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Enjoy $2 beer, $3 wine and spicy tuna rolls in Raw's outdoor courtyard for Center City Sips. (Photo courtesy Center City District)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• 4th Annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival: Tonight is the kick-off of this annual celebration of cinematic art in Philadelphia. Last year’s festival drew more than 11,000 people. Cash into the fun by attending one of the dozens of screenings throughout the five-day festival at four venues: the Franklin Institute, Media Bureau, Cafe Treece and Random Tearoom.

When: June 22-26
Where: Franklin Institute, Media Bureau, Cafe Treece or Random Tearoom
Cost: $8 for individual screenings ($10 at the Franklin Institute), $25 for a festival day-pass

• South Street Headhouse Summer Indie Film Series: The weekly outdoor movie screening series continues this evening, with On the Waterfront. BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)!

When: Wednesday evenings through August 31
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd Street between Pine and Lombard Streets
Cost: Free

• PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights: Another opening night! The alfresco concert series kicks off tonight at 5 p.m., where you can hear eclectic live music, explore the beautiful Warden Garden, sip drinks and enjoy light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar.

When: Wednesdays, June 22-August 24
, 5-8 p.m.
Where: 3260 South Street

Cost: $5 (includes admission into the museum)


• Center City Sips: The summer’s happiest happy hour returns, with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at more than 80 bars. Click here for all the spots serving Summer Love Ale!

When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Where: 83 bars in Center City
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers

At this annual celebration of sweetness, a $7 donation towards pediatric leukemia lets you try more than 20 ice cream and water ice companies' treats. (Photos by J. Smith for GPTMC)

It’s a sticky-fingered, melty-mouthed ice cream lover’s dream: the
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival, the annual Wawa Welcome America bottomless frozen treat fete, returns to Penn’s Landing Saturday through Monday, July 2-4.

A $7 donation to the Joshua Kahan Fund for Pediatric Leukemia gets you a spoon with which you can sample creamy ice cream and cold water ice from more than 20 vendors.

And it wouldn’t be a summer festival without eye-popping, toe-tapping entertainment. On Saturday, July 2 the second of three spectacular Wawa Welcome America fireworks shows ends the evening with a bang around 9:30 p.m., preceded by the United States Army Band performance at the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at 7:30 p.m. and and the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic at 6 p.m. at the Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden.

Then, on July 3, stick around for for a fun concert for the whole family during Fam Jams, a free concert headlined by Emily Osment from Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” and former American Idol contestant Tim Urban. Fam Jams takes place 1-5 p.m.

Finally, on July 4, after the final day of the Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival, head west to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Wawa Welcome America’s main event: the Philly 4th of July Jam. Digest your ice cream overload to the tune of The Roots, Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles, starting at 7 p.m. and ending with the official July 4th fireworks around 10:30 p.m.

Get your fill of sweet treats — for a great cause!

Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
When: July 2-4, Saturday noon–5 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m., Monday noon–5 p.m.
Where: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.
Cost: $7
More info: www.welcomeamerica.com

Photo courtesy of 3P4

Is your place in the market for a little bit of sprucing? Need to revamp your decor just a bit? Whether you’re in need of a cupboard with perfect patina, a quirky/charming piece of art or just some new seating for your breakfast bar, do we have the place for you. Three Potato Four‘s monthly Barn Sale. They’re swinging open the doors this weekend, June 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What’s more, in addition to the Three Potato Four stock, this month they’ll also be hosting a pop-up shop from Trove General Store. Located in Paoli, this bricks and mortar shop will be bringing a selection of clothing for men and women, as well as a collection of accessories. Sounds like our dream one-stop shopping trip.

Three Potato Four Barn Sale
Where: 376 Shurs Lane, Building A
When: Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Entrance is free
More info: www.threepotatofourshop.com

The Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Education Center, slated to open spring 2013, will offer both indoor and outdoor areas that foster kids' exploration, investigation and deeper engagement with the natural world. (Image courtesy SMP Architects for Philadelphia Zoo)

The Philadelphia Zoo is no stranger to being conscientious about our planet. With one in four mammals, one in eight birds, and one third of all amphibians listed as endangered species, the zoo is fully committed to contributing to sustainable causes.

With the goal in mind of deepening its education — particularly of children — about animals and their conservation, plus meeting high standards for sustainable design and operation, the Philadelphia Zoo has officially broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art educational facility to be titled the Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Education Center (HFCZ&EC).

The facility, targeted at kids ages 2-13, will combine dynamic learning activities with world-class exhibits to offer new opportunities for science learning and advance our understanding of the pressures facing wildlife around the world.

Set to open in spring 2013, The HFCZ&EC will be the Zoo’s first LEED-certified building. Key green features include: a geothermal system to reduce the amount of energy needed for heat and air conditioning, cisterns to recycle waste water, a green roof and use of sustainable materials.

