Free and Exciting Things To Do In Philly This Week, August 13 – 19

Ericsson Fountain Outside Of Philadelphia Museum Of Art

‘Things To Do During The Week In August In Philadelphia!’

With the many museum exhibits, the Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains, Night Out Restaurant Week, Parks on Tap, Summer fun at the Oval +, Beer Gardens, many FREE movie nights, The Philadelphia Phillies vs the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Photo Pop Philly, Center City Sips, Schuylkill Movie Nights, the Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival and so much more, you might need a vacation after this week!

Night Out Restaurant Week ~ August 13 – 19 ~ Enjoy discounted meals at many popular eateries on the Delaware River waterfront and in Fishtown and Northern Liberties! ~ Night Out Restaurant Week ~

Photo Pop Philly ~ August 13 – 30 ~ 3 pm to 11 pm at the Philadelphia Building, 1315 Walnut Street. Enjoy an interactive pop-up exhibit that showcases the creative work of local artists! The exhibit is presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA and curated by Philly PR Girl. It features five red-white-and-blue themed rooms filled with original, Instagram-worthy art, murals and installations. ~ Photo Pop Philly ~

Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~ August 13 – September 2 ~ Held at the National Museum of American Jewish Museum. Audiences may be familiar with many of Bernstein’s works, notably West Side Story! The exhibition consists of a collection of artifacts, films and sound bites that not only celebrate the talented composer’s 100th birthday, but also bring to light the stress, fear and eventual hopefulness of an American Jew living through the Holocaust, World War II and the Vietnam War.  ~ Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Exhibit ~ 

Kids Can Explore Historical Philadelphia ~ August 13 – September 3 ~ Kids can enjoy FREE & FUN activities to do in Historic Philly & Old City District! Hear stories! Join the Continental Army! And more! ~ Kids Can Explore Historical Philadelphia ~

Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~ August 13 – September 3 ~ Held at The Franklin Institute. Game Masters showcases the work of over 30 innovative game designers and takes visitors on an interactive journey inside their favorite video games, from the trailblazing arcade era through today’s web and console games. Visitors can challenge themselves to achieve a high score on more than 100 playable games!  ~ Game Masters at The Franklin Institute ~

Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ August 13 – September 3 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ August 13 – September 3 ~ Held at the Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the roller rink, mini-golf course, The Midway (with the giant Ferris wheel!) and food concessions this weekend! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~

Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~ August 13 – September 3 ~  FREE on every 1st Sunday. Held at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The exhibit explores the relationship between impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir and master filmmaker Jean Renoir by juxtaposing the father’s paintings and drawings with the son’s films, costumes, photos and ceramics. ~ Renoir: Father and Son/Painting & Cinema ~

PHS Pop-Up Garden ~ August 13 – until fall ~ Relax while enjoying food & beer at two different locations! South Street, 1438 South Street and University City Square, 36th & Filbert streets. ~ PHS Pop-Up Garden ~

Design in Revolution: A 1960′s Odyssey Exhibit ~ August 13 – September 9 ~ Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From Pop Art and psychedelia to the civil rights and anti-war movements, the 1960s was a decade of liberation—and of great loss. See how designers, artists, and architects responded to the tumultuous period that still looms large in the American imagination. ~ Design in Revolution: A 1960′s Odyssey Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ~

Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains ~ August 13 – September 30 ~ Held at Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square. Enjoy an impressive display of 1,700 jets that create beautiful fountain shows. Each show is set to both music and choreographed color displays. Tickets are timed and are required for entry ~ Longwood Gardens Festival of Fountains

Parkway 100 Celebration ~ August 13 – November 16 ~ The Ben Franklin Parkway is turning 100 and Philadelphia is set to mark this milestone with a year of special events, promotions, and family-friendly experiences through November 18, 2018.  ~ Parkway 100 Celebration ~

Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~ August 13 – December 31 ~ Held at the National Constitution Center.  The exhibition focuses on Alexander Hamilton and the challenging relationships and friendships he had with some of our country’s history makers such as James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Aaron Burr. ~ Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~

Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ August 13, 2018 – January 21, 2019 ~ Come face-to-feet with nearly 20 massive, colorful, moving bugs! From a fluttering oversized monarch butterfly and a fluffy tri-colored bumblebee to a gigantic Madagascar hissing cockroach and a blood-sucking bed bug, these towering animatronics tell a rarely seen story of the behaviors and intricacies of extreme bugs. Get a bug’s-eye view of the world, explore critter calls, dig for ancient arthropods, and play an Xtreme bug facts game. ~ Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~

Franklin Square Opened for 2018 Season ~ 2018 ~ Enjoy mini-golf, a carousel, food and drink options and an outdoor space for kids or to simply hang out at Franklin Square. ~ Franklin Square ~

The Rail Park Opening ~ Now Open ~ This awesome new public space is FREE to the public.  This space allows visitors to enjoy seating, public art, greenery and elevated city views! The area stretches from Broad and Noble streets, jumps up to the Reading Viaduct overhead and ends above the 1100 block of Callowhill Street. ~ The Rail Park Opening ~

