Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.

All Weekend

Final Weekend of The Oval+

Wednesdays-Sundays, through August 18

Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; also see “blocks” at Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and Van Colln Park

 

This colorful transformation of Eakins Oval (and beyond, hence the plus symbol) brings four weeks of fun for all ages to the Parkway, from a beer garden for grownups to storytimes for little ones, and so much more. We’ll be sharing can’t-miss events below, but you can read our preview of the whole pop-up here!

Delaware River Waterfront

The Blue Cross RiverRink, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Cherry Street Pier open full-time for the summer this weekend with skating, rides, food, and lots more family fun.

Parks on Tap: Burholme Park

August 14–18

401 Cottman Ave.

 

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to the Northeast! There will be food, beer on tap, wine, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages in a festive outdoor environment featuring comfortable chairs and hammocks. The park also houses the Burholme Golf Center, a family-friendly activity center which includes mini-golf, a golf range, arcade games, and more.

Saturday

Zoo Member Morning Strolls

August 17, 8:30—9:30 am

Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.

 

Beat the crowds (and the heat) and visit the zoo an hour early!

Teen Events at Parkway Central Library

August 17, 9 am—3 pm

1901 Vine St.

 

The Teen Center at the library is full of activities for teens ages 12-18 on Saturday. First, start the morning off with Saturday morning cartoons at 9 am. At noon, it’s Self-Care Saturday, where teens can explore efforts and crafts to help meet their physical, emotional, and mental health needs. And at 2 pm, visit the teen Maker Studio for a craft project.

The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier

August 17, 10 am—2 pm

121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

Every Saturday, The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier will bring fresh, affordable food from area culinary entrepreneurs, and features some of Philadelphia’s best creative sellers, independent retailers, and visual and performing artists.

Celebrating 200 Years of Judge William Lewis’s Legacy

August 17, 10 am–4 pm

2450 Strawberry Mansion Drive

 

Historic Strawberry Mansion celebrates the 200th anniversary of Judge William Lewis’s legacy with reduced admission, storytelling, and fruit picking. Strawberry Mansion is offering reduced $2 admission both days, representing 200 years. Admission includes meet and greet with a storyteller from Historic Philadelphia who will tell the story of Judge William Lewis from 11 am to 1 pm.

Kid Friendly Hike with Marv Schwartz

August 17, 10 am—noon

Valley Green Inn

 

This 2.2-mile hike takes participants along Forbidden Drive and on wooded trails. Registration is recommended.

5 and Under Morning at Philly Pumptrack

August 17, 10 am—noon

5300 Parkside Ave.

 

Philly Pumptrack holds a 5 and under only session for little ones who want to ride! Closed toed shoes and helmets are required. Loaner bikes and helmets will be available, but are limited.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

August 17, 10:30—11:30 am

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

 

Gather in the Visitor Center before hitting the trails for a guided exploration. Each week explores a different theme. All ages welcome. No registration required.

Kids at Greensgrow

August 17, 11 am—noon

Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland St.

 

Students will learn all about healthy eating. This program is recommended for ages 5-10, and a parent is required to accompany their child during the class.

Family Design Workshop

August 17, 11 am—12:30 pm

The Oval’s “MAKE” block, in front of the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

 

Dive into the design process through stories and fun activities each week.

Saturday Free Boating

August 17, 11 am—3 pm

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

 

Kayak or rowboat on this quiet stretch of the Schuylkill River. No registration or boating experience necessary! Kayak excursions limited to 30 minutes, rowboat excursions limited to 45 minutes. All ages are welcome, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Revisiting Fife and Drum with the Philadelphia Jazz Project

August 17, 11 am and 1 pm

Museum of the American Revolution, 101 Third St.

 

Join the Philadelphia Jazz Project for a contemporary interpretation on a fife and drum performance. This concert will explore the historic military roots of this music, while also observing the African and Afro Caribbean elements that continued to develop into the 20th century.

Festival of India

August 17, noon—7 pm

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

 

This free festival celebrates India’s Independence Day while highlighting our region’s vibrant Indian American community with art, music, dance, and cuisine.

Indonesian Festival

August 17, 2—8 pm

Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

Celebrate Indonesian Independence Day with food, live music, dance performances, and more.

Mermaid Cake Workshop

August 17, 2—4:30 pm

Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Ave.

 

Come create this magical mermaid cake with cake artist Noelle DeSantis, owner of Ella Vanilla. You’ll leave with a fully decorated 4-inch vanilla cake that serves 1 to 4 people. For beginner adults and kids ages 12 and up. Pre-register by email at Info@EllaVanilla.com or by phone at (215) 909-9392.

PopUpPlay at The Oval

August 17, 2—3 pm

“PLAY” block, Von Colln Park

 

PopUpPlay brings STEAM fun for the whole family! This week, design your own mini-golf course.

Story UP at The Oval

August 17, 3—4 pm

“MAKE” block, in front of the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

 

Join Story UP! for a unique adventure as improvisational actors present an interactive show based on ideas and stories from the child audience, with the kids taking part all the way! Recommended for ages 3-12, but all ages are welcome.

Miriam Peskowitz: ‘Code Like a Girl’

August 17, 4—6 pm

Mt. Airy Nexus, 520 Carpenter Lane

 

Local author Miriam Peskowitz launches her new book Code Like a Girl: Rad Tech Projects and Practical Tips.

