Watch CBS News

Top Free Summer Concerts In Philadelphia

Summertime means festival time, so put on your sunscreen and dancing shoes and get ready for fun times in Philadelphia! In fact, festivals and concerts around the city can be found everywhere you turn this year. The city is hosting an outstanding number of free events and each will bring some of the biggest and best artists from around the world.


Radio 104.5 Summer Block Parties

Festival Pier
601 N. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 629-3200
www.festivalpierphilly.com

Date: Starting June 7, 2015

These are the Philly block parties to end all block parties. Radio 104.5's Summer Block Party Series is ready to rock in the summer of 2015. Enjoy incredible music by some of the best rock and pop bands in the nation -- for free. The concerts happen one Sunday a month between May and September. On Sunday, June 7, the series hits the stage at Festival Pier with A Silent Film, Misterwives, Big Data and New Politics. Best of all, tickets are free and can be found online.

Related: Top 2015 Music Festivals In The US

The Awesome Fest
info@theawesomefest.com
www.awesomefest.com

Date: June 19, 2015 through August 16, 2015 at various locations around Philadelphia.

One of Philadelphia's most awesome summer events happens all around the city at indoor and outdoor venues every year. The Awesome Fest first hit Philadelphia in 2010 as a community project promoting cutting edge and independent cinema in a non-traditional setting. The festival has since grown into an annual event that showcases over 200 movie screenings, concerts, on stage performances and art installations. The free event has become a much anticipated two-month long extravaganza for all age groups.

Philly 4th Of July Jam
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
www.welcomeamerica.com

Date: July 27, 2015 through July 4, 2015 at various locations around Philadelphia.

The Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Jam could be the best event of the year. The week-long Welcome America Fest celebrates the nation's Independence Day with patriotic events all throughout the city. The Philly 4th of July Jam party is the final stop after a week of festivities. Join fellow Philadelphians on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to wish the nation a happy birthday. Some of the best performers in the nation will be on board for this festive occasion curated by Philly's favorite hometown band, The Roots.

2nd Street Festival
2nd Street from Germantown Ave. to Green St.
www.2ndstfestival.org

Date: Sunday, August 2, 2015

It's one of the best block parties you will attend this summer, without a doubt. The 2nd Street Festival will be filled with entertainment and great food. The Northern Liberties party will include music curated by the Philadelphia Folksong society, food from various restaurants throughout the city, some of the best food trucks you can find in Philly, beer gardens, handmade jewelry and art, and workshops by various vendors. You can enjoy the festival all day long and finish off the evening by taking in a live concert at the Piazza at Schmidt's.


Mad Decent Block Party
Festival Pier
601 N. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 629-3200
www.maddecentblockparty.com

Date: August 6, 2015

Don't miss the Mad Decent Block Party at Festival Pier. Ages 18+ are welcome to one of Philadelphia's biggest summer events. Enjoy live music by Nadus, Jauz, Swizzymack and more. Mad Decent is a record label founded by Diplo in 2005. Originally from Philadelphia, Diplo moved the label to Los Angeles in 2011. The very first Mad Decent Block Party was in a rented tent at a barbecue on 12th and Spring Garden in Philadelphia. It is now a major touring festival that makes stops in over 20 cities in the U.S. and Canada.  

Related: Top Outdoor Venues In Philadelphia

Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.