June marks the start of summer! What better way to spend it than with lantern festivals, wine tastings, and racing?
🏳️🌈 Show Your Pride
Pride Month kicks off June 1 as Philadelphians march through the Gayborhood with a 600-foot-flag for a celebration that stretches into the evening. Other events through the month include White Lotus Gay Bingo, drag history with Beyond the Bell Tours, and Phillies Pride Night.
🎉 50 Years of Odunde
The annual Odunde Festival is celebrating its huge milestone with a week full of events from June 1 to 7, culminating in its famous festival on June 8. South Street (west of Broad) will be lively with music, vendors, and food celebrating African and African-American cultures.
🍽️ Feast at These Fests
Support Philly’s immigrant community by dining out with Muhibbah Dinners. Experience a five-course meal from local chefs in celebration of the diversity of our city. The next dinner is June 2.
Speaking of Philly’s immigrants, stop by the Reading Terminal Market on June 3 for Conversations in the Kitchen: Cultural Storytelling through Food to try a delectable Greek dessert. The program is part of The Philadelphians public art installation, which concludes June 6.
Old City Eats is back on June 5. Enjoy meals and drinks from Old City’s restaurant scene at this one-night-only block party.
The June installment of Muhibbah Dinners will be at Sor Ynez. (Courtesy of Hiue Pham)
Take a moment to Stop and Smell the Rosé at this wine tasting festival on June 7. Choose between 15 different options to sip on while taking in the views of the city from the top of Cira Green.
Maybe you prefer beer over wine? There’s Human Robot’s Logjammin’ V on June 7 and Fishtown Beer Festival on June 21.
If you like bacon, beer, bourbon, and/or country music, then this festival is for you. Enjoy all of the above at the Philadelphia Zoo on June 7.
If you don’t eat meat, don’t worry — there’s a festival for you, too! Philly Veg Fest is back on June 14.
🪩 Hit the Dance Floor
Put that phone down! Take over the dancefloor at Kung Fu Necktie at this no-phone dance party on June 5.
Bailar en FDR! returns to the Boathouse on June 27. Learn how to dance salsa, and then dance the night away. And if you’re looking for even more dance lessons, we have a guide for you.
Enjoy world-class food as you put the pedal to the metal. (Courtesy of F1 Arcade)
🏎️ Shut Up and Drive
We don’t encourage speeding on I-95, but at this arcade, you better hit that gas pedal. F1 Arcade is officially open in Center City, with 80 full-motion simulators to hop in and ride. And when you need a break, enjoy a cocktail or a wagyu burger.
🎭 Spend a Night at the Theatre
Who said jocks can’t be thespians? Small Ball, an off-beat musical, follows Michael Jordan (no, not that one) as he leads his tiny team, the Lilliput Existers, to new heights. You can see Jordan and his six-inch tall teammates overcome their challenges at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre from June 6 to June 29.
On stage at the Wilma Theater from June 10 to 29 is A Summer’s Day. The work by Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse explores themes of nostalgia and human connection as it tells the story of an elderly woman looking back at her past and how love exists as both a memory and present feeling.
Fans of author James Baldwin’s work may be familiar with this production. The Sedgwick Theater is running Benjamin Sprunger and Paul Oakley Stovall’s adaptation of Giovanni’s Room from now until June 22.
Philadelphians know Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod thanks to his electric kite-and-key experiment. But did you know that British enemies thought he could control the weather? And what if that was true? Pig Iron’s Franklin’s Key combines science and magic as two high schoolers stumble upon Franklin’s secret experiment and do their best to protect it. The play runs from June 5 to June 29.
Franklin Square will be lit up with dragons, pandas, and flowers. (Courtesy of Jeff Fusco)
🏮 Light Up the City
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival returns to Franklin Square on June 20! Enjoy lighted sculptures, folk art, traditional dances, and tasty food.
