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) Looking for a zen way to unwind this week? COme learn the centuries old Japanese form of bonsai called Kokedama. You’ll be provided with all of the material you need to create a stunning piece of living art to take home.

⌚️July 23, 6-7:30p.m., 📍1438 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19146, 🌐 phsonline.org, 💵 $40

(Music) Relax and beat the heat with an evening of your favorite yacht rock hits performed by one of Philly’s most inclusive choirs. Come escape the hot summer temps and enjoy this group of singers belting out some of your favorite tunes.

⌚️July 24, 8p.m. - 12a.m., 📍847 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19123, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $14

(Theater) Shakespeare fans, this ones for you. ClarK Park will be transformed into the Forest of Ardenne circa 2034 for a magical theater performance. In this show, a group of exiles are sent to the forest where they grapple with their self-imposed desires and perspectives and learn if love can truly conquer all.

⌚️ July 24-26, 7p.m., 📍1101 S. 45th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 shakespeareinclarkpark.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Get ready for a weekend of fun and games. This sports pop up offers a great way to cool off while getting a little competitive. Come to battle it out in fun games like table tennis or volleyball or just watch, hang out and cheer the players.

⌚️July 25-28, 📍 1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 eventbrite.com/, 💵 Free

(Community) Grab your favorite character costume and get ready for an evening of fun. You’ll get to enjoy great music, themed drinks and snacks on the deck of the ship Olympia, with an amazing evening view of the Delaware River. Your ticket includes your first drink and snacks.

⌚️ July 26, 6-9p.m., 📍211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 oldcitydistrict.org, 💵 $35

(Community) It’s time to celebrate the culture. Come dance, eat and unwind with the most fashionable millennials you’ll meet. The day will include delicious food and rinks, live music, an interactive game station, art activations and so much more. This year’s theme is elevated street style.

⌚️ July 27, 3p.m., 📍 211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $30

(Community) This fun-filled Frankford community event is back for its fourth year. The day is open to everyone and includes food trucks, giveaways, DJs and live music, and so much more. Bring the entire family to enjoy this great day of community unity.

⌚️July 27, 3-8p.m., 4800 Ditman St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19124, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free admission

(Community) All yoga levels are welcomed at this class to move your body, relax and connect with other community members. Just bring your own mat and water and a trained instructor will lead you through a restorative flow. The class is outdoors, so please prepare for the elements and heat.

⌚️July 28, 10-11a.m., 📍Lemon Hill Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 fairmountpark.ticketleap.com, 💵 $10

(Community) Take a bite out of West Philly and explore some of the area’s best restaurants at amazing prices. More than 20 restaurants will participate and offer special lunch and dinner menus ranging from $20-$40. Don’t miss the chance to support your favorite restaurants or try out something new to you.

⌚️ July 18-28, 🌐 ucdiningdays.com 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual festival is back and ready to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The festival includes cultural performances, traditional Chinese food and an iconic 200-foot-long dragon. Timed tickets are required Friday through Sunday.

⌚️June 20 - Aug. 18, 📍200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16-28

(Community) Nothing sounds the alarm that summer is on the horizon more than the return of Center City Sips. Enjoy this happy hour tradition every Wednesday through August 28 as dozens of bars and restaurants serve up drink and appetizer specials.

⌚️June 5 - August 28, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

Summer days and nights compel us to take advantage of every outdoor opportunity, from original theater to orchestra-accompanied movies, rooftop gatherings to farm-based festivals.

(Theater) Germantown’s Yes! And… Collaborative Arts’ summer theater camp presents an original musical — outdoors — about a terrible despot and the kids who aim to overturn him. It’s BYO lawn chairs and blankets, with snacks for sale onsite at Holman Field. About 60 minutes with no intermission. Ages 3 and up.

⌚July 24-26, 6-7 p.m., 📍21 W. Washington Ln., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144, 🌐 yesandcamp.org , 💵 Suggested $5 donation

(Movie / free) Not every movie at Sunset Social is appropriate for elementary school-age viewers. But this Wednesday, they’ll revel in the action of a teenage Miles Morales as he meets hit matches. Dogs allowed too. Ages 8 and up.

