Philadelphia’s murals are impossible to miss. This month, the city is giving residents a reason to look a bit closer.
October has officially been proclaimed Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia, celebrating the artists, communities and stories behind the city’s world-famous public art collection.
Mural Arts Month is a time to take pride in that legacy and look more closely at what’s behind it, organizers said. Every mural carries a story—the artist who created it, the people and places it represents, the history it holds, and the community and creative process that brought it to life.
“Our murals are part of how we know Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, history, people, and its creativity,” said Emily Mello, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “Mural Arts Month invites us to look closer and discover the stories behind the work we see every day. It’s also a chance to celebrate the artists and communities who have built this extraordinary legacy and are continuing to shape it.”
Throughout October, Mural Arts will celebrate new additions to the city's collection, bring artists and community members together for conversations about public art, highlight cultural partners and offer new ways for Philadelphians to experience murals.
The month also calls attention to what it takes to sustain Philadelphia’s place as the Mural Capital of the World — investing in artists and the next generation of creative leaders; creating new public art with communities; caring for and interpreting the 4,000+ mural collection; and making that collection as accessible as possible.
“There is tremendous value in setting aside a month to pause, recognize, and celebrate something that is part of Philadelphians’ everyday lives,” said Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer for the city and Executive Director of Creative Philadelphia. “Mural Arts Month gives us an opportunity to honor the artists and communities behind our unmatched public art, bring people together around the issues shaping the field today, and remind Philadelphians that this extraordinary collection belongs to all of us.”
This fall, Mural Arts will launch a new series of specialty tours that go deeper into Philadelphia’s art, neighborhoods, and cultural history.
'Throughlines' is a new river-to-river exhibition featuring 10 murals and temporary banners by 30 artists exploring how Philadelphians have shaped democracy through assembly, labor, stewardship, and belonging.
There is also a new Germantown walking tour and film screening that will explore the neighborhood’s creative legacy, from Sun Ra and Philadelphia’s jazz history to the artists and cultural institutions shaping Germantown today.
Mural Arts Month will also introduce free and discounted tours for Philadelphia residents, supported by PNC Arts Alive and Pennsylvania Tourism, making it easier for more Philadelphians to explore the collection and discover the artists, communities, and stories behind it.
For those looking to explore on foot, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the month.
Specialty tours will be held at the Fabric Workshop and Museum (1214 Arch Street) on Oct. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., with the chance to explore Jesse Krimes’s 'Elegy Quilts' exhibition and latest mural, 'Riverside,' created in collaboration with Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice program.
Also on Oct. 8 (6 to 7 p.m.), a special panel will take place at Tilt Institute, at 1400 N. American Street. The discussion will feature the artists behind 'Eco-Social Realism: Historic Mural Activations,' an exhibition pairing four historic Philadelphia murals with new site-responsive works, and will include José Ortiz-Pagán, Li Sumpter, Lori Waselchuk, and Ricky Yanas & Grimaldi Baez, in conversation with curator Daniel Tucker. This exhibit is on display through Nov. 21.
On Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz will walk from Center City to Norris Square in a four-mile processional performance and living tribute to Puerto Rican culture.
An exhibition of individual and collaborative artwork — curated by artist Cory Kram and created by the participants and staff artists of Mural Arts’ 'Color Me Back' same-day work-and-pay program — will be showcased on Oct. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Suburban Station Studio (underground at 16th & JFK).
Mural Arts Month will culminate on Halloween, Oct. 31, with a special Mural Arts Fest at LOVE Park, a free celebration bringing together artists, families, cultural organizations, and community partners in the heart of Philadelphia.
Presented in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and with support from PNC Arts Alive, Mural Arts Fest will feature interactive art experiences, music, creativity, and Halloween fun for the whole family.
Mural Arts is also continuing its partnership with neighborhood winery Mural City Cellars with a special wine celebrating an emerging Philadelphia artist.
This year’s Mural Arts Month wine is a Cabernet Franc, grown in New York’s Finger Lakes and bottled in Fishtown. Released Oct. 1, the $45 bottle features artwork by Kaldric Dow, this year’s Mural Arts Month Featured Emerging Artist.
Dow’s work explores African American culture through a mix of mediums, including acrylic paint, fabrics and patterned paper. The featured artwork, 'Sisters,' is inspired by Dow’s experience growing up with a twin and younger twin sisters.
"The ‘Sisters’ artwork represents that closeness, the love, connection, and warmth that comes from growing through life together,” said Dow.
A portion of the wine’s sales will benefit Mural Arts, with Mural City Cellars estimating a $6,000 donation to the organization.
The complete calendar of mural dedications, artist conversations, tours, gatherings, and special events is available at muralarts.org/mural-arts-month-2026
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