Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Festival
This Saturday, locals can head to the Philadelphia Zoo to try more than 100 award-winning craft beers, ciders, hard iced teas and hard seltzers with the Summer Ale Festival. Brands like Tired Hands Brewing Company, Three 3’s Brewing Company, Two Locals Brewing, Dock Street Brewing, and others will post up around the venue to pour their samples, and other local food trucks will also be attendance serving up different cuisines.
The Festival will also feature a line-up of live music, plus all tickets include free parking and a complimentary shuttle to and from 30th Street Station if needed. Tickets are now on sale for $95 for early access admission, $75 for general admission and $35 for non-drinker admission.
3400 W. Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org
East Passyunk’s Passeggiata
East Passyunk’s latest event series will take place every Thursday evening throughout the sunny season until Aug. 31. What the Passeggiata features is a list of area bars and restaurants offering special happy hour deals, and a sidewalk market from 5 to 7 p.m.
While strolling around the picturesque area of the city, Philadelphians can indulge in $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails, along with $7 small bites from spots like Barcelona Wine Bar, The Bottle Shop, Cartesian Brewing, Ember & Ash, Flannel, Human Robot Süd, Juana Tamale, Laurel, Le Virtu and more (a full list can be found online.)
At the same time, retailers and other businesses will adorn the sidewalk in front of their venues with specials and sales to encourage visitors to casually explore the Avenue in the way you would see in an Italian promenade, the release also notes. A full list of everything being offered and more detailed information on East Passyunk’s Passeggiata can be found through their site.
Shark Summer at the CAA
The annual festival at the Camden Adventure Aquarium kicked off this week, and will be full of various events and activations surrounding the apex predators until Aug. 18. Shark Summer will feature a scuba diving tooth fairy, different shark tours, a special Shark & Ray Encounter experience, shark-themed quizzo, a light show and much more.
The Aquarium in general also offers different and one-of-a-kind views of the beings through its shark tunnel underneath the 21-foot exhibit or across its shark bridge—which happens to be the largest of its kind in the country. Tickets and more information can be found online.
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com
The Oval
The annual outdoor pop-up that takes over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is open on 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 pop-ups, a special mural created by Mural Arts Philadelphia, and more.
2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, myphillypark.org
Evil Genius Beer Company
Evil Genius Beer Company is offering a special celebration this weekend for all ages, followed by a ‘Schitt’s Creek’ themed drag brunch the following day. On Saturday, July 20, from noon to 5 p.m., the venue will be throwing a family-friendly extravaganza with face painters, balloon artists, a variety of vendors, finger-friendly foods, plenty of beer, plus non-alcoholic beverages such as juices and soda for the younger crowd.
Then on Sunday, July 21, TV’s Moira Rose Presents: Drag Brunch will be in full swing at noon (doors open at 11 a.m.) Ticket options are available online.
1727 N Front St.,evilgeniusbeer.com
