Jan 5, 2026 - Culture

Spotted: The new murals Philly added in 2025

Mike D'Onofrio

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Street scene with a tall brick building featuring a colorful mural of a woman's face and hands, a red flower, and scales of justice. Blue sky and traffic lights visible. — Shepard Fairey’s massive mural — "Uplift Justice" — is a can't-miss if you're driving along Arch Street in Center City. Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts Philadelphia

The "Best City for Street Art" grew its collection in 2025, adding dozens of new murals across Philadelphia.

Why it matters: It's always neat to see something new along our streets.

By the numbers: In 2025, Mural Arts Philadelphia completed 87 murals.

Used nearly 4,000 gallons of paint
Employed 143 artists
$2 million+ budgeted for murals last year

What's next: Jane Golden, Mural Arts' executive director, tells Axios that residents should look for these new murals coming in 2026:

Tributes to Boyz II Men on South Broad, to Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson at West Philly High School, and to LGBTQ+ heroes and leaders in the Gayborhood.
Plus: A series of murals themed for America's 250th birthday stretching from the Schuylkill to Delaware rivers.

Here are some of our favorite murals from 2025:

"Run the Road"

Colorful mural on a brick wall depicting a smiling child reaching out, surrounded by bright red, orange, green, and yellow geometric and floral patterns, with a wooden pole nearby. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts

Spot this one in Sharswood at 2045 Master St.

"Labor and Love Intertwined"

A mural of a farm worker holding a basket with a mountain and village in it, along side photos of people and under a blue sky with puffy clouds. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts

This 30-foot tall work can't be missed at 9th and League Streets in South Philly.

"There Is Trouble 'Til The Robins Come"

A black-colored building with a color mural of a man with spiky, blue hair and red and blue birds flying. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts

Philly gave filmmaker David Lynch this tribute mural, which can be seen on Love City Brewing's building in North Philly.

"Wave of Emotion"

A beach mural on the side of a low-slung building featuring a wave with sea animals, including octopuses and fish, with inspirational words written on them, along with words written in the sky and stars. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts Philadelphia

Kids from Winchester Recreation Center in North Philly designed this artwork, which symbolizes collaboration, imagination and community spirit.

"The Sound of Philly"

Large mural on building side showing close-up of person playing drums with mallets under a clear blue sky. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts Philadelphia

This mural is a nod to the Positive Movement drum line, which is always led by the Philly Elmo at festivals and events throughout the city.

"Frances E. W. Harper: We are All Bound Up Together"

Colorful mural on Greene Street Friends School building featuring portraits of Frances E.W. Harper and others, celebrating 200 years with a quote, set against a sunset sky and street scene. — Photo: Courtesy Steve Weinik/Mural Arts Philadelphia

The poet, orator, suffragist and abolitionist was honored this year with a mural on the 200th anniversary of her birth. Check out the mural on the side of Greene Street Friends School in Northwest Philly.