The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: from upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.

You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) If you’re planning to dine out this week, wait until Thursday and let your meal do some good. During Dining Out For Life, participating restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to support those impacted by HIV in the Delaware Valley. Make a reservation at one of the dozens of participating restaurants and know that your meal will go a long way. (Apr. 25, diningoutforlife.com/)

(Community) The Penn Relays are the oldest running track and field event in the country. The historic Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania will host the event where more than 15,000 athletes will compete in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators. Prepare for heated competition, custom merch, food, games, and a lot of fun. (Apr. 25-27, 235 S. 33rd St., pennrelays.com)

(Community) Spend four days celebrating the beauty and resilience of Philly’s Black queer community during this multi-day event. The events kick off on Thursday with an open mic night and poetry slam and continues through the weekend with an opening reception, Black Joy Summit and more. (April 25-28, phillyblackpride.org)

(Community) Grab your running shoes and get ready for the wildest 5k you’ve ever seen. This one mile fun-run loops through the zoo while spectators cheer on the runners. Tickets for runners and spectators both include zoo admission. Proceeds from the race support the many animals in the care of the Philadelphia Zoo. (Apr. 26, 8-9:30a.m., 3400 W. Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org)

(Art) This annual gathering displays an amazing collection of antiques, art and other designs. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just an art appreciator, stop by to enjoy this display of ceramics, porcelain, jewelry and so much more. (Apr. 26-28, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., thephiladelphiashow.com/)

(Movies) This celebration of short films is back for its 18th year running. This festival presents films from around the world that are 30 minutes or less. In addition to screenings, you can also attend filmmaker workshops, meet and greet with filmmakers and a closing night party. (Apr. 26-28, westchesterfilmfestival.com)

(Community) Looking for unique, handmade wares to add to your collection? Look no further than this craft fair, which features everything from stationery to candles. While you shop, you can also enjoy live music, craft activities and delicious food from local vendors. (Apr. 28, 11a.m.-5p.m., 40th & Woodland Ave., tockify.com/)

(Community) Bring your biggest appetite over to Easy Passyunk Avenue this weekend for a day full of flavor. This food festival and block party is perfect for all ages. More than two dozen bars and restaurants will bring hot items from their menus outside alongside live music, makers and craft vendors for a day of nonstop eating, sipping and shopping. (Apr. 28, 11a.m.-5p.m., E. Passyunk Ave. (between Broad and Dickinson St.), visiteastpassyunk.com)

(Art) (re)FOCUS celebrates the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts/1974, a citywide festival recognizing the contributions of women artists. This festival will be a collaboration between Philadelphia’s art institutions and include panels, demonstrations, workshops and more. (Runs through May 31, refocus2024.org)

Festival season has begun, from Linvilla to Gibbstown, with food trucks, art-making, face-painting, and, in the case of the one indoor spot on the list, LEGO-building.

(LEGOs) Build-your-own flower and animal stations bring a bit of spring to Plymouth Meeting. The mall store and fun zone has also added a new LEGO Friends 4D movie — something fun to do on yet another rainy or cold spring day. Ages 2-12. (From $24, Apr. 20-May 27, 500 W. Germantown Pk., Plymouth Meeting, legolanddiscoverycenter.com)

(Seasonal) Strawberries aren’t quite ready for picking, but there’s still plenty of ground to cover in a tractor-pulled, hay-filled wagon preview of fields and orchards at this authentic Jersey farm. All ages. ($7, free ages 1 and under, Apr. 27-28, May 4-5, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ, johnsonsfarm.com)

(Food / seasonal) This Delco agri-tainment  attraction is starting up a monthly tradition featuring not just its extant outdoor food court, but 20 more food trucks, plus  hayrides ($7-$9), face painting (from $12), pony rides ($10), and live music. All ages. (Pay-as-you-go, Apr. 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, linvilla.com)

(Food / Seasonal) Tacos, hibachi, crepes, cupcakes, live bands, pony rides, a petting zoo, mini golf, a bounce house, sand art, knockerball, and both a beer and a margarita garden (grown-ups only) are among the reasons to spend the day in this Gloucester County park. Dogs welcome too. All ages. ($5, free ages 5 and under, Apr. 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 46 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown, NJ, facebook.com)

(Art / free) Lenfest Plaza — the one with the airplane and giant paintbrush and paint blob — hosts two hours of art-making, live music, things to eat, and a raffle to win a week at PAFA’s Summer Art Camp (a $320-$400 value). Ages 5-14. (Free, Apr. 28, 1-3 p.m., 1537 Cherry St., pafa.org)

(Roller skating) Quick! City Hall’s outdoor roller rink is open for a hot minute (before the fountains turn on). Opening day celebration includes a performance by Great on Skates. Ages 4 and up. ($8-$10 admission, $14-$16 rental, Apr. 19-Jun. 30, 1 S. 15th St. centercityphila.org)

(Theater / multiday) Tim Crouch won an Obie for his stage drama for young audiences. The tale follows three families on a rainy vacation, inviting the audience into beanbag chairs and carpet squares for a participatory theater experience with all-ages appeal. Ages 10 and up. ($35, $20 student and ages 18 and under, Apr. 18-May 5, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media, hedgerowtheatre.org)

(Animals / multiday) Every hour on the hour, this Camden aquarium’s atrium turns on the bubble machines and immerses kids in a popping extravaganza. Throughout the venue, look for bubbling science experiments — and bubble tea in the food court. All ages. ($28-$48 ages 13-64, $26-$46 ages 65 and up, $18-$38 ages 12 and under, Mar. 22-Apr. 28, 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ, adventureaquarium.com)

(LEGO / multiday) They’re back! The world’s most popular toys, as sculpted by Nathan Sawaya into Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a life-size T-Rex, and about 100 other imaginative scenes — like bright human forms with LEGO souls — return after a less-than-decade-ago exhibit also at the Franklin Institute. Most of the pieces are look-don’t-touch, but there are plenty of opportunities to be hands-on too. Ages 3 and up. (Daytime: $43 adult, $39 ages 3-11; evening: $20, Feb. 17-Sept. 2, 222 N. 20th St., fi.edu)

(Animals / multiday) A live sloth and boa constrictor (not together), climb-on sculptures of a gorilla, tortoise, and red-eye tree frog on a Banyan tree, plus discovery stations in English and Spanish all bring home the point that the lush and fragile rainforest habitat is key to keeping our Earth healthy. Ages 4 and up. ($20-$22 ages 13 and up, $16-$18 ages 2-12, $2 ACCESS cardholder and three guests, free ages 2 and under, Feb 17-Sept. 2, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., ansp.org)

(Nature / free) This is the first weekend when a portion of the Northwest Philly arboretum re-opens its fairy tables, playhouse, willow circles and logs for building, sitting, and climbing on — a secret garden for imaginative play. Ages 3-12. (Free, weekends through October 26-27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 6060 Ardleigh St., awbury.org)