Labor Day weekend (September 2-5, 2022) signals the unofficial end of summer, and Philadelphia gives the season a proper send-off with plenty of fun things to do and exciting events happening all weekend long.
Philly’s Labor Day weekend celebration is anchored by the annual Made in America Festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The massive concert — the brainchild of hip-hop mogul Jay-Z — features a stacked lineup for 2022 including headliners Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator.
But the Parkway celebration isn’t the only big-time concert happening in Philly this Labor Day Weekend. The Wells Fargo Center welcomes Twenty One Pilots (September 2, 2022), and the legendary Red Hot Chili Peppers rock out at Citizens Bank Park (September 4, 2022).
At The Dell Music Center, radio personality Patty Jackson hosts her annual Party in the Park with performances from Tony Toni Tone, Stephanie Mills and Freddie Jackson.
What’s an end of summer party without fireworks? The season goes out with a bang during a stunning Labor Day Weekend fireworks display over the Delaware River (September 3, 2022).
Don’t miss out on the magic: The spellbinding Harry Potter: The Exhibition is in its final days at The Franklin Institute over Labor Day Weekend.
Made in America Festival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
September 3-4, 2022
Made In America once again makes its mark on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Labor Day weekend. With headliners Bad Bunny and Tyler, the Creator, the hip-hop heavy lineup are sure to bring thousands of party-goers to the city, making the festival one of Philly’s landmark annual events.
Twenty One Pilots at the Wells Fargo Center
Friday, September 2, 2022 | 8 p.m.
Ohio duo Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun — who have quietly become one of the most successful recording acts of all time (seriously, look it up!) — bring their brand of dark-yet-hopeful alternative rock to the Wells Fargo Center in support of their sixth studio album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers at Citizens Bank Park
Saturday, September 3, 2022 | 6:30 p.m.
While The Strokes and Thundercat are easily headliners in their own right, they set the stage for Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) at this rockin’ stadium show. RHCP play all the hits and new tracks from their 2022 album Unlimited Love, the band’s first full-length release since the return of guitarist John Frusciante.
Night Tours: Summer Twilight at Eastern State Penitentiary
Through Sunday, September 4, 2022
Eastern State Penitentiary’s night tours offer visitors the opportunity to explore the historic prison’s cell blocks as the sun goes down. Admission includes an audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi and featuring real voices of former prisoners and correctional staff, along with access to the award-winning exhibit Prisons Today and points of interest like Al Capone’s cell. After the tour, cool off at the pop-up beer garden on the penitentiary’s baseball diamond, offering craft beer from Triple Bottom Brewing Co. and other hands-on activities.
Paddle Penn’s Landing and Pirate Rum Challenge at Independence Seaport Museum
Through Monday, September 5, 2022
Make your way around the calm waters of the basin at Penn’s Landing in a rowboat, or in a pedal-powered swan, flamingo or dragon. Whichever vessel you choose, you’re sure to enjoy smooth sailing and pleasant views of the Delaware River. If you plan on staying late, check out the after-hours Pirate Rum Challenge at the nearby Independence Seaport Museum to p-arrrr-take in cheeky and pirate-y activities for adults, including a plank walk against the museum’s pirate-in-residence Calico Jack and a beanbag-toss competition. After completing the challenge, score some booty: a complimentary rum cocktail, of course (through September 3, 2022).
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Through Sunday, September 25, 2022
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest transforms this Delaware River waterfront destination into the perfect summer hangout spot, complete with a roller rink, a boathouse-style lodge, a Ferris wheel and plenty of playful spaces to chill out.
Closing Weekend of Liberty at the Museum of the American Revolution
Through Monday, September 5, 2022
Labor Day weekend marks the last chance to view Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War at the Museum of the American Revolution. The immersive exhibition explores the works of renowned historical artist Don Troiani, whose paintings depict the diverse people and complex events surrounding the Revolutionary War. On Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend, visitors can experience first-person performances from Revolutionary-era reenactors. Bonus: Children 12 and under receive free museum admission all weekend long!
It’s Lit: A Guide to Longwood Gardens’ Stunning New Light Exhibition
This time, eight signature immersive installations take over the fields around Longwood’s two lakes, the garden’s Pear-Shaped Basin, the on-site conservatory and more, showcasing the artist’s playful nature and his skill in manipulating light and sound.
The new exhibition — one of the biggest of the year in Greater Philadelphia — is on view at Kennett Square’s renowned horticultural attraction Thursday through Sunday nights through October 30, 2022.
Exhibition Highlights
Let there be light!
Light: Installations by Bruce Munro features eight light displays sprinkled throughout Longwood Gardens’ hundreds of acres.
Outdoors, the Field of Light showcases 18,000 illuminated “flower” stems that flicker reflectively in the water.
A multi-sensory experience, SOS is comprised of 162 illuminated cubes that pulse along with synchronized music, voices, sounds and static, occasionally interrupted by the “dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot” known as the international call for help. The entire sequence of pulsing lights and audio lasts 18 minutes.
Indoors, the exhibition hall is home to C-Scales: Water Gardens, a looping projection series that explores light, water and time. Hundreds of compact discs make up a screen that covers the sunken floor, absorbing and reflecting colored lights to tell a story.
Other pieces include the Music Room, made up of 34 original works on paper inspired by photographs of the Gardens and Ramandu’s Table, 1,000 flamingos glow inside the Chimes Tower basin.
