A Vacant Lot on North Broad Will Be Transformed into a Wellness Hub for the Upcoming Summer aBroad Health Fest
As summer edges toward its final stretch, a vacant lot along North Broad Street is getting a healthy new lease on life. On Saturday, August 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Summer aBroad Health Fest will turn 3701 N. Broad Street into a dynamic space for wellness, movement, and community care.
Hosted by North Broad Renaissance in partnership with Shift Capital, the event isn’t just a festival — it’s a vision for what neighborhoods can become when health and healing are centered in everyday spaces.
Far from your typical block party, the Summer aBroad Health Fest reclaims underused land and reimagines it as a space for joy, connection, and support. Attendees can expect a mix of live music, guided movement sessions, wellness resources, and an open invitation to simply feel good — all free and open to the public.
“We’re closing the summer with something powerful: a reminder that health needs space,” said Shalimar Thomas, Executive Director of the North Broad Renaissance. “For one day, we’re showing what’s possible when wellness is built into our city’s design.”
The event also carries a deeper message. It highlights how health disparities in Philadelphia — from high rates of diabetes and obesity to stark differences in life expectancy across neighborhoods — aren’t just about personal choices. They’re shaped by broader systemic issues, like access to green space, mental health care, and safe places to gather.
With the city’s 250th anniversary on the horizon in 2026, organizers hope this event sparks conversation about what the future of Philadelphia could look like. One where vacant lots become vibrant hubs. One where wellness isn’t a privilege, but a part of the everyday landscape.
For now, it starts with a patch of land, a few hours on a Saturday, and an invitation to see — and feel — what’s possible.
This event is free and open to the public. For details about VIP registration, follow @SummeraBroadPHL on Instagram
