Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

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

All Weekend

Art Splash Opening Weekend

July 5—7, 10 am—5pm

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

 

Philadelphia Museum of Art’s summer programming, Art Splash, opens with three full days of Pay-What-You-Wish admission, family tours, art making, open studio time, and a kid-friendly gallery hunt. On Saturday from 1—4 pm, meet artist Brian Bazemore as he leads a collaborative art activity in the studio.

Concilio’s Hispanic Fiesta

July 6—7, 2—8 pm

Penn’s Landing

 

Held each year at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, this two-day fiesta features music, dance, entertainment, food, and artisan crafts from various Latin American countries, making it an amazing experience and a true family event for children of all ages.

Tanabata Family Weekend at Shofuso

July 6—7, 11 am–5 pm

Horticultural and Lansdowne drives

 

Celebrate midsummer with Japanese storytelling, traditional music, drop-in origami and calligraphy workshops, and more. Plus, visit the Parks on Tap beer garden!

Parks on Tap: Shofuso

July 3–7

Lansdowne and Horticultural drives, Fairmount Park

 

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden comes to this gorgeous Japanese house and garden in West Fairmount Park. Entry into the Parks on Tap Beer Garden is free and located just outside of the House. If you want to enter the House there is a $5 fee.

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.

Legally Blonde: The Musical

May 14–July 14

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.

 

“Omigod, you guys!” This Broadway musical based on the movie is way too much fun! Follow Elle Woods from the sorority house to the courthouse with lots of upbeat music along the way.

Chinese Lantern Festival

May 1 — July 14

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival brings 2,000 individual works of art consisting of giant sculptures wrapped in colorful silk and filled with thousands of LED lights to Franklin Square. In addition to the lantern displays, there will also be cultural performances, from acrobatics to the art of face-changing. The Chinese Lantern Festival requires tickets during its nighttime display, but access to Franklin Square and the lanterns is free during the day. Check out our preview of the festival here!

Circus Week at the Garden Railway

June 29—July 7

Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue

 

Watch the colorful railroad cars bring the “Big Top” to the garden.

Saturday

Drop-In Baby and Toddler Bubbles

July 6, 8—9 am

Fitness Alive, 1425 Arch St.,

 

Start your weekend off in the pool with this drop-in hour-long class for ages 5 months to 3 years (with a caregiver) that teaches little ones how to feel comfortable and move their bodies in the water, helping them build confidence while exploring new surroundings in a safe, fun and supervised setting. $25 (cash) drop-in.

Turtle Trek and Open House

July 6, 9—11 am

Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600 Verree Rd.

 

Stop in for ongoing crafts and toads and turtles to observe. Then at 11 am, hike the trails in search of reptiles and amphibians. Suggested age for the walk is 5 years and up.

Family Workshop: Iced Tea and Lemonade Mugs

July 6, 10 am—noon

The Clay Studio, 137-139 N. Second St.

 

Learn the basics of handbuilding and make a mug for your fresh squeezed lemonade, iced tea or favorite drink! For ages 4 and up with a caregiver. Pre-register online.

5 and Under Morning at Philly Pumptrack

July 6, 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 Play

July 6, 10:30—11:30 am

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

 

Bring your family for a hike and unstructured nature play with representatives from the NaturePHL program. Climb, explore, and learn more about the many health benefits of outdoor activity. All ages welcome. No registration required.

Philly Comics and Cosplay Day

July 6, 11 am—7 pm

Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

 

Celebrate comics, cosplay, gaming, and more. Tickets available online; free for kids 3 and under.

Saturday Free Boating

July 6, 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.

 

Sunday

Play Without Boundaries at Please Touch Museum

July 7, 9—11 am

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

Enjoy the museum without the large crowds and the loud noises that may be challenging for children with sensory sensitivities. Online registration required.

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Family Art Fest

July 7, 10 am—5 pm

The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

This month, the Renegade Company returns to the Barnes for a new interactive performance that brings an iconic Matisse painting to life—with your help. Come for free for a day of art making, with music from the Philadelphia Jazz Project.

Make Your Own Puppet

July 7, 10 am—2 pm

Liberty Lands, 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.

Meet the Revolution: Cheyney McKnight

July 7—13, 10 am—5 pm

Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. Third St.

 

Join Cheyney McKnight for costumed living history programs about African American culture in early America. McKnight will offer talks on African American women’s headwraps and spiritual practices, a family workshop of African adornments, storytelling, and demonstrations of African American foodways and medicine.

Sundays with PopUp Play

July 7

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.

Kid’s Sip N’ Paint at Cherry Street Pier

July 7, 1—3 pm

121 N. Columbus Boulevard

 

Kid’s Sip n’ Paint is led by published and televised Visual Artist, Event Producer and Graphic Designer, Flygirrl. She will lead the kids through painting a dynamic piece of art that the kids get to take home with them. Reserve your child’s canvas (and juicebox) online.

 

 

 

Photograph courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art.