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15 free events in Philly this weekend and next week

The best things to do in Philly this week that won't cost you a penny.

Pride is back in New Hope.
Pride is back in New Hope.Read moreWong Maye-E / AP

📅 Our calendar is updated every Friday at inquirer.com/freecalendar. For more great events, check out our full events calendar and kids calendar. Submit an event to our calendar here.

New Hope Pride Parade and Festival 🏳️‍🌈

(Pride / in-person / community) Every May, the New Hope Pride Parade and Festival brings together Lambertville and New Hope to celebrate the area’s LGBTQ community. The parties and celebrations start on Friday, but the main event is the parade and pride fair (at the American Legion parking lot) on Saturday. The parade features more than 700 participants with floats, bands and a 100-foot rainbow equality flag. (May 20-22, Various times and locations, newhopecelebrates.com)

Art in the Open 🎨

(Art / in-person / outdoors / kid-friendly) Art in the Open transforms the Schuylkill River Banks into an outdoor art studio. Artists and their work will line the banks of the river (from the Water Works to South Street) to highlight the industrial and artistic connections to the water. You’ll leave with a refreshed appreciation for art, artists and our city’s natural environment. (May 20-22, along the Schuylkill River from South Street to Fairmount Water Works, cfeva.org/aio)

Italian Market Festival 🇮🇹

(Seasonal / in-person / outdoors / kid-friendly) Bring the entire family out to celebrate one of the nation’s largest outdoor markets — the Italian Market. There will be blocks of live music, crafts, the traditional grease pole contest, and more food than you can eat. (May 21-22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Ninth St. from Wharton to Fitzwater Streets, italianmarketfestival.com)

Rittenhouse Row Spring Stroll 🎉

(Seasonal / in-person / outdoors / kid-friendly) After a pair of soggy weekends, one can only hope the sun will shine on Walnut Street west of Broad for a scaled-down version of this annual street fair, featuring outdoor versions of the neighborhood’s shops and restaurants, and a side of family fun. Ages 2+. (May 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 18th and Walnut Streets, rittenhouserow.org)

Sand Sculptures in the Village, Peddler’s Village 🏖️

(Seasonal / in-person / kid-friendly) Those of us tired of waiting for a beach day can swing by these outdoor shops to watch four pro sand-sculpting teams build whimsical, gritty art. In a few weeks, the castles and such will be complete to wander among, and, sandboxes will be open to play in. Ages 2+. (building: May 21-June 4; on display: June 8-Aug. 31, 400 State Rd., New Hope, peddlersvillage.com)

ConsentFest at The Lawn 🥳

(Community / in-person / kid-friendly) Join in on this all-ages celebration of consent, in all its forms. The Lawn will be filled with art and food vendors, in addition to games and activities aimed at providing empowered consent education. (May 21, 2-6 p.m., 37th & Cuthbert St., universitycity.org)

Spring Saunter, Riverbend 🌳

(Nature / in-person / outdoors) Gladwyne’s 30-acre hub of restored native woodlands offers a behind-the-scenes (behind the trees?) hike with staffer Lorna Atkinson. The habitat walk requires sturdy shoes, cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers, and lasts two hours. All ages. (Pay-what-you-wish, donations welcome, May 21, 10 a.m.-noon, 1950 Spring Mill Rd., Gladwyne, riverbendeec.org)

Sustain Your Neighborhood Art Festival 🎨

(Art / in-person / community) Love shopping from local makers? This festival organized by NextFab and Olde Kensington Boutique gives you a chance to support local artists directly while enjoying food and vibes with the community. You can take in live demos, enjoy bites from Cafe Ynez, and listen to live music acts while shopping from 40 local vendors. (May 21, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 1800 N. American St., facebook.com)

Toddlerpalooza, Barnes Foundation 🎨

(Art / music / science / in-person) To parents of toddlers, every day feels like some kind of palooza. The Barnes joins in the, er, fun, with a few morning hours of live music, active play, science learning, and, yes, art, on its terrace just off 21st Street. Registration required and includes gallery access. Ages 1-5. (May 21, 9:30 a.m.-noon, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., barnesfoundation.org)

Mini Plant Giveaway from STUMP 🪴

(Community / in-person) Don’t limit the greens of spring to the outdoors. Stop by The Porch at 30th Street station to pick up a free mini plant from STUMP. Plants will be available while supplies last with a limit of one per guest. (May 26, 12:30-1:30 p.m., 2955 Market St., facebook.com)

Bob Dylan’s Birthday Bash 🎶

(Music / in-person) This party for the songwriting Bard whose Bob Dylan Center opened in Tulsa, Oklahoma this month, is back after two years away due to COVID-19. The Kenn Kweder and John Train curated event will provide a snapshot of the Philly folk-rock scene, with more than 40 songwriters each covering a Dylan song. (May 24, 7 p.m., 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, ardmoremusichall.com)

At-Home Workshops with Maurice Williams, Mighty Writers ✏️

(Education / virtual / multiday / kid-friendly) Through dad jokes, real talk, and superb listening, Mr. Maurice connects with his students — and connects students to each other. Each workshop appeals to specific audiences: Black boys, young teens, future entrepreneurs, sports fans, home cooks and more. Workshops teach some writing and lots of life lessons. Ages 8+ (Through May 28, mightywriters.org)

Yoga on the Banks 🧘

(Fitness / in-person / outdoors) Head to the Schuylkill Banks for a morning of zen movement. Bring your own yoga mat or towel and enjoy this all-levels instructor-led yoga class. Yoga classes take place (weather permitting) on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. throughout the spring and summer. (Pay what you can, various dates through October, 2500 Locust St., eventbrite.com)

Magical Fantasy at The Navy Yard 🎪

(Art / in-person / outdoors) Magical Fantasy, a collection of bold and bright 3D art pieces by London-based artist Morag Myerscough, has transformed The Navy Yard into a colorful playground. Stop by to wander through the exhibit and escape into an abstract dreamland without leaving the city. (Through October, Broad St. and Constitution Ave., navyyard.org)

Youth Bike Fridays, Bartram’s Garden 🚲

(Outdoors / multiday / kid-friendly) Philly’s oldest research garden has teamed up with the Bicycle Coalition to lend, repair, and teach kids about bikes every Friday after school. There are snacks, too. Ages 5-17. (Fridays through Nov., 3-6 p.m., 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., bartramsgarden.org)

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