High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: June 29–30
Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.
All Weekend
Wawa Welcome America
June 29—July 4
No one celebrates July 4th like the birthplace of liberty, and we’ve picked out all the can’t miss events, from free museum days to all-out block parties (and of course fireworks) for you, right here!
All-American Celebration at National Constitution Center
June 29—July 4
525 Arch St.
Visitors can participate in a variety of family-friendly programs and activities, including flag etiquette and flag folding workshops, arts and craft activities, and interactive shows every day. Plus, get free admission on July 2 (along with a free Wawa hoagie on the lawn!)
‘CATS’
June 18—30
Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.
One of the longest running Broadway musicals of all time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spectacle CATS comes to Philly in its North American tour. Tickets available online, including weekend matinees.
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
June 29, 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.
Northern Liberties Music Fest and Flea Market
June 29, 9 am—10 pm
Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. Third St.
Flea market (9 am—2 pm), live music (4—10 pm), and food.
Family Workshop: Succulent Planters on the Wheel
June 29, 10 am—noon
The Clay Studio, 137-139 N. Second St.
Learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel in this workshop focused on making a planter for your flowers or succulents. For ages 4 and up with a caregiver. Pre-register online.
Boxing + Brunch
June 29, 10 am–2 pm
WeWork Northern Liberties, 1010 N. Hancock St.
Boxing + Brunch is a half-day workout and workshop for teenage girls to help them build confidence and create connections through fun and fitness! Tickets available online.
Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families
June 29, 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.
The Philly Ice Cream Scoop
June 29, 11 am–5 pm
Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Filbert streets
14 of the region’s best ice cream artisans join forces with dozens of Reading Terminal Market’s own merchants to offer ice cream specials galore. Join in ice cream eating contests, games, activities, and demonstrations throughout the day while enjoying live music and other entertainment! Admission to the event and all activities are free; ice cream is pay-as-you-go.
The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret for Kids
June 29, 11 am
Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.
Martha Graham Cracker is doing a special show for the kids out there — and the kid inside of you. She’ll sing with her band. She’ll tell stories about her childhood. She’ll read a book. She’ll take questions from the kids in the audience. The run-time for this performance will be approximately 60 minutes. Martha says that if this show were a movie, it would be rated somewhere between G and PG. Tickets available online.
Clark Park Music and Arts Festival
June 29, 11 am—7 pm
43rd and Chestnut streets
A day of live music, local craft vendors, delicious food trucks, pop up art displays, and face painting for the kids!
Discovery Day
June 29, 11 am—3 pm
The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Dr.
Free admission, free zip lining, and more! Join Audubon Pennsylvania for a bird walk around the reservoir, make your own owl mask, and have some fun at the wing and feather touch station.
Indoor Goat Yoga
June 29, 11 am—noon
98 E. Cliveden St.
Goat yoga will be held in a heated indoor barn at Cliveden in historic Germantown. Participants in this all-levels class will have 45 minutes of guided time on the mat while Nigerian Dwarf goats cuddle, play, and meet you in down-dog. There will be 15 minutes at the end of class to take selfies and photos with the goats. Pre-registration is required, as this often sells out! Kids are welcome, and their tickets are discounted.
Family Tour and Artmaking at Woodmere Art Museum
June 29, 11 am—12:30 pm
9201 Germantown Avenue
Enjoy a special family guided program that explores art made by contemporary Philadelphia artists exhibiting in the Woodmere Annual exhibition. The program concludes with a related art making project. All ages.
Saturday Free Boating
June 22, 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.
Summer Series Community Concert at Old Pine Community Center
June 29, noon—2 pm
401 Lombard St.
Enjoy music by Eric Jaffe, balloon art, and a selfie station.
Philadelphia Taco Festival
June 29, 2—8 pm
Xfinity Live, 1100 Pattison Ave.
An afternoon filled with a variety of tacos, margaritas, live entertainment, and a kids’ fun zone including face painters, bounce houses, piñata smashing contests, carnival games, and more. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.
Free Session: Around the World with the Geography Lady
June 29, 3 pm
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd Street
Come for a free fun storytime for children ages 0-2 (with caregiver) to learn about different countries and cultures through stories, pictures, games, sensory, music and movement, snacks, and more.
