaurants, and games. Spend your day exploring, then, enjoy a free firework display! Before the fireworks shoot off at night, dance to musical performances by The Tidal Wave Band, and even watch a kite flying competition. Get there early to make sure you get the absolute best spot to take in all the beauty of the night. 

Back for its third year, is the Pottstown GoFourth! Festival. This day-long festival is a surefire way to keep the entire family smiling, and happy. This event is tailored to keep all ages entertained, from rides to  The U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team. If you get hungry during all these activities, don’t worry, there will be food from pizza cones to burritos. Looking for a more premium experience? The festival is partnering with The Colebrookdale Railroad, and with an express ticket, you can view the firework display from VIP seating! The possibilities are endless here.