⌚July 24, 7 p.m., 📍129 S. 30th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 sunsetsocialphl.com , 💵 Free

(Seasonal / free) Once a year, Fordhook Farm in Bucks County opens its private garden to public exploration. Among the speakers, food trucks, live music, and self-guided tours is a just-for-kids class in flower arranging (make a reservation) and an all-day scavenger hunt. All ages.

⌚July 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,📍105 New Britain Rd., Doylestown, Pa. 18901, 🌐 burpee.com , 💵 Free

(Seasonal / multiday) The hottest days of the year have an upside: big, bright yellow flowers and juicy fruits with fuzzy skins. Shadybrook Farm celebrates both, with plenty of selfie-ops in front of those sunny blooms, live music, and loads of physical activities. Fruit, flowers, not included with admission. All ages.

⌚July 27, 28, Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍 931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, Pa., 19067, 🌐 shadybrookfarm.com, 💵 $12-$15, free ages 23 months and under

(Movie / music) The Philadelphia Orchestra plays the soundtrack to the animated musical film that retells a tale of a headstrong princess, flying rug, big-deal genie, evil magician, and petty thief with a heart of gold. Picnics and lawn chairs are welcome. Mann Center gates open at 6 p.m. Ages 7 and up. 

⌚July 27, 8 p.m., 📍 5201 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19131, 🌐 manncenter.org , 💵 $28-$78

(Science / multiday) As local beachgoers keep an eye on Atlantic Ocean shark reports, aquarium-goers can take in three kinds of endangered species members with awe instead of fear at the Adventure Aquarium, complete with light shows, a 3D movie, trivia, and slightly more up-close-and-personal paid opportunities. All ages.

⌚July 15-August 18, 📍1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ, 08103, 🌐 adventureaquarium.com, 💵 $28-$48 ages 13-64, $19-$38 ages 2-12, free under 2

(Seasonal) The city’s biggest pop-up park returns to Eakins Oval, Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons through evenings, with mini golf, family-centric Sunday programming, food and drink, and plenty of space to chill. All ages.

⌚Jul. 11-Aug. 25, times vary, 📍2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa., 19130, 🌐 phila.gov, 💵 Free to attend

(Outdoors) As one roller rink closes, another opens, along with a Ferris wheel, new kiddie coaster, 18-hole mini golf, new giant swings, carnival games, and a bigger arcade, all at Penn’s Landing, where there’s almost always a breeze to keep you a bit cooler. Open daytime through evening on weekends, evenings only on weekdays. Ages 4 and up.

⌚Jun. 28-Sept. 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com , 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Science / multiday) If you and the kids enjoy Worlde, Tiles, or puzzle books, you’ll likely love the 60-some cerebral challenges, including 2-D and 3-D mazes made of ropes, colors, music — even DIY mazes — at the Franklin Institute’s newest exhibit.

⌚June 8-Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $21-$25; $2 ACCESS cardholder

(Dinosaurs / garden / multiday) An elegant Chestnut Hill botanical enclave has declared the coming months the “Summer of Dinos” at Morris Arboretum featuring a self-guided tour of prehistoric-related plants, an expansive outdoor toy train setup featuring fantastic Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, etc. made out of bark, and a “paleontologist’s cottage” with fossil-digging capabilities. Ages 2 and up.

⌚May 25-Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, 📍100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19118 🌐 morrisarboretum.org , 💵$20 adult, $18 ages 65 and up, $10 ages 3-17, free under age 3 and member

(Science / multiday) From the popular PBS kids’ show and Minnesota Children’s Museum, Memorial Hall’s latest interactive exhibit at the Please Touch Museum channels a tropical rainforest, Australian outback, the Antarctic, and your backyard, inviting kids to pretend to be animals — kangaroos, jaguars, spider monkeys, whatever’s in your backyard — in their natural habitat. Ages 3-9.

⌚May 31-Sept. 1, 📍4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐pleasetouchmuseum.org , 💵 $22, $2 ACCESS cardholder