Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

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

All Weekend

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!

Children’s Day Weekend at Shofuso

May 4—5, 11 am—5 pm

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Horticultural and Lansdowne drives, Fairmount Park

 

Visit Shofuso to see traditional Children’s Day decorations including flying koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) and dolls of traditional folk heroes. Plus, enjoy traditional kamishibai storytelling and a koinobori craft activity! All activities are free with regular admission.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair

May 4—5 and 11—12

Fort Mifflin, Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads

 

Step back in time with a day of costumed actors, performers, crafts, games, and more. Children’s activities include crafts, games, storytime, and even a fun photobooth where children can play with props and costume bits. Both the Knighting Ceremony and Tea Party are open to all children who wish to participate.

Rittenhouse Flower Market

May 4—5, 9 am—2 pm

Rittenhouse Square, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square

 

Now in its 105^th year, this market always brings lots of color, fun, and community to Rittenhouse Square.

Spring Native Plant Sale Week

May 4, 8:30 am—4 pm; and May 5, 9 am—2 pm

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd.

 

Bring the whole family out to the Schuylkill Center’s Spring Native Plant Sale, with local makers, food vendors, a bird walk, and even a perennial planting activity for kids to do for Mother’s Day. Plant experts and knowledgeable volunteers will be available to answer all of your questions and help you find the plants you need.

Treasure Island

April 3–June 9

Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St.

 

Arden stages a retelling of the classic pirate tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. In this version, Emily – a young girl with big dreams – transforms her living room into the wild seas!

Saturday

Science Carnival on the Parkway

May 4, 10 am — 4 pm
Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

The Philadelphia Science Festival ends with a free day of family-friendly entertainment, live performances, experiments, demonstrations, and so much more by more than 150 partners filling the Parkway. There are activities for all ages, including some specifically for kids. Practically every university, hospital, research facility, and cultural institution you can imagine from the Philadelphia area will be in attendance, with hands-on science fun. There is truly something for everyone. Also, foodtrucks galore, because it’s not a carnival without plenty of good eats. For little ones, there’s a special Tot Lot by PNC Grow Up Great; and don’t forget to visit us at the Philly Family table for a fun experiment! See our preview of the whole week in our Family Guide to the Philadelphia Science Festival!

Annenberg Children’s Festival and PlazaMania

May 2—4

3680 Walnut St.

 

The Annenberg Center’s Philadelphia Children’s Festival returns May 2—4, for its 34th year, bringing three days of kid-friendly performances for the whole family. In addition to the performances—which range from circus arts to spoken word poetry—there is the accompanying PlazaMania with free hands-on activities from arts partners from across the city. Whatever your kids’ interests, there is something interesting to see and do. Saturday’s festival includes theater games with Arden Theatre, an instrument petting zoo with Mister John’s Music, making tutus and crowns with the Pennsylvania Ballet, a photobooth, and many more fun arts and craft activities. Plus, face painting, balloon art, and food trucks at an additional cost. Check out our guide to the festival to see which performances you’ll want to attend!

Arden Bookworms

May 4, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

 

Preschoolers (age 2-4) will read Wendell the Narwhal, and then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.

Community Day at Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse

May 4, 10 am—noon

3500 Reservoir Dr.

 

Families are invited for a free day of fun on the playground, music, and a “Meet the Candidates” hour at 10 am, where visitors will hear from candidates currently running for office in Philadelphia. Stay after for storytime with local author John Butler.

Improv 101

May 4, 10 am—1 pm (Grades 6-8) and 2—5 pm (Grades 9-12)

Arden Drama School, Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second St.

 

Teens will use theater games and ensemble exercises designed to take their comedy skills to the next level. Register online.

GiveBack Workshop at National Liberty Museum

May 4, 10:30—noon

321 Chestnut St.

 

For this workshop, a representative from the SPCA will speak to families about animal cruelty and the work they do to protect and care for animals. Families will have the opportunity to participate by creating cat toys which the representative will take back to the shelter. Pre-register online.

Storytime Yoga

May 4, 10:30 am

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Yoga instructor Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a class filled with stories, yoga, and fun for 2- to 5-year-olds and their caregivers.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Play

May 4, 10:30—11:30 am

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd.

 

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

South Street Spring Festival

May 4, 11 am — 8 pm
South Street (between Front and 8th), and along Headhouse Plaza (between South and Lombard)

 

A giant, all-ages outdoor block party takes over South Street with over 30 restaurants serving outside, live music all day, and artists selling their creations.  There will also be the South Street Family Zone with fun games and play areas for little ones. In conjunction with the festival, Brauhaus Schmitz will host its 7th annual Maifest, with German beers, dancers, music, food, flower headbands, and even a Maypole.

Mt. Airy Day

May 4, 11 am—5 pm

Cliveden, 6400 Germantown Ave.

 

Enjoy live music, food, shopping, and tours of the historical house in this annual community day. There will also be a KidZone with games, face painting, and more.

PNC Grow Up Great

May 4, 11 am

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

 

Kids will enjoy a free performance from the Youth Troupe of The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.

Free Comic Book Day

May 4

Brave New Worlds, 55 N. Second St. and Atomic City Comics, 638 South St.

 

Stop by and get a free comic book, plus special deals and celebration!

