What to expect for Free Streets 2019

Chalk painting, history lessons, and Beyonce-themed exercise dance class are just some of the events planned for Philly’s fourth annual Free Streets next month.

Free Streets, which kicks off at 8 a.m. on August 3, lasts for five hours, giving Philadelphians (and visitors to the city) a chance to wander a section of North Broad Street that’s closed to cars all morning. As a result, the stretch of Broad from City Hall to Erie Avenue essentially becomes a public space—and part festival—all day, complete with plenty of events.

This year’s list was just released by the mayor’s office Monday and includes everything from arts displays and music, to history and exercise.

“Our data shows that residents of at least 45 zip codes in Philadelphia attended this event in the past, and we hope to have an even bigger turnout this year,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement.

Here’s some of what to expect along the North Broad route:

Arch Street

• 8 a.m. ribbon cuttting
• Pay as you wish at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• Free water at Lenfest Plaza

Vine Street

• Free 30-minute workouts just north of Vine at 8, 9, and 10 a.m., courtesy of CHARGE Performance and Wellness

Callowhill Street

• Plant your own succulent
• A presentation and scavenger hunt to learn about the black history of North Broad Street. Pick up tickets at the Philly Free Streets rest areas, like this one just east of Broad on Callowhill.

440 North Broad

• Join Mayor Jim Kenney for his annual power walk up North Broad.

Fairmount Avenue

• Help chalk paint the Fairmount Avenue Triangle

Master Street

• The Leon H. Sullivan Human Services Center becomes a summer oasis with a beach, hoola hooping, the Phillie Phanatic, beach blanket bingo, and more.

Sullivan Progress Plaza

• Interactive jump roping with Philly Girls Jump
• The Indego Bike Corral service

Montgomery Avenue

• Camp T, a one-day street summer camp has programs in art, dance, and wellness, sponsored by Temple University.

Diamond Street

• The grand re-opening of the Sonia Sanchez & James Dupree Renaissance Garden, with an arts competition to celebrate Sanchez
• Rapper and playwright Dice Raw will perform for Sanchez and others at 8:30 a.m.

Uptown Theater

• Old School dance lessons, followed by a dance competition at noon.
• Learn about the Uptown Theater mural

Glenwood Avenue

• The Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability is hosting an educational session on the Vision Zero program to reduce traffic deaths.

Erie and Germantown Avenue

• Grab a bite at a local restaurant and join the popup picnic area, with tables and chairs set up outside.
• Paint a plaza on Germantown Avenue with Mural Arts Philadelphia

Butler Street stage

• 9 a.m. Beyonce-themed exercise dance class
• 10 a.m. wellness and health class
• 11 a.m. “unique” fashion show
• The gospel choir of Zion Baptist Church performs at noon.