Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park
21 Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Philly Kids
The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue
24 Best Things to Do in Philly December 2024 with Kids
Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philadelphia
Take a sparkling selfie at the Miracle on South 13th Street. Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Philly
The zoo lights are aglow at LumiNature. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Philly for Kids
Curiosity meets discovery in Body Odyssey, where the walkthrough Giant Heart is just the beginning.
The Giant Heart is Back and Better Than Ever at the Franklin Institute
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Fun Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Fishtown families flock to Penn Treaty Park for the waterfront views, special events, and open space. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Fishtown with Kids: 9 Things To Do in the Fishtown Neighborhood of Philly
School Calendars 2024-2025: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Grand Slam U.S.A. challenges you to a game of laser tag! Photo courtesy of the center
Best Laser Tag Zones and Paintball for Philly Kids
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
31 Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Philly
Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
Visiting Historic Philadelphia: Top Things To Do in the Historic District with Kids
Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
3 Days in Philadelphia with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
In addition to Pay-What-You-Wish First Sundays, kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in Philly
Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Kids: Creative Family Time at the Art Museum
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia
Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
14 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philly: Indoor Places To Play On Cold and Rainy Days
Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
9 Walkable Neighborhoods near Philly for Family Outings
Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey
Both babies and dogs love stroller walks for some fresh air. Photo courtesy of Gina Massaro for Mommy Poppins
Great Stroller Walks and Stroller Hikes near Philly
Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
13 Philly Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near Philadelphia that are Perfect for Preschoolers
Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots
Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up
Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
38 Best Indoor Play Spaces and Indoor Playgrounds in Philadelphia
No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
10 PA Weekend Getaways for Families
Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
GUIDE
Philly Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
Presented by Pages to Pirouettes, The Nutcracker returns to the Free Library stage! Photo courtesy of the event
JingleBell Run, Fishtown Freeze, The Nutcracker, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

36 Summer Festivals and Fairs in Philadelphia for Kids

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is one of the Philadelphia Waterfront's favorite summertime traditions Photo courtesy of the Delaware-River-Waterfront
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest is one of the Philadelphia Waterfront's favorite summertime traditions Photo courtesy of the Delaware-River-Waterfront
5/17/24 - By Nicole O'Donnell

Summer fairs and festivals are back in Philly! If there's one thing this city loves besides a cheesesteak, it's a summer festival. Our summer calendar is chock-full of fairs, outdoor concerts, and cultural festivals to get you out and about while school's out. Read on for our top festival picks to keep Philly families partying all summer. 

For more summer fun, check out our Summer Activity Guide. Heading to the shore this summer? We've got you covered with 70 Things To Do with Kids at the Jersey Shore.

 

Free Summer Fun in Philly

Free Concerts | Free Summer Fun | Free Outdoor Movies

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Be part of the celebration commemorating the historic day of Juneteenth, marking the emancipation of enslaved Africans in America at Juneteenth Philadelphia Parade and Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Be part of the celebration commemorating the historic day of Juneteenth, marking the emancipation of enslaved Africans in America at Juneteenth Philadelphia Parade and Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Festivals in Philly for Kids that Run All Summer

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest

Philadelphia - June 28 - September 24, 2024
Stop by Blue Cross RiverRink for Summerfest. In addition to roller skating, families can play mini-golf, go on rides, play games, and eat delicious treats.  READ MORE

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Philadelphia - June 20 - August 18, 2o24
The can’t-miss illuminated fest in Philadelphia’s Historic District hosts dozens of massive, intricate, handcrafted lanterns such as dragons, tigers, rabbits, and more. Guests can expect to see new culturally-inspired lanterns and performances as well. READ MORE

Kidchella Music Festival

Philadelphia - June 21, 2024
This rain-or-shine kids music festival is back for another great summer of music at Smith Playground.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this unique live music experience. At each concert, there will be art stations, food trucks, and more. READ MORE
Celebrate Flag Day and Philadelphia’s historic tradition of flag-making during the 16th Annual Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House! Photo courtesy of the Betsy Ross House
Celebrate Flag Day and Philadelphia’s historic tradition of flag-making during the 16th Annual Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House! Photo courtesy of the Betsy Ross House

June Summer Festivals in Philly for Kids

Family Fun Fest

Newtown - June 7, 2024
FREE
Family Fun Fest is a family-friendly event for everyone! Enjoy our variety of carnival games, a petting zoo, crafts, face-painting, a car show, a K-9 demonstration, and more for free! READ MORE

