The Best Things to Do in Philly in August 2024
Looking for fun things to do in August in Philadelphia? Here are the top ways to spend summer in the city.
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Visit Philadelphia
August is a top month to visit Philadelphia. The city has wrapped up Independence Month and Back to School has yet to kick in, making it a perfect time to get out and enjoy late summer’s best events and things to do.

Hit up Philly’s favorite summer spaces before the season ends, like Independence Blue Cross River Rink Summerfest, Spruce Street Harbor Park, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival and the Southeast Asian Market.

Summer festival season is also in full swing come August. Explore cultural events like the BlackStar Film Festival, Ukrainian Folk Festival or August’s three PECO Multicultural Series weekends. Find fun at Philly Taco Fest, Peddler’s Village Peach Festival and Northern Liberties’ 2nd Street Festival. August also brings the 61st annual Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Get cultured this August as well. Don’t miss the waning days of exhibits The Art of the Brick at The Franklin Institute and Mary Cassatt at Work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or find a seat for the premieres of Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables at the Academy of Music. And book lovers can explore a slew of in-store events during the Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl.

Make your Philly exploration extra special with a sumptuous hotel stay. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to The Art of the Brick at The Franklin Institute; the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum; or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution. Or indulge in the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay hotel package, which includes buy-two-get-one-free hotel nights at participating hotels.

Check out our guide to the most awesome things to do in Philadelphia in August 2024.

Note: This article is arranged chronologically by section.

Through Sunday, September 8, 2024

On display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art now through September only, the Mary Cassatt at Work exhibition celebrates the Philadelphia-raised impressionist artist through over 130 prints, paintings and pastels that explore gender, labor and feminine agency. Also included: new findings about the advanced processes and materials the painter — who began studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts at age 15 — used in the early 20th century. This is the first major showing of Cassatt’s life’s work in over 25 years.

Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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Matthias Baldwin Park — Photo courtesy Parks on Tap

Through Sunday, September 29, 2024 (Wednesdays through Sundays)

Philly’s beloved roving beer garden Parks on Tap brings brews and bites to urban parks and green spaces across Philadelphia, with a new neighborhood to visit each week. Expect drafts from local breweries like Mainstay Independent Brewing, Conshohocken Brewing, 2SP Brewing and more, as well as cocktails, burgers, cheesesteaks and snacks. Find Parks on Tap at these spaces in August 2024:

Matthias Baldwin Park, Logan Square (August 7 to 11, 2024)

Dickinson Square Park, South Philly (August 14 to 18, 2024)

The Discovery Center, East Fairmount Park (August 21 to 25, 2024)

Penn Treaty Park, Delaware Waterfront (August 28 to September 2, 2024)

Where: Matthias Baldwin Park, 423 N. 19th Street

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Dickinson Square Park, 1600 E. Moyamensing Avenue

The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive

Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street

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Caribbean Festival — Photo courtesy Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Through Saturday, October 26, 2024 (select dates)

The annual PECO Multicultural Series offers a selection of free summertime festivals featuring diverse culture, dance, crafts and cuisine from diverse communities across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Here’s what’s coming up for August, with all events at Cherry Street Pier:

ACANA African Festival: Philly-based African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) hosts the ACANA African Festival outdoor concert experience. Join in with musical artists and dance troupes from around the African continent performing everything from traditional dance to modern Afropop and reggae, plus food, arts-and-crafts and apparel vendors (August 4, 2024).

Festival of India: Hosted by the Council of Indian Organizations (CIO) of Greater Philadelphia, the Festival of India celebrates India’s Independence Day while highlighting the vibrant Indian American community. The event is a colorful panorama of culture with Northern- and Southern-style Indian cuisine (think chicken tikka masala and vada pav), classical and Bollywood performances, shopping, henna tattoos and more (August 17, 2024).

Caribbean Festival: Celebrate the tastes, sounds and culture of the islands at the Caribbean Festival, benefiting college students of Caribbean descent. Hear authentic island music from reggae and roots to soca and cool jazz, shop vendors and fashion in the marketplace, and enjoy the exotic tastes of jerk chicken, curried goat and codfish cakes. Bring the little ones to the Caribbean Children’s Village with face painting, bead-making, balloon sculpting and more (August 18, 2024).

Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

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Touring to celebrate the release of the re-recording of their seminal 2001 album Morning View, California alt rockers Incubus hit the Wells Fargo Center to perform the entire disc in its entirety, including hits like Wish You Were Here, Nice To Know You and Warning. Prog metal faves Coheed and Cambria open.

Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street

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— Photo courtesy Avril Lavigne

Not to make you feel old, but Canadian pop punk star Avril Lavigne has been making hit songs for over two decades now. That’s long enough to hold a Greatest Hits Tour, which stops by Freedom Mortgage Pavilion this August, where she’ll belt out angsty hits like Sk8er Boi, Complicated and Girlfriend.

Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ

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August 30-31, 2024

Fresh off his stellar Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performance, first-name-only hitmaker Usher will light up the Wells Fargo Center to close out August with two nights of music from his new release Coming Home plus plenty of throwbacks from his extensive catalog from You Make Me Wanna… to I Don’t Mind.

Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street

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Relax at the Best Seasonal Attractions

There’s nowhere better than Philly for summerlong seasonal outdoor attractions. The Spruce Street Harbor Park space features riverside net lounges, a boardwalk and LED-lit tree-slung hammocks. The Delaware River waterfront’s Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest features carnival rides and a midway with games and food. And the roving Parks on Tap beer garden brings brews and bites to urban parks and green spaces across Philadelphia in a new neighborhood each week.

