Summer on the Steps Serves Food, Art, and Views at the PMA

Summer on the Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

There’s a fresh reason to head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art this season, and it isn’t just the world-class exhibitions inside. Summer on the Steps, the new outdoor weekend series curated by Constellation Culinary Group in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, is officially underway—and it’s reshaping how Philly enjoys food, art, and public space.

Every Saturday and Sunday through September 28, the museum’s East Terrace comes alive from 2 to 6 p.m. with rotating food trucks, pop-up bars, and a laid-back beer garden vibe. Picture this: a cold drink in hand, yard games on the lawn, casual seating, the sounds of laughter and sizzling street fare, and the city skyline serving as your backdrop.

Constellation Culinary Group, already renowned for turning catering into art across the nation’s most iconic venues, brings that same flair to the Parkway. Following the success of the Rodin Garden Bar, they’ve doubled down with Summer on the Steps, proving that museum-going can be as much about savoring a handmade empanada or sipping a ginger-spiked cocktail as it is about admiring an impressionist masterpiece.

Each weekend, local food trucks rotate in and out, making every visit a new culinary adventure. And coming in August, Constellation’s own “Prepped” food truck will debut, serving Philly-inspired fare that blends street-level flavor with chef-driven creativity. To keep things cool and crisp, a Constellation-run pop-up bar offers summer-perfect cocktails like the “Summer Crush”—a mix of grapefruit, ginger beer, and rosemary—and a pomegranate-twisted Arnold Palmer.

Summer on the Steps Pairs Philly’s Culinary Creativity with Cultural Icons

The Summer on the Steps series complements the Museum’s ongoing programming. Before or after your alfresco indulgence, visitors can explore exhibitions like Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s or Brand X Editions: Innovation in Screenprinting, creating a well-rounded day of artistic and gastronomic inspiration. This pairing of accessible outdoor activation with world-class art is what gives Summer on the Steps its unique soul—and why it resonates so strongly with Philadelphians seeking more from their weekend rituals.

Families will find it especially inviting, thanks to the relaxed, inclusive environment. There’s no cost to enter the terrace experience, and with varied food options, games, and open-air seating, it’s a draw for everyone from stroller-pushers to stroller-parkers.

“This collaboration is an exciting way to engage with our community in a more casual and creative setting,” said Josh Frank, Director of Visitor and Member Operations at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Summer on the Steps provides a perfect opportunity to invite visitors to enjoy art, food, and a spectacular view of the city.”

And for those simply walking the Parkway, this activation feels like a gift—an unexpected invitation to linger, to taste, to toast, and maybe even to venture inside the museum and discover something new. In a time when public spaces matter more than ever, Summer on the Steps proves that art and appetite can, and should, coexist under the sun.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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