Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia with kids, including events, festivals, attractions, and free activities through our curated calendar. Find what’s happening in Philly today and plan your next family adventure!
💞 Check out our sister Community Calendars too: Main Line Parent and Bucks County Parent.
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Philadelphia Family’s High Five Newsletter delivers:
📍 Can’t-miss family weekend events and activities
💡 Practical parenting advice for city life
🧳 Insider tips to navigate Philly like a native
Subscribe now and never miss out on what’s happening for families in Philadelphia!
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3 events,
From August 29 to September 1, enjoy a jam-packed holiday weekend along the Delaware River Waterfront—free and open to all ages. Catch live music, experience a camp-themed weekend at Cherry Street Pier, and take a final spin at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest before the […] 
From August 29 to September 1, celebrate Labor Day weekend with a cozy, free, and family-friendly event right on the Delaware River. Gather around for campfire sing-alongs, an outdoor movie night, fun make-and-take crafts (while supplies last), campfire games, bingo, and more. Bring your friends, […] 
The CMSP Upper Division will be accepting virtual auditions up to September 1, 2025. There is no fee to audition; registration is required. The CMSP Upper Division seeks to support school music programs by providing individual instrumental instruction and other activities for students and families […]
Free
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2 events,
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Free
Join Riverfront North and Roots2Rise for an all levels outdoor flow at Pennypack on the Delaware, Tuesdays from 6-7 pm! All ages and abilities are welcome. This class is made possible by the Riverfront North Partnership. Class is free but donations are welcome and will […] |
0 events,
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0 events,
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3 events,
Fun competitive gaming sessions on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Ages 14-23
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Explore the zigzag spaces, tunnels, and multi-level views created in Woodmere's 2025 straw maze. Built with massive bales of straw, this year’s maze provides fun and recreation for all ages. The Straw Maze will be open Saturdays and Sundays, September 6- November 30 Ages 4-11, with an adult 10 […] 
Spruce Street Dance Nights Are Back! Join on select Fridays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm at the Lazy Hammock bar and stage at Spruce Street Harbor Park for themed dance nights featuring expert-led lessons and live music or DJs. Each month brings a new style, swing […]
Free
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4 events,
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The Center for Gifted Young Musicians (CGYM) provides a challenging package of musical training at the highest level and performance opportunities for gifted young instrumentalists during the fall and spring semesters of the University’s academic calendar. All string ensembles meet on Saturday afternoons. There is […]
Free
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The Philadelphia Honey Festival at Wyck is a sweet finish to the summer season! Hosted in partnership with the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, the festival offers a variety of activities that celebrate and educate about an important friend, the honey bee! This always-popular event includes honey […]
Free
Meet the Women of the 18th Century representing the diverse population of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House! Learn about their lives and the era they lived in by hearing their true, interactive stories. |
2 events,
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The first Sunday of the month means free admission to the Barnes, with fun art activities, performances, and access to the Barnes collection. This Sunday, the award-winning duo Ants on a Log presents Rainbow Seekers, an interactive musical that helps children discover their superpowers through the magic of […] 
Activities include boat building, puppet making, and even constructing a working catapult. Each week promises captivating experiences for kids of all ages with a new make-and-take activity. This event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Activities are available on […] |
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0 events,
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2 events,
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Free
Join Riverfront North and Roots2Rise for an all levels outdoor flow at Pennypack on the Delaware, Tuesdays from 6-7 pm! All ages and abilities are welcome. This class is made possible by the Riverfront North Partnership. Class is free but donations are welcome and will […] |
1 event,
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Sunset Social's Weekly Movie Nights are free and open to the public! Get there early to grab the best view of the 60-foot screen. Dogs and kids always welcome! BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH TOP GUN MAVERICK: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH THE BATMAN: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH |
0 events,
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2 events,
Fun competitive gaming sessions on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Ages 14-23
Spruce Street Dance Nights Are Back! Join on select Fridays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm at the Lazy Hammock bar and stage at Spruce Street Harbor Park for themed dance nights featuring expert-led lessons and live music or DJs. Each month brings a new style, swing […]
Free
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4 events,
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Join this free introductory session - meet Mr. Ray and Dr. Ben and learn about Suzuki at Temple Music Prep before registering for a full-term class! Pre-Twinkle Classes provide opportunities for very young children to develop basic musicianship and readiness skills for success in the […]
Free
Meet the Women of the 18th Century representing the diverse population of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House! Learn about their lives and the era they lived in by hearing their true, interactive stories. 
