Getting a summer internship is one of the best ways to build your resume and to gain professional experience. But it’s summer! You shouldn’t feel like you’re sacrificing all the fun that comes with summertime by getting some work experience; and if you secure an internship in Philly for the summer, you definitely won’t feel like you’re missing out. There are countless awesome events going on throughout the warm months in the city, and we’ve compiled a list of some of the best summer events going on for all the students lucky enough to be hanging around Philly.
Longwood Gardens “Nightscape”
Starting in July, Longwood Gardens is offering a nighttime show that is complete with moving imagery and lights set to original music. The backdrop is the natural landscape of the gardens, with beautiful plants, trees, stonework, and water. “Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience” is a great chance to spend a summer night outdoors enjoying nature and the art of Philadelphia artists Klip Collective, who designed the show. There will also be a beer garden (21+) on location only for this event, where you can enjoy delicious food and Longwood brews and take in the starry nightscape. On Thursdays, there will also be live music in the beer garden.
PECO Multicultural Series at Penn’s Landing
This annual series celebrates the diversity of Philadelphia. Every Sunday, a different culture comes to life on the waterfront at the Great Plaza. Past celebrations have included: an Israeli Festival, with performances from Israeli singers and bands, falafel and other festive food, and games of Ga Ga (Israeli dodge ball); an Irish Festival with dancers, bagpipers, traditional foods, and an outdoor market with Irish goods; a Portuguese Festival with food and wine, folklore dance groups, and revolutionary art; and many more! Caribbean, Mexican, African, Southeast Asian…the list really does go on. What better way to spend a summer weekend than enjoying world cultures on the banks of the Delaware? The dates for this event have not been released yet, but it regularly runs on weekends on all summer long. Be sure to check back for the exact dates!
Night Market Philadelphia
Philadelphia is known for its street food, and Night Market Philadelphia is a way to experience some of the city’s best. This event attracts thousands of visitors from around the region, so you could say that it’s pretty popular. The city’s top-rated food trucks and restaurants converge on one Philly neighborhood, providing a night of delicious eats. In addition to the great local eateries, live entertainment from local musicians and artists round out a night of great food and great fun. This evening celebration of food, music, and community is held varying neighborhoods, so be sure to keep an eye out for where the Night Market is stopping next—you don’t want to miss it!
Arts Festivals
Philly is budding with cultural opportunities, and the summer is a great chance to experience some of the city’s best arts-related festivals. The Manayunk Arts Festival, held from June 20 to 21, is the area’s largest outdoor, juried arts festival, and features an array of fine arts and crafts from across the nation. Main Street in Manayunk is converted into an arts bazaar as over 300 artists present their work, and you’ll have the chance to peruse all the local talent. While you’re there, don’t miss out on all the other fun that Manayunk has to offer too. Not sure you’d enjoy the arts festival? Try the BlackStar Film Festival then, an event that has been heralded as “The Black Sundance” by Ebony magazine. The festival celebrates the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora, and showcases the work of black filmmakers, writers, and producers from around the world. You can enjoy a variety of different mediums, including film shorts, music videos, experimental films, narrative features, or documentary films. This signature Philly film festival also features panel discussion with directors, multimedia workshops, parties, and more. Check back to their website or Facebook page to learn about the theme of this year’s festival and the schedule of events.
Weekend Getaways
But wait, isn’t the quintessential summer supposed to feature a beach and sea shells and water? What if you like to lay in the sand and hear the waves rolling up the shoreline, or build sandcastles and hang out on the beach? Or what if summers for you just aren’t complete with a stroll down the boardwalk? While the streets of Philly offer a lot, the beaches and shore towns of the Jersey Shore aren’t far. Whether you’ve been or not, the Jersey Shore offers many opportunities for beach time and other activities. So take a weekend adventure! Pack a cooler, bring a towel, and enjoy some time away from the city. You can check out our guide to some nearby shore towns here.
Clearly this list can’t be all-encompassing; there are too many beer gardens, nights of music, outdoor movies, and festivals to put it all in one list. But this is a flavor, at least, of what a summer in Philly can look like for you. You can check out some of the other cool happenings in town during the summer months here or here. So if you’re thinking about what to do this summer, you can’t go wrong getting an internship around Philly—there will be plenty of fun things to do when you’re not working!
