October is Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia, and the city that boasts the world’s largest outdoor art gallery is celebrating in grand style. With more than 4,000 murals across its neighborhoods, Philadelphia is using this month to shine a light on how free, public art tells the city’s stories and brings communities together.
The celebration includes brand-new additions to the collection: neighborhood dedications like "Olney Is Where We Belong" on October 16, a new community landmark honoring the people and businesses of Olney. On October 17, the four-mile processional performance "Vámonos Pa’l Monte" celebrates the city’s Puerto Rican community, connecting the Norris Square neighborhood with the landscapes and history of Puerto Rico.
Families can mark their calendars for Mural Arts Fest on October 31 at Love Park — a free, family-friendly day of live painting, music, art-making activities and Halloween fun. And through December 6, Philadelphia residents can enjoy free public mural walking tours (code TOURFREE26) on weekends, exploring the city’s open-air gallery one block at a time.
From community murals and gallery exhibitions to artist talks and art-making activities across every neighborhood, Mural Arts Month is a joyful reminder that in Philadelphia, art belongs to everyone — and it’s all free.
Photo: Steve Weinik, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (mural "Convergence" by Rebecca Rutstein, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program)
