Guide To Philadelphia's August Events
Summer is half over, but there are still tons of exciting events coming up in Philadelphia this August. Take your pick from the list and enjoy! –Chelsea Karnash
FESTIVALS
2nd Street Festival
2nd Street between Germantown Ave on the north & Green St on the south
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.2ndstreetfestival.org
Sunday, Aug. 5; noon – 10 p.m.
A massive block party will descend on Northern Liberties this August, bringing with it tons of food, live music, workshops, art and shopping. Check out a variety of musical genres (hip hop, indie rock, reggae, folk, etc) on four stages, and nosh on food from eateries like the Standard Tap, Bar Ferdinand and El Camino Real.
PECO Multicultural Series Festivals
Penn's Landing
www.delawareriverevents.com
Saturday, Aug. 4; Saturday, Aug. 11; Saturday, Aug. 18; Sunday, Aug. 19
PECO's annual Multicultural Series at Penn's Landing continues this August. First up is the ACANA African Festival, followed by the Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival, the Festival of India and the Caribbean Festival. Explore different cultures through food, dance, live music, crafts and more each weekend on the Delaware River!
Pennsylvania Dutch Festival
Reading Terminal Market
12th & Arch Sts
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.visitphilly.com
Thursday, Aug. 9 – Saturday, Aug. 11; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate the traditions, history and—most importantly—the scrumptious food of the Pennsylvania Dutch community at Reading Terminal's 23rd annual festival. On Saturday, Arch Street will be transformed into a country fair, complete with buggy rides, a petting zoo and live bluegrass.
Peddler's Village Peach Festival
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Pa.
www.peddlersvillage.com
Saturday, Aug. 11 & Sunday, Aug. 12; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
August is National Peach Month, and to celebrate the summer fruit, Peddler's Village in Bucks County is hosting its first-ever Peach Festival. Take part in peach pie-eating contests and enjoy shopping, eating, visits with animals, live music and a screening of "James and the Giant Peach." Yum!
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Old Pool Farm
1323 Salford Station Rd
Schwenksville, Pa.
www.pfs.org/folk-festival
Friday, Aug. 17 - Sunday, Aug. 19;
Ticket prices vary
The beloved Philly Folk Festival is celebrating its 51st year in 2012, and as always, there is a ton of great music on the sched. Camp out or head over for the day to catch the best in folk, Celtic, Klezmer, country, dance and more. Kids are welcome, and there's even a special section for them with crafts, magic and (obviously) music.
FOOD & DRINK
Victory BrewBQ
Paradise Farm Camps
1300 Valley Creek Rd
Downingtown, Pa.
www.ccspca.org
Saturday, Aug. 4; 12-4 p.m.
Teams will compete in a mouth-watering barbecue cook-off to see who can make the best ribs and chicken. Plus, there will be barbecue workshops and demos, a variety of restaurants and vendors, live music, and a kid's area.
Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll
42nd through 50th Streets
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.universitycity.org/baltimore-avenue-dollar-stroll
Monday, Aug. 6; 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Foodie fun and deals and abound at West Philly's Dollar Strolls, where tons of food trucks and vendors gather to offer up $1 edible treats. Discard your diet and gorge.
Night Market Mt. Airy
6800-7200 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.nightmarketphilly.org
Thursday, Aug. 16; 6-10:30 p.m.
You might want to fast for a few days before hitting this feast in Mt. Airy. In addition to a smorgasbord of food from local restaurants and food trucks, there will also be plenty of local beer and wine for the tasting (or guzzling!).
Dinner En Blanc
TBD
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.philadelphia.dinnerenblanc.info
Thursday, Aug. 23;
$50 per couple
The Parisian phenomenon hits Philadelphia this August. Register at the website above for this massive, pop-up outdoor feast, when guests wear white and bring picnic baskets full of food and drink—but don't find out where they're going until the last minute!
Center City Sips
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.centercityphila.org
Wednesdays in August, 5-7 p.m.
You know the deal: Every Wednesday in Center City, tons of restaurants and bars offer drink and food specials and sometimes added discounts for those who stay for dinner.
Cool Wednesdays
Old City
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.oldcitydistrict.org
Wednesdays in August, 5-8 p.m.
Rather hang out in Old City than Center City? Spend your Wednesday happy hour at one of the neighborhood's many bars and restaurants, where there will be food and drink specials and later-than-usual hours at many galleries and stores.
Dining Under the Stars
State St from Jackson to Orange
Media, Pa.
http://visitmediapa.com
Wednesdays through September, 5-11 p.m.
