Summer officially gets hot, with laughter, music, and the rockets’ red glare lighting up the night

Experience the timeless hits of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons when Valli returns to Hard Rock Atlantic City. One of the most iconic groups in the history of music, their infectious doo-wop harmonies and the unforgettable falsetto of Frankie Valli have transcended generations and continues to captivate audiences around the world. (July 1, Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com/event-calendar/frankie-valli-and-the-four-seasons)

Celebrate our country’s independence at the largest Independence Day celebration in America, the Wawa Welcome America Festival. The celebration features 16 days of free, family-friendly programming across Philadelphia, with a focus on arts, culture, diversity, education, wellness, history, and performance. Festival attendees can enjoy free concerts, fireworks, complimentary museum access, Wawa Hoagie Day, and more! (June 19-July 4, Various Philadelphia locations, july4thphilly.com/)

Cue the fireworks! Delaware and Jersey towns will be celebrating the July Fourth holiday in a big way. Celebrate freedom at one of these holiday events (check websites for dates and more information):

Dover is a pro at celebrating Independence Day. On the Fourth of July, the city’s administration arranges some amazing activities to make your patriotic celebration one to remember. (dover4thofjuly.com/index.html)

Lewes celebrates Independence Day with old-fashioned games for kids, the Lewes Boat Parade, Doo-Dah Parade, and fireworks at dusk. (leweschamber.com/event/2023-independence-day-lewes)

Bethany Beach hosts a parade with marching bands and Sand & Sea-themed floats, a concert, and fireworks in the evening. (townofbethanybeach.com/273/Fourth-of-July)

Celebrate Independence Day on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. (wildwoodsnj.com/event/fourth-of-july-fireworks-spectacular/)

Ocean City, N.J., celebrates with a bike parade, kite flying competition, and Ocean City Pops free outdoor concert. (oceancityvacation.com/resources/events-calendar/)

Ferry fun and fireworks! Hop aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a very special cruise out of Cape May, N.J., to celebrate Independence Day! (cmlf.com/event/new-july-4th-fireworks-cruise-cape-may/2106)

“MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL,” winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, comes to the Broadway Series at the Academy of Music this summer. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. It’s a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! (July 5 – July 30, Academy of Music, 240 Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa., kimmelculturalcampus.org/events-and-tickets/202223/broadway/moulin-rouge/)

The Wilmington Street Food Festival on the Delaware Riverfront features the Wilmington area’s best restaurants and food trucks. Come for the food, stay for the fun as there will be tons of live entertainment, general vendors, free shuttle buses (for parking), axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, free hard seltzer sampling
(VIP exclusive), crazy eating challenges, family-friendly activities, break dancing demonstration, kids fun zone, and more! (July 15-16, Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park, Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington, Del., StreetFoodFests.com)

Missy Hall, who has worked as a warm-up comic for Harry Connick, Jr., at CBS Television, headlines an exciting Comedy Night at The Inn at Grace Winery. Her freshman comedy CD, “Miss Representation,” was a first round Grammy nominee in 2012 for funniest comedy album. The show also features the comedy of Andrew Fox and James McAliney. (July 20, The Inn at Grace Winery, 50 Sweetwater Road, Glen Mills, Pa., gracewinery.com/)

Party with the best of the Main Line region at the 2023 Best of Main Line Today and Western Suburbs Party! Enjoy food, drinks, and live entertainment and celebrate with the winners. (July 20, The Drexelbrook Event Center, 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill, Pa., mainlinetoday.com/best-of-the-main-line-winners/)

Enjoy a delicious lunch of hoagies, pasta salad and more plus a complete showing of “Serenade” starring Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine, Vincent Price, and Sarita Montiel, at the Mario Lanza Museum Luncheon. (July 22, Mario Lanza Institute & Museum, 1214 Reed St., Philadelphia, Pa., mariolanzainstitute.org/)

Head over to Bellevue State Park for a great night of music. Their Summer Concert Series features everything from MTV hits to bluegrass and country, to classic rock, reggae, and more! (July 27, Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Road, Wilmington, Del., destateparks.com/Concerts/Bellevue)

If you’re headed down the shore this month, be sure to check if your favorite seaside spot has a summer music series. Many shore points including Ventnor, Sea Isle, Wildwood Crest, and Cape May have live musical performances throughout the season.