Fun things to do in Philly this weekend

Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.

SmörgåsBeer

This Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m., locals can head to FDR Park to indulge in the American Swedish Historical Museum’s annual SmörgåsBeer, aka a Swedish party with plenty of food and drinks to go around. While there, visitors can sip on pours from Nordic breweries, try different Swedish-inspired eats and candy and listen to live music.

SmörgåsBeer will also feature lawn games, trivia and a traditional Swedish “tipspromenad” or walking quiz, to take you through the museum. Tickets for the 21+ event are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, $15 for designated drivers. 

1900 Pattison Ave., americanswedish.org

Stroll the Street

Every Thursday this summer, Manayunk is aiming to become a one-stop shop for all Philadelphians looking to stroll, sip and see a line-up of offerings from its local creative community. The area’s Stroll the Street initiative returned in 2024 with an entire season of weekly themed events.

The theme of “Music” will take over in July, and “Pets” in August. Each night will always have a roster of different vendors offering up jewelry, art, vintage clothing, gourmet hot sauce, candles, pet treats, and more. Specifically this week, for music month in particular, the event will also feature the Gardyn Jazz Orchestra on the MNYK Artbox stage on July 25. A full schedule of happenings and specials can be found online.

manayunk.com

Burpee Open

The 2024 Burpee Open is blooming big this month, and it offers the chance to explore the (typically closed) grounds of one of the most well-known gardening brands in the world. Set for July 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the experience is meant to give access to Fordhook Farm for a few hours one day a year to the public through self-guided garden tours.

The event will also feature food from local businesses along with shopping from The Bucks County Flower Collective and the Burpee Garden Shop. Children attending the event can participate in activities like flower arranging and a scavenger hunt, and then a lineup of guest speakers like plant breeders, garden designers, authors, and more will be on-site.

105 New Britain Road, Doylestown, burpee.com

Chinese Lantern Festival

The Chinese Lantern Festival has returned to Franklin Square this summer, and it’ll once again be loaded with steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant artistic sculptures that brighten up the historic area of the city. 

Philadelphians can expect the popular 200-foot-long dragon (and this year also happens to be The Year of the Dragon) along with completely new lantern displays and immersive experiences, live cultural stage performances, Asian-themed food, the Dragon Beer Garden, and a front-row seat to the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain. More information and tickets can be found online.

200 N 6th St.,historicphiladelphia.org

Bristol Riverside Theatre’s Summer Music Fest

Every sunny season, the Bristol Riverside Theatre’s William Penn Bank Summer Music Fest invites Philadelphians to indulge in interactive music events, and the summer of 2024 will be no different.

The series takes place inside Benjamin Franklin Middle School’s newly renovated state-of-the-art 504-seat theatre, centrally located near Philadelphia. The space is wheelchair accessible, and features concessions available for purchase, free on-site parking, and assisted listening devices.

This weekend will feature ‘The 50’s Dance Party’ aka the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper’s final tour—plus the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens, and Richardson estates. Each live concert performance includes over two hours of “unbridled and high-voltage entertainment” featuring all the hit songs of the 50’s era like ‘That’ll Be the Day’, ‘Peggy Sue’, ‘Oh, Boy’, ‘Rave on’, ‘La Bamba’, ‘Chantilly Lace’, and more.

6403 Mill Creek Road, Levittown, brtstage.org