‘Annie’
June 29, 7 pm
Venice Island Performing Arts Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street
The Star Players of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation present ‘Annie’ the musical!
Freedom Rocks the Park
June 29, 5—9 pm
Penn Treaty Park, 1199 N. Delaware Ave.
Free concert followed by fireworks over the river.
United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” Concert (and Fireworks)
June 29, 8—10 pm
Penn’s Landing
A free concert of old standards, new hits, and patriotic tunes; followed by a spectacular fireworks display above the Delaware River!
Mt. Airy Moonlight Movie: ‘The Jungle Book’
June 29, sunset
Trolley Car Diner, 7619 Germantown Ave.
Grab some dinner and ice cream, then settle in for a screening of the live-action version of Disney’s The Jungle Book.
Sunday
Free Admission: One Liberty Observation Deck
June 30, 8 am—noon (strict timeframe)
1650 Market St. #5700
One Liberty Observation Deck will open two hours early to give visitors a free look at “Philly From The Top.” Due to limited capacity, pre-registered tickets are encouraged but not required for entry. Please note free entrance will be on a first come first serve basis, and is not guaranteed, so come early! The first 1,000 guests to pre-register will receive a free Philadelphia souvenir upon entry. Guests who pre-register but are unable to enter prior to noon, will be granted complimentary access on June 30.
Zoo Member Morning Strolls
June 30, 8:30—9:30 am
Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
Beat the crowds (and the heat) and visit the zoo an hour early! Then stick around for the first Rock n’ Roar concert of the season!
Rock ’n’ Roar at the Philadelphia Zoo
June 30, 10–10:45 am
Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
This fun morning concert series is a great reason to stop in at the zoo! The concert is included with zoo admission, and free for members.
‘Dinosaurs Around the World’ Opening Day
June 30, 10 am—5 pm
Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
“Dinosaurs Around the World” introduces visitors to more than a dozen animatronic dinosaurs on a voyage around the world. Find out how continental drift, sea level fluctuations and volcanic activity allowed dinosaurs to disperse to all corners of the globe. The exhibit opens Sunday and runs through January 20, 2020.
Fort Mifflin: Freedom Blast!
June 30, 10 am—4 pm
6400 Hog Island Road
Enjoy free guided tours, blacksmithing, and Revolutionary War soldier life demonstrations along with hands-on living history activities, uniform, and weapon and cannon demonstrations. Join the Continental Army and learn to drill with a wooden musket! The event will happen rain or shine as many activities are indoors or under cover.
Circus Midway at FringeArts
June 30, 11 am–3 pm
Columbus Boulevard and Race Street
Learn the art of the circus at these free outdoor workshops. Teachers and performers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts teach attendees basic aerial acrobatics, juggling, plate spinning, tight wire and more! The event will also feature short circus performances, including one from the school’s Youth Troupe. Free and fun for all ages and abilities!
Theatre Exile presents ‘Whisper’s Gone’ by MJ Kaufman
June 30, 11 am and 5 pm
Dickinson Square Park, Fourth and Tasker streets
Bring a blanket, picnic, and loved one to attend a “Whisper’s Gone” performance at a neighborhood park near you. The family-friendly show is 55-minutes long and free to attend. This comedic and heartwarming story of a 9-year-old girl touches on family dynamics, divorce, growing up transgender, sibling loyalty, and, of course, time-travel!
Sundays with PopUp Play
June 30
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.
Historic Philadelphia Block Party
June 30, noon—7 pm
Fifth and Sixth streets between Market and Chestnut streets
Celebrate in style with a massive block party featuring food trucks, live music, historical reenactors and pop-up performers (including stilt walkers!), and much more. There will also be the Kids Zone, which will be programmed specifically for young attendees.
Gospel on Independence
June 30, 7–8:30 pm
Independence Mall, 520 Chestnut St.
Bring chairs or blankets for a free evening of joyful music. Bask in the beautiful chords from a 100-voice choir from churches all across the city.
Philly @ The Movies: ‘Rocky’ on the Steps
June 30, 5:30—9:30 pm
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Watching Rocky on the Art Museum steps has become a tradition during the week of July 4th in Philadelphia. Enjoy a Philly-centric night on the famous steps, complete with a Rocky and Creed look-alike contest and more entertainment prior to the free screening at 7 pm. Free treats and blankets while supplies last.
Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.
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