Sunset Social's Saturday Movie Matinees are free and open to the public! Get there early to grab the best view of the 60-foot screen. Movies are family friendly and dogs are always welcome! TOY STORY 4: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH […] |
3 events,
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The Michener Museum is now free of charge on the second Sunday of every month. The free second Sunday and evening hours on first Thursday are possible due to a $400,000 grant from the Art Bridges Foundation, whose Access for All program is funding 64 […]
Activities include boat building, puppet making, and even constructing a working catapult. Each week promises captivating experiences for kids of all ages with a new make-and-take activity. This event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Activities are available on […]
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Now + Then Marketplace closes out The Oval for the 4th year, hosting a one of a kind market on its closing night, Sunday September 14th, in front of the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. The market hosts over 100 local vendors into the […]
Free
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0 events,
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4 events,
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Free
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New to Philly or a lifelong local? This event is for you! Whether you're just settling in or know the city like the back of your hand, join for a day of learning, sharing, and community-building! What’s Happening? Over 10 amazing partners will be offering […]
Free
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Gather at the Woodlands Cemetery (4000 Woodland Ave.) for a kid/family-oriented bird walk! Local expert birders will teach us about birding & take us on a walk to point out our local birds! Walnut St. West Library will have brand new circulating birding backpacks to […] |
1 event,
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Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept 15th to Oct 15th. Join the Library in exploring the many Hispanic authors, illustrators, and characters in graphic novels. Learn to draw some of your own characters with mural artist Zerbe. All supplies are provided! |
0 events,
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4 events,
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The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September, when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks. Known as PARKing) Day, this annual event re-imagines the possibilities of 140 square feet […]
Fun competitive gaming sessions on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Ages 14-23
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Enjoy a free screening of "National Treasure 2" on Independence Mall in partnership with Independence Visitor Center. Bring your own blankets/chairs and get ready for an evening of entertainment. |
10 events,
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Join the Philadelphia String Project for an Open House. The Philadelphia String Project at Temple University (PSP) serves beginning young string (upper & lower) players (K-6th grade) from the Philadelphia area in this weekly 3-year program incorporating group lessons and string ensembles. Students are taught […]
Free
Local motorcycle aftermarket retailer, RevZilla, is celebrating the motorcycle community with its Moto Intro Event at its Philadelphia, PA store. This celebration is open to anyone (ages 16 and up) interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle. This FREE, first-ride experience provides new riders […]
Free
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Join Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Senator Vincent Hughes, Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr., the American Federation of Teachers, and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers for a fantastic celebration of literacy at the Reading Opens the World Family Literacy Fair! They will be giving away 30,000 free […] |
5 events,
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SCC Glass Education Center's Open Studio Event, Glass Sale, and Hands-On Glass Workshops! Free admission! The sale will feature handmade glass items, including pumpkins, flowers, jewelry, vases, and paperweights from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. While visiting the center, guests may tour the glass studios, […]
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Sun Day, September 21, 2025 is a national day of celebration and action on solar energy. Sun Day Philadelphia will be full of solar powered and sun inspired activities for all ages. Live music, arts, solar car races, solar s’mores, solar kits for teachers, zero […] 
Enjoy live performances, painting, a panel discussion, and a marketplace celebrating indigenous arts and culture at the 6th Annual We Are the Seeds Philly event. This year, there will be a pow-wow, beautiful dancers representing a diversity of styles and regions. The weekend will be […] |
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0 events,
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3 events,
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Free
Join Riverfront North and Roots2Rise for an all levels outdoor flow at Pennypack on the Delaware, Tuesdays from 6-7 pm! All ages and abilities are welcome. This class is made possible by the Riverfront North Partnership. Class is free but donations are welcome and will […]
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Be among the first to experience the powerful new series Barcos de Esperanza at a special pre-release screening of the first episode. The series follows the inspiring mission of Mercy Ships, a floating hospital that provides free surgeries and medical training in underserved countries. The […]
Free
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1 event,
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make a vejigante! Create masks while enjoying the traditional rhythms of bomba and plena. The vejigante is a colorful, masked figure from Puerto Rican folklore, featured in festivals and carnivals throughout the island. Originally derived from medieval […] |
1 event,
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Learn how illustrations, photographs and other visual communications came to permeate everyday lives and experiences in the United States. Join this free Weeknights at the Wagner talk, where Dr. Michael Leja will take the audience to the formative period of a cultural transformation in the […]
Free
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2 events,
Fun competitive gaming sessions on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Ages 14-23
Spruce Street Dance Nights Are Back! Join on select Fridays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm at the Lazy Hammock bar and stage at Spruce Street Harbor Park for themed dance nights featuring expert-led lessons and live music or DJs. Each month brings a new style, swing […]
Free
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5 events,
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Celebrate the River that connects PA and NJ at the Delaware River Festival on September 27th at the Camden and Philadelphia waterfronts! This FREE, family-friendly event is packed with exciting activities for all ages. What to Expect: Live animals & environmental exhibits Face painting & hands-on […]
Free
Meet the Women of the 18th Century representing the diverse population of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House! Learn about their lives and the era they lived in by hearing their true, interactive stories.
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Head to the Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement for the 10th annual Social Justice Symposium. This teen-led event will be a resource fair addressing two major issues: Food Accessibility and Mental Health. Local organizations tackling these issues will be present with resources for […] |
1 event,
Activities include boat building, puppet making, and even constructing a working catapult. Each week promises captivating experiences for kids of all ages with a new make-and-take activity. This event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Activities are available on […] |
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1 event,
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Library friends age 12 and under & families are invited to the Ants' Fall concert! Performed by trans/nonbinary musicians, the Ants' show features themes of inclusion, self-expression, community, and allyship. |
2 events,
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, Bustleton Library hosts a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Free
Join Riverfront North and Roots2Rise for an all levels outdoor flow at Pennypack on the Delaware, Tuesdays from 6-7 pm! All ages and abilities are welcome. This class is made possible by the Riverfront North Partnership. Class is free but donations are welcome and will […] |
0 events,
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0 events,
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2 events,
Fun competitive gaming sessions on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Ages 14-23 
Each evening from Friday, October 3 to Monday, October 6, the Night of Lights transforms Germantown Avenue into a walkable outdoor gallery. Archival images and stories are projected through storefront windows, while colorful lighting highlights the architecture of one of Philadelphia’s most iconic main streets. Night of Lights is […] |
1 event,
Meet the Women of the 18th Century representing the diverse population of Colonial Philadelphia at the Betsy Ross House! Learn about their lives and the era they lived in by hearing their true, interactive stories. |
1 event,
Activities include boat building, puppet making, and even constructing a working catapult. Each week promises captivating experiences for kids of all ages with a new make-and-take activity. This event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Activities are available on […] |
