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Presidents Day Weekend 2024 Things To Do in Philly: Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year, Ringling Bros, and More

The whole family can join the party at the Sesame Street Mardi Gras parade! Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
The whole family can join the party at the Sesame Street Mardi Gras parade! Photo courtesy of Sesame Place
2/14/24 - By Nicole O'Donnell

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this Presidents Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Experience the magic of Mardi Gras with your favorite Sesame Street characters, witness the wonder of the circus, and honor past presidents all in one weekend! Sesame Place kicks off their Mardi Gras celebrations this weekend, and NINJAGO Dragon Rising lands at LEGOland Discovery Center. Celebrate our Presidents at the Museum of American Revolution and enjoy free admission to the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Lunar New Year is being celebrated throughout the city, including events at Franklin Square and Dilworth Park.

If the kids need to burn some energy with an extra day or two off from school, check out the Best Indoor Play Spaces and Playgrounds near Philly. We've also made our picks for the coolest things to see and do all month on the Best Things to Do in Philly in February with Kids. 

More Things To Do in Philly this Week with Kids:

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Get ready for The Greatest Show On Earth® as the reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus comes to Philly! Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Get ready for The Greatest Show On Earth® as the reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus comes to Philly! Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Things to Do Presidents Day Weekend in Philly with Kids

Sesame Street Mardi Gras

Opening Weekend!
Saturday, Feb 17 - Sunday March 17, 2024
Langhorne
Let the good times roll at Sesame Place’s family-friendly Mardi Gras Celebration. Join in the festivities and celebrate by dancing with special entertainment, participating in the Mardi Gras Mask Scavenger Hunt, and much more. Enjoy Sesame Street-themed rides and attractions for guests of all ages. READ MORE

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Friday, Feb 16, 2024
Philadelphia
Get ready for The Greatest Show On Earth®! The reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus invites children of all ages to a spectacle of superhuman feats, pushing the limits of possibility and thrilling families and fans of all generations. Get closer to the action than ever before. Feel like a part of the show with an immersive, 360-degree environment and new technology that creates real connections between you and unforgettable performers from all over the world. READ MORE

NINJAGO Dragon's Rising

Saturday, Feb 17, 2024
Plymouth Meeting
Families can become Spinjitzu masters with powered-up activities, experiences and LEGO builds during the all-new LEGO NINJAGO Dragon’s Rising Event at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia! With teamwork and a spark of dragon power, families will need to find a missing Ninja, learn Spinjitzu, build epic LEGO® dragons and even enjoy a dance party to find their true dragon power. READ MORE

Presidents Day Weekend and Opening of “Witness to Revolution” Special Exhibit

OPENING WEEKEND
Saturday, Feb 17 through Monday, Feb 19, 2024
Philadelphia
Head to the Museum of the American Revolution for the opening of their newest special exhibition, Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent. Throughout the weekend, explore the life, leadership, and legacy of George Washington and the diverse range of people with whom he interacted through discovery carts, pop-up talks, crafts, and more offerings that uncover the lesser-known stories of Washington’s 18th-century world. READ MORE

Science Story Time at Academy of Natural Sciences

Saturday, Feb 17, 2024
Philadelphia
Have some fun with Academy educators and other young natural history fans for a very special science story time. Each week will feature a science story and a hands-on craft to try. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Franklin Square Park

Saturday, Feb 17, 2024
Philadelphia
For the first time ever, celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Franklin Square right around the corner from Philadelphia’s Chinatown. Ring in the Lunar New Year with Philly Suns Lion Dancers, crafts for children with the Asian Arts Initiative, red envelope surprise giveaways, and a free dumpling workshop with Michael Chow from Sang Kee. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Dilworth Park

Saturday, Feb 17, 2024
Philadelphia
Temple University is proud to support this year’s Lunar New Year celebration with a prancing lion, traditional Chinese dancers and a delicious menu in the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin. Ice skating sessions will be available throughout the evening. READ MORE

Great Backyard Bird Count

FREE
Friday, Feb 16 through Monday, Feb 19, 2024
Come together for the love of birds and be part of a global movement. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual citizen science event in which people from around the world submit their bird watching data. READ MORE

Adventure Aquarium Sensory Sundays

Sunday, Feb 18, 2024
Adventure Aquarium hosts a sensory-inclusive hour aimed at guests with autism and other sensory sensitivities on the third Sunday of every month. The Aquarium lowers the music, softens the lights, and reduces the crowds to create the most enjoyable experience for guests with sensory needs and their families. READ MORE

Free Admission to Benjamin Franklin Museum

FREE
Monday, Feb 19, 2024
Visit the Benjamin Franklin Museum for free! Visitors can view the exhibits that reflect the contributions of this Founding Father for free on certain dates throughout the year. READ MORE

The Candy Lab Presidents Day Classes

Friday, Feb 16 through Monday, Feb 19, 2024
Ardmore
Head to the Candy Lab for a day of yummy fun making 6 delicious and beautiful edible crafts!  READ MORE
Visit Wissahickon Environmental Center to learn how sap is collected from sugar maple trees and turned into syrup. Photo courtesy of the center
Visit Wissahickon Environmental Center to learn how sap is collected from sugar maple trees and turned into syrup. Photo courtesy of the center

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