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) Philly Black Pride is an annual celebration that recognizes the resilience and strength of Philly’s community of LGBTQ+ people of color. Events will take place all throughout the city, all falling under the theme 250 Reasons to Celebrate Black Queer Changemakers. This year’s events include a flag raising, special party for queer youth, open mic nights and more.

⌚️Apr. 20-26, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phillyblackpride.org, 💵 Varies

(Music) This opera by composer Gregory Spears, is a dreamy rendering of the fairy tale of “Sleeping Beauty.” The soundscape has been called “astonishingly beautiful” by the New York Times and has also been praised by the Boston Globe and The New Yorker.

⌚️Apr. 22-26, 📍240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 Pick your price starting at $11

(Theater) Don’t miss out on this weeklong celebration of Philly’s amazing theater artists, organizations and audiences. You’ll get to enjoy a series of productions, readings, interactive events and more. Pay-what-you-can tickets are available in limited quantities.

⌚️Apr. 23 - May 3, 📍Various locations, 🌐 theatrephiladelphia.org, 💵 Varies

(Community) The Penn Relays are the oldest running track and field event in the country. Over 100,000 spectators will head to the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field to watch as thousands of athletes compete in more than 300 track and field events.

⌚️ Apr. 23-25, 📍 235 S. 33rd St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 pennrelays.com, 💵 Starting at $29

(Music) The second annual Germantown Jazz Festival is jam packed with three days of music, art, culture and community. Grab a pass and enjoy music performances every day, workshops, and delicious food form local vendors to keep you fueled.

⌚️Apr. 24-26, 📍137 Berkley St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19144, 🌐 germantownjazzfestival.com/, 💵 $30-35

(Community) The Philadelphia Zoo and Council of Indian Organizations are joining forces to celebrate Holi, the Hindu holiday Holi celebrating the arrival of spring, end of winter and blossoming of love. Wear something you don’t mind getting messy in and enjoy a color throwing ceremony, performances and more.

⌚️Apr. 25, 11:30a.m. - 3:30p.m., 📍3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 Free with Zoo admission or membership

(Community) Some of the world’s most elite off-road motorcycle racers will go head to head in this stadium battle. Racers will show off their speed, sill and intensity as they go full throttle in hopes of bringing home the championship.

⌚️Apr. 25, 6:30p.m., 📍1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 lincolnfinancialfield.com, 💵 $30-103

(Community) During this annual spring outdoor party, East Passyunk’s top restaurants come together for five blocks of delicious celebration. Come eat your way through the neighborhood and enjoy dishes from some of the neighborhood’s most awarded eateries. Between bites, enjoy sidewalk sales from dozens of local businesses and makers, kid-friendly activities, a craft market and so much more.

⌚️Apr. 26, 12-5p.m., 📍E. Passyunk Ave. from Broad St. to Dickenson St., 🌐 instagram.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Theater) This show commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Watch as the founding fathers come alive as they fight members of the Continental Congress and press towards an independent America, set right here in Philadelphia.

⌚️Apr. 14 - May 31, 📍825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa 19107, 🌐 walnutstreettheatre.org, 💵 $107-127

(Science) At the Franklin Institute, celebrate space with solar viewing, bottle rocket launches, space suit demos, and even a virtual trip to Antarctica — all with guidance from resident astronomer Derrick Pitts. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ April 25, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $23–$29

(Nature / free) In the 365-acre forest of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, this annual Earth Day fest offers a scavenger hunt, guided hikes, and hands-on learning about bees, mushrooms, plants, and Monarch butterflies. Registration recommended. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ April 25, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19128, 🌐 schuylkillcenter.org, 💵 Free

(Culture) At the Philadelphia Zoo, music, dance, food, and vibrant powder color throws celebrate renewal, friendship, and love in this joyful spring tradition hosted by the Council of Indian Organizations. All ages.

⌚ April 25, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 💵 $27

(Theater) At the Miller Theater, Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular series comes to life, following a half-dog, half-cop hero through chaotic, laugh-out-loud adventures. A sensory-friendly performance takes place April 25 at 5 p.m. Ages 4–10.

⌚ April 25–26, times vary, 📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $38–$80

(Art / community / free) At Cherry Street Pier, kids can craft their own lanterns and mini floats before parading them along the Delaware River, then head back inside for a glow-filled dance party. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ April 25, 6:30–8:30 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free

(Music / books) At Harriett’s Bookshop in Fishtown, kids can dress as Harlem Renaissance icons and enjoy live jazz and storytime in a celebration of music, history, and reading. All ages.

⌚ April 26, noon–5 p.m., 📍258 E. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19125, 🌐 phillyjazzmonth.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Around 23rd Street and Fairmount Avenue, this neighborhood festival spills outdoors with open studios, vendors, face painting, and plenty of art-making and browsing opportunities. All ages.

⌚ April 26, noon–4 p.m., 📍23rd St. and Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 parktobroad.org, 💵 Free

(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 returns, kicking things off in the Azalea Garden behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art with two long weekends of drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around before it heads to Columbus Square next. All ages.

⌚ April 8–12 and 15–19; Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 📍Kelly Dr. and Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry

(Community / free) In Center City, Walnut Street between Broad and 19th closes to cars and opens to pedestrians, turning the corridor into a walkable stretch filled with games, pop-ups, and outdoor dining — basically, a citywide excuse to be outside again. All ages.

⌚ Sundays, April 5–May 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍Walnut St. between Broad and 19th sts., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102–19103, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Free

(Theater) At the Arden Theatre Company in Old City, this fast, funny mashup flips familiar fairy tales into something delightfully ridiculous — perfect for kids who like their stories a little chaotic. Ages 5–10.

⌚ April 8–May 31, times vary, 📍40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 ardentheatre.org, 💵 $35–$51

(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

(Kids) The Please Touch Museum welcomes a hands-on exhibit visiting from Minnesota Children’s Museum, inspired by the beloved British cartoon. Kids can climb, balance, animate stop-motion scenes, explore a play truck, and even try on a sheep costume. Ages 3–9.

⌚ Feb. 7–May 10, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 📍4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $24; $2 ACCESS cardholder