Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

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

All Weekend

Wizard World Comic Con

Parks on Tap: Belmont Plateau

June 12-16

 

Our favorite family-friendly beer garden hits a place called the plateau (Will Smith tells us it’s where everybody goes).

Flag Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution

June 14—16
101 S, Third St.

 

Throughout this weekend, add a stitch to a reproduction of a Revolutionary flag, design your own flag, and try cutting a six-pointed star like the one on the Washington Standard. You can also compete in an interactive “capture the flag” challenge in the museum’s galleries and join hands-on activities inspired by the work of flagmaker Rebecca Flower Young, who advertised “all kinds of colours” for the Revolutionary cause from her shop here in Philadelphia.

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 — June 30

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!

Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

Open daily through Labor Day
100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia

 

A quarter-mile of track weaves its way through an intricate display featuring Philadelphia-area landmarks made of natural materials like bark, pinecones, and stones. Model trains and cable cars navigate the tunnels, bridges, and turns all set against the beautiful garden backdrop. The Garden Railway is one of the true highlights of the incredible Morris Arboretum, and is always a kid favorite. The exhibit runs daily through Labor Day.

Saturday

Drop-In Baby and Toddler Bubbles

June 15, 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.

Community Gardens Day

June 15, 10 am—2 pm

 

Across the city, more than 50 vibrant and unique community gardens and shared open spaces will be blooming with exciting activities for all ages — from garden tours, workshops, and demonstrations, to music, kids’ activities and BBQs. Check their map and schedule online to find an event near you.

Stars and Stripes Saturday

June 15, 10 am—5 pm

Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.

 

To close out Flag Fest, the Betsy Ross House will host a free daylong carnival with games, live entertainment, and more. Enjoy circus arts, puppet shows, storytelling, and games, in the courtyard of Betsy Ross House. And of course, Betsy will be there too!

Donuts with Dad at Nest

June 15, 10 am—noon

1301 Locust St.

 

Kids will create a craft and enjoy dad-themed storytime in the Playspace. Free for members or with a daypass.

Disability Pride Celebration

June 15, 10 am—1 pm

Begins at National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.), ends at Dilworth Park (1 S. 15^th St.)

 

A citywide day promoting visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities within their communities. Activities will begin on the National Constitution Center’s front lawn at 10 am with a flag raising ceremony, arts and craft activities, and speeches. At 11 am the Disability Pride Parade kicks off from Independence Mall and continues down Market Street to Dilworth Park, where the celebration continues with additional performances and special guest speakers.

Airplane Day at Fort Mifflin

June 15, 10 am—4 pm

6400 Hog Island Road

 

Learn about all things airplane at this high flying event. Tickets available online.

Designed to be Super

June 15, 10:30 am—noon and 1:30—3 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20^th St.

 

A super-interactive tech workshop exploring the power behind superpowers, with a make-and-take illuminated superhero mask. Explore some of the other ways heroes are using technology, design, and critical thinking skills to “fight crime and save the world.” For ages 8-14. Tickets available online.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

June 15, 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.

Flyers Summer Bash with Gritty at Photo Pop Philly

June 15, 11 am—2 pm

The Bourse, 111 S. Independence Mall E.

 

Gritty is coming! Photo Pop Philly features a jellybean mural of the crazy Flyers mascot, so it was only a matter of time until he came to visit. Meet Gritty, enter to win Flyers giveaways, play lawn games, and take a million pictures! Tickets available online.

Organ Day at the Kimmel Center

June 15, 11 am—5 pm

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

 

This annual event provides six hours of free musical performances at the Kimmel Center including a Grow Up Great storytelling concert, a performance by the Pennsylvania Ballet, and lots of organ music. You can even lie down on the stage and feel the vibrations of the organ as it plays!

Philly Food Truck Festival

June 15, 11 am—5 pm

FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Ave.

 

Free family event with over 20 food trucks, vendors, live music, pie contest, raffle table, carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting, sand art, balloon art, and more. Plus say hi to mascots from Philadelphia Soul and Philadelphia Union, who will also bring fun sports activities for the kids! 100% of the proceeds will benefit sending children with autism and their families to summer camp programs and other events throughout the year.

‘A Normal Pig’ Book Launch

June 15, 11 am

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Meet K-Fai Steele, the author and illustrator of the new book A Normal Pig for a special storytime and book signing party! Attendees will also get a drawing lesson and the opportunity to purchase a special signed copy of the book with a personalized drawing.

Saturday Free Boating

June 15, 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.

Father’s Day at The Logan Hotel

June 15, 11:30 am—1 pm

One Logan Square

 

The hotel will host a complimentary DIY Bloody Mary bar for all the Dads and some fun lawn games for a morning of manly relaxation! You don’t need to be a hotel guest to participate in this free event.

Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival at Johnson House Historic Site

June 15, noon—7 pm
6300 Block of Germantown Avenue (between Washington Lane and Johnson Street)

 

The festival kicks off at noon on the 6300 block of Germantown Avenue, and you view exhibits on freedom throughout the block. There will also be live entertainment, historical reenactments, a beer and hard cider garden, a cultural marketplace, and tours of the historic sites. For the little ones, the children’s village will have baby goats, face painting, arts and crafts, and a moon bounce. At 1 pm and 3 pm, the Grounded Theatre Company will present a site-specific performance of The Slave Narratives, based on interviews of formerly enslaved people gathered during the 1930s.