Escape the concrete jungle in quaint Media, Pa., where the State Street closes to traffic every Wednesday night for outdoor strolling, shopping, dining and more.
MOVIE SCREENINGS
The Awesome Fest Summer Movie Series
Liberty Lands Park
926 N American St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.nlna.org
Thursdays in August, 8:30 p.m.
Relive the 80's (if you dare!) at these weekly outdoor screenings, featuring classic films from the decade of neon, big hair and shoulder pads. Flicks on the roster include "Beetlejuice" and "Top Gun."
Penn's Landing Screenings Under the Stars
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.delawareriverevents.com
Thursdays in August (except Aug. 2), 8 p.m.
Grab your friends and a picnic and go to the RiverStage at Penn's Landing, where Thursday night outdoor movie screenings are slated to continue through August.
Moonlight Movies in Mt. Airy
Lovett Library Park
6945 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.gomtairy.com
Fridays through Aug. 17, 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy dinner from pop-up food vendors just outside Lovett Library Park, then recline in a lawn chair or on a blanket and catch an al fresco film.
Race Street Pier Summer Film Series
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.delawareriverevents.com
Saturdays through the summer, 8 p.m.
Watch films straight from Sundance and SXSW on a 30-foot outdoor screen aptly-named "The Awesome Screen."
French Films Under the Stars
Bistrot La Minette
623 S 6th St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.bistrotlaminette.com
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays through September; 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday, 9:30 p.m. on Friday
Francophiles know that Bistrot La Minette is the place to be for film screenings in the summer. Hang out on the outdoor patio with a glass of wine and an app or two, and indulge your love of all-things French.
Midnight Movies
TLA
334 South St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.tlaphilly.com
Saturday, Aug. 4 & Aug. 11; midnight
Join costumed film buffs for two more nights of midnight madness at the TLA. On Aug. 4th, it's the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," and on Aug. 11th, check out the cult classic "Mommie Dearest." Dressing up is encouraged, and prizes will go out to the most creative costumes.
CONCERTS & MUSIC
Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
Penn's Landing
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.delawareriverevents.com
Fridays in August
Celebrate women in music at this year's summer jazz series. Afterwards, enjoy the weekly fireworks display.
Philadelphia Weekly's Summer Concert Series
Rittenhouse Square
18th & Walnut Sts
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.philadelphiaweekly.com
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 22, 29; 7-9 p.m.
PW's annual summer concert series returns to Rittenhouse Square this year, with a line-up that includes everything from jazz to rock to country. Relax in one of the most beautiful squares in the city while listening to bands like Ground Up featuring The Lawsuits and The Spinning Leaves.
Morris Arboretum's Summer Concert Series
100 E Northwestern Ave
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.morrisarboretum.org
Friday, Aug. 3 & 10; 6:30 p.m.
$40 per car, $20 per member car
Pack up your picnic supplies and make your way to Chestnut Hill's Morris Arboretum for an outdoor concert in the Azalea Meadow. August concerts are kid-friendly and feature performances from The Plants and The Suzi Shelton Band. Pre-concert, children can explore the world of the Maya with staff members from the Penn Museum.
MUSEUMS & MORE
P.M. @ the Penn Museum
3260 South St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.penn.museum
Wednesdays in August, 5-8 p.m.
$5
For a more, uh, educational experience than your average happy hour, head to UCity's Penn Museum. Five-dollar admission gets you in to enjoy live music and drinks in the outdoor garden and extended gallery hours.
$5 After 5
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.constitutioncenter.org
Thursdays in August
Spend your Thursday night at the NCC, where you can check out the Springsteen exhibit before it leaves town for just $5 more. .
Friday Night Lights
Penn's Landing
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.delawareriverevents.com
Fridays in August, 9:15 p.m.
Philadelphians love their fireworks! Penn's Landing's Friday night fireworks series continues through Aug. 31st. Make dinner reservations at an Old City restaurant, or check out the area's galleries before enjoying the spectacular show along the waterfront.
Friday Nights Under the Stars
Brandywine Polo Club
232 Polo Rd
Toughkenamon, Pa.
www.fridaynightsunderthestars.com
Fridays through August, 5:30 p.m.
$25 at the gate, $20 in advance
Take your Friday night plans to the 'burbs for polo, wine and live music at the Brandywine Polo Club. A different local band will beach featured each week and Carolina Pit Stop BBQ will have tasty barbecue up for sale for those who choose not to bring a picnic.
