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All Week

Summer of Spectacle

Through September 30 

Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square

 

The renovated Main Fountain Garden is the centerpiece of a summer celebration. Entrance to the gardens is included with museum admission.

Aesop’s Fables

September 11 — 17

Quintessence Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

 

A modern adaptation of Aesop’s Fables comes to life on stage with fun-filled stories with lessons on morality, trust, and common sense for the whole family. Tickets are available online and showtimes vary.

Cai Guo-Qiang: Fireflies

September 15 — October 8

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

 

This large-scale public art project illuminates the Parkway through October. Nine hundred lanterns in a variety of shapes and sizes will light up. Thursdays through Sundays from 6 — 10 pm, you can ride up and down the parkway in the pedicabs holding all of the lanterns. Explore the diversity of cultures through the variety of the lanterns at night.

‘Aesop’s Fables’

September 13 and 14, 10 am (student matinee)

September 14 — 15, 7 pm

September 16, noon and 7 pm

September 17, noon and 4 pm

Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia

 

The Quintessence Theatre Group brings a modern adaptation of these classic tales to Mount Airy. Tickets are $20 for kids and $25 for adults.

2017 Fringe Festival

September 7 — 24

Various locations, Philadelphia

 

Enjoy over 100 theater, dance, comedy, visual art, and musical performances in September throughout Philadelphia. Check out the website for performances around the city and in your neighborhood.

Tree Tales

Weekends through November 18, 11 and 1 pm

Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media

 

Learn about the historic trees at Tyler Arboretum with one-hour guided tours highlighting all of the changing colors. These tours are free with admission to the arboretum.

Free Yoga on Race Street Pier

September 11 — 14 , 7 am and 6 pm

September 15, 7 am

September 16 and 17, 9:30 am

Race Street Pier, Race Street and North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia

 

Yoga memberships can be expensive, but nothing beats free yoga on a beautiful day with your community! Roll out your mat and stretch out near the Delaware River amongst other Philly yogis. 

Pumpkinland

Daily through November 5, 8 am — 8 pm

Linvilla Orchards, 137 Knowlton Road, Media

 

This local fall favorite is back with with hayrides, candy apples, a petting zoo, face painting, and other autumn activities. Admission to Pumpkinland is free, but additional fees may apply for activities.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Through October 1

Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia

 

Come swing on a hammock, play some fun outdoor games, and eat some of Philly’s classic delicacies on the Delaware River.

Children’s Discovery Garden

Through October 1

Sister Cities Park, 210 N. 18th St, Philadelphia

 

Exploring nature doesn’t always include driving far away; you can do it right here in the city! There are many fun things to explore at Sister Cities Park, including an Imagination Playground, a boat pond, and even a library to find a new book to read in the park. And check out the free classes on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Monday

Story Jams in the Garden

September 11, 10 am

Thomas F. Donatucci Sr. Library, 1935 Shunk St., Philadelphia

 

Children 2 — 4 can enjoy explorative and sensory play with stories and music. This event is free.

Family Wildlife Explorer

September 11, 11 — 11:30 am

Liberty Lands, 913 N. Third St., Philadelphia

 

Explore a part of a nature right in the city that encourages discovery and increases children’s comfort in nature. This event is free.

Tuesday

Family Storytime

September 12, 10 and 10:45 am

Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square

 

Enjoy a storytime in the Lookout Loft at the Treehouse and discover nature through a story, song, and puppets. This event is free with admission to the gardens and is geared towards ages 3 — 5.

Garden Sprouts (Ages 4 — 6): Veggie Designs

September 12, 1 — 2:30 pm

Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Road, Media

 

This recurring workshop will feature vegetables and an outdoor exploration on the search for seeds and berries, while teaching kids how to the names of the vegetable garden with an art activity. This event is $10 for members and $15 nonmembers.

Rocking Art & Science

September 12, 4 pm

Bala Cynwyd Library, 131 Old Lancaster Road, Bala Cynwyd

 

Examine and paint-your-own pet rock and enjoy some poetry. This workshop is for ages 7 — 10 and registration is required.

Wednesday

Homeschooler Days: Aquatic Ecosystems

September 13, 10 am — noon, 1 — 3 pm

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia

 

Learn all about water-dwelling ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them. This event is $12 per student or free for Bartram’s Garden Members at the Family level and up. 

Preschool STEM Stories

September 13, 1:30 — 2:15 pm

Media-Upper Providence Library, 1 E. Front St., Media

 

Listen to a STEM story and follow up with an experiment or activity! This event is geared towards children 3 — 5 and is free, but registration is required by calling 610-566-1918. 

Dr. Steve’s Presentation: Ancient Egyptian Pyramids in Context

September 13, 7 — 8:30 pm

Upper Merion Township Library, 175 W. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia

 

Join Dr. Steve for a night of discovery all about The Great Pyramids of Giza. This event is free, but registration is required.

Thursday

Creative Corner

September 14, 1:30 — 2:15 pm

Haverford Township Free Library, 1601 Darby Road, Havertown

 

Older preschoolers ages 4 and 5 can play and create at the library for a free playgroup.

Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival

September 14, 5 — 10 pm

Main Street, Manayunk, Philadelphia

 

Enjoy over 50 food trucks, live music, and purchase local and homemade foods.

Twilight in the Arboretum

September 14, 5:30 — 7:30 pm

The Barnes Arboretum, 300 N. Latch’s Lane, Merion

 

Enjoy the arboretum after hours with live music, and explore the sights and sounds in evening. This event is free for members and children 12 and younger, $10 for non-members.

Night Skies in the Observatory

September 14, 7 — 10 pm

The Franklin Institute, 271 N. 21st St., Philadelphia

 

Connect with the stars in the observatory with Chief Astronomer, Derrick Pitts. Explore the night sky with the telescopes in the Bloom Observatory, enjoy demonstrations and activities, and parents can enjoy a cash bar. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Friday

Story Time for Children

September 15, noon — 2 pm

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, 23 Dorset Road, Devon

 

The Devon Fall Classic kicks off with a kids’ story time event in the Picnic Grove. Tickets are $17 and include a kids’ lunch will be included and admission to the Midway with bounce castles and inflatable rides.

Summer Send Off Ice Cream Social

September 15, 5 — 8:30 pm

Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Road, Suite 100, Cherry Hill

 

Enjoy the museum with an ice cream social to meet new friends and kick off the weekend. Tickets are $5 after museum admission.

Family Game Night

September 15, 6 — 9 pm

Penn Museum, 3620 South St., Philadelphia

 

Have an old school Friday night with adventure stations, games, and the chance to see this gem of a museum in a new light. This event is recommended for families with kids 6 and younger; tickets are $50 for a family of four or $15 per person.

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’

September 15, 7 pm

Pennypack Park, 8750 Pine Road, Philadelphia

 

Enjoy a free screening of the movie in the park! Music and activities will be around the park before the movie starts, so make a day out of it and stay outside!

Philly High Five!

All Weekend

Block By Block Party

September 16, 9 am — 12:30 pm, 1 — 4:30 pm

September 17, noon — 3:30 pm

The University of the Sciences, 4300 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia

 

Kids can join in on this fundraising event to play Minecraft for a good cause! More than 1,500 gamers will play in competitive and non-competitive events to encourage children to explore STEM fields and support Public Citizens for Children and Youth, which raises funds to bring new technology and education materials into Philadelphia public schools. If your kid plays on a laptop or tablet, please bring it along to ensure there are enough devices for everyone.

Saturday

Family Festival: ¡Fiesta!

September 16, 10 am — 5 pm

Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Americas, Philadelphia

 

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, explore traditions, listen to live music, and create art and jewelry at the museum. This event is free with admission to the museum.

Follow Me Through The Gates

September 16, noon

Independence Library, 18 S. 7th St,, Philadelphia

 

Explore the library as part of a theatrical adventure to find the truth of who you are! As part of the 2017 Fringe Arts Festival, this event hosted by Dragon’s Eye Theatre engages ages 5 — 10 and teaches them how to find out about their families. This event is free but donations are accepted.

Sunday 

Family Tours and Art Cart: Adventures in Asia

September 17, 11 am — 3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

 

Spend your Sunday exploring the art of Asia on the hunt for dragons and treasures. Tours are for children 3 — 5 and 6 — 10, an Art Cart is suitable for all ages. This event is free for accompanying adults with admission to the museum, and children 12 and younger are always free.

Mount Airy Village Fair

September 17, 11 am — 4 pm

Greene Street and Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia

 

This annual neighborhood gathering draws crowds from all over the city for the pet parade, slow ice cream eating contest, food, and fun! It’s free to attend.

 

Main Line High Five!

Saturday

Kite-Making Workshop

September 16, 10 am — noon

Radnor United Methodist Church, 930 Conestoga Road, Bryn Mawr

 

Professional kite-makers are coming to Bryn Mawr to teach ages 3 and older how to make and personalize their own kites.

Cal’s Cupcake Challenge

September 16, 10 am

Cynwyd Elementary School, 101 W Levering Mill Rd, Bala Cynwyd

 

Calliope is a 7 year-old from Bala Cynwyd who was diagnosed with leukodystrophy at age 2. The Calliope Joy Foundation is sponsoring a family fun day with face painting, arts and crafts, a kids cupcake bake off, and more than 5,000 cupcakes from bakeries all around the region. Proceeds of the event support research for leukodystrophy and tickets are $10.

Sunday

Kids’ Day in Anniversary Square

September 17, 8 am

Devon Fall Classic, 23 Dorset Road, Devon

 

The fall event for the Devon Horse Show will include a children’s day filled with arts and crafts, pony rides, and games.

Children’s Planting and Painting Workshop

September 17, 11 am — noon

Suburban Square, Anderson and Coulter avenues, Ardmore

 

Children can learn how to plant and take care of succulents while painting their own pot. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Cost is $25, and registration is required in advance by calling 610-642-4644.

Narberth Fall Music & Arts Festival

September 17, noon — 6 pm

Haverford Avenue, Narberth

 

Explore downtown Narberth with food, drinks, and live music all for a good cause. This event is free, but a $1 donation towards Philabundance is requested.

 

Photograph courtesy of Bartram’s Garden.