10 Philly events to experience this summer




TEMPLE UNIVERSITY NEWS CENTER - Warm weather has arrived and summer 2015 is on its way.
As a follow-up to last month’s feature on springtime Philly attractions comes this list with all-new events and locations—everything from art festivals to pop-up parks—to explore this summer. It, once again, highlights why Philadelphia was No. 3 on The New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2015.


1. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest: Now through September

For the first time, the area that houses the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest—ice skating rink and adjacent lodge with food and drink options on the Delaware River waterfront at Penn’s Landing—is transforming into the perfect warm-weather destination. The lodge takes on a boathouse style, while the ice skating rink becomes a roller skating rink.

2. Celebration of Black Writing Lifetime Achievement Awards: May 29

This ceremony and show celebrating African-American literary, visual and performing arts—held at the Temple Performing Arts Center on Main Campus—is the culmination of a month-long series of events.

3. Franklin Flea: Various dates now through October

This curated flea market features 40 to 60 vendors of vintage clothing, antiques, jewelry, art and handcrafted items, in addition to a selection of fresh-cooked and prepackaged food. This summer, the Franklin Flea takes up residence at Headhouse Plaza on 2nd Street on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, now through October.

4. Hood Stock Festival: July 19

The first annual Hood Stock Festival is a celebration of life and creativity in an urban garden in North Philadelphia. This free one-day event, presented by Philly Urban Creators—located within close proximity to Main Campus—offers health screenings, art, local food, cooking demos and live music.

5. Manayunk Arts Festival: June 20 and 21

Now in its 26th year, the Manayunk Arts Festival is the tri-state area’s largest outdoor, juried art festival, attracting crowds by the thousands over a two-day span. Stroll Main Street for a variety of fine arts and crafts from nearly 300 locally and nationally known artists.

6. Night Market Philadelphia: June 18, Aug. 6, Oct. 1
Hosted by the Food Trust, Night Market is Philly’s premier outdoor evening food truck festival, highlighting the best regional and ethnic restaurants. Since its debut in 2010, the Food Trust has hosted 15 Night Market events in various neighborhoods across the city.

7. The Oval on the Parkway: July 15 through Aug. 23

The Oval is an eight-acre, urban pop-up park located directly on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with outdoor games, food and beverage options, and free theme-based activities every Wednesday through Sunday. This summer’s highlight is Future Sensations, a 3-D traveling art spectacular, from May 30 through June 6.

8. PECO Multicultural Series: Various dates June through October

This annual event series has something for everyone all summer long. Whether it’s the Irish Festival, Hispanic Fiesta, Mexican Independence Day Festival or the Caribbean Festival, Penn’s Landing is the perfect spot to celebrate a variety of cultures and ethnicities, with live music, food and crafts highlighting each culture.

9. The Roots Picnic at Festival Pier: May 30

The Roots, Philly’s own Grammy-winning hip-hop group, takes over Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing for a day-long concert. This year, the Roots will be joined by Erykah Badu, The Weeknd and more.

10. Spruce Street Harbor Park: Now through September

Spruce Street Harbor Park, adjacent to the Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest on the Delaware River waterfront, made a splash when it debuted last summer. This pop-up urban oasis—with hammocks, a man-made beach and tropical ambience—returned Memorial Day weekend with additional seating and expanded menu options.
And, every Saturday, now through Sept. 26, the Art Star Pop-up Market will return to a tree-lined walkway within the park—from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.—with 20 curated art and craft vendors to browse.

- Erica Brooke Fajge

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