It has, literally, been freezing this week. Doesn't a picnic in Fairmount Park sound like a great idea?
For the first time, the greenhouse of the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center in Philadelphia will be opened Feb. 2 through Feb. 10 for free family-friendly fun on weekdays — including a traveling zoo, oversized sandbox, and a lawn for games and picnics. At night and on weekends, adults also get a pop-up bar with music, cocktails, a beer garden and food trucks. You must reserve a free ticket for the day you want to attend.
"The Horticulture Center is one of the most attractive enclosed spaces in the park system. It is the perfect location to host a variety of fun indoor programming during the cold months," says Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell.
Inspired by Philadelphia's summer pop-up parks, for which we are all rightly nostalgic by this point of the winter, this is the first time the city is enlisting the greenhouse in this way to bring some warmth on such a winter's day.
"The Oval+ and Parks on Tap are proof of the power of activating public spaces, and we're excited to bring that same playful energy to The Greenhouse at Fairmount Park Horticulture Center," says Jamie Gauthier, Executive Director of Fairmount Park Conservancy.
The 20,000-square-foot greenhouse will be converted into several themed spaces including:
The Jungle – A traveling zoo, kids DJ, live music, face painting, balloon artists and movie night
The Beach – An oversized sandbox
The Lawn – Green grass for lounging and lawn games
The Lounge – A Moroccan-themed space with unique furniture
The Midway – Local food truck vendors and cash bar with craft beers, wine, and cocktails
During weekdays, families can bring in their own food and non-alcoholic drinks and picnic on the lawn.
On weekends and at night, outside food and drink is not allowed, but can be purchased on site.
Here's a schedule of events:
Saturday, February 2
5pm – 11pm, Food & Beverage
6:30 – 8:15pm: Emily Drinker
8:30 – 10:30pm: Namarah
Sunday, February 3
11am-5pm, Food & Beverage
12-5pm, FREE Jungle Rock Recess
Monday, February 4
11am-3pm
Tuesday, February 5
11am-3pm
Wednesday, February 6
Opens at 11:00am
6-11pm, Food and Beverage
6:30 – 8:15pm: iLLECTIVE
8:30 – 10:30pm: Rachel Andie
Thursday, February 7
Opens at 11:00am
6-11pm, Food and Beverage
6:30 – 8:15pm: Scarlet Cimillo
8:30 – 10:30pm: TBD
Friday, February 8
Opens at 11:00am
6-11pm, Food and Beverage
7-9pm FREE Jungle Book (2016) the movie
9-11pm FREE Jumanji (2017 featuring the Rock and Kevin Hart)
Saturday, February 9
11am-11pm, Food and Beverage
12-4pm, FREE Zoo Experience
6:30 – 8:15pm: C. Jae
8:30 – 10:30pm: Zeek Burse
Sunday, February 10
11am-5pm, Food & Beverage
12-5pm, FREE Jungle Rock Recess
Admission is free at all times, but you must reserve a free ticket for the day you want to go. Go here to reserve a ticket.
So get out of the wind chill and into the greenery.
