Philly has always been a festival kind of town, and that’s especially true in 2011:
» Beer fans can quench their thirst during Philly Beer Week, 10 days devoted to all-things beer with special dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings, meet-the-brewer nights and more at area bars, restaurants and other spots around the region. June 3-12, 215-985-2106, phillybeerweek.org
» The Fourth of July is always festive in Philadelphia as Wawa Welcome America! commemorates America’s birthday with 11 days of fun, free and patriotic happenings. The city where American independence was established, celebrates with patriotic ceremonies, a parade, fireworks shows and the nation’s largest free outdoor Independence Day concert featuring legendary hip-hop artists The Roots, along with special guests Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff and others. June 24-July 4, welcomeamerica.com
» Musicians, entertainers, restaurants and more than 300 artists from around the nation set up shop for the Manayunk Arts Festival, the region’s largest outdoor, juried arts festival. June 25-26, 215-482-9565, manayunk.com
» Philadelphia QFest celebrates all genres of film that pertain to or were created by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. July 7-18.
267-765-9800, phillycinema.org
» Cultures from around the world come together with the week-long MAC Global Fusion Festival, featuring international entertainment throughout the city and culminating in a free, day-long waterfront festival at Penn’s landing complete with music, dance, kids’ activities and cuisine. July 11-17, 215-636-3322, globalfusionfestival.com
» For two weeks of artistic pleasure, avant-garde performance meets street theater throughout the city during the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. September 2-17, 215-413-9006, livearts-fringe.org
» Kennett Square’s annual Mushroom Festival puts the fun in fungi during a weekend of music, food, parades, farm tours and other activities in the Mushroom Capital of the World. September 9-11, mushroomfestival.org
I Scream, You Scream
We all scream for ice cream! Those who want to get their fill of the frozen treat, while doing good can head directly to the Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival at Penn’s Landing over Fourth of July weekend. For just $7, ice cream lovers can indulge in their favorite flavors from local and national purveyors. Best of all, proceeds from the event benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund to fight pediatric leukemia and the Children’s Hospital Oncology Division. July 2-4, delawareriverevents.com
