Philadelphia Family Magazine

Ministry of Awe
2026-05-06 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-07 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-12 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-13 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-14 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-19 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-20 11:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-21 11:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) and 3 more dates | Ministry of Awe, 27 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Ministry of Awe is a new, ever-evolving immersive art experience in Philadelphia that’s located inside a 19th-century bank and transformed into a surreal world packed with fun for the family. Each act of wonder yields infinite returns. When visitors enter the ATM, they end up leaving in awe.

Firstival: First Mother's Day
2026-05-09 11:00 - 13:00 | Historic St. George’s Museum & Archives, 326 New St., Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Join Historic St. George’s Museum & Archives for a Saturday Firstival on May 9th, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., celebrating the First Mother’s Day as part of 52 Weeks of Philly Firsts, a citywide celebration marking 250 years of Philadelphia innovation and fun. Follow @52FirstsPhilly or visit 52firstsphilly.com for all the weekly events.
Come make Mother’s Day cards and wax seals, listen to performances and learn about the history of Mother’s Day!
The 52 Weeks of Firsts is a citywide, yearlong celebration honoring Philadelphia’s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee. To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year’s worth of free events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. The 52 Weeks of Firsts will take place every week of the 2026 semiquincentennial year across the City of Philadelphia in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

PECO Family Jams: One Book One Philadelphia
2026-05-10 12:00 - 16:00 | 1020 South Street, 1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, United States
This year, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s kids’ selection for One Book One Philadelphia is “How to Grow a Family Tree,” written by Bea Birdsong and illustrated by Jasu Hu. The book follows a girl whose family tree grows wide and welcoming through the caring friends and neighbors who become part of her life — and that spirit of inclusivity is exactly what PECO Family Jams is all about.
Families are invited to come together, make art, and create connections at this special event. Kids can turn a white bandana into a colorful keepsake using stamps and fabric ink. Free tours of the fully mosaicked basement at Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens will be offered at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm, exploring how many kinds of family are represented throughout the space. Readings of “How to Grow a Family Tree” will take place during the 12:30 and 2:30 pm tours.
PECO Family Jams is the Magic Gardens’ family-oriented program held on the second Sunday of every month from noon to 4:00 pm. Crafts and basement tours are included with regular admission. Families are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

Monday Basketball with Volo Kids at Mander Playground
2026-05-11 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-05-18 16:30 - 18:00 | 2140 N. 33rd St., 2140 N. 33rd St., Philadelphia, PA, 19145, United States
Play free basketball with Volo Kids at Mander Playground!
Volo Kids is on a mission to build communities of active, resilient, and confident kids through free, quality sports programs! Our programs are completely free, and this program is open to all kids ages 5-13, regardless of gender or experience level. In a Volo Kids program, you can expect 6 weeks of skills and drills to improve your technique or try a new sport!

Listen Up and Get Involved: Science of Sound
2026-05-15 10:00 - 12:30 | 1201 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) has an open opportunity to attend a FREE, hands-on acoustics demonstration session.
Explore the science behind music and sound. From violin resonance and vocal acoustics to hearing protection and electronic sound design, these interactive demos connect physics directly to performance, tone, and musical expression. Whether you’re a performer, singer, or simply curious about how sound works, come experiment, ask questions, and hear your craft in a whole new way.
Participate in hands-on, interactive acoustics demonstrations Meet scientists and engineers working in acoustics Experience research presented at a professional scientifc meeting Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost to attend.

The Franklin Institute Presents: Don’t Try This at Home Day
2026-05-16 11:00 - 15:00 | The Franklin Institute, 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, United States
Experience one of the most exciting family-friendly science events in Philadelphia – Don’t Try This at Home Day at The Franklin Institute. For one day only, enjoy high-energy, large-scale science demonstrations that push experiments to the limit, all conducted safely by expert performers and fearless partners.
This is not a typical classroom experience. It is live STEM entertainment where science ignites, erupts, and surprises audiences in real time.

