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) Get ready for the ultimate bookish celebration in Philadelphia. Participating bookstores across the city are hosting unique special events with fun discounts, giveaways, author signings and more. Start wherever you want and get to as many stores as you can throughout the day.

⌚️ Aug. 23, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phillybookstorecrawl.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Science is about to get dangerously fun. This day of extreme science is packed with wild experiments you absolutely should not try at home. Come check out the danger zones and prepare to have your jaw drop at what you learn.

⌚️Aug. 23, 11a.m. - 3p.m., 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 Free with museum admission

(Community) North American’s largest Vegan food festival is heading to the Navy Yard. Come hungry and ready to eat your way through dozens of vendors from around the world, all offering delicious vegan bites.

⌚️Aug. 23, 11a.m. - 8p.m., 📍S. Broad St, Philadelphia, Pa, 19112, 🌐 vegandalefest.com, 💵 $15-60

(Community) This festival is the perfect midsummer escape for beer lovers. Come out to enjoy live music, food from local restaurants, games, giveaways and, of course, plenty of beer. Your ticket includes unlimited sampling, a tasting glass and tasting card.

⌚️Aug. 23, 1-5p.m., 📍301 W. Mill St., Quakertown, Pa, 18951, 🌐 quakertownalive.com, 💵 $10-55

(Community) Spend a Saturday enjoying delicious good, live music and regional craft beers at this fundraising beer festival. This event supports year-round education, community programming and conservation efforts. While you’re there, explore Fonthill Castle, the 110 year-old residence turned museum of Henry Chapman Mercer.

⌚️Aug. 23, 1-5p.m., 📍84 S. Pine St., Doylestown, Pa, 18901, 🌐 mercermuseum.org, 💵 $25-95

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated festival is back. This year’s festival features more than 1,100 individual sculptures placed in larger than life lantern displays. Your ticket includes three main-stage live performances every night and all of the glowing lantern displays.

⌚️Jun. 20 - Aug. 31, 📍200 N 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com/, 💵 $16-29

(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

(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

Science experiments, monster trucks, folk dancing, Moana on roller skates, 18th-century games, and plenty of storytime — there’s something for every kid this week, the last one before school starts for many Philly families.

(Movie / community / free) Independence Mall screens the 21-year-old Nic Cage classic — questionable history lessons and all — but the real fun comes before the film, when the site sets up 18th-century games and arts and crafts. BYO picnic blanket and snacks, or grab some nearby. Ages 7 and up.

⌚ Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m., 📍599 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 support.inht.org, 💵 Free

(Science) The Franklin Institute brings out liquid nitrogen, slime, hydrogen, and fire trucks for a spectacle of experiments and circus-like stunts. Expect big explosions, wild reactions, and plenty of reminders not to repeat them in your kitchen. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ Aug. 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $41–$47

(Trucks) At the Wells Fargo Center, giant cabs with glow-in-the-dark designs and names like Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, and Bone Shaker roar across the same arena where the Sixers and Flyers play. Expect loud engines and crushed cars. Ages 2 and up.

⌚ Aug. 23, 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 24, 2:30 p.m., 📍3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 wellsfargocenterphilly.com, 💵 $30–$116

(Community / free) The Please Touch Museum’s August free day still has room for little learners: rubber duck races, cooking demos, music with Johnny Shortcake, storytimes, recess-inspired games, and the beloved end-of-day parade. Ages 0–8.

⌚ Aug. 24, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 Free

(Community) In Horsham, this long-running outdoor celebration features Ukrainian music and dance — from polka and folk to pop and orchestral — plus barbecue, crafts, and sweets. Two dollars from each ticket benefits humanitarian aid. All ages.

⌚ Aug. 24, noon–8 p.m., 📍Lower State and County Line Rds., Horsham, Pa. 19454, 🌐 tryzub.org, 💵 Free–$20

(Roller skating) At RiverRink Summerfest, Moana ditches her canoe for roller skates, circling the Delaware River rink with kids who want to see how far she’ll go. Ages 4 and up.

⌚ Aug. 24, 2–4 p.m., 📍101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 $5 admission, $12 rental

(Outdoors / multiday) Hellerick’s Farm in Doylestown blooms with 25 varieties of sunflowers, plus pick-your-own raspberries and blackberries. Admission also includes farm activities like a silo climbing wall, goat petting, mini golf, and more. Kids 36 inches and under are free. All ages.

⌚Aug. 1–Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sept. 2–Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., 📍5500 Easton Rd., Doylestown, Pa. 18902, 🌐 hellericksfarm.com, 💵 $16–$20

(Seasonal / multiday) Franklin Square transforms into a wonderland of illuminated sculptures, cultural performances, and selfie spots at this evening-only event near Chinatown. New this year: dumpling-making workshops Fridays through Sundays. All ages.

⌚June 20–August 31, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$29, free ages 2 and under

(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

(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