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 graduation re-enactement depicts actual graduation programs in the 1860s at the Institute for Colored Youth. Actors will portray historical figures such as Ebenezer Bassett, Octavious Catto, Caroline LeCount and more.

⌚️May 1, 10:30a.m. - 2p.m., 📍419 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Kick off festival season on South Street at this epic block party. Enjoy blocks of live music performances, immersive art, local vendors and fun neighborhood experiences.

⌚️May 2, 12-7p.m., 📍100-700 Block of South Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 19145, 🌐 southstreet.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) This block party is truly one of a kind, combining everything you love about community celebrations with the thrill of a Renaissance Faire. Come ready for fantasy-themed fun, incredible performances, delicious food and so much more.

⌚️May 2, 12-8p.m., 📍123 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 southstreet.com/, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Celebrate all things Kentucky Derby while sampling delicious wins from South Jersey’s leading wine makers. Come dressed in Derby themed fashions and ready for a day filled with music, games, food and amazing wine.

⌚️May 2, 2-7p.m., 📍5300 N. Park Dr., Pennsauken, NJ, 08109, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $35-110

(Community) Tap into your inner creative at this unique lamp making workshop. You design and assemble your own Turkish-style lamp, with an instructor to guide you through the process. No prior design experience is needed to participate.

⌚️May 2, various times, 📍1516 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19122, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $96.81

(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

(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 / free) At the Wagner Free Institute of Science in North Philly, this final spring session focuses on birdwatching, with time in the garden followed by a talk from expert birder Holger Pflicke. Registration suggested. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ May 2, noon–4 p.m., 📍1700 W. Montgomery Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19121, 🌐 wagnerfreeinstitute.org, 💵 Free

(Community / free) Stretching from Headhouse Plaza down South Street, this multi-block party packs in everything from a mini Renaissance fair and Maifest to free comic books, DJs, and a kid-friendly zone. All ages.

⌚ May 2, noon–8 p.m., 📍100–800 South St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 southstreet.com, 💵 Free

(Art / free) At the Barnes Foundation, local kids’ 3D recreations of artworks take center stage during this annual family day, alongside DJ sets from DJ Long Legs and access to the galleries. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ May 3, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 barnesfoundation.org, 💵 Free

(Art / free) At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this month’s free Sunday explores animals through an AAPI lens, with ink painting, hands-on art inspired by Hui-Yi Kuo, and a closing lion dance by the Philadelphia Suns. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ May 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org, 💵 Free

(Community / free) Along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill, this long-running street fest leans into vendors, but still delivers a car-free stroll with plenty of browsing, snacking, and neighborhood charm. All ages.

⌚ May 3, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍8100–8600 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 chestnuthillpa.com, 💵 Free, pay-as-you-go

(Theater) At the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, the opening day of this three-day tradition is the most public-facing, with magic from Bill Blagg, a free outdoor concert by Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets, and a performance of “Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System.” All ages.

⌚ May 3, 2–5 p.m., 📍3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 pennlivearts.org, 💵 Free–$44

(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

(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