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. 

Kidchella 

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse has officially bring back its popular Kidchella Music Festival series featuring Grammy-nominated, Emmy-winning and nationally acclaimed children’s music artists alongside local youth performers and community partners. This weekend’s theme (starting Friday, July 22, at 4 p.m.) will celebrate the park’s 123rd birthday, and while there, families can bring blankets and lawn chairs to hang in while listening to performances by Ants on a Log and City Love.

The event will also include the Traveling Tree House Bookmobile, an art station with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a gymnastics course run by Rebel Arts, live critters from the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, and plenty more playground fun. To celebrate the occasion, face painting by iFacePaint, plus cake and party favors will also be on site. Tickets (available online) are $12 per person (adults and children of walking age) or $6 for Smith members and ACCESS cardholders. The pre-show will begin at 4 p.m., with the main act hitting the stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 

3500 Reservoir Dr., East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, smithplayground.org

Tiny Room for Elephants Festival

From July 21st to the 24th, Philadelphians can head to Cherry Street Pier to see artwork and installations from 43 local artists, plus listen to live performances all weekend. The showcases are part of the Tiny Room For Elephants Festival, which is now in full swing. Tiny Room For Elephants is a network of creatives that builds unique experiences for artists, brands and consumers utilizing various artistic mediums. And their ethos—”made with love and inspired by grit”— also serves as the inspiration for this year’s festival. And TRFE has partnered with Visit Philadelphia’s Love + Grit, a leading podcast that tells the authentic and diverse stories of the city, to help portray that message.

According to the release, the festival will include live performances from musical artists/DJs and activations including a kids sip and paint and Redbull BC One Breakdance Competition. Most of the festival is free for the public to attend but the Tiny Room for Elephants Premiere Night and certain activations require tickets, more information can be found online.

121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd., tinyroomforelephants.com

Slide the Slopes 

The giant slip n slide at Bear Creek Mountain Resort is back due to popular demand for a second summer in Macungie, PA. The course officially opened on July 7, and will remain open until Aug. 14. According to the release, the family-friendly outdoor fun is open Thursdays through Sundays in two, four-hour sessions of unlimited sliding: Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. or Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. (visitors should note hours of operation may vary based on inclement weather.)

The Resort will run its Magic Carpet and Triple Chair to shuttle guests to the top of the course, and afterwards, guests can also enjoy lunch and dinner from the Hungry Bear Food Truck, the Trails End Café, or the Grille. Tickets for Slide the Slopes are $45 for adult general admission or $38 for children 12 and under. All tickets are valid for four-hours on the date of issue with timed arrival in order to expedite check-in and assist with crowd management.  

101 Doe Mountain Lane, Macungie, Pennsylvania, bcmountainresort.com

Sandy Sprint Sea Isle City

There’s still time to register for this seaside event that doubles as a way to get some exercise, and also to give back. The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation is hosting the 6th edition of their Sandy Sprint this Saturday, July 23, in Sea Isle to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds to advance research. Some may recognize the event from the City of Brotherly Love, which is typically held in April—but it’s now expanded to the shore to help spread the word. The Sandy Sprint Sea Isle City event includes a 5K Run, 2-mile Family Fun Walk, Survivor Ceremony, and more.

As a release states, participants can create a fundraising page to help reach their goal and are welcome to join a team or create their own. Registration fees are $40 for adults, $30 for children under 12, and $40 for virtual participants. Timeline of events span race day registration at 7:15 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m., the Family Fun Walk at 8:35 a.m., and awards and refreshments at 9:30 a.m. 

sandyovarian.org

Band Together: A Benefit for Ukraine

Local and global talent have come together to output a new collaboration album, ‘Band Together: A Benefit for Ukraine.’ The compilation of music brought together nine American and seven Ukrainian bands and included a new song for the occasion by Ted Leo. The money earned goes to Razom for Ukraine, which has a network of in-country partners that are able to get aid to dangerous places.

The album is currently available on Bandcamp for $10 or more (single songs $1 or more) or as a cassette for $15 or more including digital download and free shipping. But Philadelphians can hear it all for themselves this weekend, with a punk rock benefit concert this Friday, July 22 at the Foto Club on Frankford Ave. The show comes out to be $10-$15 with doors opening at 7 p.m. and bands (including Bitter Branches, Gray C.E.L.L., Erin Incoherent and Revalatours) starting at 8 p.m. 

3743 Frankford Ave., bandtogether.bandcamp.com

Outdoor Movie at Dilworth Park

Pictures in the Park officially makes its return to Dilworth Park this Friday, July 22, to kick off a full schedule of free outdoor movies. The series, which is supported by TD Bank, will continue every Friday night through Aug. 26 with showtimes beginning at sundown (approximately 8:15 p.m.) This week will feature free popcorn, or, Philadelphians can check out other snacks available at the Air Grille Garden, plus beer, wine and cocktails for adults 21 and older. This week’s featured film is ‘Cruella’, Disney’s live-action origin story of the infamous Cruella de Vil. Bringing your own chair or blankets is also encouraged.

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St., on the west side of City Hall, Philadelphia, centercityphila.org