The latest initiative launched by the city and Philadelphia250 is a new, citywide tour series celebrating the culture, creativity, and businesses that define Philadelphia.
Through the new “Neighborhood Jawnts” program, there will be 20 free, weekly neighborhood tours that are set to span from the end of May through the end of October.
“This is the first time that we have a dedicated tour program that is taking our visitors and residents, and anybody who wants to join, on tours of the real Philadelphia, said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center.
Fittingly, the word “jawnts” is an acronym for “join a weekly neighborhood tour.”
With Philadelphia being known as a city of neighborhoods, the new tour series will help people get to know the city through its neighborhoods.
The first of the 20 tours will begin at East Passyunk from May 29-31, 2026. The subsequent tours will take place on a weekly basis all the way through Oct. 23-25,2026.
City Representative Jazelle Jones said this initiative gets to the heart of what Philadelphia truly is as a city.
“If you can ask anybody who lives here, they will tell you that our real story is where? In our neighborhoods,” said Jones. “It lives on our blocks, it’s in our small businesses, it’s in our murals, our music, and most importantly, in our people.”
The “Neighborhood Jawnts” initiative will aim to showcase each of the 20 neighborhood’s unique identities through everything from food and art to history and community leaders, cultures, traditions, and more.
This initiative is all part of the city’s and Philadelphia250’s efforts to ensure that each neighborhood feels a part of the 250th birthday festivities.
It will also aim to help local small businesses.
“These tours create real opportunities for local entrepreneurs, so they can connect with new audiences and grow,” said Jones.
Each tour will be offered five times each weekend — once on Friday, and twice each on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
For the full “Neighborhood Jawns” tour schedule through the 2026 tourism season, click here.