Barnes Jawn(t)s at The Barnes Foundation ~ August 14 ~ From 6 pm – 6:45 pm at The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Listen to off-the-cuff, yet informal and informative, anything-goes tours of the museum’s galleries by local Philadelphians with diverse backgrounds, interests and occupations who are unassociated with the Barnes Foundation! ~ Barnes Jawn(t)s at The Barnes Foundation ~

Old City Farmers Market ~ August 15 ~ From 2 pm – 7 pm every Wednesday at Christ Church between 2nd & 3rd Sts until November. Purchase fruits, vegetables, ice cream, bread, dog treats and more. ~ Old City Farmers Market ~

Pay-What-You-Wish ~ August 15 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~

Summer Nights Concert Series at Penn Museum ~ August 15 ~ From 5 pm to 8 pm every Wednesday night at Penn Museum until September 5. What a great way to relax and break up your work week. Live cultural music with food and refreshments. Tonight, listen to Conjunto Philadelphia! $10 gets you into the weekly concert and to explore the museum itself after 5 pm. ~ Summer Nights Concert Series at Penn Museum ~

Movie: Wet Hot American Summer At FringeArts ~ August 15 ~ FREE – Starting at 8:30 pm at FringeArts at 140 N. Columbus Blvd. Enjoy the movie Wet Hot American Summer with food & drinks (pay-as-you-go). In this movie, it takes place in the ‘80s over the course of the last day of camp, a motley group of counselors set out to tie up romantic loose ends and possibly save the world from a giant meteorite. ~ Wet Hot American Summer ~

Center City Sips ~ August 15 – 29 ~ Enjoy discounted drinks & food during happy hour at more than 90 establishments throughout Philadelphia. It’a great way to break up the work week! ~ Center City Sips ~

Parks On Tap at Lemon Hill ~ August 15 – 19 ~Lemon Hill is a historic mansion with views of both the center city skyline and the Schuylkill River located off Lemon Hill Drive. Lemon Hill mansion was built in 1800 as a summer retreat by Henry Pratt, a prosperous Philadelphia merchant. ~ Map ~~Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

Schuylkill Banks Movie Night ~ August 16 ~ FREE – Watch Coco at the DuPont Crescent Trail around 8 pm to 8:30 pm (movies start around dusk). Don’t forget to bring your chairs. ~ Map ~  ~ Schuylkill Banks Movie Nights ~

Mummers Museum Concert Series ~ August 16 ~ FREE – Starts at 8 pm every Thursday at the Mummers Museum until September 13. Listen to a Mummer String Band once a week. Tonight is Hegeman String String Band. Refreshments are served starting at 7:30 pm. Come out for some fun and excitement and relive the Mummers!  ~ Mummers Museum Concert Series ~

Screenings Under The Stars at Penn’s Landing ~ August 16 ~ Starts at 8:30 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Tonight watch Black Panther. Bring your own chairs, blankets, food and more. ~ Screenings Under The Stars at Penn’s Landing ~

Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~ August 16 – 19 ~ Held at Old Pool Farm at 1323 Salford Station Road in Schwenksville, PA. Enjoy live music which is presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society! The festival turns a working farm into a center for performances, crafts and fun for the whole family. Performers this year include Patty Griffin, Valerie June, Riders in the Sky and actor Jeff Daniels. ~ Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~

Old City Eats Program ~ August 16 – 30 ~ Old City District Introduces Old City Eats Summer Program! The program will include 25 + restaurants and bars, taking place every Thursday night from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. until August 30. Establishments will offer two or more appetizers at half the price, $5 drink specials, off-menu dishes and seasonal cocktails.  ~ Old City Eats Summer Program ~

Wine Garden At Collins Park ~ August 17 ~ From 4 pm – 9 pm at 1707 Chestnut Street, the Wine Garden at Collins Park offers wine and craft beer in one of Center City’s most picturesque parks. ~ Wine Garden At Collins Park ~

Friday Nights at The Philadelphia Museum of Art ~ Art After 5 ~ August 17 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Behn Gillece & Adam Birnbaum – Vibraphonist Behn Gillece and jazz pianist Adam Birnbaum offer an evening of brooding, original compositions and fiery, virtuosic playing. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 

Movie Night at Schmidt’s Commons: Silver Linings Playbook ~ August 17 ~ FREE – Held at Schmidt’s Commons, 1001 N. 2nd Street from 7 pm to 9 pm. Watch the movie Chicago outside on the big screen. Starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere. ~ Movie Night at Schmidt’s Commons: Chicago ~ 

Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~ August 17 ~ FREE – Held every Friday night in August starting at 7:30 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The Smooth Jazz Summer Nights series plays host to nationally-renowned jazz musicians. You will listen to some of the country’s best smooth jazz artists as you peer into the riverfront’s background while the sun sets near the end of the concert. Tonight, listen to Adam Hawley. ~ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights ~ 

Parks On Tap at Lemon Hill ~ August 17 – 19 ~Lemon Hill is a historic mansion with views of both the center city skyline and the Schuylkill River located off Lemon Hill Drive. Lemon Hill mansion was built in 1800 as a summer retreat by Henry Pratt, a prosperous Philadelphia merchant. ~ Map ~~Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

Night Out Restaurant Week ~ August 17 – 19 ~ Enjoy discounted meals at many popular eateries on the Delaware River waterfront and in Fishtown and Northern Liberties! ~ Night Out Restaurant Week ~

Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~ August 17 – 19 ~ Held at Old Pool Farm at 1323 Salford Station Road in Schwenksville, PA. Enjoy live music which is presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society! The festival turns a working farm into a center for performances, crafts and fun for the whole family. Performers this year include Patty Griffin, Valerie June, Riders in the Sky and actor Jeff Daniels. ~ Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~

Summer Fun at The Oval + ~ August 17 – 19 ~ FREE pay-as-you-go – Held at The Oval at 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Visitors can enjoy a new extended pedestrian promenade that runs almost half the length of the Parkway, an 800-square-foot misting pavilion, cold drinks at the beer garden, food from different food trucks each week, games, free movie nights, concerts and more. ~ Opening of The Oval + ~

Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ August 17 – September 3 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ August 17 – September 3 ~ Held at the Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the roller rink, mini-golf course, The Midway (with the giant Ferris wheel!) and food concessions this weekend! It will be open 7-days a week starting Thursday, May 24! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~

Festival of India ~ August 18 ~ Pay-As-You-Go – From noon – 7 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing at 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy live performances, local vendors and delicious Indian food. ~ Festival of India ~ 

40th Street Summer Series ~ August 18 ~ FREE – Starts at 6 pm at 40th and Walnut streets. Enjoy Las Cafeteras  – Born and raised east of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music and telling modern day stories. Las Cafeteras create a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East LA sound and positive message. Their Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms, and rhymes deliver inspiring lyrics that document stories of a community seeking love and justice in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles.  ~ 40th Street Summer Series ~ 

Night Out Restaurant Week ~ August 18 – 19 ~ Enjoy discounted meals at many popular eateries on the Delaware River waterfront and in Fishtown and Northern Liberties! ~ Night Out Restaurant Week ~

Parks On Tap at Lemon Hill ~ August 18 – 19 ~Lemon Hill is a historic mansion with views of both the center city skyline and the Schuylkill River located off Lemon Hill Drive. Lemon Hill mansion was built in 1800 as a summer retreat by Henry Pratt, a prosperous Philadelphia merchant. ~ Map ~~Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

Summer Fun at The Oval + ~ August 18 – 19 ~ FREE pay-as-you-go – Held at The Oval at 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Visitors can enjoy a new extended pedestrian promenade that runs almost half the length of the Parkway, an 800-square-foot misting pavilion, cold drinks at the beer garden, food from different food trucks each week, games, free movie nights, concerts and more. ~ Opening of The Oval + ~

Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~ August 18 – 19 ~ Held at Old Pool Farm at 1323 Salford Station Road in Schwenksville, PA. Enjoy live music which is presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society! The festival turns a working farm into a center for performances, crafts and fun for the whole family. Performers this year include Patty Griffin, Valerie June, Riders in the Sky and actor Jeff Daniels. ~ Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~

Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ August 18 – September 3 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ August 18 – September 3 ~ Held at the Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the roller rink, mini-golf course, The Midway (with the giant Ferris wheel!) and food concessions this weekend! It will be open 7-days a week starting Thursday, May 24! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~

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Night Out Restaurant Week ~ August 19 ~ Last day to enjoy discounted meals at many popular eateries on the Delaware River waterfront and in Fishtown and Northern Liberties! ~ Night Out Restaurant Week ~

Summer Fun at The Oval + ~ August 19 ~ FREE pay-as-you-go – Held at The Oval at 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Visitors can enjoy a new extended pedestrian promenade that runs almost half the length of the Parkway, an 800-square-foot misting pavilion, cold drinks at the beer garden, food from different food trucks each week, games, free movie nights, concerts and more. ~ Opening of The Oval + ~

Caribbean Festival ~ August 18 ~ Pay-As-You-Go – From noon – 8 pm at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing at 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Guests can browse handmade crafts and stations from local vendors, enjoy Caribbean-inspired performances and munch on authentic food. ~ Caribbean Festival ~ 

Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~ August 19 ~ Held at Old Pool Farm at 1323 Salford Station Road in Schwenksville, PA. Enjoy live music which is presented by the Philadelphia Folksong Society! The festival turns a working farm into a center for performances, crafts and fun for the whole family. Performers this year include Patty Griffin, Valerie June, Riders in the Sky and actor Jeff Daniels. ~ Philadelphia Folk Music Festival ~

Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ August 19 – September 3 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~

Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~ August 19 – September 3 ~ Held at the Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the roller rink, mini-golf course, The Midway (with the giant Ferris wheel!) and food concessions this weekend! It will be open 7-days a week starting Thursday, May 24! ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~

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Photo Courtesy by Jeff Belonger for MyPhillyAlive