Outdoor Movies and Concerts This Summer in Philadelphia
Philly is a great place to make the most of summer with outdoor entertainment. Here is your guide to open-air movies and music happening in your neighborhood
Philly has so many events and activities to offer in the summer, and makes fantastic use of its green and open spaces. We’ve compiled a guide to help you find all of the movies and musical performances (most of them free and open to the public) taking over local parks, waterfronts, cemeteries, and more.
Find out where to go to see Outdoor Concerts and Movies Around the Main Line and Outdoor Concerts and Movies Around Bucks for a summer’s evening of outdoor entertainment in the ‘burbs.
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Where to Catch Outdoor Movies in Philly
Watching movies indoors is great when it’s blisteringly hot or wet and rainy, but on a beautiful summer evening there’s nothing like a movie under the stars. Philadelphia offers plenty of opportunities for families to grab some blankets and head to a screening at a park, riverbank, rooftop, or even right outside Independence Hall. All movies listed are free unless otherwise noted.
Schuylkill Banks
Address: Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade (or grass north of the Walnut Street Bridge)
Dates: June 12, 19 & 26; July 10, 17, 24 & 31; and August 7, 14 & 21, 2025. Shows begin at sunset.
Enjoy river and sunset views before turning your attention to the big screen. On Thursday nights from June 12th to August 21st, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation will be showing a variety of movies on Schuylkill Banks, from kid-friendly fare like “Paddington in Peru” to date-night picks such as “Before Sunrise”.
Movies take place at the Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade (east side of the Schuylkill River, near Wharton St. and Schuylkill Ave.) or the grassy area just north of the Walnut Street Bridge, Philadelphia.
Movies in Clark Park
Address: 43rd and Chester, Philadelphia
Dates: August 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2025. Shows begin at sunset.
Set aside Fridays in August for movies in the Clark Park Bowl. To celebrate 10 years of Movies in Clark Park, University City District is presenting a series of special anniversary screenings: “The Goonies” (1985), Clueless (1995), “Madagascar” (2005), and “Creed” (2015).
Movies on the Block
Address: Various locations, Philadelphia
Dates: June 21 & 28; July 18; August 1, 8, & 15, 2025. Pre-movie activities at 6:30 pm and screenings begin at sunset.
The Philadelphia Film Society brings movies to neighborhoods across Philly with Movies on the Block. This screening program will include classics like “Kung Fu Hustle” and “Lilo & Stitch,” as well as newer movies like “Encanto” and “Inside Out 2”.
Showings will include pre-movie activities, and some will involve snacks, so you won’t even need to BYOP (popcorn). Movies on the Block events are free, but registration is strongly encouraged.
Laurel Hill East
Address: 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia
Dates: June 13 & July 1, 2025. Market opens at 7 pm, trivia at 8 pm, and screening at 8:30 pm.
What could be more atmospheric than movies among the tombs? That’s right, the Friends of Laurel Hill are back with their Cinema in the Cemetery screenings, showing “Eraserhead” and “Death Becomes Her.”
Enjoy pre-movie fun themed around the films, including pop-up art markets, food, drinks, and trivia hosted by the Philadelphia Film Society. General admission is $20, elders and students are $18, members are $15, and youth (6–12) are $10.
Cira Green Rooftop Park
Address: 129 S. 30th Street, Philadelphia
Dates: Movie Matinees: May 24 & 31; June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025, at 12 pm | Movie Nights: May 28; June 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2025, at 7 pm (More dates to be announced.)
Sunset Social is not wasting a minute of summer — they are offering both Movie Matinees and Movie Nights up on the iconic Cira Green Rooftop Park.
Enjoy city and river views before settling back to watch afternoon flicks like “Elemental” and “Flow,” or nighttime screenings of “Wicked” and “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”. You can even bring your dog!
Independence Mall
Address: 599 Market Street, Philadelphia
Dates: June 20, July 1, August 22, & September 19, 2025. Pre-show activities start at 5:30 pm and movies show at dusk.
Celebrate the themes and history of Independence National Historical Park with Movies on the Mall. This year’s lineup features “Harriet,” Independence Day,” “National Treasure,” and “National Treasure 2.”
