Summer is finally here. And when schools out, the phrase every parent dreads hearing from their children can often repeat itself through the season: “I’m bored.” But never fear. As we usher in June, we also welcome the return of many Philly area favorites.
U-PICK: FLOWERS AND BERRIES
Head to any one of these farms to pick your own fruit and flowers for the season. Go for unique finds at Highland Orchards in West Chester, Pennsylvania, like rhubarb, nectarines, sweet and sour cherries and black raspberries. Or pick out your favorite flowers or more summer berries at the following:
- Terhune Orchards | Princton, NJ | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Hellerick’s Adventure Farm | Doylestown | 10 a.m. -8 p.m. daily
- Linvilla Orchards | Media | 8 a.m. –6 p.m. daily
- Maple Acres | Plymouth Meeting | 8:30 a.m. -6:30 p.m. daily
- Shady Brook Farm | Yardley | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday (last wagon ride leaves at 3:30 p.m.)
Bonus: Check out Shady Brook Farm’s Strawberry Festival (June 6 & 7) and Peach & Sunflower Festival (Aug 1, 2, 8 & 9).
PUBLIC SWIMMING
If your community doesn’t include a swimming pool or you’re not looking for more swimming options in addition to, or instead of, summer pool membership, here are some natural areas to explore for public swimming.
- Atsion Recreation Area | Shamong, NJ
- Bellmawr Lake | Bellmawr, NJ
- Marsh Creek State Park | Downingtown, PA
- Nockamixon State Park | Quakertown, PA
- Neshaminy State Park | Bensalem, PA
MOVIES & OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES
Nothing beats a cool summer night sitting on a picnic blanket, eating snacks and watching a movie on the big screen or listening to a great band while stargazing at the night sky above you — especially when it’s free.
- Sunset Social Movie Nights | Philadelphia
- Movies on the Mall | Philadelphia
- Movies in Clark Park | Philadelphia
- Pastorius Park Summer Concerts | Philadelphia
- America 250 PA Commonwealth Concert Series | Various locations
- Concerts on the Square at Eagleview Town Center | Exton, PA
- Performances In The Park Concert & Movie Series | Plymouth Meeting, PA
COMMUNITY FESTIVALS
Big festivals draw big crowds. So, for families looking for something more community focused, here are three festivals to check out for a fun time with the whole family.
- Clover Market | Kennett Square, PA | June 7
- Clark Park Music & Arts Festival | West Philadelphia | June 20
- Kidchella | Philadelphia | June 26
- Red, White, and Blueberries BBQ Bash | Lahaska | July 4
- Downtown Newark Food & Brew Fest | Newark, DE | July 25
NOT-TO-MISS FESTIVALS
There’s a lot happening this month to kick off the summer season. Plan ahead to beat the crowds at these four not-to-miss festivals and events.
- America 250 PA | Philadelphia | All summer
- FIFA World Cup 2026 | Philadelphia | July 3-19
- Chester County Balloon Festival | Kennet Square, PA | June 13-15
- Wawa Welcome America Festival | Philadelphia | June 14- July 4
- The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival | Downtown Wilmington, DE | June 18 -21
- Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival | June 5- Aug.16
- Parkesburg 250 Carnival | Parkesburg, PA | July 1-4
WATER ICE
Water ice is a beloved summer staple for Philadelphians. The sister to Italian ice, water ice, often pronounced “wooder” ice, isn’t water and it isn’t ice. Grab a scoop of your favorite water ice flavor from any of these (out of many) icy treat stands.
- John’s Water Ice | Multiple locations
- D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats | East Passyunk
- Rose’s Water Ice | Roxborough
- Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice | West Philadelphia
- Yardley Ice House | Yardley
- Petrucci’s Ice Cream | King of Prussia
HOLIDAYS
All month long is Pride Month, which many local communities celebrate with festivals, parades and more such as Philly Pride 365 (June 7). Don’t miss celebrating these other early summer holidays with your family.
- National Best Friends Day | June 8
- Flag Day | June 14
- Father’s Day | June 15
- Juneteenth | June 19
- Fourth of July | July 4
- Free Slurpee Day | July 11
SUMMER READING
Enjoy the hottest days of the year with The Ultimate Quest, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s flagship summer program starting June 8. Delaware (PA), Kent Castle and New Castle (DE), and Mercer and Gloucester (NJ) counties will be participating in the Collaborative Summer Library Program with this year’s theme Unearth a Story, a dino-themed reading challenge, starting on June 1. T
Photo credits from in copy:
berries: Courtesy of Linvilla Orchards; inner tubes: Natalia/adobe stock
Chinese lantern festival: Jeff Fusco for Tianyu; adobe stock (graphics) / festival: Jangkrik; snow ball cart: Lentera; book: Paper Trident
Note for Mia, just so you know how to credit the above if any are used: For any stock credits, if you see the bold like that, each individual credit would be Jangkrik/adobe stock, Lentera/adobe stock, Paper Trident/adobe stock
