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21 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.

The Pride March is one of the great free events in Philly this week.
The Pride March is one of the great free events in Philly this week.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer

📅 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.

City Hall Flag Raising 🏳️‍🌈

(Pride Month / community) The city kicks off Pride Month every year by raising the More Color, More Pride flag at City Hall. Join the community and city officials this year for a lineup of speakers and performances as the flag is raised for 2022. (June 3, noon-1 p.m., 1400 JFK Blvd., phillygaycalendar.com)

Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show 🎨

(Art / community / outdoors) More than 140 artists take to Rittenhouse Square to showcase their unique creations at this annual outdoor art festival. Stop by to shop locally made fine art, featuring everything from sculptures to jewelry. (June 3-5, 18th and Walnut Sts., rittenhousesquareart.com)

Early James 🎶

(Music) Early James is an old soul, a 28-year-old singer-guitarist from Troy, Alabama who draws on vintage Southern R&B and rock stylings. His songs take their time and he sings in an inviting, quavery growl. In August, his new album Strange Time To Be Alive is due on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound label. You can catch a free show at World Cafe Live either in-person or via online streaming at xpn.org. (June 3, noon, 3025 Walnut St., xpn.org)

Circus Workshop at Le Peg 🎪

(Community / outdoors / kid-friendly) Think you have what it takes to make it under the big top? Learn what it takes at this free outdoor circus workshop with performers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. You’ll learn everything from the tight wire to basic aerial acrobatics. (June 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 140 N. Columbus Blvd., fringearts.com)

Art for the Cash Poor 🎨

(Art / shopping) InLiquid’s 22nd installment of this free public art sale is back for art collectors and novices alike. All of the pieces featured will sell for $200 or less, with all proceeds directly benefiting the artist. In addition to art sales, the day also has workshops, craft-making demos, and free community programming. (June 4, noon-6 p.m., 1400 N. American St., inliquid.org)

PECO Multicultural Series 🥳

(Community / outdoors / kid-friendly) Celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Philly all summer long with a series of festivals on the Delaware River. You’ll get a chance to experience other cultures through performances, music, food, and activities. The festivals kick off this weekend with the Philadelphia Irish Festival. (June 4, noon-7 p.m., 101 S. Columbus Blvd., cherrystreetpier.com)

Strawberry Festival, Backyard Park 🍓

(Seasonal / kid-friendly) OK, so, maybe you drove down the Shore a couple of sweltering weekends ago, and again for the long weekend. For argument’s sake, you could make it a trifecta, if only to experience the sweetness, both literal and metaphorical, of an adorable community fair devoted entirely to strawberries. Plus, glitter tattoos. All ages. (June 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., rain date, June 5, 732 Broadway, West Cape May, capemay.com)

The Skirmish, Haddonfield 📜

(History / kid-friendly) No charge to gawk at the Revolutionary War battlers, but if you want to ride on one of their horses (OK, not really, but a Red Sky Ranch pony), you’ll need to pony up a Hamilton. Also, no charge to enter the yelling contest, dance like a colonial, or talk to the faux Redcoats and other reenactors. (June 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Skirmish takes place 2-2:20 p.m., 205 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, indiankingfriends.org)

104.5 Summer Block Party 🥳

(Music) It’s starting to sound a lot like summer. Grab your free ticket in advance and head to Xfinity Live for this all-ages concert. You’ll hear from artists like Vance Joy and Walderado, rain or shine. (June 5, 5 p.m., 1100 Pattison Ave., alt1045philly.iheart.com)

Pride Festival and March 🏳️‍🌈

(Pride Month / outdoors) Celebrate LGBTQ activists past and present at the city’s 50th annual Pride celebration. This year also represents the first Pride celebration that’s hosted by the PHL Pride Collective, which is working to reimagine Philly Pride in a way that authentically honors its origins. The Pride March, hosted in collaboration with the Philly Dyke March, starts at 11 a.m. at Fifth and Arch Streets with three stops to highlight diverse voices. The festival starts at noon in the Gayborhood and includes plenty of entertainment, food, games, and more. It’s free and open to all. (June 5, 11 a.m., facebook.com)

Family Festival: Say It Loud, Philadelphia Museum of Art 🎨

(Art / free / kid-friendly) You might hesitate before taking your tot to view a protest-themed exhibition called Waiting for Tear Gas. Fear not if you go on a family day when kids can spend 4.5 hours making art in the South Vaulted Walkway, take a just-for-them tour (book ahead), and, best of all, hang with the very child-friendly muralist Symone Salib. Tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Ages 2-12. (June 5, 10:30 p.m.-3 p.m., 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., philamuseum.org)

Trek Pride Ride 🏳️‍🌈

(Pride Month / fitness / outdoors) Grab a helmet and get ready to ride. Whether you’re a biking pro or taking your first lap, you’re welcome to join in this bike ride in celebration of the LGBTQ community. Snacks, drinks, and swag will be available for all participants. (June 5, 9 a.m., 4159 Main St., eventbrite.com)

Free First Sunday: Family Pride, Barnes Foundation 🎨

(Art / free / kid-friendly) Free family Sunday takes a turn for the fabulous when the day of art-making and discovery includes storytelling by Leslie Hamilton (10:30 and 11:15 a.m.), live performance by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (12:30 p.m.), and a lesson in Voguing from Kemar Jewel (2:30 p.m.). Ages 2+. Registration opens June 2 at 10 a.m. and is required. (June 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., barnesfoundation.org)

West Philly Porchfest 🎶

(Music / free / outdoors) The place to be on Saturday afternoon (if you’re not at the Roots Picnic) is West Philly. Scores of bands will play on porches from noon to 6 p.m., from singer-songwriter Avi Wisnia, to rapper Kuf Knotz, to the Soul Dragon Sound System, playing roots reggae vinyl from Jamaica. Check out the website for an interactive map. (June 5, noon, throughout West Philly, westphillyporchfest.com)

Petty Bunco Big Outdoor Party 🎶

(Music / free / outdoors) Philly psychedelic indie rock label Petty Bunco is throwing a Sunday afternoon party at Philadelphia Brewing Company, with a smashing array of bands, including Heavenly Bodies, Strapping Fieldhands, Emy Robb, Bill Nace, and Blues Ambush. (June 5, 1 p.m., 2440 N. Frankford Ave., philadelphiabrewingcompany.com)

Kenny G 🎶

(Music / free) The love-him-or-hate-him subject of Penny Lane’s HBO documentary Listening To Kenny G is the biggest-selling jazz musician of all time. He kicks off the Sunset Jazz Series in Camden, which features Corinne Bailey Rae, The Sugarhill Gang, and Matt Cappy in the coming weeks. (June 6, 8 p.m., 2 Riverside Drive., Camden, camdencounty.com)

Big Ideas for Little Learners: A Squiggly Story, Salvation Army Kroc Center 📚

(Books / in-person) Have a story read to you, then write your own — and go home with a new book and an activity bag. Not bad for a mid-week, after-school haul. Event is in partnership with the National Liberty Museum. Ages 3-8. (June 2, 4 and 5 p.m., 4200 Wissahickon Ave., libertymuseum.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)

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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