Parkway Council

Representing Philadelphia’s cultural district, the Parkway Council is a coalition of
cultural and educational institutions, residences, and businesses along the
Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The Parkway Council's mission is to accelerate the transformation of the Parkway into a great urban park filled with exceptional cultural institutions, inviting gardens, active public spaces, and dynamic programming that welcomes and engages everyone.

Learn more about the planning process that will identify physical improvements to the Parkway and scroll down to explore upcoming free events and activities.

Wawa Welcome America Festival 2022

Philadelphia’s city-wide Independence Day festival is back this year with free family-friendly events June 19 – July 4. Activities include the Salute to Independence Day Parade, programming commemorating Juneteenth, block parties, complimentary museum access, Wawa Hoagie Day, and the iconic Party on the Parkway, culminating in fireworks and the free July 4th concert, this year starring Jason Derulo and Ava Max.

click here for more info

Live at Sister Cities Park

Thursday evenings June 2 – August 25, unwind and relax on the lawn of Sister Cities Park as local singer-songwriters perform amid the bustle of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Beer, wine, and Hornitos Tequila cocktails will be available at the Sister Cities Café, plus snacks and treats for the kids. Pack a blanket, pick a spot, and enjoy the show! Please note, this program is not BYOB. Presented by Center City District.

click here for more info

Barnes on the Block

Barnes on the Block presented by PNC Arts Alive, and in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, returns June 19 for another round of free outdoor fun for the entire family. This year’s celebration coincides with Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and the opening of the Barnes's summer exhibition Isaac Julien: Once Again . . . (Statues Never Die). Meet on the Parkway for visual art displays, family-friendly art making, live performances, food trucks, a beer garden, and more.

click here for more info

The Spring In LOVE: Multicultural Marketplace

Visit a pop-up marketplace at LOVE Park weekends through Saturday, May 28 featuring diverse Philadelphia vendors from across the city. Free family-friendly programming including live entertainment via local radio stations on Fridays and REC Philly on Saturdays; a cultural performance by Al Bustan on May 6; and day parties on select Sundays by Let’s Rock Recess will also take place. Organized by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

click here for more info

PECO Free First Sunday
Family Day: Family Pride

On June 5 in honor of Pride Month, the Barnes Foundation will welcome families of all shapes and sizes and celebrate the color they bring to our lives. Find examples of love and friendship in its galleries, and learn more with fun family art activities, storytimes, a dance workshop, and a performance by the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus. Free, but registration is required and opens Thursday, June 2.

click here for more info

POOL: A Social History of Segregation

On view through August 30 at the Fairmount Waterworks, the free exhibition POOL explores the history of public pools and the connections between water, social justice, and public health. POOL weaves together the history of segregated swimming in America with multi-disciplinary artworks, storytelling, and place-based learning, inviting visitors to challenge personal assumptions about the act of swimming together.

click here for more info

DIY Tour of the Parkway's Public Artworks

Use the Association for Public Art’s guide to learn about the many public artworks along the Parkway. From memorials and monuments to statues and murals, see what makes Philly an arts destination.

click here for more info

Parkway Pals

Center City 

District invites children to learn and play outside with friends with help from neighboring institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Stop by every Monday, Tuesday. and Wednesday morning from June 13 – August 17 for unique, interactive activities that are both educational and entertaining.

click here for more info

​

Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza

Explore the United States’ oldest Holocaust monument and take a tour of the site with IWalk, a free educational app that uses survivor 

testimony. Produced by the Philadelphia Holocaust 

Remembrance Foundation. 

click here for more info

Jazz on the Parkway at Cret Park

Enjoy the rhythm of jazz tunes on Sunday afternoons this spring at Capriccio Café and Bar at Cret Park. Local jazz ensembles will perform as you sip your favorite cocktail under the café’s shaded outdoor patio. Additional seating for non-café customers is available on the lawn areas of the park. Presented by Center City District.

click here for more info

STAY CONNECTED
Provide your contact information to receive future updates from the Parkway Council.

Looking for information on how to hold arts or cultural programming on the Parkway?
Write to us at info@parkwaycouncil.org for more information.