Wellness on the Waterfront: Enjoy free fitness classes along the Delaware River. Photo by BeauMonde Originals courtesy of The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation: https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
“Celebrate the peak of summer – July’s warmth surrounds us, filling our days with laughter and our evenings with contentment.” — Unknown Author
Fill your summer days with the love, leisure, and laughter of July with these fun-in-the-sun and made-it-in-the-shade activities. Many of these entertaining activities focus on kids, family, and are free. Enjoy!
Giving A Voice To North Philadelphia
Thursday, July 24, 2025. North Philly takes center stage in the North Philadelphia History Festival: “We Remember and We Recall: North Philadelphia Oral History Project.” The initiative will celebrate African-American and Puerto-Rican communities during four days of events. Historic sites along Ridge Avenue, North Broad Street, and elsewhere will be flipped into “living” exhibits by artists, historians, and curators. It will be part of The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection of Temple University Libraries. Residents will get to share the history and culture of their communities, past and present. The project will look at the impact of these communities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Free, 2 p.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University/ Sullivan Hall,1330 Polett Walk. https://scribe.org or https://globalphiladelphia.org
Groove at Grover Washington, Jr. Tribute Concert
Friday, July 25, 2025. Get in rhythm with the Black Buttafly & The Nu School Collective: Jam Session Tribute to Grover Washington, Jr. concert. Grover Washington Jr. was born in Buffalo, NY, but was meant for Philadelphia. The acclaimed 56-year-old saxophonist died in 1999, but the light of his legacy shines on through tributes like a mural at Broad and Diamond streets in North Philly. His signature pioneering blend of smooth jazz and rhythm and blues propelled him to high heights as a respected musician, composer, arranger, performer, and a true Philadelphia musical ambassador. Black Buttafly and the Nu School Collective will lay down some of Washington’s well-known grooves, with some improvised flare. The tribute “jam” concert will celebrate North Philadelphia’s Black musical legacies, which were forged by greats like John Coltrane. The event is part of the North Philadelphia History Festival, a cultural celebration of African-American and Puerto-Rican communities in North Philadelphia. Free but pre-register, 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. The Yard at John Coltrane Street, 1517 N. 33rd St. 215-563-2482 or https://scribe.org or https://globalphiladelphia.org
Get To The Top Of The Class With Free School Supplies
Friday, July 25, 2025. Parents: What’s not to love?: Free haircuts, hair braiding, school supplies, snacks, music, and an afternoon of family fun. Go down to the Northern Children’s Services’ Annual Back-to-School Community Resource Fair in Roxborough. The event will help families to get ready for the upcoming school year. The fair will provide resources and supplies to about 250 kids who may not have access otherwise. Event organizers are looking for barbers, braiders, gift cards/baskets/specialty items for a raffle, and sponsors to help fund the purchase of backpacks and supplies. Northern Children’s Services provides behavioral health, shelter, and youth-safety services to children and families. Free, 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Northern Children’s Services, 5301 Ridge Ave. Email: rpeterson@northernchildren.org, 215-482-1423 (Ext. 1270) or https://northernchildren.networkforgood.com/events/87877-july-2025-northern-s-back-to-school-community-fair
Go On A Play Date With Dad
Saturday, July 26, 2025. Kids, teens, and their parents will love a day of bonding at Dads At Play & Smith Playground. Enjoy some quality time filled with food (lunch), fun, games, toys, and gift-bag giveaways. A donation is encouraged. Pre-register, 11 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Dr., Fairmont Park. 215-765-4325 or https://www.eventbrite.com
Vetri Mobile Teaching Kitchen
Get Back To School With Fun
Sunday, July 27, 2025. What better place to get ready to return to school than at the Please Touch Museum? Check out Vetri’s Mobile Teaching Kitchen, where kids learn about healthy eating habits for the school year ahead. Or have fun at the Philly Children’s Theatre, which promotes character and social-emotional development. Another favorite activity is Storytime, with its engaging Book Nook and interactive reading activities. These festivities are part of Ready-Set-School’s Community Days, a summer play-based campaign to prepare children and families socially and academically for school in the fall. Free but pre-register. 9 a.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST. Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Fairmont Park. 215-581-3151 or PleaseTouchMuseum.org/ready-set-school
‘Family Funday’
Sunday Is Funday!
Sunday, July 27, 2025 through Sunday, September 28, 2025. Family Funday with PopUpPlay is a great place to be carefree on Sunday afternoons. Enjoy the super-fun activities like making miniature boats, puppets, kites, and even constructing a working catapult. Kids of all ages can make a craft and take it home, First-come basis to participate, so arrive early. Free, 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd. Email: info@drwc.org, 215-922-2386, or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Philadelphia City Hall. Photo by Quinton Davis.
A Call For The Art Of The Latino Community
Latino artists who can capture the essence of Hispanic life and culture are invited to submit their work in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (observed from September 15 to October 15) for a competitive public-art exhibit at Philadelphia City Hall. Artists are asked to present art that reflects how social issues have shaped their lives and how it “amplifies the voices and contributions of Hispanic communities in Philadelphia.” Organized by the city’s arts and culture office, Creative Philadelphia, and City Council, the juried competition for local artists is called 215 Con Mucho, Muncho Amor. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors immigrated from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Selected artists will showcase their work in Creative Philadelphia’s Art Gallery and on City Hall’s 4th floor near City Council Chambers. Free entry. The deadline for submission is Friday, August 15, 2025, by 11:59 a.m. EST. Creative Philadelphia, City Hall Rm. 116. 215-686-8446 or https://oacce.submittable.com/submit?mc_cid=c57d7d9524&mc_eid=e46de8b264
