Weekend Phillyfun Picks

So much going on in Philly this weekend with festivals galore! It’s the start of the Philadelphia Science Festival featuring a huge street carnival on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway plus the 6^th Annual Philadelphia Book festival, Earth Day, and so much more! Get outside, enjoy the beautiful spring weather (and before the rain comes) and all the free or almost free festivals and fun to be had this weekend.

Philadelphia Science Festival and Carnival on the Parkway

Saturday April 21st 

11am - 4pm 

Logan Circle

Philadelphia, PA

This Saturday April 21^st,  from 11am - 4pm Logan Circle in Philadelphia is transformed into a science wonderland during the Philadelphia Science Festival and Carnival on the Parkway with 100 exhibitors offering non-stop family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games and the opportunity to meet scientists, engineers, and mathematicians all day long. There will also be science-themed entertainment on TWO stages with WXPN Kids Corner host Kathy O’Connell on the Aviator Park stage and great science musicians and performers on the stage in front of the Family Court all day long. Plus enjoy tasty treats like liquid nitrogen ice cream and much more. Free. No registration required.

6th Annual Philadelphia Book Festival

Saturday April 21st 

12 Noon - 7pm

Parkway Central Library (unless noted)

1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA

215-814-3520

On Saturday April 21^st it’s a celebration of all things literary at the 6th Annual Philadelphia Book Festival inside and outside the Parkway Central Library Branch. It’s all kicked off by a Character Parade in Shakespeare Park at 12 Noon and then music by The Cat’s Pajamas at 1pm, fun with Teddy Bear Picnic, and much more. Plus food by Krispy Kreme, Pitruco Pizza, and more. And inside the library enjoy talks and readings from authors and culminating with a special ticketed family storytelling event featuring Charlotte Blake Aston and dinner with Sara Shepard, author of the Pretty Little Liars series at 5pm. All events are free except for the Storied Evening (tickets $17.50 per person or $62.50 for family of 4. Children 2 and under free).  

Narberth Earth Day

Saturday April 21st

12 Noon - 4pm 

Narberth Park

Narberth PA  

It’s a free fun environmental fair for kids and families at the Narberth Earth Day in Narberth this Saturday April 21^st from 12 noon – 4pm. Kids will learn about growing a garden, make crafts, and meet with small animals, and more. Free.

Hot House Jazz Band Jam-A-Long Family Music Concert 

Saturday April 21st 

4:30pm
The Creative Living Room

15 Chester Road
Swarthmore, PA

This family friendly concert at Swarthmore’s The Creative Living Room starting at 4:30pm on Saturday April 21^st will offer music by Hot House Jazz Band. Families will enjoy an infectious atmosphere of musical joy, dancing and silly sounds. Ages 2-10. Tickets $7 per person.

Trail of the Lorax

Friday April 20 - Sunday April 22

10am - 6pm 

The Philadelphia Zoo

3400 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA

215-243-1100

ThePhiladelphia Zoo’s newest exhibit The Trail of the Lorax is a 3-dimensional interactive experience that shares the true story of an animal in peril, the endangered orangutan. Grab your 3D glasses at the gates of the Zoo and follow the trail of clues left by The Lorax himself to help you on this journey of conservation and saving wildlife. End your quest at the Lorax Loft, a fantastical play and learning environment featuring the Orangutangle, a climbing structure sure to delight little explorers. Free with Zoo Admission.

Free Admission on Sunday Mornings

Sunday April 22nd 

9:30am - 12 Noon
Brandywine River Museum
1 Hoffman's Mill Rd., Rte. 1
Chadds Ford, PA
610-388-2700

Enjoy free admission to the Brandywine River Museum on Sunday April 22^nd

from 9:30am – 12 Noon. Bring the whole family to the beautiful museum featuring classic American art in a 19th-century grist mill. Free on Sunday mornings.

Afternoon Tea at Valley Forge Flowers

Sunday April 22nd

3:00 - 4:30pm
Eagle Village

Wayne, PA
610-687-5566

Bring your little ones to Café Fleur at Valley Forge Flowers for this Afternoon Tea with Lisa Richey, President and Founder of the American Academy of Etiquette from 3-4:30pm. Kids will celebrate the history and ritual of taking afternoon tea plus learn everything there is to know about good manners while enjoying tea at the table including how to hold a teacup, how to pick up and use a napkin and more. Perfect early Mother’s Day outing for mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends and grandmothers. All ages welcome! $35 per person includes a full afternoon tea menu with finger sandwiches, pastries, sweets and of course, tea!

Jkidphilly Making Connections: Israel Birthday Celebration

Sunday April 22nd 

3:30pm

Franklin Square

6^th & Race Sts

Philadelphia, PA 

Join Jkidphilly on Sunday April 22^nd at 3:30 pm at Franklin Square under the tent in the garden celebrating Israel Independence Day with craft projects, new friends and lots of fun! Free.

WHYY Kids Club Earth Day Extravaganza with The Cat in the Hat

Sunday April 22nd 

10am - 12 Noon

150 N. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA

215-351-0511

It’s an Earth Day Extravaganza with The Cat in the Hat on Sunday April 22^nd from 10am – 12 Noon. Kids will get to Go- Go- Go- Go- on an ECO adventure during this special Y Kids Club Earth Day Celebration where kids can learn about the environment and conservation, plants, animals, and more! Plus, they’ll play games and do crafts all with an eco friendly focus. And of course, everyone will get to meet The Cat in the Hat, too! Tickets are $5 for WHYY Members and $15 for Non-Members. 

Weekend Phillyfun Picks