The Roots Picnic

Philadelphia - June 1 - 2, 2024
The Roots Picnic returns to the Mann in Fairmount Park for two days of music, art, and culture. The Roots Picnic is an annual music festival created and hosted by Philly's hip-hop group, The Roots. READ MORE

Strawberry Festival at Brecknock Orchard

Mohnton - Saturdays, June 1 -15, 2024
FREE
Frolic through five-acres of strawberry fields and enjoy family activities, wagon rides, strawberry picking, and more.  READ MORE

Strawberry Festival at Shady Brook Farms

Yardley - June 1 -9, 2024
Over the course of two weekends, Shady Brook Farms celebrates the bright red strawberry at its strawberry festival. Guests can expect inflatable attractions, pedal go-karts, rubber duck races, a new cow train, a playground, an animated chicken show, and backyard games. READ MORE

Upper Darby Pride Festival

Upper Darby - June 8, 2024
FREE
Upper Darby's Pride celebration is back, with kid-friendly activities including face painting, nail painting, and more. Enjoy local vendors, live music, a DJ, dancing, and other surprises. READ MORE

West Park Arts Fest

Philadelphia - June 8, 2024
FREE
Head to West Fairmount Park for an afternoon of music, live dance, and art activities for the whole family. Activities are led by community partners including Mural Arts, the Please Touch Museum, Shofuso, Franklin Institute, and more. READ MORE

Odunde Festival

Philadelphia - June 9, 2024
FREE
Odunde Festival, the nation's largest African American street festival, is back, covering 15 city blocks with two stages for live entertainment and an eclectic mix of vendors, food, jewelry, and African art.  READ MORE

Narberth Music and Arts Festival

Narberth - June 9 & September 8, 2024
FREE
Gather in downtown Narberth for a mainline favorite, the Narberth Music and Arts Festival, featuring music, vendors, food, and a dog parade kickoff. READ MORE

Flag Fest at the Betsy Ross House

Philadelphia - June 9 - 15, 2024
The Betsy Ross house brings back Flag Fest, with family activities throughout the week celebrating Old Glory. Each day begins at 10 am with an interactive flag raising. READ MORE

Ambler Arts & Music Festival

Ambler - June 14 - 15 , 2024
FREE
This rain or shine festival offers art, music, and food wrapped into one festival for all ages. Guests can expect art such as photography, ceramics, jewelry, and face painting as well as free live musical performances. READ MORE

Chester County Balloon Festival

Toughkenamon - June 14 - 15, 2024
Ever seen a hot-air balloon up close? Chester County Balloon Festival is your chance. This family-friendly event offers activities for all ages on the ground and in the air. READ MORE

Juneteenth Parade and Festival

Philadelphia - June 16, 2024
FREE
Gather at the historic Malcolm X Park for the nation's largest annual Juneteenth celebration, attracting over 25,000 attendees along the 1.5 mile-long parade route and featuring over 2,000 participants and 20 floats.  READ MORE

Liberation Rising: Juneteenth Block Party and Free Museum Day at AAMP

Philadelphia - June 19, 2024
FREE
The African American Museum hosts its Juneteenth Block Party: Celebrating the Legacy of Emancipation. Join this daylong, outdoor festival, featuring live performances from international and local artists, a community marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses, vendors, community partners, food trucks, and hands-on activities including art-making and line dancing. READ MORE

Too Many Games Festival

Oaks - June 28 - 30, 2024
Pennsylvania's longest-running video game festival, Too Many Games celebrates video games and the music and art used to develop them. Head to the Philadelphia Expo Center for video games, guest signings, concerts, and more! READ MORE

Pride at the Park

Narberth - June 15, 2024
FREE
Pride at the Park is a youth-led celebration featuring LGBTQIA+ and allied artists, performers, and organizations. Enjoy Drag Storytime, live music and vendors throughout the day, and even a free bike valet. READ MORE

New Castle County Ice Cream Festival

Wilmington, DE - June 29, 2024
You scream, I scream. We all scream for ICE CREAM! And, visitors can get their fill of ice cream at New Castle County Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park. READ MORE

Manayunk Arts Festival

Philadelphia - June 22 - 23, 2024
FREE
This rain-or-shine event is an annual tradition in Manayunk. Visitors can expect to see a variety of artists and exhibitors featuring jewelry, glass, ceramics, mixed media, paintings, photography, wood, and sculptures.  READ MORE

