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.

(Community) How much do you know about the history of fireworks? This new exhibition will bring you up to speed and explores the long global history of fireworks. The exhibit truly has a bit of everything from rare books and fine art to consumer catalogs and the latest pyrotechnic technology.

⌚️Apr. 10, 5-8p.m., 📍315 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 sciencehistory.org, 💵 Free

(Comedy) Comedian Jono Zalay has made audiences laugh on stages from Netflix to Comedy Central, and is now grabbing the mic in Philadelphia. Come ready for a night of nonstop laughter. Drinks will be available for sale from Love City Brewing.

⌚️Apr. 10, 7:30p.m. & 9:30p.m., 📍1025 Hamilton St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $21

(Community) Get ready for three days of anime, cosplay and gaming at Cherry Street Pier. This celebration of the Okaku culture on the waterfront includes more than 70 vendors, merch, Japanese street food and so much more.

⌚️Apr. 10-12, 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free

(Music) Jazzentine performer is returning to Philadelphia for a special, modern jazz performance. The evening will be filled with the melodic sounds of soulful jazz designed to take you through a range of emotions. Bring your own food and beverages to enjoy during the show.

⌚️Apr. 11, 7-9p.m., 📍601 W. Allens Lane, Philadelphia, Pa, 19119, 🌐 canvas.allenslane.org, 💵 $20 online, $25 at the door

(Community) You cannot have healthy individuals without strong, healthy communities and this event exists to work towards that. Come learn all about local health resources, healthy foods for the Black community, fitness demos and more while enjoying local vendors and live music.

⌚️Apr. 11, 9a.m. - 5p.m., 📍4300 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 universitycity.org/, 💵 Free

(Community) Sushi lovers, this one’s for you. Come spend a day surrounded by delicious sushi and enjoy a live tuna cutting show, see the future of dining with sushi robots, and fill up on delicious pairings of sushi and sake.

⌚️Apr. 12, 4-7p.m., 📍1936 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19122, 🌐 instagram.com, 💵 $150

(Community) Can you think of any better combination than a great workout and a pasta dinner? This workshop has both, starting with an energizing pilates class to get your blood pumping, and followed by a fun pasta making workshop. You’ll leave ready for Sunday dinner with fun shaped pasta and a jar of homemade sauce.

⌚️Apr. 12, 1-3p.m., 📍1254 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19146, 🌐 social-beings.com/, 💵 $100

(Community) Who says the book fair is only for kids? Books and Brews Philly and A Novel Idea are teaming up to bring you the ultimate book event. Bring books to swap and make shelf space to bring books home. There will also be book donations to Treehouse Books, so feel free to bring new or gently used children’s books, too.

⌚️Apr. 12, 1p.m., 📍1023 Hamilton St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 allevents.in, 💵 $10

(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) Latino owned restaurants across the city are preparing to introduce you to their delicious flavors during Dine Latino Restaurant Week. This year’s lineup of restaurants include El Merkury, Casa Mexico, Mixto and dozens more.

⌚️Apr. 5-11, 📍Various locations, 🌐 philahispanicchamber.org, 💵 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

(Science / free) At the Science History Institute in Old City, this new exhibit digs into the origins and chemistry behind fireworks — a timely preview before summer skies start lighting up nightly. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ From April 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍315 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 sciencehistory.org, 💵 Free

(Community / free)At a West Philly school, families can drop off gently used kids’ clothes (newborn through size 8) and pick up what they need — no cost, no catch. There’s play space for kids while adults browse, and leftovers are donated. Ages 0–8.

⌚ April 11, 9:30 a.m.–noon, 📍1212 S. 47th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19143, 🌐 childrenscommunityschool.org, 💵 Free

(Nature / free) In Northwest Philly, Awbury Arboretum reopens its nature play area — now with a climbing wall, zipline, and pavilion — with a scavenger hunt designed to get kids exploring every corner. All ages.(⌚ April 11, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., 📍6060 Ardleigh St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19138, 🌐 awbury.org, 💵 Free)

(Art) At Philly’s Magic Gardens on South Street, families can create their own tile portraits inspired by Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic work — whether that’s a full face or just a fragment. Drop in and get messy. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ April 12, noon–4 p.m., 📍1020 South St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 phillymagicgardens.org, 💵 Free–$15

(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

(History) At the Museum of the American Revolution, spring break stretches into a two-week run of discovery carts, reenactors, storytelling, and hands-on exhibition activities — a way to sneak in some learning during time off. Ages 5 and up.

⌚ March 28–April 12, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org, 💵 $14–$27; $2 ACCESS cardholder

(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