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) Philadelphia’s Fringe Festival, a nearly month-long celebration of the city’s performing arts scene, turns 30 this year. The festival showcases hundreds of alternative, bold performances throughout the city covering everything from theater to cabaret. Grab a ticket to one of the more than 300 events happening this year.

⌚️Through Sept. 27, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Art) This group exhibit features work from eleven artists from the Joined Hands Collective. The pieces span watercolor, collage, mixed media, ceramics, fiber and photography. The exhibit explores how individuals, communities and shared environments intersect, showing the many ways we are all connected.

⌚️Sept. 5 - Oct. 10, 📍601 W. Allens Ln., Philadelphia, Pa, 19119, 🌐 allenslane.org, 💵 Free

(Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.

⌚️July 5 - October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission

(Community / free) Explore the Delaware from both sides of the river with free pedal boat and ferry rides, tall ship tours, admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, live bird encounters, and more waterfront activities in Philadelphia and Camden. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, and 2 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J. 08103, 🌐 delawareriverfest.org, 💵 Free

(STEM) Budding designers and engineers can see just how much you can make with a 3D printer at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This major gathering of makers showcases 3D-printed toys, tools, and technology, plus competitions, demonstrations, and talks. Ages 7 and up.

⌚ Sept. 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍1101 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 3dprintopia.com, 💵 Free–$12.50

(Nature / free) It’s a pollinator party in the garden at the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees. Celebrate the monarch butterfly with hands-on crafts, activities, and lessons about butterflies, pollinators, and the plants that help them thrive. Ages 3 and up.

⌚ Sept. 26, 3–6 p.m., 📍509 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees, N.J. 08043, 🌐 awanj.org, 💵 Free

(Community / free) Philly AIDS Thrift takes over its Bella Vista neighborhood for the 21st year with a dunk tank, face painting, a pie-eating contest, games, a DJ, food, and plenty of block-party fun. All ages.

⌚ Sept. 26, noon–6 p.m., 📍710 S. Fifth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 facebook.com, 💵 Free

(Theater) Babies and toddlers love making noise with just about anything they can get their hands on. At Icebox Project Space, they’re encouraged to do exactly that as professional musicians transform rattles, spoons, toothbrushes, plates, and other everyday objects into an interactive percussive Fringe Festival performance. Ages 0–5.

⌚ Sept. 26–27, 11 a.m., 📍1400 N. American St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19122, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 $25 or pay what you can

(Theater) Environmental artist and storyteller Carlotta Schiavio, aka Ya Tii Talisman, visits Park Towne Place to read her new fantasy-meets-watershed children’s book. After the story, kids can make some art of their own. Ages 4–10.

⌚ Sept. 27, 2 p.m., 📍2200 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 inliquid.app.neoncrm.com, 💵 Free–$5

(Seasonal / free) The Delaware River waterfront favorite is back with hammocks, oversized games, ice cream, and a few new additions this year, including swan boats, “glow” boats, and Sunday family fun days throughout the season. All ages.

⌚ May 22–September 27, 📍301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.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