Tacony LAB Art Club for Kids

May 4, 11 am—2 pm (Toddler Time from 11 am—noon; Ages 5 and up from noon—2 pm)

6918 Torresdale Avenue

 

On Saturdays, the Tacony LAB holds free art activities for kids. Stop in to draw, paint and create! Mural Arts Philadelphia teaching artists lead Art Club meetings, organizing projects and developing creative skills. 11 am to noon will be toddler time for ages 2-4; then noon to 2 pm will be for ages 5 and up.

Port Richmond Pierogi Fest

May 4, noon—5 pm

Campbell Square, Belgrade St. and E. Allegheny Ave.

 

Celebrate all things pierogi with many different pierogi vendors and even a demonstration tent where you can learn to make your own! Plus crafts, vendors, live music, and kids’ activities such as face painting, moon bounces, balloon artists, henna artists, and caricature art.

Submergence Saturdays at Independence Seaport Museum

May 4, noon—4 pm

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard

 

 

On the first Saturday of every month through September, guests can add on a guided tour of the submarine Becuna’s conning tower as well as deepen their knowledge of its historic significance. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and entertain visitors with their own sea stories from their time in the service. Plus, kids can take part in Seafarin’ Saturday from 1:30—3:30 pm, where they can learn about the fish Becuna was named after, and create their own to take home.

Penn Museum Culturefest: African and Diasporic Cultures

May 4, 1—5 pm

3260 South St.

 

Gather with family and friends to explore cultural connections and continuities through art making, mask making, live performances, drumming and other musical demonstrations, film screenings, a storytelling circle, an African inspired marketplace, and workshops for all ages. Hosted in partnership with The Colored Girls Museum.

Mindfully Me Workshop

May 4, 1—2 pm

Momo’s Tree House, 2207 South St.

 

Child therapist Kellie Cathey will guide children ages 5-10 to build the mindfulness skills they need to thrive in the world. 100% of ticket sales will go to Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Indonesian Festival

May 4, 1—4 pm

Southwark School, 1835 S. Ninth St.

 

Enjoy food and activities showcasing one of many cultures that are part of the Southwark community.

Free Performance by Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society

May 4, 1 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

The Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society will give a free performance of the traditional art of Chinese Opera. Recommended for school age and up.

May the Fourth Be With You!

May 4, 2—2:45 pm

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave.

 

 

Kids can celebrate Star Wars Day with games, crafts, and the chance to win a cool surprise! Recommended for ages 6 and up.  Supplies are limited; first come, first served.

Acro Yoga Workshop at Philly InMovement

May 4, 4:30—6:30 pm

InMovement Bella Vista, 610 S. Percy Street

 

Playfully explore both individually and together through games, shapes, and new movement pathways in this acro yoga workshop for ages 3-8. Register online.

Family Swim Night

May 4, 5—7 pm

Fitness Alive, 1425 Arch St.

 

Fitness Alive’s monthly open-swim night is open to one and all, and it’s open house-style, too, which means you can come and splash around any time during the two-hour window. Advanced sign up (online) is strongly encouraged to guarantee your entry.

Kentucky Derby Party at Woodford Mansion

May 4, 5—8 pm

2300 N. 33^rd St.

 

Dress in your best Derby attire to watch the race, enter a hat contest, enjoy adult beverages, play games, and more. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Sunday

Broad Street Run—Dunkin’ Munchkin Zone

May 5, 7:30—10 am

Navy Yard, 4747 S. Broad Street

 

If you’re coming to cheer on family and friends, station yourself at the Navy Yard for a morning of kids’ fun! Events for your little runners include the Diaper Derby, the Dunkin’ Munchkin Run, and dashes for all ages, face painting, clowns and more. $5 per child (free for kids age 2 and under)

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Creative Creatures

May 5, 10 am—5 pm

Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a day focused on alebrijes (colorful Mexican folk art of fantastical animals).  See an exhibit of alebrijes, hear creative stories, and watch talented young musicians from Philadelphia. Plus, Pinkalicious (from the books and PBS show) is stopping by the Barnes at 10 am and noon!

Family Festival: Playful Prints

May 5, 10 am—3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, and discover the work of Japanese master Yoshitoshi, enjoy a family tour, and watch a printmaking demo. Plus, experiment with the Japanese printmaking technique mokuhanga with guest artist Jennifer Mack-Watkins.

Artmaking and Storytelling at Woodmere Art Museum

May 5, 11 am—noon

9201 Germantown Ave.

 

Introduce your preschoolers (age 3-5) to the enjoyment of art through stories and artmaking. Enjoy reading picture books in the galleries, followed by an art project.

Cinco de Mayo Block Party

May 5, 11 am

El Rey, 2013 Chestnut St.

 

Celebrate with food and drink specials, live mariachi and DJ sets, and games and activities for all ages.

Kids Sip n’ Paint at Cherry Street Pier

May 5, 1—3 pm

121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

On the first Sunday of every month, Flygirrl will lead the kids through painting a dynamic piece of art that they’ll get to take home with them. Reserve your child’s canvas (and juicebox) online.

Sundays on Stage: Colors of India

May 5, 2 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Join the four dancers of AATMA Performing Arts on for a free performance that charts the evolution of Indian dance.

‘The NeverEnding Story’ at South Street Cinema

May 5, 4—6 pm

327 South St.

 

Enjoy the 80s fantasy classic on the big screen!

 

 

 

 

Photograph courtesy of Philadelphia Science Festival.