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The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

If you're looking for the best things to do in Philly this week, you've come to the right place.

Guests of Parks on Tap group together in circles at Clark Park during the garden social hour.
Guests of Parks on Tap group together in circles at Clark Park during the garden social hour.Read more(Courtesy of FCM Hospitality )

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.


Parks on Tap at Clark Park

(Community) Philly’s favorite traveling outdoor beer garden is back. Grab a group of friends and head to Clark Park to unwind over food, drinks and games. A portion of proceeds benefit the host park.

⌚️May 21-25, 4-10p.m., 📍4300 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 universitycity.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Devon Horse Show & County Fair

(Community) The Devon Horse Show is an annual tradition and one of the largest multi-breed horse shows in the country. Come watch as competitors from around the world showcase their skills in hopes of winning top prize. The County Fair hosts dozens of pop up restaurants, fair food stands, boutique shopping vendors and more.

⌚️ May 21-June 1, 📍23 Dorset Rd., Devon, PA 19333, 🌐 devonhorseshow.net, 💵 $10-350

Uncle Bobbie’s X Tourmaline - Marsha Book Tour

(Community) Uncle Bobbie’s bookstore will welcome activist, writer and filmmaker Tourmaline to celebrate the release of her book, Marsha. Tourmaline will be in conversation with poet and artist, Van Brooks. All copies of the book at the event will be signed.

⌚️May 21, 7p.m. 📍6001 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19144, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $12-38

National Tap Dance Day Jam

(Dance) Tap dancers around the world honor Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s birthday every year, and this year is no different. Head to Cherry Street Pier as The Lady Hoofers Tap Dance Ensemble host an open tap jam, where dancers of all ages cab bring their tap shoes and improvise a routine. Dancers will learn all about the holiday and get to spend a day moving and grooving.

⌚️ May 22, 6:30-8p.m., 📍120 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free, donations accepted

Charm Bar Grand Opening

(Community) There’s a new charm bar in town ready to provide all of your cute, DIY needs. This DIY studio has everything you need to create crafty charmed jewelry, glasses, bag accessories and more. Come celebrate their new space in the city and get a little crafty.

⌚️ May 23, 3-7p.m., 📍832 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 instagram.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Spruce Street Harbor Park Opening

(Community) The waterfront’s iconic outdoor park is back for another season. Mark your calendar and enjoy open air dining, live music, games and great views of the Delaware River.

⌚️May 23, 📍301. S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Celebration of the Roses

(Community) Celebrate the beautiful blooming roses at Wyck Historic house. There will be activities for kids, tours of the Wyck Heritage Roses and free-walk in tours of the historic house. Not to mention, a vendor marketplace with local small businesses, beer tent and food trucks.

⌚️May 24, 11a.m. - 3p.m., 📍6026 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19144, 🌐 wyck.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Latino Arts & Film Festival

(Movies) Film lovers, this one’s for you. Enjoy well crafted cinematic magic created by established and emerging Latino filmmakers. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 25- July 6, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Dining Under the Stars in Media

(Community) ‘Tis the season for outdoor eating, all summer long in Media. Grab an alfresco table at one of over two dozen participating restaurants, and enjoy a meal in the fresh air with the street closed to traffic.

⌚️May - September 24, 📍State St., between Jackson St., and Orange St., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 visitmediapa.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Festival of Fountains

(Community) A visit to Longwood Gardens is a must on your spring and summer bucket lists. All spring and summer, the fountains in the gardens come to live, with some jets blasting as high as 175 feet. Whether you stroll through during the daytime, or catch an illuminated night time performance, you’re bound to have a great time.

⌚️ May 9 - September 28, 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Sq., Pa, 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $8-35

Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective

(Art) A new exhibit is heading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective is an anthology of the Chicago artist’s work, highlighting the full spectrum of her career.

⌚️Feb. 8-June 1, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 press.philamuseum.org, 💵 $14-30


The best events for kids in Philly

Spring never seems to last as long as we want it to. So grab the kids while the weather’s good and head outside — to birdwatch, roller skate, tap dance, or try something totally new. There’s plenty happening this week to make the most of the season.

National Tap Dance Day Jam

(Dance / free) Celebrate an underrated holiday at Cherry Street Pier with Philly’s own Lady Hoofers. Tap dancers of all ages are welcome to join the Shim Sham Shimmy, while little ones can enjoy storytime with Rap a Tap Tap. Ages 3 and up.

⌚May 22, 6:30–8 p.m., 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 ladyhoofers.org, 💵 Free

RiverRink Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park

(Seasonal / multi-day) These two Delaware River-side parks reopen for summer with roller skating, boardwalk games, hammocks, oversized board games, and all the snacks you could want. All ages.

⌚May 23–Sept. 1 (later for Spruce Street Harbor Park), 📍101 & 301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

The Questioneers

(Books / multi-day) At the Please Touch Museum, kids explore the worlds of Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, and friends through themed games in engineering, science, government, and more. Ages 2–7.

⌚May 24–Aug. 27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $22

Bingo, Craft & Birding

(Nature / free) At John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, kids go on a guided birding walk with loaner binoculars and birding bingo cards. There’s also a paper bag bird craft. Reservations encouraged. Ages 4–11.

⌚May 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 📍8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153, 🌐 prescribeoutside.org, 💵 Free

Hand to Hand Circus Workshop

(Circus) As part of the Philadelphia Circus Festival, FringeArts hosts an all-ages acrobatics workshop that lets kids and parents try out safe, hands-on circus techniques. Ages 8 and up.

⌚May 24, 1–3 p.m., 📍401 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 fringearts.com, 💵 $25–$40

Create / Decorate a Birdhouse

(Nature / crafts / free) At Cobbs Creek Nature Playground, kids can assemble and decorate birdhouses, then go on a nature walk to spot real birds. Reservations encouraged. Ages 4–11.

⌚May 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 📍700 Cobbs Creek Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19143, 🌐 prescribeoutside.org, 💵 Free

Adventure Mode Activated

(Gaming / history / multi-day) Penn Museum’s immersive treasure-hunt-style tour highlights real-world artifacts that inspired elements of modern video games. Kids can make mosaic “pixel” art while exploring African tools, Greek armor, and more. Ages 6–12.

⌚May 24, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. & 2–4 p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 $20

Playday with YoYo

(Outdoors / free) At Franklin Square, movement coach Yvonne “YOYO” Kusters leads a morning of music, games, crafts, and giant bubbles — all part of the park’s family fun programming.

⌚May 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org, 💵 Free

Banners of Liberty

(History / multi-day) At the Museum of the American Revolution, explore nearly half of the Revolutionary War flags that still exist — many made by Philadelphians like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young. Ages 5 and up.

⌚April 19–Aug. 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org, 💵 $13–$25; $2 ACCESS; free 5 and under

The Hobbit

(Theater / multi-day) At Arden Theatre, Greg Banks’ fast-moving take on Tolkien’s The Hobbit sends Bilbo Baggins from his cozy home into an adventure full of trolls, dragons, and life lessons. Ages 7 and up.

⌚April 2–May 25, times vary, 📍40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 ardentheatre.org, 💵 $25–$46