Saturday, July 18, 2026
6:00 - 9:00pm EST
Join us as we gather in community to honor the journey toward liberation. Whether it’s your first time stepping into the light or you’re a seasoned veteran of the stage, come be part of our shared story. At the heart of our historic site, local musicians, spoken word artists, and storytellers will take the stage to weave narratives of justice, freedom, and the enduring power of resilience.

We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
This program is part of Summer Nights at Eastern State - With a different theme each week, Summer Nights provides a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting. Enjoy immersive experiences, interactive events, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of Philadelphia’s most unique landmarks.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Details to come, check back for updates. Eastern State invites visitors to explore powerful, but often overlooked, stories of the LGBTQ+ folks that served time at America’s most influential prisons, and to reflect on what those stories mean for our communities today.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Details to come, check back for updates. Uncover the role of investigative journalism in shaping our understanding of the criminal justice system.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Experience a night of reckoning at Eastern State Penitentiary as we host a special screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary, The Alabama Solution.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site to learn more about the power of sports in fostering a sense of belonging throughout ESP's history and in correctional facilities today.
Saturday, August 01, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Eastern State invites visitors to explore powerful stories of resilience, creativity, and resistance within one of America’s most influential prisons, and to reflect on what those stories mean for our communities today.