Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Reading Terminal Market Ice Cream Festival
Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival is set for July 13, 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 noon to 5 p.m., and will feature ice cream eating contests, sweet treat specials, food demonstrations, live entertainment, and more.
In addition to Bassett’s, RTM’s Ice Cream Festival will host 10 local artisans of the dessert alongside Market vendors who will be offering up their own specials: Beck’s Cajun Cafe will offer a brioche French toast with toasted pecan praline syrup and vanilla ice cream, El Merkury will serve up a churro ice cream sundae, Flying Monkey Bakery will make sundae cupcakes, Hunger Burger will add a peaches and cream milkshake to their menu and plenty more will add their own spin on the sweet treat.
Filbert Street by Reading Terminal Market (1136 Arch St.), readingterminalmarket.org
Bourbon Release Party at the Twisted Tail
Kicking off this Thursday, July 11, at 6 p.m., this spirited event will feature the release of The Twisted Tail’s very own barrel of bourbon from the Wilderness Trail. The party will feature an exclusive tasting of the libation, an expert onsite to guide attendees through the experience, gourmet appetizers and dishes to pair with the bourbon, live music and more.
As a release notes, this exclusive event is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation for fine bourbon and enjoy a night of good company and great flavors. Tickets are $270 per person, and each ticket includes a gift of three bottles of the Wilderness Trail wheated bourbon, bottled at a robust cask strength of 112 Proof.
509 S 2nd St., thetwistedtail.com
The Oval
The annual outdoor pop-up that takes over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will open for business this Thursday, July 11. For seven weekends this summer, locals and visitors can head to the public parking lot that has been transformed into an “urban oasis” to check out its eight-acre space filled with food and beverages, art, music and entertainment, wellness experiences, and free special event programming.
Some new partnerships this year specifically at the space come from Libertee Grounds and local musical act, SNACKTIME. Libertee will be offering an all-ages mini golf course featuring famous Philadelphia landmarks, and SNACKTIME will curate a concert series for 2024. The Oval will also feature a beer garden and pop-up restaurant by Libertee Grounds, a selection of food trucks, a temporary art installation opening Aug. 1 in partnership with the Association for Public Art, group fitness and wellness activities, a special mural created by Mural Arts Philadelphia, and more.
2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, myphillypark.org
Blobfest
The Colonial Theatre’s 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 more. The event will be in full swing from July 12 to 14, but visitors can also celebrate a little early on July 11 with a special Blobest Eve screening of ‘Grease.’
Other activities span the costumed Blob Ball, The Blobfest Street Fair, multiple screenings, the 7th Annual Blobfest 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon and a chance to participate in the Blobfest 2024 Stage Show and Run Out. With the latter, attendees will be able to enjoy an original, live stage show featuring Baltimore-based horror host Aurora Gorealis of Shocktail Hour, live music performed by Beach Creeper, Shorty’s Short Film Contest, and an audience re-enactment of The Blob’s famous ‘run out’ scene.
227 Bridge St., thecolonialtheatre.com
Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival
Over in Haddonfield this weekend, there will be two days jam-packed with creative makers and unique finds with the return of the Crafts and Fine Art Festival. Now in its 30th year, the activation will take over the charming New Jersey town to showcase 200 artists from the region and beyond. The outdoor event, sponsored by Subaru, will be held Saturday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The selection of finds will span ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber, paper, drawings, paintings, photography, and wearable art. Live music and local retailers will also overtake the festival’s footprint in town, which spans Kings Highway between Washington Avenue and Haddon Avenue, and along Tanner Street to Euclid Avenue. Families can also head to Kings Court where the Markheim Arts Center will have a make-and-take craft station for kids, face painters and more.
