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. 

Craftsman Row Saloon’s Mardi Gras Pop-Up

It’s about that time of year again when Philadelphians can let the good times roll with the Mardi Gras pop-up at Craftsman Row Saloon. The annual activation opened up a few weeks ago, and will be on-site at the hotspot until Feb. 24. 

The pop-up has been extended this year by brother-and-sister restaurateurs and co-owners George and Vasiliki Tsiouris by popular demand, and they say 2024 will be the most spirited year yet. The bar will be pouring out festive Bourbon Street-inspired specialty cocktails, while the kitchen will also bring back some Big Easy favorites along with some new additions, like Po Boys, Donut Bread Pudding, Crawfish Mac N Cheese, a Big Easy Burger, Jambalaya and more.

112 S 8th St., craftsmanrowsaloon.com

Getaway at the Greenhouse

Back for another year, Getaway at the Greenhouse will be returning to the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center this weekend full of activities and fun for the whole family. 

As a release notes, the pop-up is hosted by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation in partnership with Constellation Culinary Group, and will be open Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year will feature an obstacle course for the kiddos through Child’s Play Challenge Courses, and tickets for this portion will be available in 30-minute increments.

The Getaway itself is completely free (besides participation in the obstacle course) and there will also be plenty of food and drinks available for purchase for all ages while there as well. 

100 North Horticultural Dr., eventbrite.com

‘TROLLS’ at the Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo added another pop-up exhibit throughout its grounds, and this one comes from Imagine Exhibitions. Thomas Dambo’s ‘TROLLS: Save the Humans‘ recently made its East Coast debut in Philadelphia, and what it features is a collection of the mystical creatures made out of repurposed wood.

Philadelphians who buy a ticket to the Zoo through April 15 will be able to check out the 15-foot folklore-inspired creations for free (TROLLS is included with admission), and to accompany this exhibit, guests are also encouraged to bring their old Zoo Keys (or purchase one at any of the Zoo’s retail locations) to hear stories from the Trolls themselves.

The troll sculptures range in height from 16 to 50 feet and “live” as permanent or semi-permanent installations in parks, greenspaces, industrial parks, and in other site-specific locations around the world. Each folklore-inspired sculpture dons distinct expressions and characterizations, and for many of the installations, the artist additionally wrote folk tales to address the complex problems of our world in a fun and approachable way.

3400 W. Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org

Northern Liberties Restaurant Week

From now until Feb. 11, Philadelphians can dine at over two dozen spots offering lunches at $15 and $20, plus specialty-priced three-course dinners for $20, $25 and $40. 

Cuisines for the 2024 Northern Liberties Restaurant Week include Vietnamese, Armenian, Italian, American, Chinese, Thai, Mexican and much more. A full list of participating spots offering everything from pizzas to salads to sushi to skewers and everything in between is available online. For reservations, diners can contact each individual restaurant through their phone, website, Opentable or Resy. 

Returning favorites include Añejo Philly, Pera Turkish Cuisine, Cantina Dos Segundos, Figo Ristorante, Apricot Stone, Standard Tap, Bagels and Co., El Camino, Hello Vietnam and more. 

explorenorthernliberties.org

Winter Activities at Franklin Square

The popular destination transforms annually at this time of year into a seasonal wonderland of sorts, with the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO acting as its centerpiece. The show will be accompanied by some returning fan favorites, plus some new activations for this year.

New this go-around is the addition of Franklin Square Street Curling. The game is played on an elevated platform where two teams take turns sliding “stones” (rocks) across the curling surface toward the target (The House). At Franklin Square, people can book a 30-minute session for up to 8 players at each of two rinks for $40 per session. 

Other returning activities include Philly Chilly Mini Golf, a variety of hand-crafted cocktails and food being offered by vendors, the carousel, and some stand-out events like their Lunar New Year Celebration taking place this Saturday, Feb. 10. 

 200 N. 6th St., historicphiladelphia.org