Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Top Free Festivals and Attractions
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Through Sept. 1
WHERE: Penn’s Landing, Phila.
WHAT: This so-called “urban beach” by the Delaware River houses a roller rink, mini golf, a boathouse-style lodge, food and drink, boardwalk games, a midway with a carousel and a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
Wawa Welcome America
WHEN: Through July 4
WHERE: Multiple venues, Phila.
WHAT: Celebrate the Fourth of July with free movie screenings, admission to participating museums, block parties, patriotic performances, fireworks and the July 4 concert featuring big-name stars and local favorites.
PECO Multicultural Series
WHEN: Multiple dates
WHERE: Penn’s Landing, Phila.
WHAT: Celebrate cultures around the globe during a succession of outdoor festivals that highlight traditions, music, dance, art and cuisine.
Upcoming dates:
Hispanic Fiesta, July 6 & 7
Islamic Heritage Festival, July 13
ACANA African Festival, Aug. 4
Festival of India, Aug. 17
Caribbean Festival, Aug. 18
Brazilian Day Philadelphia, Sept. 8
Mexican Independence Day Festival, Sept. 15
The Oval
WHEN: July 19-mid Aug.
WHERE: Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Phila.
WHAT: This pop-up park plays host to games, outdoor movie nights, fitness classes, a beer garden, fitness classes and a rotating lineup of food trucks.
East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival
WHEN: July 28
WHERE: E. Passyunk Ave. between Broad & Dickinson Sts., Phila.
WHAT: In addition to an array of antique, show, classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles, families can expect a craft show, live music, food vendors and a kids’ area with a moonbounce and roaming stilt walkers.
Philly Free Streets
WHERE: Aug. 3
WHEN: N. Broad St. between Butler & Arch Sts., Phila.
WHAT: Ever wanted to walk in the middle of the road? You can do just that during this event that closes a stretch of North Broad to vehicle traffic. Take the opportunity to stroll or bike, play and explore neighborhoods along the route.
2nd Street Festival
WHEN: Aug. 4
WHERE: N. 2nd St. from Germantown Ave. to Brown St., Phila.
WHAT: The Northern Liberties neighborhood serves as the backdrop for a Philly-centric lineup of bands on three stages, more than 150 food, drink and merchandise vendors and several food trucks.
Night Market Philadelphia
WHEN: Aug. 15 & Oct. 3
WHERE: Fairmount & Point Breeze neighborhoods, Phila.
WHAT: Typically held four times annually in different areas of the city — with two dates left this year — visitors to this pop-up street festival can dine al fresco at dozens of food trucks and nearby restaurants. Entertainment for kids is often on tap, too.
Scarecrow Festival
WHEN: Sept. 14 & 15
WHERE: Peddler’s Village, New Hope
WHAT: Fall family fun includes scarecrow-making workshops, pumpkin painting, live musical entertainment and the popular scarecrow competition & display.
Delco Arts Week
WHEN: Sept. 21-28
WHERE: Multiple venues
WHAT: Explore the local arts scene during 50-plus events, many of which are free. You’ll find movie screenings, concerts, workshops, tours and dance performances.
Midtown Village Fall Festival
WHEN: Oct. 5
WHERE: 13th & Chestnut Sts., Phila.
WHAT: While parents explore merchant & vendor displays, crafters and food & drink sampling, little ones are kept busy with performances and kids’ activities.
Old City Fest
WHEN: Oct. 13
WHERE: N. 3rd & Arch Sts., Phila..
WHAT: Artists and entertainers put their creativity on display while families enjoy exhibits, fun for kids and vendors.
The Barnes Foundation
Free Days at Local Museums
Bank of America Museums on Us
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders score one free admission to participating museums on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month. Be sure to bring your credit or debit card and photo ID.
Participants include:
African American Museum in Philadelphia, Phila.
Museum of the American Revolution, Phila.
National Museum of American Jewish History, Phila.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila.
First Sundays
Museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish admission on the first Sunday of every month. Additional fun typically includes kids’ activities, art projects and tours.
Participants include:
Barnes Foundation, Phila.
Brandywine River Museum of Art, Chadds Ford
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila.
Museum Day Live
Venues across the country grant free access to ticketholders, taking after the free-admission Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Held this year on Sept. 21, each ticket — downloadable from Smithsonianmag.com/museumday — admits two people to one museum. Tickets are available starting Aug. 15.
Participants include:
Fonthill Castle, Doylestown
Institute of Contemporary Art, Phila.
Mercer Museum, Doylestown
Penn Museum, Phila.
Community Nights at the Franklin Institute, Phila.
Explore permanent exhibits, special programming and activities with free admission once a month.
Upcoming dates:
July 15 • Aug. 19 • Sept.16 • Oct. 28 • Nov. 25
First Wednesdays at the Please Touch Museum, Phila.
Stop by the first Wednesday of every month to take advantage of extended hours and $2 admission from 4-7pm.
Sundays at the Woodmere Art Museum, Phila.
Get free admission to this staple in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood weekly on Sunday.
Revolutionary Germantown Festival
Historical Reenactments
Gettysburg Civil War Reenactment
WHEN: July 5-7
COST: $29, adults; $16, kids
WHERE: Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg
WHAT: Journey back in time to experience recreations of battles such as Pickett’s Charge, living history scenarios, period music and encampments.
Civil War Days
WHEN: July 20 & 21
WHERE: Lands Valley Museum, Lancaster
COST: $12, adults; $8, kids; FREE, ages 5 & younger
WHAT: The site transforms into a Civil War-era crossroads village complete with an encampment, cavalry & musket drills, wagon rides, civilian & military reenactors and old-school games.
Civil War Reenactment
WHEN: Sept. 20 & 21
WHERE: Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, Newtown Square
COST: $12, adults; $8, kids
WHAT: Watch Northern troops defend the farm from invading forces during daily reenactments. Firearm demos, drills and camp-life vignettes round out the entertainment.
Revolutionary Germantown Festival
WHEN: Oct. 5
WHERE: Cliveden, Phila.
COST: Free
WHAT: Witness how the Revolutionary War turned this spot into a battleground for Gen. George Washington’s colonial soldiers as they fought the British to liberate occupied Philly.
Cirque du Soleil Amaluna
Kid-friendly Theatre Performances
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks
Cirque du Soleil Amaluna, July 24-Aug. 25
Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley
Mary Poppins, July 26-28
Frozen Jr., Aug. 23-25
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila.
The Wiggles, Aug. 31
Players Club of Swarthmore, Swarthmore
Schoolhouse Rock Live, Aug. 10, 11, 17 & 18
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, Drexel Hill
Disney’s High School Musical Jr., July 10-12
Seussical Jr., July 17-19
Disney’s Frozen Jr., July 24-26
Honk Jr., July 31-Aug. 2
Elliot and the Magic Bed, Aug. 7-9
Willy Wonka Jr., Aug. 14-16