Each of the four screenings will be preceded by activities such as 18th century games and Park Ranger programs. Then at dusk, settle on the lawn and get ready for Nic Cage’s “I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence” or Will Smith’s “Now, that’s what I call a close encounter.”
Find Outdoor Concerts in Philly
You don’t have to head to a huge stadium or sacrifice a beautiful summer evening to enjoy live music in Philadelphia. Chances are, there’s an open-air concert happening nearby. Here are some great outdoor music events to get your fingers snapping and toes tapping. All performances listed are free unless otherwise noted.
Penn Museum Garden Jams
Address: 3260 South St, Philadelphia
Dates: July 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Grab some food truck bites and garden bar sips, and groove to world music at Penn Museum’s Garden Jams. This live music happy hour in Stoner Courtyard on Wednesdays in July is a great way to beat the mid-workweek blues.
Garden Jams tickets cost $15. Galleries stay open until 8 pm and your Garden Jams ticket includes museum admission. Blankets and picnic essentials permitted, no outside alcohol.
Pennypack Music Festval at Canstatter
Address: 9130 Academy Road (near Frankford Avenue), Philadelphia
Dates: June 4, 11, 18 & 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30; August 6, 13 & 20, 2025, from 7 – 9:30 pm
If you like classic rock tribute bands, you’ll love the Pennypack Music Festival. Spend a memorable Wednesday evening (or multiple) honoring icons like Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, Heart, and Black Sabbath.
Admission is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase. No pets, outside food, drink or coolers (except water in coolers) permitted.
Christ Church Burial Ground
Address: 340 N. 5th St, Philadelphia
Dates: June 7, July 5, August 2, & September 5, 2025. Guided tour from 6 – 6:20 pm and concert from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Picnic among the stones while listening to jazz and storytelling. The Christ Church Preservation Trust’s Sonic Sunsets Concert and Tour Series combines live music and living history for a unique experience.
Tour and Concert combo admission costs $15 (plus fees) for adults and $8 (plus fees) for youth, 5–12. Concert-only admission costs $10 (plus fees) for adults, $5 (plus fees) for youth.
Pastorius Park Concert Series
Address: 8177 Roanoke Street, Philadelphia
Dates: June 18 & 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025, at 7:30 pm
The Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Pastorius Park Concert Series is the longest-running free outdoor concert series in Philadelphia. Join the tradition and experience a variety of musical genres, from Celtic folk and blues, to chamber music, rock, and roots. Kids may particularly enjoy Johnny Shortcake on June 18th, with his “seriously silly soul music.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics.
Kidchella at Smith Memorial Playground
Address: 3500 Reservoir Drive, East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Dates: June 20, 2025, from 4 – 9 pm
Calling all kids: it’s time for Kidchella Music Festival 2025. Interact with bands like Ants on a Log and Jams for Junior Jawns, enjoy treats, giveaways, and wellness activities. For the finale, Kidchella concludes with a kid-tastic fireworks display set to a playlist of music by DJ Ghost from Q102.
Although admission to Kidchella is FREE, they warmly welcome any donations.
Arts on Center Stage at Dilworth Park
Address: 1 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia
Dates: May 29; June 5, 12 & 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; August 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025, from 6 – 7 pm
Arts on Center Stage is a series of free shows in the heart of the city presented by various Philadelphia arts and cultural organizations. Performances include orchestral music, jazz, opera, and dance.
Seating on the Greenfield Lawn is limited and guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket or chair.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
Address: 301 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
Dates: May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30 & September 27, 2025, 7 – 10 pm
Come to the Delaware River Waterfront and support emerging and established bands from Philly and beyond. The Summer Sounds Concert Series is a great way to enjoy free tunes right on the river.
All ages welcome. Food and drink options available for purchase. Visit the ‘Know Before You Go’ guide for parking recommendations, directions, andFAQs.
Enjoying Outdoor Entertainment in Philadelphia
Whether you’re capping off a big day of activities in Philly (water fun, anyone?) or just looking for a summer evening activity, you can’t go wrong with golden-hour tunes or a nostalgic blockbuster under the stars.
Find even more arts & culture and outdoor events on our Philadelphia Family Community Calendar.
Lead image courtesy of the Chestnut Hill Community Association.