The center will be centrally located with both indoor and outdoor space, incorporating the former Pachyderm House, the spectacular building designed by architect Paul Cret, along with 2.5 acres of surrounding land.

Indoor features include:

• Exhibits featuring fish, budgies, butterflies and frogs
• A hatchery that allows children to to observe newborn chicks
• Action stations focused on environmental issues such as water usage, energy consumption and recycling.

Outdoor features include

• An 8-stall stables building to house horses, donkeys and other livestock
• Overhead trails and bridge systems for monkeys and lemurs
• Animal contact yards with rare breeds of goats, sheep and chicken; children can help with animal grooming, feeding and more
• Parallel climbing ramps and towers for goats and children alike
• A toddler play area equipped with balance beams and spheres

We’ve included some more images of what the center will look like, below.

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Summer brunch is the pooch-perfect opportunity to dine streetside. (Photo courtesy Square 1682)

Brunch is not the same without an organic doggie treat and a homemade chicken gelée, right? For dog lovers, it’s true; that’s why Square 1682 at the Hotel Palomar is launching Bring-Your-Own-Dog (BYOD) Saturdays, this Saturday, June 25.

BYOD Saturdays will help lost pups find new homes, with the help of Operation Ava, Philadelphia’s comprehensive downtown, no-kill rescue, adoption and education center. In addition, the local pet retail and supply store, Doggie Style, will provide your furry friends with a favor bag — you know that will be filled with only the best in pup treats.

Humans are allowed to eat, too. Enjoy $10 bottomless mimosas and Wild Huckleberry Pain Perdu. Pups enjoy an array of beef stew, beef tartare and “Mexican” dog-friendly dishes, served with a crisp side of Natura filtered water and an organic Doggie Style dog biscuit. Fun fact: each dish is named after a Square 1682 staffer’s pet.

Square 1682 has sidewalk seating, a casual atmosphere, a celeb chef (Chef Guillermo Tellez) and is just off Rittenhouse Square — the perfect brunch location for you and your furry friend.

Dog dishes are $4 each, and People Food is a-la-carte.

BYOD Brunch at Square 1682
When: Saturdays beginning this weekend, June 25
Where: 121 S. 17th Street
Cost: Pay as you go; dog dishes are $4 each
More info: www.square1682.com

July 4th in Philadelphia features three amazing fireworks shows over 11 days of Wawa Welcome America festivites, not to mention a slew of awesome concerts. (Left: Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC; right: photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

It wouldn’t be a July 4th celebration in Philadelphia without multiple sensational fireworks displays, which you get to enjoy threefold this summer.

First up this Saturday night, June 25 at Penn’s Landing; then again next Saturday, July 2 at Penn’s Landing; and the epic grand finale on Monday, July 4 above the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. To make it all the more awesome, each spectacular fireworks display will be preceded by a live concert.

First up, the legendary Aaron Neville of the Neville Brothers will perform his classic R&B and soul hits this Saturday night, June 25 at 8 p.m. at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Then next Saturday night, July 2 at 7:30 p.m., also at Penn’s Landing, the United States Army Band will be playing Sousa-style patriotic classics.

And then there’s the main event on July 4th: the Philly 4th of July Jam, which will take over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway July 4 from 7-10 p.m. and feature Philly’s own The Roots, plus Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles and more.

The Fourth of July Jam begins at 7 p.m. and runs about three hours. The fireworks display begins after the concert, usually around 10:30 p.m. Giant screens and speakers will broadcast the concert all along the Parkway.

To re-cap the schedule:

ROUND 1 – Saturday, June 25

Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Music: The legendary singer Aaron Neville at 8 p.m.
Fireworks: ETA of 9:30 p.m.

ROUND 2 – Saturday, July 2

Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Music: United States Army Band at 7:30 p.m., Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic at 6 p.m. at the Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden
Fireworks: ETA of 9:30 p.m.

ROUND 3: The Grand Finale – Monday, July 4

Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Music: The epic Fourth of July Jam starts at 7 p.m. featuring The Roots, Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles
Fireworks: after the concert, ETA around 10:30 p.m.

Best places to watch the Fireworks above the Delaware River on Saturday, June 25:

• Penn’s Landing: The concert takes place at the Great Plaza (closest intersection Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets), so the Great Plaza is one solid option. Another good spot at Penn’s Landing would be along its southern stretch, basically from Dock Street to South Street.
• The brand-new Race Street Pier.** This is going to be an amazing spot to watch but we recommend you get there early as it’s probably going to fill up fast.
• Washington Avenue Green: Another new park on the Delaware River Waterfront.
• Independence Seaport Museum: Watch the fireworks from the Seaport’s balcony on Saturday June 25; tickets are just $5 after 5pm.
• Camden Waterfront

Below we have some ideas for where to watch on July 4th. And stay tuned for more updates as the festivities get closer.
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The Penn Museum's beautiful Warden Garden will host alfresco summertime concerts all summer. (Photo by L. Hansen-Flaschen courtesy Penn Museum)

Live outdoor music is the calling card of summertime in Philadelphia, and the Penn Museum is making no exception.

The PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights
 alfresco concert series kicks off tonight at 5 p.m., where you can hear eclectic live music, explore the beautiful Warden Garden, sip drinks and enjoy light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar.

Every Wednesday through August 24 in conjunction with the Summer Nights series, the museum galleries will stay open until 8 p.m., so you can catch an after-hours viewing of the institute’s collection of nearly a million objects, from a 12-ton Egyptian sphinx to a Sumerian cuneiform clay tablets (some of the world’s oldest writing).

Check out the all-summer-long performance schedule here.

PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights

When: Wednesdays, June 22-August 24
, 5-8 p.m.
Where: 3260 South Street

Cost: $5 (includes admission into the museum)

More info: www.penn.museum

Previously: The Summer Nights Concert Series At The Penn Museum Kicks Off June 22: Enjoy Live Music, Food And Drink Specials, And After-Hours Museum Access Every Wednesday Evening

Cool off on the waterfront with Caribbean-flavored cocktails and festive music this weekend. (Photo courtesy Hyatt Regency)

Keating’s River Grill at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing is one of the best alfresco dining spots in the city. Just in time for the official beginning of summer, Keating’s bar and outdoor terrace is hosting three Summer Kick-Off Parties on the waterfront this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 23-25.

Thursday, June 23 is the Parrot Head party, from noon until close. Order $5 margaritas and pina coladas all day long, plus cheeseburger specials, giveaways and Jimmy Buffet music.

Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 enjoy the same great drink specials. Friday and Saturday the specials are offered all day.

It’s the perfect spot to take a breather from the Taste of Philadelphia nearby at Penn’s Landing, going strong Friday, 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Plus: on Saturday you can watch the spectacular fireworks show over the Delaware River, the first of three Wawa Welcome America fireworks shows, from a front row seat. Note: you’ll need a $25 voucher to watch the fireworks from Keating’s (unless you’re a hotel guest), which you can use towards your food and beverage bill.

Keating’s River Grill has revamped its summer drink menu to give you a taste of the Caribbean, with Strawberry Basil Caipirinhas, Watermelon Mojitos and the like. We feel refreshed already.

Summer Kick-Off Parties at Keating’s River Grill
Where: 201 S. Columbus Boulevard
When: June 23-25
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.keatingsrivergrill.com

Clark Park Music and Arts Festival is back this Saturday, June 25, offering a day’s worth of free summer fun: expect live music performances from nine bands on two stages, wares from more than 40 vendors, and fun-filled kids’ activities.

Head over to the recently reopened Clark Park at 43rd and and Chester Streets in West Philadelphia to soak in some summer fun. Kicking off at noon and running until sundown, the festival will offer kid-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and back-to-back performances starting at 12:30 p.m. by such local bands as Mount Joy, Serpent Throne and Dangerbird.

The Clark Park fest has been a neighborhood tradition since 1970, growing in scope to this year’s immense scale of music, dance, theater and arts & crafts.

Now that summer has officially arrived, loads of free local outdoor events are on the docket, and the popular Clark Park Fest is one you won’t want to miss!

Clark Park Music and Arts Festival
Where: Clark Park, 43rd and Chester Streets
When: Saturday, June 25, Noon-Sundown
Cost: Free
More info: www.clarkparkfest.wordpress.com

From the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Strolls to Sustainable Saturdays to the recent smash success Night Market, University City District is upping the cool factor to combat the summer heat.

Next up: University City District and The Rotunda music venue present the 40th Street Summer Series, a free summer concert series every fourth Saturday June-September at the 40th and Walnut Street field.

Complimentary (first come, first served) Rita’s Water Ice will also be given out during the performances!

In conjunction with the Summer Series concerts, nearby City Tap House will offer great food and drink specials between 6-10 p.m.: house-made grilled sausages, hamburgers and hot dogs on the patio in addition to $3 Yards draughts.

Check out the first two concerts lined up:

• Saturday, June 25, 6 p.m.: Sun Ra Arkestra and Elegant Cavaliers. This acclaimed, and Philadelphia claim-to-fame, big band demonstrates the unrivalled joy and passion that have been the group’s foundation since its inception in the mid-1950s. Opening the performance will be the West Philadelphia drill team, the Elegant Cavaliers.

• Saturday, July 23, 6 p.m.: Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of the Spirits and Joseph Bowie with Adam Rudolph. Cyro Baptista is one of the greatest Brazilian percussionists today, and his Banquet of the Spirits makes its Philadelphia debut this summer. Opening for Cyro is world music percussionist Adam Rudolph joined by multi-instrumentalist Joseph Bowie.

Mark your calendar for the final two 40th Street Summer Series concerts: Saturday, August 27 and Saturday, September 24.

40th Street Summer Series
When: Fourth Saturdays, June-September
Where: 40th and Walnut Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.universitycity.org