The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Happy Friday! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the Philadelphia area this weekend. We put out new Philly weekend plans for you every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

You can always find our favorite activities of the weekend at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated festival is back. This year’s festival features more than 1,100 individual sculptures placed in larger than life lantern displays. Your ticket includes three main-stage live performances every night and all of the glowing lantern displays.

⌚️Jun. 20 - Aug. 31, 📍200 N 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com/, 💵 $16-29

(Art) Don’t miss out on one of the tri-state’s largest outdoor, juried art festivals. 300 local and nationally known artists and crafters are heading to Manayunk for this two-day, closed street event. The artists all represent eight different disciplines ranging from fiber and glass to painting and ceramics. Come enjoy the art, try great food and hang on on Manayunk’s Main Street.

⌚️Jun. 21-22, 📍Main Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 19127, 🌐 manayunk.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Amazing craft beers are making their way to Fishtown. Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon featuring the area’s top breweries, each serving up their best beers. Your ticket includes a branded tasting glass and access to all of the beers on tap.

⌚️Jun. 21, 12-4p.m., 📍1727 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19122, 🌐 ticketleap.com, 💵 $11-43

(Community) Raise a glass to some real life history at this one-of-a-kind beer festival. Come enjoy live music, a local vendor marketplace and more than 60 beers from over 30 New Jersey breweries, all aboard a legendary warship.

⌚️Jun. 21, 12p.m., 📍100 Clinton St., Camden, N.J., 08103, 🌐 ecom.roller.app, 💵 $20-75

(Community) There’s going to be something for everyone at this fun block party hosted by Wawa Welcome America and Ensemble Arts Philly. The event will feature live performances, plenty of incredible food trucks, local artists you can shop from and so much more. This festival is great for all ages, so bring the whole family, even your furry friends.

⌚️Jun. 21, 12-6p.m., 📍S. Broad St. between Walnut & Pine St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Come toast to the beauty of Black culture at this one-day wine and art festival. In addition to tastings from local Pennsylvania wineries, you’ll also enjoy live music, craft vendors, art exhibitions and live music performances. All ages are welcomed but you must be 21 to drink.

⌚️Jun. 21, 1-6p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 GA free, $20-30 for wine tastings

(Community) Philly’s Juneteenth Parade features 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and over two-dozen floats making their way through West Fairmount Park. To keep the celebrations going, attendees can also enjoy a Juneteenth Marketplace with over 250 vendors, and a family-friendly music festival.

⌚️Jun. 22, 📍Various locations, 🌐 juneteenthphilly.org/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Movies) Film lovers, this one’s for you. Enjoy well crafted cinematic magic created by established and emerging Latino filmmakers. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 25- July 6, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) ‘Tis the season for outdoor eating, all summer long in Media. Grab an alfresco table at one of over two dozen participating restaurants, and enjoy a meal in the fresh air with the street closed to traffic.

⌚️May - September 24, 📍State St., between Jackson St., and Orange St., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 visitmediapa.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) A visit to Longwood Gardens is a must on your spring and summer bucket lists. All spring and summer, the fountains in the gardens come to live, with some jets blasting as high as 175 feet. Whether you stroll through during the daytime, or catch an illuminated night time performance, you’re bound to have a great time.

⌚️ May 9 - September 28, 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Sq., Pa, 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $8-35

If there were ever a week and weekend to stick around the city, this is it. Concerts, festivals, block parties, and performances — from Strawberry Mansion to Southwest, Tacony to Center City — are keeping Philly extra interesting right now.

(Music / free) At Smith Memorial Playground, this beloved family concert kicks off with World Cafe Live’s Mic’d Up acts and features headliners Ants on a Log, Hezekiah, Noggin Hill, and Jams for Junior Jawns. Expect book giveaways, food, and a Q102 fireworks finale. Registration suggested. Ages 0–8.

⌚June 20, 4–9 p.m., 📍3500 E. Reservoir Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19121, 🌐 smithplayground.org, 💵 Free, donations accepted

(Seasonal / multiday) Franklin Square transforms into a wonderland of illuminated sculptures, cultural performances, and selfie spots at this evening-only event near Chinatown. New this year: dumpling-making workshops Fridays through Sundays. All ages.

⌚June 20–August 31, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$29, free ages 2 and under

(Festival / free) Ferko Playground in Juniata offers a massive water slide, splash games, a pop-up bike course (bikes provided), face painting, and art-making — plus free ropa vieja, plantains, tres leches cake, and more from Tierra Colombiana. BYO towel. All ages.

⌚June 21, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍1101 E. Cayuga St., Philadelphia, PA 19120, 🌐 ttfwatershed.org, 💵 Free

(Festival / free) Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philly hosts lawn games, live music, storytelling, workshops, and local vendors for a post-Juneteenth outdoor celebration. All ages.

⌚June 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143, 🌐 bartramsgarden.org, 💵 Free

(Musical / multiday) At Players Club of Swarthmore, Mo Willems’ popular pigeon tale hits the stage with an interactive twist that invites kids to join in. Ages 2–6.

⌚June 21–22, 28–29, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., 📍614 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, PA 19081, 🌐 pcstheater.org, 💵 $10–$15

(Festival / free) Ensemble Arts closes down a stretch of South Broad Street for a celebration with Broadway tour performers, lawn games, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes Kimmel Center tours (1 and 3 p.m.). All ages.

⌚June 21, noon–6 p.m., 📍S. Broad St. between Walnut and Pine Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 Free

(Festival / free) Philadelphia’s grandest Juneteenth celebration returns to West Fairmount Park and Malcolm X Park with a musical parade procession from The Mann Center to the park at 12:30 p.m., plus a full day of performances, vendors, and family activities. All ages.

⌚June 22, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., 📍52nd and Pine Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19143, 🌐 juneteenthphilly.org, 💵 Free

(Play / multiday) Pig Iron Theatre brings its world premiere to Plays and Players Theatre, where Benjamin Franklin is reimagined as a man who actually controls the weather. Think Stranger Things meets Harry Potter meets 1776 Philadelphia. Ages 10 and up.

⌚June 5–29, times vary, 📍1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, 🌐 franklinskey.com, 💵 $29–$65

(Seasonal / multi-day) These two Delaware River-side parks reopen for summer with roller skating, boardwalk games, hammocks, oversized board games, and all the snacks you could want. All ages.

⌚May 23–Sept. 1 (later for Spruce Street Harbor Park), 📍101 & 301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

(Books / multi-day) At the Please Touch Museum, kids explore the worlds of Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, and friends through themed games in engineering, science, government, and more. Ages 2–7.

⌚May 24–Aug. 27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $22

(History / multi-day) At the Museum of the American Revolution, explore nearly half of the Revolutionary War flags that still exist — many made by Philadelphians like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young. Ages 5 and up.

⌚April 19–Aug. 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org, 💵 $13–$25; $2 ACCESS; free 5 and under