Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Franklin Square’s 17th Birthday Celebration
Franklin Square turns 17 in 2023, and to celebrate its birthday, the historic venue will be offering free family fun during the day on Sunday, July 30.
To celebrate the birthday festivities, families and Philadelphians can head to the Square from 10 a.m. to noon, to check out all of the free activities which span birthday hat and bag decorating, temporary tattoos, candy giveaways, a scavenger hunt, and Once Upon A Nation storytelling.
Additionally, on Franklin Square’s Birthday, the first 100 guests will receive a free ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel, or visitors can complete the free Chinese Lantern Festival Scavenger Hunt to win a free ticket to ride. The party in the pavilion will kick off at 11:15 a.m., and then, the celebration concludes with the Franklin Square Fountain Show at noon. The 185-year-old historic Rendell Family Fountain typically plays every 30 minutes and switches songs for every performance.
200 N. 6th St., historicphiladelphia.org
Philly Food Truck Festival for Autism
According to a release, the Philly Food Truck Festival hosted by Kamp for Kids will feature 30 food trucks, 75 vendors, live music, children’s activities, Star Wars characters, Hooter the owl from Temple football, the Philadelphia Union with their mascot Phang, and other fun activities. All proceeds from this event will benefit children with autism and their families, and the festivities will be taking place July 29 and 30 from noon to 6 p.m.
Walmart Lot, 1675 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, kampforkids.org/phillyfestival
Shark Summer at the CAA
Back at the Camden Adventure Aquarium for another season, Shark Summer will be in full swing from July 17 to Aug. 20. The annual event gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the apex predators, and also, participate in some unique activities.
One event has been brought back by popular demand—and it involves a scuba fairy. As the release states, on average, sharks lose about 35,000 teeth in their lifetime, and as “the proud home to the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast,” the Adventure Aquarium’s Scuba Tooth Fairy will be searching for some of those gems in the venue’s 550,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit.
The CAA also houses a variety of sharks that Philadelphians can see, and some even up close with the venue’s popular Shark & Ray encounter. Other activities for family fun during Shark Summer included with admission span different hands-on activities like a Shark Activity sheet or ways to get creative and color your own eco-friendly shark hat. And as a release states, the Adventure Aquarium will also offer chances to chat with a Shark Expert to learn more about “the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures,” test your shark knowledge during a Shark-centric edition of the Walk the Plank game show, or catch shark-themed lights at the top of each hour in the Aquarium’s expansive Rotunda.
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com
Pixar Putt
Mini-golf meets the movies with Philly’s newest waterside attraction, Pixar Putt. The new pop-up, open-air experience is now open at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, and will remain open until Oct. 1.
The course is designed for all ages 4+, and will feature an interactive way to experience a variety of different Pixar films including ‘Toy Story’, ‘The Incredibles’, ‘Monsters, Inc.’, ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Coco’, ‘A Bug’s Life’, ‘Wall-E’, ‘Soul’ and ‘Inside Out’, with 18 holes in total. From a hole dedicated to a French kitchen straight out of ‘Ratouille’ to the many doors of ‘Monster’s Inc.’, to an oversized piano from ‘Soul’, every single hole is meant to be immersive. The Philadelphia course will also mark the North American premiere of holes inspired by ‘Turning Red’, ‘Lightyear’, and a special surprise to be announced soon.
Pixar Putt will operate seven days a week from noon to 10 p.m. with the last entry at 8:30 p.m. There will also be Pixar Putt After Dark evening sessions for guests 18+ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. as well.
101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, pixarputt.com
Crave Montco Month
It’s the last weekend to enjoy everything that Crave Montco Month has to offer. It aims to be a celebration that highlights the hundreds of eateries, breweries, and restaurants that make Montgomery County a go-to dining destination. Restaurants and offerings hold a little something for everyone spanning from al fresco spaces, to breakfast nooks, to lively bars and everything in between.
The public is also invited to download the Montco Makers Passport — a free mobile pass that guides patrons to the best breweries, distilleries, and craft beverage producers in Valley Forge and Montgomery County. Passport users can check in during their visit for a chance to win prizes as well. New eateries and offers are being added to Crave Montco Month on a regular basis. For the full list of up-to-date list of promotions and to find out more information, head to the official site.
