Philadelphia, PA – One of South Philadelphia’s most electrifying art destinations is throwing a party. Nice Things Handmade and Percy Street Project announces the debut of First Fridays on Percy Street starting Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on the 1300 block of S. Percy Street in the heart of Passyunk Square. The second installment will follow on Thursday, July 3. This no charge community event is all ages, family friendly, fido friendly and will bring live music, live painting, 40-plus local vendors, and food to the glowing alley known for its illuminated murals. For June, Phil Korshak will be back in Philly serving up hot dogs and other treats from his new spot Korshak Parkside Provisions coming this summer to 13th and Reed. Chilly Banana will be serving up dairy fr ee, vegan banana whips with all the magical toppings. Musical guests will include Huston West, The Shady Cat Speakeasy: The Jillian shcraft Quartet and DJ Linz and Mars. Live painting will be sponsored by Rosebear Arts representing four artists painting on a four sided f ree Mural wall. For July’s line-up, other updates and surprises, follow the event on social at @nicethingsphila Instagram and Facebook.
The series unfolds on a block already famous for transformation. Percy Street is home to “Electric Street,” the neon light installation created by artists David Guinn and Drew Billiau in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Knight Foundation – a project that turned a once-troubled alley into one of the city’s most distinctive public art spaces. Quinn is the driving force behind Percy Street and maintains in with other artists and community members.
“Percy Street has always been about neighbors coming together and rallying to make something beautiful and joyful out of an overlooked corner of the city,” said Nice Things Handmade owner and founder Elissa Kara. “First Fridays is the next chapter to active a place where artists of every medium have somewhere to show their work. We want to bring the community together in an all new way and create a new South Philly summer tradition.”
What to expect for June:
Grilling and Chilling
Beloved Philly baker Phil Korshak returns to the grill, serving hot dogs and treats from his new spot, Korshak Parkside Provisions, coming this summer to 13th and Reed. On the sweeter side, Chilly Banana dishes up dairy-free, vegan banana whips with all the toppings.
Live Music
Houston West on banjo at the Reed Street entrance; The Jillian Ashcraft Quartet performing as part of The Shady Cat Speakeasy from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the 9th Street entrance; and DJ Linz and Mars spinning 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the middle of the block.
Live Painting
Organized by RoseBear Arts, four artists will paint live on a four-sided fre e mural wall, featuring local talent including Zach Woomer, Worldsgraytest Art, Luke Weichmann and more. A rotation of local artists will create seasonal mural installations throughout the series, adding to Percy Street’s existing vibrant artwork.
40+ Local Vendors
Handmade goods, art, jewelry and more from a deep roster of Philadelphia makers, including:
Ally’s Art
Bodacious Caricatures
Collide Zine
Crown Collective
DK Hannon Illustration
Designs By Rel
DrS Glass
Fantastically Damaged
Fever Dreams Artwork
Goosepoop Games
Hooked by Tammy
Jewelrywithme
Lily Lough Jewelry
Kimiko Benjamin
Meal Ticket Jewelry
Mystical Mechanic
Nicholas Bennett Home
Philly Ain’t Bad
ThatsBearlyArt
The Creep Boutique
Unruly Patchouli
Dozens more to be announced
First Fridays on Percy Street is a celebration of the neighborhood spirit that built the block, with local artists determined to create space for artists of all kinds.
First Fridays on Percy Street
Friday, June 5 & Thursday, July 3, 2026
4:00pm to 8:00pm
1300 block of S. Percy Street, Passyunk Square, Philadelphia
No charge to attend and open to the public
ABOUT NICE THINGS HANDMADE
Nice Things Handmade, located at 1731 East Passyunk Avenue, is a South Philadelphia gift boutique and art gallery curated by artist Elissa Kara. Nice Things supports 75 top artists from around the region, and across the country, that sell handmade ceramics, jewelry, clothing, prints, accessories and artwork. While other artists have turned to the internet in recent years, Kara provides a physical space where customers can see the details of the stitches, appreciate the variations in color and, most importantly, appreciate the quality found in the handmade. Kara herself is a featured artists at Nice Things Handmade, specializing in textiles and fibers. She even hand spins and hand-dyes her own yarns! For more information, call (267) 455-0256, visit nicethingshandmade.com or follow @nicethingshandmade