Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival
Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival is set for July 12, and the annual occasion (in partnership with Bassett’s Ice Cream) shuts down Filbert Street every year to offer tasty ways to cool down. Known as one of the largest ice cream occasions in the country, the event will be in full swing on Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m., and will feature ice cream eating contests, sweet treat specials, live entertainment and more.
In addition to Bassett’s, RTM’s Ice Cream Festival will host 11 local artisans of the dessert alongside Market vendors. Philadelphia ice cream favorites include Franklin Fountain, Mango Hut, Milk Jawn, Scoop DeVille, Tubby Robot, Weckerly’s and more.
Spots from Reading Terminal Market will also be joining in on the fun and adding their own twist on the sweet treat: Beck’s Cajun Cafe will offer Bananas Foster French toast with vanilla ice cream, Fox and Son Fair Foods will add peach cobbler funnel cake with ice cream to their menu, and others will have similar creations. The day will also be packed with themed games, themed crafts and recipe demonstrations. Entrance to the event is free; all treats are available for purchase. Note, dogs will not be permitted inside the festival area.
1136 Arch St., readingterminalmarket.org
Riverfest at Glen Foerd
This Sunday, July 13, holds the opportunity to head to the picturesque Glen Foerd mansion to enjoy everything the grounds has to offer in the summer. Riverfest is the venue’s annual celebration of nature, community, and culture. This free, family-friendly event features open boating on the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River using Glen Foerd’s fleet of kayaks, canoes, and rowboats, plus, there will be a small regatta for visitors to watch.
The experience will also feature hands-on environmental and arts activities, local vendors, music, food from Good Karma, sweet treats from Mister Softee, and the opportunity to go on self-guided tours around the house. Guided tours on the other hand will be led by Executive Director Ross Mitchell at 4 and 5:30 p.m.
RiverFest is free and open to the public from 3 to 7 p.m. Optional donation-based tickets ($5, $10, or $15) are recommended.
5001 Grant Ave., glenfoerd.org
Aqimero’s Boozy Tea
Aqimeo is bringing back its boozy tea experience this weekend, but this time, the locale is also partnering up with a local artist. On July 12 and 13 (noon to 2 p.m.) Callie Avellino from CallieCo Paints will be on site creating live personal portraits, and visitors can also peruse through her Philly and cocktail-inspired art for purchase. This immersive event features a four-course Latin-inspired menu, cocktails and a live DJ.
Food-wise, Philadelphians can find tuna ceviche, garden guacamole, cheesesteak empanadas and a honey cheesecake made with honeycomb, blood orange, berry salsa, and alma finca orange liqueur flambé for dessert. Cocktails will span a Honey Lavender Margarita, Matcha Mojito and a Hibiscus Paloma Punch. Tickets for the experience come out to $95 per person.
10 Avenue of the Arts, aqimero.com
Blobfest at the Colonial Theatre
Every summer, the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville sets aside a few days to pay homage to the venue’s starring role in a 1958 classic Steve McQueen film. Blobfest centers around the popular horror cult classic, ‘The Blob,’ and the three-day festival will give film buffs and horror fans the chance to check out live performances, special engagements, tours, and much more.
Taking place July 11 to 13, the event’s theme this year is dubbed “Camp Blobfest,” and will feature some new additions to the line-up (thanks to an $8,000 grant from PECO.) The funding will support expanded outreach efforts within Phoenixville’s Hispanic community. The festival will officially kick off on July 11 at 6 p.m. with the Blobfest 2025 Stage Show and Run Out.
The Colonial Theatre’s Blob Ball will then follow suit after the event, where guests can dance to live music, sip on themed cocktails and dress up in 1950s attire ($25, 9 p.m. at 225 Lobby.) The Blobfest Street Fair will be taking over Bridge and Main street on July 12 beginning at 11 a.m., and then the next day, visitors can participate in the 7th Annual Blobfest 5k, 10k, and half marathon. The weekend will also feature plenty of additional screenings of ‘The Blob’ and other films throughout the weekend.
227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com
Summer fun in Philly Parks
The second Saturday of each month in West Fairmount Park will hold some free guided hikes, with July 12’s focusing on a Tree Tour. Yoga in the Park is another fan-favorite activity that happens on select Sundays (including July 13) from 10 to 11 a.m. in the expansive green space of East Fairmount Park, led by a rotation of local Tula Yoga instructors. Tula will also host a 9 a.m. class catered towards seniors on those dates as well. All yoga sessions are free in 2025. More information can be found online.
