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) Give yourself a break and add a little whimsy to your weekend. At this meet up, you’ll meet women from around the region for an evening of good vibes and creativity. Bring a blanket, art supplies and your favorite craft or creative project to work on and ease into the weekend. Donations are optional but appreciated.

⌚️Sept. 18, 5-8p.m., 📍25th & Spruce, Philadelphia, Pa, 19146, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free, donations appreciated

(music) Some amazing performers are heading to the Camden Waterfront. This festival packs the stage with music legends and local talent including Dawes, Budos Band, Zoe Lemon, Madison Cunningham and so many others.

⌚️Sept. 18-20, 📍 2 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ, 08103, 🌐 xpn.org, 💵 $16-309

(Art) Art lovers, you won’t want to miss this annual event. Thousands of professional fine artists will be showing their best work at booths surrounding Rittenhouse Square Park. Come browse, meet talented local artists and hang with fellow art lovers, you may even find your new favorite piece.

⌚️Sept. 18-20, 📍1800 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 rittenhousesquareart.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This weekend celebration puts Indigenous art and culture on center stage through performances, painting, panel discussions and more. Plus there will be a marketplace filled with a variety of art and handmade goods from Indigenous makers.

⌚️Sept. 19-20, 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free

(Community) The residents of Upper Darby represent cultures from all around the globe. This festival celebrates that diversity of cultures with live music, performances, a parade of flags, activities for kids, dancing and so much more.

⌚️Sept. 19, 1-6p.m., 📍100 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby, Pa, 19082, 🌐 upperdarby.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival, a nearly month-long celebration of the city’s performing arts scene, turns 30 this year. The festival showcases hundreds of alternative, bold performances throughout the city covering everything from theater to cabaret. Grab a ticket to one of the more than 300 events happening this year.

⌚️Through Sept. 27, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Art) This group exhibit features work from eleven artists from the Joined Hands Collective. The pieces span watercolor, collage, mixed media, ceramics, fiber and photography. The exhibit explores how individuals, communities and shared environments intersect, showing the many ways we are all connected.

⌚️Sept. 5 - Oct. 10, 📍601 W. Allens Ln., Philadelphia, Pa, 19119, 🌐 allenslane.org, 💵 Free

(Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.

⌚️July 5 - October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission

(History / free) Newlin Grist Mill mixes archaeology and colonial history with classic fall fun at its annual outdoor celebration. Try your hand at an archaeological dig or artifact cleaning, watch an 18th-century roofing demonstration, listen to colonial music, then hop on a hayride or make a scarecrow. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍219 N. Cheyney Rd., Glen Mills, Pa. 19342, 🌐 newlingristmill.org, 💵 Free

(Arts / free) The Kimmel Center throws open its doors for a day of performances and behind-the-scenes experiences from some of the city’s biggest arts organizations. Catch PHILADANCO!, Curtis Institute of Music, Opera Philadelphia, and more than a dozen others, all without buying a ticket. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 Free

(Culture / free) Cherry Street Pier hosts two days celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures through traditional and contemporary dance, music, demonstrations, art, and hands-on activities. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 19, noon–9 p.m.; Sept. 20, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Think carnival, but make everything first responder. This annual fundraiser at Xfinity Mobile Arena is a longtime tradition for Philadelphia police officers and firefighters, with demonstrations, equipment, and vehicles, including the chance for kids to take a ride on a firetruck. Ages 2 and up.

⌚ Sept. 19, noon–5 p.m., 📍South Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $15–$18

(Dance / free) Philadelphia Ballet unveils its new Dance Innovation Lab on North Broad Street with studio tours, dancer meet-and-greets, arts and crafts, and beginner-friendly dance lessons. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ Sept. 19, noon–5 p.m., 📍323 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 philadelphiaballet.org, 💵 Free; registration requested

(Community / free) Upper Darby celebrates the 100-plus countries represented by its residents with a parade of flags, live drumming and dancing, food, an 18-hole mini-golf pop-up, and an inflatable obstacle course. There’s even a quiet zone for kids who need a break from the action. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 19, 1–6 p.m., 📍100 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby, Pa. 19082, 🌐 upperdarby.org, 💵 Free

(Theater) After touring the region, this interactive children’s show swims into Theatre Horizon as part of the Fringe Festival. Follow Baby Whale on a daring rescue mission through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, then stick around for more hands-on activities after the show. Ages 4–10.

⌚ Sept. 12–20, times vary, 📍401 DeKalb St., Norristown, Pa. 19401, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 $23

(Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

⌚ May 22–September 27, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.

⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry