Fun things to do in Philly this weekend

Looking for some fun and unique things to do in and around Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered. 

Haddonfield Craft & Fine Arts Festival

After a three-year hiatus, the Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival will return for its 28th year on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10. Throughout the event, there will be a curated selection of artists and crafters who will exhibit a wide range of work, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber, paper, drawings, paintings, photography, and wearable art from the region and beyond. Visitors can also check out the Adopt-a-Pet station with Misfit Angels in partnership with Subaru of Cherry Hill, a variety of kids’ activities and games, Metalsmith demos by Evearts Jewelers and woodworking demos by Turner Wood Designs, outdoor cafes lining the street, and much more. 

Another new addition to the festival is the first-ever “Cookie Bowl” from Downtown Cookies. The family-friendly cookie-eating contest will take place in front of their shop (at 123 Kings Hwy E.) on Saturday, July 9, at 1 p.m. Participants can sign up at the Downtown Cookies website or on the morning of the event between 9 and 11 a.m. Proceeds from the Cookie Bowl will benefit the Haddonfield Educational Trust.

Kings Highway, downtownhaddonfield.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 will officially open this week on Thursday, 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

The Oval XP

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with Welcome America announced the opening of the pop-up recently, which is now dubbed The Oval XP (presented by Our People Entertainment) and Philadelphians can head to the newly re-imagined outdoor space Wednesday through Sunday until Aug. 26.

The Oval XP showcases Philadelphia’s award-winning and talented local artists, makers, and entrepreneurs, with highlights including unique art installations, live music performances, wellness programming and more, alongside numerous food and beverage pop-ups throughout the season, according to a release. Most notably, the experience will be home to Philadelphia’s largest beer garden and anchored by the world’s largest mobile observation wheel and signature carousel.

What catches the eye immediately at the venue is the 108-foot tall ferris wheel (offering riders never-before-seen views of Philadelphia – including 360-degree aerial views of the Ben Franklin Parkway, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Center City skyline) and the 32’x24’ summer stage. The beer garden, on the other hand, is operated by Philly’s own Milkboy, and will feature 24 taps from local craft breweries alongside a rotating selection of pop-up menus crafted by local minority and female chefs. The atmosphere also plays a part in the experience by using upcycled materials (think old building materials, park benches, and trash cans.)

Finally, for those looking for family-friendly programming, The Imagination Space at The Oval XP offers free immersive installations and amenities designed to engage kids ages 12 and under. As the release states, in The Imagination Space, visitors can enjoy nine-hole miniature golf course, imagination playground blocks and builder kits, and interactive gaming activities – like ping-pong, Connect Four and Legos, plus borrow books and instruments from the outdoor reading and music carts.

 2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, metrophiladelphia.com