Where: Various locations including Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

Suraya — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Beat the heat of the last of summer’s dog days with a refreshing sit-down open-air meal and some cool beverages at outdoor dining spaces and streateries across the city perfect for feasting al fresco. Grab a seat under the sun (or stars … or awning) at a new or favorite restaurant, bistro, café or diner that features outside seating at patio tables, street enclosures, rooftop decks or parklets. Check out spots like Suraya, LMNO, Sunset Social, Independence Beer Garden, Alma del Mar, Liberty Point, Love City Brewing and more.

Where: Various locations including Suraya, 1528 Frankford Avenue

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John's Water Ice — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

It’s a somewhat confusing name, but water ice (pronounced here as “wooder ice”) is a quintessentially Philly warm-weather treat. Similar to Italian ice, the simple combination of fruit or syrup with finely shaved ice can be found at traditional shops like John’s Water Ice, Rose’s Real Italian Water Ice, Morrone’s Water Ice, Tranzilli’s Real Italian, Ice Pop’s Homemade, Yardley Ice House and Philly’s ubiquitous Rita’s Water Ice. For a taste of more creative flavors check out Siddiq’s Water Ice and for upscale gourmet options stop by D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats.

Where: Various locations including John's Water Ice, 701 Christian Street

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W Philadelphia — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

When you’re on vacation (or staycation), there’s nothing like hitting a relaxing, luxurious hotel pool to cool down, exercise or chill poolside. Check out the 57th-floor indoor infinity pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, the four-story glass atrium rooftop pool at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City, AKA University City’s 75-foot-long stainless steel heated “pool in the sky,” the Philly-themed Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown pool, The Logan’s saltwater pool or the heated rooftop pool at the W Philadelphia, which can be booked by non-guests.

Where: Various locations including the W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut Street

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Freedom Mortgage Pavilion — Photo courtesy Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Let the music wash over you on a summery August evening at a plethora of open-air concert venues in Philly. West Fairmount Park’s The Mann Center amphitheater holds 14,000 with stunning skyline views from one of the city’s highest points, plus a separate festival stage. Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion holds 26,000 between seats and the lawn with across-the-river views of the Philly skyline. And don’t miss a summer show at sports stadiums Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. Bonus: Each August brings the annual outdoor Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Where: Various locations including Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ

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Philadelphia Union Fans at Subaru Park — Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Summertime in Philly means exciting Philadelphia Phillies baseball at Citizens Bank Park. Join the most passionate fans in sports at one of the most beautiful venues in baseball. Watch the action on the field, or hit up concessions around the park at spots like Bull’s BBQ, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Federal Donuts and along the Ashburn Alley corridor behind centerfield. Not to be outdone, the MLS’s Philadelphia Union spend the summer playing at gorgeous soccer-specific Subaru Park in Chester with its marquee views of the Commodore Barry Bridge which soars above the stadium.

Where: Various locations including Subaru Park, 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester

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What's the weather and temperatures like in August in Philly?

— Photo by Visit Philadelphia

Make no mistake: The dog days of August in Philadelphia can get pretty hot, but temperatures remain relatively comfortable for the second half of summer. Daytime high temperatures average 85 degrees Fahrenheit with overnight lows below 70. August remains sunny even as days get shorter, averaging over eight hours of sunshine per day, with only around 10 days experiencing at least some rain all month (with occasional brief scattered summer thunderstorms). The record high temperature for August is a balmy 101 degrees, achieved in 1953 and 2001.

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What's the Philly sports scene like in August?

August is a top month in Philly for all manner of sports. On the pro scene, the Phillies have the city’s full attention for a perfect second-half of baseball watching weather at Citizens Bank Park with a hot dog and a cold drink. Not to be outdone, the Union continue their quest for a spot in the MLS playoffs at Subaru Park in Chester. City parks, courts and fields are also filled during August with recreational athletes participating in everything from tennis and softball to disc golf and water polo.

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What's the Philly live music scene like in August?

— Photo courtesy The Mann

Under the midsummer sun and warm August night is a great time and Philly is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor concert season. Philly’s open-air amphitheaters — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden and The Mann Center in West Fairmount Park — are deep into their summer concert schedules and stadiums like Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field host giant outdoor shows featuring superstar headliners. The Philadelphia Folk Festival is held in upper Montgomery County each August, while scores of neighborhood jubilees dot the calendar with live music from a multitude of genres.

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What's the Philly outdoor festival scene like in August?

Weekend food, beer, cultural, music and street festival season in Philly is in full swing come August. Grab a brew at Upper Bucks Brew Fest or Fonthill Castle Beer Fest, eat up at Philly Taco Fest, jam out to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, join the street fair fun at 2nd Street Festival or even gaze in wonder at the Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains. Cultural festivals abound, including the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, the Ukrainian Folk Festival and multi-date PECO Multicultural Series. And Peddler’s Village celebrates National Peach Month at the annual Peach Festival.

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Is August a good month in Philly for international and multicultural events?

PECO Multicultural Series Festival of India — Photo by Beaumonde Originals for Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

August is a great month to celebrate multicultural events in the city. Discover your (and your neighbors’) roots at cultural festivals like the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival and the Ukrainian Folk Festival and on the big screen at the annual BlackStar Film Festival. And each summer brings the PECO Multicultural Series, which celebrates the city’s diverse cultural heritage through free weekend festivals honoring diverse communities from across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

Come for Philadelphia. Stay (Over) for Philly.

The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.

Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks, including tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, or the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.

Which will you choose?

book now

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