July Summer Festivals in Philly for Kids

Kutztown Folk Festival

Kutztown - June 29 - July 7, 2024
Everything old is new again! The oldest continuously-operated folklife festival is back with a week full of entertainment for families, offering a window into the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch. READ MORE

Southampton Days and Fireworks

Southampton - July 1 - 6, 2024
Join in on the fun at the Southampton Days Fair, July 1 through 6. The fair opens at 6 pm each day, and families can enjoy unique entertainment each night. The 4th of July offers a full day of fun starting at 9 am including a baby parade, patriotic bicycle parade, live music, fireworks, and more. READ MORE

Independence Day Celebration: Living History Day

Washington Crossing - July 4, 2024
Visitors to Washington Crossing Historic Park can see living historians demonstrate their crafts, tour historic buildings and view a military encampment. The highlight of the day includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  READ MORE

Red, White, and Blue BBQ Bash

Peddler's Village - July 4, 2024
Visitors to Peddler's Village can enjoy an all-American barbecue picnic with live music, family entertainment, kids’ activities, a watermelon-eating contest, and shopping events. READ MORE

Fonthill’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

Doylestown - July 4, 2024
Families can enjoy food, games, crafts, entertainment, and live music at Fonthill's Old-Fashioned 4th of July event. The Children's Decorated Bike Parade kicks off the celebration at 12:30 PM. Guests can expect a watermelon eating contests, sack races, tug-o-war, bucket brigade relays, town ball (19th century baseball) and the popular cakewalk. READ MORE

Wawa Welcome America Party on the Parkway and Fireworks Spectacular

Philadelphia - July 4, 2024
Hit the Parkway for the party of the summer and enjoy a day-long extravaganza of entertainment, games, food trucks, and giveaways, culminating in the city's signature fireworks display. READ MORE

Blueberry Festival

Media - July 13, 2024
Blueberries are back and ready for picking, so celebrate at Linvilla's annual Blueberry Festival. Music, pony rides, barnyard animals, hayrides, and more family-friendly activities make the festival a memorable event.  Kids ages 13-17 can compete in a timed blueberry pie-eating challenge. READ MORE

Pennridge Community Day

Perkasie - July 7, 2024
Guests can expect watermelon-eating contests, hayrides, clowns, games, canoe races, concerts, rides, a water balloon toss, a baby parade, and a magician at Pennridge Community Day. The day concludes with fireworks. READ MORE

Tiny Room for Elephants Festival

Philadelphia - July 21, 2024
This creative experience held at Cherry Street Pier offers days of live music, interactive art, and more. READ MORE

Goshen Country Fair

West Chester - July 29 - August 3, 2024
Guests can expect games of chance, amusement rides, and delicious food. In addition, families can visit the dairy cow, sheep, goat, rabbit, and poultry exhibits.  READ MORE

August Summer Festivals in Philly for Kids

Peach and Sunflower Festival

Media - August 11, 2024
Get ready to soak up the sunshine and indulge in the juiciest peaches ever during the ultimate festival day. Acres upon acres of sunflower fields will take your breath away, while pony rides, barnyard animals, hayrides, and a plethora of family-friendly activities will keep you on your toes.  READ MORE

2nd Street Festival

Philadelphia - August 4, 2024
Held on the first Sunday in August every year, the 2nd Street Festival features live music, local vendors, crafts, food, and more. READ MORE

Kutztown Fair

Kutztown - August 5 - 10, 2024
Enjoy food, music, animals, crafts, contests, and rides at the 152nd annual Kutztown Fair! Check out this year's new Fun on the Farm tent to learn about the different aspects of the agriculture industry. READ MORE

Middletown Grange Fair

Newtown - August 14 - 18, 2024
The Middletown Grange Fair, a long-standing non-profit Bucks County tradition run by community volunteers, will feature livestock, judged exhibits and contests, carnival rides, commercial vendors, farm machinery, various foods, and countless other family-friendly events and activities. READ MORE

Peach Festival

Mohnton - August 10 & 17, 2024
Have a peachy day with wagon ride orchard tours! Children can enjoy crafts and make a personal-size peach cobbler or a wood bead key chain. Want to take the deliciousness home? Learn to preserve your own pint of peaches through a guided step-by-step process and take home a sealed jar and recipe.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

African American Museum in Philadelphia
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Between Tamanend Park and Klinger Middle School