The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Happy Friday! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the Philadelphia area this weekend. We put out new Philly weekend plans for you every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

You can always find our favorite activities of the weekend at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Community) Celebrate this Independence Day with a parade like only Philadelphia could put on. This year’s parade starts with a traveling dance production and includes the Bugle Corps from Reading, Pa, the World Champion Reading Buccaneers, the Corotegas Latin Marching Band from Honduras and more.

⌚️July 4, 11a.m. - 12:30p.m., 📍E. Market St., between 2nd St., and City Hall, Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Free

(Music / holiday / free) The city’s biggest free concert returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with LL COOL J headlining alongside DJ Z-Trip and special guests. Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan also takes the stage, and the night ends with fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Arrive early — it gets crowded.

⌚July 4, 7 p.m., 📍Eakins Oval, Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19130, 🌐 july4thphilly.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Celebrate Independence Day with food trucks, fireworks and more. There will be plenty of games and activities for all ages, so bring the entire family to celebrate. The night with end with a spectacular fireworks show.

⌚️July 4, 5-9:30p.m., 📍Pleasant Hill Park, Linden Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19136, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

(Comedy) Need a side splitting laugh? Bring your own bottle and head to this comedy show packed with the best local joke telling talent. The performances will have you laughing out loud all night long.

⌚️July 4, 7:30p.m., 📍1735 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $15

(Music) Get ready for an evening of live music and living history at Christ Church. Bring your favorite bottle and come picnic by the stones while enjoying live jazz music. Guided mini tours will walk you through the history of the Christ Church historic grounds. Chairs are available for rent.

⌚️July 5, 6-8p.m., 📍340 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $8-15

(Community) Ready to be the most impressive cook in your friend group? Come learn how to prepare traditional Japanese sushi from scratch. No experience is required and all materials and ingredients will be provided. You’ll leave knowing how to create three types of sushi rolls and ready to eat.

⌚️July 5, 5p.m., 📍1315 Walnut St. #300, Philadelphia, Pa, 19107, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $65

(Community) Franklin Square’s annual illuminated festival is back. This year’s festival features more than 1,100 individual sculptures placed in larger than life lantern displays. Your ticket includes three main-stage live performances every night and all of the glowing lantern displays.

⌚️Jun. 20 - Aug. 31, 📍200 N 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com/, 💵 $16-29

(Movies) Film lovers, this one’s for you. Enjoy well crafted cinematic magic created by established and emerging Latino filmmakers. The festival will include feature films, shorts, animations, web series and documentaries, as well as workshops and discussions.

⌚️May 25- July 6, 📍Various locations, 🌐 phlaff.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) ‘Tis the season for outdoor eating, all summer long in Media. Grab an alfresco table at one of over two dozen participating restaurants, and enjoy a meal in the fresh air with the street closed to traffic.

⌚️May - September 24, 📍State St., between Jackson St., and Orange St., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 visitmediapa.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) A visit to Longwood Gardens is a must on your spring and summer bucket lists. All spring and summer, the fountains in the gardens come to live, with some jets blasting as high as 175 feet. Whether you stroll through during the daytime, or catch an illuminated night time performance, you’re bound to have a great time.

⌚️ May 9 - September 28, 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Sq., Pa, 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $8-35

Everyone knows about the fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art and up and down the Jersey Shore. Lower-key pre- and on-the-Fourth options include free museum admission and festivals.

(Festival / free) At the Weitzman Museum, grab a spot to watch the Independence Day Parade and then head inside for a festive mix of crafts, singalongs, mint lemonade, and playdough stations. Ages 2 and up.

⌚July 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., activities noon–4 p.m., 📍5th and Market Sts., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 theweitzman.org, 💵 Free

(Festival / free) In the Northeast, Pleasant Hill Park hosts a lesser-known but lively Fourth of July celebration with rides, food, live soul and rock performances, and a fireworks finale over the Delaware River. All ages.

⌚July 4, 5–9 p.m., 📍Delaware River and Linden Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136, 🌐 philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / multiday) Franklin Square transforms into a wonderland of illuminated sculptures, cultural performances, and selfie spots at this evening-only event near Chinatown. New this year: dumpling-making workshops Fridays through Sundays. All ages.

⌚June 20–August 31, 6–10 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 phillychineselanternfestival.com, 💵 $16–$29, free ages 2 and under

(Seasonal / multi-day) These two Delaware River-side parks reopen for summer with roller skating, boardwalk games, hammocks, oversized board games, and all the snacks you could want. All ages.

⌚May 23–Sept. 1 (later for Spruce Street Harbor Park), 📍101 & 301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 delawareriverwaterfront.com, 💵 Free / pay-as-you-go

(Books / multi-day) At the Please Touch Museum, kids explore the worlds of Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, Ada Twist, and friends through themed games in engineering, science, government, and more. Ages 2–7.

⌚May 24–Aug. 27, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $22

(History / multi-day) At the Museum of the American Revolution, explore nearly half of the Revolutionary War flags that still exist — many made by Philadelphians like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young. Ages 5 and up.

⌚April 19–Aug. 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍101 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐 amrevmuseum.org, 💵 $13–$25; $2 ACCESS; free 5 and under