Skip to content
Things To Do
Link copied to clipboard

The 5 best things to do in Philadelphia this July

Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Wawa Welcome America! and more — Here are the top five things to do this July in Philadelphia.

Taylor Swift performs during the Reputation Stadium Tour opener at University of Phoenix Stadium on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Taylor Swift performs during the Reputation Stadium Tour opener at University of Phoenix Stadium on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.Read moreRick Scuteri/Invision/AP

From Independence Day celebrations to Taylor Swift concerts at the Linc, sparks will fly from more than one side of the Philadelphia skyline this July. Concerts, festivals, movies, and more serve as the month's reason to sing and dance — so get out those crop tops, sun hats, and boogie shoes, and take advantage of these five coming attractions:

Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July concert and fireworks

Headlined by Pitbull, the Wawa Welcome America concert and fireworks display is a must-go on Independence Day. The free concert will be patriotic and family-friendly. Additionally, keep your eye out for Wawa-sponsored events leading up to the Fourth.

>> READ MORE: Philly is celebrating America's birthday all week. Welcome to the party

>> READ MORE: Fireworks on July Fourth: Where to watch them in and near Philadelphia

7  to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, free, 267-546-5424, www.welcomeamerica.com.  

Taylor Swift at Lincoln Financial Field

When Taylor Swift last dazzled the crowds of Philadelphia in 2015, she was, well, alive. Now, the 28-year-old country-ish singer, fiercer and more fearless than ever, returns with her newest album, Reputation — to bring her new reputation along with it.

Ready for it…? Sing and dance to Swift's latest hits, including "End Game," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "Dress" — the song so sexy, it  caused Swift's mother to leave the room — while she shakes off her haters and doesn't answer the phone. (Plus, who knows, maybe she'll mix in a couple of classics as well.)

>> READ MORE: Taylor Swift returns, with her 'Reputation' at stake

>> READ MORE: Summer concerts: U2, Lauryn Hill, Taylor Swift and more come to Philly

7 p.m., Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, sold out, 267-570-4000, www.lincolnfinancialfield.com

Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary

2018 marks the final year of the Eastern State Penitentiary's annual Bastille Day celebration — the end of an era. The last event will educate and recognize the history of the French Revolution while comparing past injustices with those that exist today — in Philadelphia public schools, racial injustices, and border-wall debates, among others. Stilt walkers, confetti cannons, and a drag-queen Marie Antoinette announcing the (almost) historic line "Let them eat Tastykake" (while Tastykakes are flung from the Penitentiary tower) will entertain spectators in the penitentiary's last Bastille Day festival.

(5:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave., free spectating, 215-236-3300, easternstate.org)

‘Star Wars’ and the Eagles at the Mann

The Philadelphia Orchestra backs two heavy hitters at the Mann this summer. First up on July 20, the musicians will play John Williams' Oscar-winning score from George Lucas' classic. Make sure to bring your light saber. On July 24, the orchestra will be joined by the Eagles and NFL Films for a celebration of the team. You may have heard they won the Super Bowl.

("Star Wars") 7:30 p.m. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., $25 and up, 800-745-3000manncenter.org,

(Eagles celebration) 8 p.m. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.,  $25-65.50, 800-745-3000manncenter.org,

OTR II Tour: Beyonce and Jay-Z at Lincoln Financial

Everything Is Love will be coming to the City of Brotherly Love this summer, when Queen Bey and Jay-Z take the stage of Lincoln Financial Field. OTR II is a follow-up to the royal couple's first joint tour, OTR, which stopped in Philly in July 2014. This year, the Carters continue to reign over the world of the pop, wowing fans with the latest hits including "Apes—," the music video that was filmed in the Louvre and features two Philly UArts dancing alum; "Everything Is Love"; and "The Black Effect."

>> READ MORE: Beyoncé and Jay-Z are a happy couple on 'Everything Is Love.' Is that good for their music?

7:30 p.m., Monday, July 30, Lincoln Financial Field, $49.50 and up, 267-570-4000, www.lincolnfinancialfield.com