40th Street Summer Series

August 17, 6 pm

39th and Walnut streets

 

The Summer Series includes giveaways, activities for kids, and great music! Activities begin at 5 pm, and the performances start at 6 pm. Bring chairs or blankets and get ready to have fun!

Movie in the Park: ‘Tangled’

August 17, 8—11 pm (activities start at 6 pm)

Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., Burholme Park

 

It’s Parks on Tap in Burholme Park, so Saturday night they are stepping it up with a screening of Tangled. Games, crafts, food, and face painting start at 6 pm; movie starts at 8 pm.

Super Movie Saturdays

August 17, 8:30 pm

Franklin Square, Sixth and Race streets

 

As part of Franklin Square’s Summer Splash, there will be free movie screenings every week in August. Movie begins at approximately 8:30 pm, but come early to buy some movie snacks at the square. Every week will be a superhero movie—this week is Spider-Man:Into the Spider-Verse!

Sunday

Historic Sewing 102: Make an Apron

August 18, 10 am—5 pm

Museum of the American Revolution, 101 Third St.

 

Learn the fundamentals of 18th-century dress and what it reveals about the Revolution in this hands-on workshop. Spend the day learning traditional skills and working with your hands, beginning with a close look at objects in the museum’s galleries as inspiration for your own creations. Then, try your hand at creating your own replica to take home. No prior sewing experience is required in this workshop suitable for adults and families with children ages 10 and up. Tickets available online.

Make Your Own Puppet

August 18, 10 am—2 pm

Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. Third Street

 

Company Aiello is hosting workshops in puppet construction using recycled materials. By working with what is typically seen as trash, learn to build a world that is a little more sustainable, and to think more about what we toss out. Fun for the whole family! All materials are provided: newspaper, tape, and an assortment of other found objects. Pay what you can, $10 suggested.

Franklin Square Fun in the Sun-days

August 18, 11 am—6 pm

Sixth and Race streets

 

Franklin Square hosts lawn games, musical chairs, bocce, and volleyball on the Great Lawn with fun for all ages, and prizes. Plus, yoga at 11 am, Storytime with Mother Goose from noon to 2 pm, and daytime fountain shows from noon to 2 pm.

Solly Stables Open House and Picnic

August 18, 11 am—3 pm

1140 Solly Ave.

 

Come for a fun-filled day with riding demonstrations, raffles, food, refreshments, and more.

Paris Bistro and Jazz Cafe’s Family Friendly Brunch

August 18, 11:30 am

8235 Germantown Ave.

 

Paris Bistro and Jazz Cafe’s monthly Family Friendly Brunch travels back in time to the 90s with live music by Torn & Ironic. Dancing encouraged! Make reservations online.

Sundays with PopUp Play

August 18

11:30 am—12:30 pm at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd.

3–4 pm at Piazza Pod Park, 1069 Germantown Ave.

 

Each week, enjoy a variety of free, themed, kid-friendly activities the whole family will love. From building catapults and forts to special sea creatures, this interactive program celebrates the magic of play through art, music, and science.

Barcade Family Day

August 18, noon—5 pm

1114 Frankford Ave.

 

Barcade will have a kids’ menu, arcade games, and fun for the whole family!

Caribbean Festival

August 18, noon—8 pm

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

 

Celebrate 14 gorgeous islands coming together to showcase their beauty through arts and crafts, authentic cuisine, entertainment, a children’s corner, a steel band, and more.

Springfield Mills Demonstration Day

August 18, 1 pm

Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

 

Bring your family to explore the arboretum’s historic grist mill situated along the picturesque Wissahickon Creek. For ages 3 and up.

PAFA Family Art Academy: Recycled Creations

August 18, 2—4 pm

PAFA, 118-128 N. Broad St.

 

Get inspired by the exhibition From the Schuylkill to the Hudson: Landscapes of the Early American Republic and explore eco-consciousness through art by crafting original 3D sculptures made out of recycled plastic. Free admission.

Sundays on Stage: Thunderbird American Indian Dancers

August 18, 2 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Performed by the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, Yah-Oh-Way, meaning “it is good” in Hopi, highlights the depth and complexity of Native American societies with traditional dances and songs, along with explanations of their origins and meanings.

Let’s Rock Recess!

August 18, 2—7 pm

The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

A kids DJ dance party in the beer garden of The Oval! There will be games, dancing, prizes, and more! Plus, have fun at the pop-up park all day!

Outdoor Movie: ‘Inside Out’

August 18, 3—5 pm

Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

Whether you’re a child or young at heart, all are welcome to a family-friendly screening of Inside Out. Food available on site.

Theatre in the X presents ‘The Beast of Nubia’

August 18, 5 pm

Malcolm X Park, 52^nd and Pine streets

 

Theatre in the X presents a free performance of The Beast of Nubia, a grand adventure filled with romance and excitement. Bring your own chair.

Great on Skates presents Blast from the Past

August 18, 7:30—11 pm
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest

 

This family-friendly evening will feature mixes of music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s by DJ Mar. Get your retro outfit ready, because trophies will be awarded to the best-dressed skaters.

 

 

 

Photograph by Matt Stanley.