SunriseWALKS Greater Philadelphia
2026-05-17 08:00 - 12:00 | 1100 Pattison Avenue, 1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19148, United States
Join the fun at SunriseWALKS, a family-friendly community event benefiting Sunrise Day Camp. The morning features a walk, music, kid-friendly activities, and more — bringing the community together to support local children with cancer and their siblings. Every dollar raised helps send kids to camp, completely free of charge.

Memorial Day Weekend on the Waterfront
2026-05-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Spruce Street Harbor Park, 401 S Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Kick off the unofficial start of summer on the Delaware River Waterfront as Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park officially reopen for the 2026 season.
Spend Memorial Day Weekend roller skating, relaxing in colorful hammocks, playing arcade games, enjoying boardwalk rides, and soaking up river views with friends and family. From boardwalk-style food and tasty drinks to live entertainment and outdoor fun, there’s something for everyone along the Waterfront.

Opening Day of Spruce Street Harbor Park and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
2026-05-22 12:00 - 22:00 | Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
From the debut of brand new water amenities like swan boats and chiliboats, to rollerskating at the ONLY outdoor rink in Philly, to mini golf, hammocks, FREE concerts, and waterfront eats, summer on the Philly Waterfront returns May 22nd!

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
2026-05-22 17:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-24 17:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-29 17:00 - 23:00 | Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is one of the Philadelphia Waterfront’s most beloved summertime traditions. The festival features roller skating, outdoor boardwalk games and rides, mini golf, and great food and drinks, all set against stunning views of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Summerfest is the perfect destination for a family outing, a school trip, a date night, or a meetup with friends.
Families can sign up for the email newsletter at delawareriverwaterfront.com for updates on unique experiences and promotions.
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is open seven days a week, including holidays. Leashed dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas, and admission is free and open to the public.

MuseumFest: Historic District Philly
2026-05-23 13:00 - 17:00 | 525 Arch Street, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
MuseumFest transforms Philadelphia’s Historic District into a lively afternoon of discovery, powered by the American Alliance of Museums (the national association representing the entire museum field). Five iconic museums open their doors for free, with pop-up performances, living history, and interactive moments along a walkable half-mile loop. A passport challenge rewards explorers who collect stamps across every stop. Free tickets are available now.
MuseumFest runs from 1:00–5:00 pm with flexible, drop-in experiences across the district. Highlights include:

Chocolate-making demos at the Betsy Ross House at 2 PM, 2:45 PM, and 3:30 PM, showcasing Revolutionary-era techniques with samples to enjoy
Eva Baen will share her immigrant journey at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History from 1 PM – 4:30 PM
18th-century lawn games at the National Constitution Center from 1 PM – 5 PM, featuring classic activities like hoop and stick
A panel on Afrofuturism in costume design at the African American Museum in Philadelphia from 4 PM – 4:45 PM, exploring storytelling, culture, and film
Family Activity Tables at Carpenters’ Hall, featuring Lego builds, coloring pages, and more — perfect for all ages

Pop-up performances, family activities, and surprise discoveries will take place across all locations throughout the day.
Participating museums include the National Constitution Center, African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), Betsy Ross House, Carpenters’ Hall, and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.

Philly Greek Fest
2026-05-28 11:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-29 11:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-30 11:00 - 23:00 | St George Greek Orthodox Church, 256 S 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
Philly Greek Fest returns for three days of authentic Greek food, live music, and traditional dance in the heart of Philadelphia. Rooted in the spirit of philoxenia (the Greek tradition of generous hospitality) the festival welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to experience one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant cultures. Kids of all ages and families are welcome!
PS: If you can’t attend the festival events but still want some Greek food, order online!

El Mercado Cultural in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial at Cherry Street Pier
2026-05-30 12:00 - 17:00 | Cherry Street Pier, 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
El Mercado Cultural returns to Cherry Street Pier this spring and summer, brought to life in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial. Free and open to all ages, the market features local vendors, food and drinks, and rotating entertainment across three dates — with market items available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
