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) 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

(Community) Some truly epic trucks are making their way to Lincoln Financial Field. Check out these massive vehicles put their skills to the ultimate test as drivers show off jumps, wheelies and unbelievable tricks. Stop by early for special previews, interviews with the drivers and more surprises.

⌚️Apr. 18, 1p.m., 📍 One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 monsterjam.com, 💵 $40-200

(History) Philly has no shortage of iconic statues and monuments in the city. Make your way across town and check out all 67, including many in Independence National Historic Park.

⌚️Apr. 18, 📍Various locations, 🌐 globalphiladelphia.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Stenon House and Museum is celebrating their third annual Dinah Day, which marks the date in 1776 when Dinah was emancipated from slavery. This celebration will teach you all about Dinah’s life, and will feature the premiere of the short film For the Common Good: Women Who Shaped our Nation - Dinah."

⌚️Apr. 18, 12-4p.m., 📍4601 N. 18th St. Philadelphia, Pa, 19140, 💵 Free

(Community) This massive outdoor Asian food festival is back for another year of delicious eats. Don’t miss out on more than 60 delicious Asian food vendors, performances, fun activities, face painting and so much more.

⌚️Apr. 18 & 19, 📍1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $17-30

(Community) Some of Philly’s best food vendors will be in Manayunk serving everything from BBQ and pasta to sweet treats and desserts. Plus, there will be musical performances on two different stages from six different live acts. Wear your eating pants and come ready to eat your way through this neighborhood.

⌚️Apr. 19, 11a.m. - 5p.m., 📍Main Street Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA 19127, 🌐 manayunk.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This festival highlights the talents of local makers and innovators as they highlight their exciting work and projects. It’s a great chance to meet other makers, learn from others and get inspired for your next project. This year’s festival includes demonstrations, fun activities, networking and so much more.

⌚️Apr. 19, 10a.m. - 4p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵Free

(Movies) The Academy of Natural Sciences is bringing back its annual month-long environmental film festival. The series takes place in April in honor of Earth Month and follows the theme Seeding the Future. All month long, enjoy feature-length films, documentaries, shorts and more centered on how we can shape a more sustainable future.

⌚️Apr. 2-16, 📍1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 ansp.org, 💵$6-10

(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

(Nature / free) At the Discovery Center in Strawberry Mansion, Earth Day starts early with hands-on activities like removing invasive plants and making seed packets, followed by performances and a neighborhood-focused talk — plus a chance to explore one of Philly’s quieter nature spots. Ages 8 and up.

⌚ April 18, 1–4 p.m., 📍3401 Reservoir Dr., Philadelphia, Pa. 19121, 🌐 discoveryphila.org, 💵 Free

(Trucks) At Lincoln Financial Field in South Philly, massive trucks with even bigger tires flip, fly, and roar through a high-energy show that’s equal parts nostalgia for grown-ups and pure awe for kids deep in their Hot Wheels phase. (Noise-canceling headphones recommended.) Ages 2 and up.

⌚ April 18, noon, 📍1 Lincoln Financial Way, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 monsterjam.com, 💵 $40–$184

(Community / free) Back at Cherry Street Pier, this pay-what-you-can “greatest show-and-tell on earth” gathers engineers, artists, coders, and inventors for a day of demos and hands-on inspiration that might just send you home ready to build something. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ April 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 philly.makerfaire.com, 💵 Free–$25

(Food / community / free) Main Street in Manayunk shuts down for one of the city’s biggest food fests, with two music stages, dozens of vendors (dumplings, barbecue, crepes, pizza, pasta), and kid-friendly extras like face painting and a bouncy house near Lock Street. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ April 19, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍Main St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19127, 🌐 manayunk.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