Philadelphia is officially back on top! For the second year in a row, USA TODAY has named Philadelphia the “Best City for Street Art” in its 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, marking the third time in four years the city has claimed the national title.
Often called the “Mural Capital of the World,” Philadelphia continues to outshine cities like Cincinnati, Albuquerque, and Jacksonville thanks to it larger-than-life murals, community-driven projects, and deeply rooted commitment to public art.
Best city for street art- Philly wins again 🏆
The USA TODAY 10BEST nominees were selected by a panel of experts and editors, with winners determined by public vote. Philadelphia’s victory reflects not only its scale of public art, but its cultural impact.
For more than four decades, Mural Arts Philadelphia has helped transform the city’s walls into storytelling canvases. What began as an anti-graffiti initiative has grown into a globally recognized public art movement responsible for nearly 4,000 murals across neighborhoods citywide.
What new murals are coming in 2026? 🖼️
The momentum isn’t slowing down. In 2026, Mural Arts Philadelphia will unveil several major projects, including:
- A tribute to legendary R&B Boyz II Men in South Philadelphia
- A portrait honoring Questlove at West Philadelphia High School
- A new mural celebrating LGBTQ+ activist Gloria Casarez in the Gayborhood
- A reimagined tribute to Philadelphia and Negro Leagues baseball history
The summer will also mark the completion of “Printmaking by the People: Citywide Voices of 2026,” culminating in a large-scale mural reflecting residents’ perspectives on democracy.
Where you can you see Philly’s most iconic street art? 🗿
Some of Philadelphia’s most iconic public art pieces are easy to visit and completely free to experience. Start with the immersive mosaics at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a must-see installation created by the late artist Isaiah Zagar. From there, head to Center City to see the instantly recognizable LOVE sculpture, or swing by the Rocky statue for a classic Philly photo moment.
Beyond the landmark, some of the city’s most powerful works are tucked into neighborhood streets — from massive portraits to community-driven murals that tell the stories of the people who live there.
In Philadelphia, world-class art truly lives everywhere you look.
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