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.

(Theater) Have you ever imagined a world where Ben Franklin became the nation’s first rock star? Jump into a world where that very thing is true in this rock musical rooted in American history. Each ticket includes a 45-minute walking tour led by Ben Franklin himself.

⌚️July 1- Aug. 1, 📍140 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 soundofamericamusical.com/, 💵 $76

(Community) Celebrate the best of Philadelphia African, African American and Caribbean food scene. Enjoy amazing restaurants, discounted menus at participating businesses, prizes for sharing your bites and so much more.

⌚️July 2-12, 📍Various locations, 🌐 africanrestaurantweek.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup energy? Head to South Street Headhouse District for a full day of world-class soccer viewing. Three matches will be broadcast on the big screen alongside great food, live entertainment and neighborhood fun.

⌚️July 3, 2-9p.m., 📍2nd & South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 southstreet.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Let’s celebrate America’s past, present and future. This parade will include an unforgettable lineup of 50 marching bands, 19 vibrant floats, historic and cultural showcases and so much more.

⌚️July 3, 12-4p.m., 📍Independence Hall to Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Free

(Community) What better way to celebrate America’s Independence Day than by traveling back in time to 1776? Visit Washington Crossing Historic Park for an evening of history, fireworks, an evening concert and more. The celebration will conclude with a festive fireworks show over the Delaware River.

⌚️July 4, 4-9:30p.m., 📍1112 River Rd., Washington Crossing, Pa, 18977, 🌐 washingtoncrossingpark.org, 💵 $10-30

(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

(Community) Can’t get enough of the World Cup Buzz taking over the city? Don’t miss out on Fan Fest, a visitor experience unlike any others. On match days, come enjoy watch parties, great food and amazing activations. And on non-match days, will offer ticketed concerts.

⌚️Through July 19, 📍1 Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 phillyfwc26.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This Juneteenth, kick off the Wawa Welcome America Festival with free access to 47 museums and history sites. Each day of the festival, you can enjoy free admission to at least one site, with some days offering free admission to multiple sites.

⌚️June 19 - July 4, 📍Various locations, 🌐 july4thphilly.com/, 💵 Free

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated lantern festival is returning and bringing the magic. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with dozens of detailed hand-crafted lanterns. You’ll even spot soccer themed displays honoring the countries coming to Philly for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

⌚️June 5- Aug. 16, 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-32

(Movies) This beloved festival is celebrating 15 years as the Greater Philadelphia region’s only festival showcasing innovative work of emerging and established Latine/x/a/o filmmakers. If you love all things film and Latino culture, grab a pass to enjoy well crafted cinematic magic. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 24-July 5, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 $10-150

(Community) This exhibit celebrates Philadelphia’s rich immigrant history through bold flags designed by artists from around the world. The designs will be displayed all summer long at Spruce Street Harbor Park in honor of all of the people who have made Philly their home.

⌚️May 22 - Sept. 7, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com/, 💵 Free

(History / free) Valley Forge National Historical Park marks both America’s semiquincentennial and the park’s 50th anniversary with musket and cannon demonstrations, soldier hut building, live music, historical reenactments, Declaration of Independence readings, and more family-friendly activities throughout the holiday weekend. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ July 3–5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia, Pa. 19406, 🌐 nps.gov, 💵 Free

(Community / free) Philadelphia’s signature America 250 parade fills the streets with 50 marching bands, 19 floats, military units, and community organizations as it makes its way from Independence Hall to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and City Hall. All ages.

⌚ July 3, noon–4 p.m., 📍5th and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Free

(Community / free) Skip the late-night crowds downtown and head to Pleasant Hill Park in Holmesburg for an earlier Independence Day celebration featuring live music, a Ferris wheel, family activities, and fireworks over the Delaware River that wrap up well before bedtime. Ages 2 and up.

⌚ July 4, 5–9:30 p.m., 📍Linden Avenue and the Delaware River, Philadelphia, Pa. 19136, 🌐 oneriveralliance.org, 💵 Free

(Art / free) Spruce Street Harbor Park’s newest attraction is part art installation, part playground. Visitors wander through a maze that responds to movement with changing lights and music, creating an immersive, hands-on experience along the Delaware River waterfront. All ages.

⌚ June 26–Aug. 17, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free

(Outdoors) The self-proclaimed world’s largest inflatable attraction lands in Oaks with more than 50,000 square feet of bouncing, climbing, sliding, and obstacle-course fun. New additions include a foam party, a 900-foot obstacle course, and a sports-themed play zone. Admission includes a three-hour session. Ages 1 and up.

⌚ June 27–28 and July 3–5, times vary, 📍100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa. 19456, 🌐 thebigbounceamerica.com, 💵 $35–$45

(Community / soccer / free) East Passyunk Avenue turns a pair of South Philly blocks into an outdoor soccer celebration, complete with giant screens, food and drink specials, and plenty of room to cheer on World Cup matches without heading to the stadium. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ June 27, 4–8 p.m.; July 3, 5–9 p.m., 📍1300 and 1500 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

(Animals) At the Philadelphia Zoo, a refreshed and expanded habitat debuts for the zoo’s Andean and sloth bears, giving visitors a closer look at two species considered vulnerable in the wild. All ages.

⌚ Daily beginning June 4, from 11:30 a.m., 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 $24–$29

(Culture) At Franklin Square on the edge of Chinatown, giant illuminated sculptures, live acrobatic performances, food vendors, and countless photo opportunities return for another summer of after-dark magic. All ages.

⌚ June 5–Aug. 16, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$32

(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, dates TBA, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Seasonal / free) Just north along the Delaware River Waterfront, Summerfest reopens with roller skating, mini golf, carnival rides, games, and indoor space to cool off once summer humidity fully kicks in. All ages.

⌚ May 22–Sept. 7, 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Community / free) At Cherry Street Pier along the Delaware River, this three-part market series — in collaboration with Fleisher Art Memorial — highlights Latino makers with food, music, art, and plenty to browse and buy. All ages.

⌚ April 18, May 30, July 11, noon–5 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.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

(Movie-making) The Franklin Institute hosts a world premiere exhibit that turns movie magic into hands-on discovery, with behind-the-scenes looks at Universal’s biggest franchises — from Minions and Jurassic World to dragons, monsters, Mario, and Luigi — via immersive sets and interactive displays. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ Feb. 14–Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. plus extended hours, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $25–$65