Pizzadelphia

June 15, noon—4

The Navy Yard, 4747 S. Broad St.

 

This celebration of our pizza makers, pizza lovers, and all things pizza returns for a second year. Sample pizza from over 30 different restaurants, enjoy musical entertainment, visit the Pizza Talk Stage for demos and chef Q&As, and more. Tickets available online.

Battle of Fort Mifflin Cruise

June 15, noon

Departs from Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

 

Calling all history buffs! The forgotten battlefield of the American Revolution comes to life on the Delaware River as you set sail to Fort Mifflin. With interpretive guides telling tales and historic maps guiding your way, visitors will retrace the route British ships took to resupply their occupying army in Philadelphia, leading to the pivotal Battle of Fort Mifflin, as explored in Independence Seaport Museum’s new exhibit, The British Mistake. Pre-register online.

Father’s Day in the MakerSpace at Independence Seaport Museum

June 15, 2 — 4 pm
211 S. Columbus Blvd.

Create a custom laser-cut wood picture frame in the MakerSpace, complete with your own design. Make sure to snap a picture that can be printed out before you leave! Suitable for ages 5 and up. Pre-register online.

Critter Crafternoon with Snapology

June 15, 2 — 4 pm

PHS Pop Up Garden, 36^th and Filbert streets

 

Join Snapology of Philadelphia and The Main Line to create butterflies, insects, flowers, root systems and more with K’nex, then let your child’s imagination go wild with free-building.

Kids Mocktail Happy Hour

June 15, 2—4 pm

Kensington Community Food Co-Op

2670 Coral St.

 

Socialize in the outdoor patio space over some drinks while your kids play with chalk and bubbles and enjoy their mocktails.

Drag Storytime

June 15, 3:30 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

John Jarboe, artist and artistic director of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, will share stories and sing songs by Fred Rogers. John’s spirit, skills, and spectacle will connect with kids of all ages.

Kid’s Party Night at Pinnacle Parkour Academy

June 15, 4—6:30 pm

3500 Scotts Lane

 

Let the kids loose for a fun-filled night at PPK Philly. Tickets available online.

40th Street Summer Series

June 15, 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! This month, Stargazer Lily and Ashley Phillips perform.

Movies @ The Mann: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’

June 15, 8 pm
Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.

 

The “Movies @ The Mann” series pairs an outdoor movie experience with a live orchestra performance. While you watch the film, the orchestra performs the score! Tickets available online.

Sunday

Philadelphia Father’s Day Run

June 16, 8:30 am (registration starts at 7 am)

Paine’s Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

This 5K run/walk raises awareness and funds to beat prostate cancer. Wear your best tie or bowtie to honor dads on Father’s Day—there will be a prize for the best tie!

Member Morning Strolls at Philadelphia Zoo

June 16, 8:30—9:30 am

3400 W. Girard Ave.

 

Available only to members of Philadelphia Zoo, Member Morning Strolls are a unique way to enjoy America’s first zoo in an exclusive and private setting before the zoo opens to the public.

Father’s Day at Craft Hall

June 16, 10 am—3 pm

Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Ave.

 

Grab brunch and have the kids hit up the card-making stations (before they play on the pirate ship, of course) to make a Father’s Day greeting!

Bloomsday at the Rosenbach

June 16, 11 am—8 pm

2008-2010 Delancey Place

 

Celebrate Leopold Bloom’s fictional journey through the streets of Dublin, as imagined in James Joyce’s epic Ulysses. This free festival features a day-long reading of Ulysses by various public figures, musical performances inspired by the novel, a beer garden, and food vendors. In the event of rain Bloomsday will be moved to The Philadelphia School at 25th and South streets.

Sundays with PopUp Play

June 16

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.

Father’s Day Mug Workshop at East Falls Glassworks

June 16, noon—3 pm
3510 Scotts Lane

 

This hands-on experience introduces students to the excitement of manipulating molten glass to make a mug in a professional glassblowing studio. East Falls Glassworks will provide all of the materials, equipment, and instructors that will help you through the process. For ages 13 and up, all skill levels welcome. Pre-registration is required.

Drag Queen Storytime at Please Touch Museum

June 16, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

Missed out on June 2? The Please Touch Museum is bringing Drag Queen Storytime back for another day!

Springfield Mills Demonstration Day

June 16, 1—4 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 guided tours and demonstrations.

Father’s Day Celebration at AAMP

June 16, 2—6 pm

African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.

 

An exciting day of activities, art, music, and good food to celebrate Dad! Plus, make a special Father’s Day gift. Tickets available online.

Cake Workshop: Daddy and Me Under the Sea

June 16, 2—3:30 pm

Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Ave.

 

Decorate a fun cake with cake artist and owner of Ella Vanilla, Noelle DeSantis. Kids ages 5 to 8 and their parent will decorate one 6-inch vanilla cake with vanilla icing in a fun under the sea theme. Purchase class by emailing Info@EllaVanilla.com or calling (215) 909-9392.

Father’s Day BBQ at Adventure Aquarium

June 16, 6–8 pm
Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey

 

Treat Dad to an after-hours aquarium visit with a barbecue buffet, beer garden, and DJ dance party. Tickets must be purchased in advance—there will be no day-of tickets sold.

 

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz.