FEATURED EVENTS

Join us for a star-studded evening on the Independence Blue Cross Stage featuring performances by two-time Grammy Award-winning artist and Academy Award-winning actress, Jennifer Hudson, alongside the Philly POPS BIG Band, and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Meghan Trainor. The Independence Day celebrations continue with a dazzling fireworks display choreographed to a custom patriotic soundtrack created and performed by the United States Army Field Band. This is the first time in Welcome America history that the United States Army Field Band will perform live on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art as the fireworks light up the sky above red, white and blue.

Join us every Monday for a kiddie fun time skate!

Join us for a magical journey as we learn about these whimsical creatures. After a short discussion on firefly life history, we will decorate a catcher and head out just as the first twinkles begin. This program is sure to bring out the kid in everyone!

The spectacular Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square. Highlights feature a 200-foot-long phoenix, a walk-through dragon tunnel, mythological creatures created from small glass bottles filled with colored water, and a host of interactive installations such as lit swings and a fortune-telling wheel. Bring family and friends to stroll under, around, and through the magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted sculptures, created using traditional Chinese methods.

Come join us for an afternoon of play in nature! Our Visitor Center will be filled with FUN and thematic self-guided activities, art projects, and opportunities for a guided hike. This is a drop-in, family program.

Celebrate Franklin Field’s 125th Anniversary with this fan favorite paying tribute to Philadelphia Eagle and local hero, Vince Papale. Come early for photo ops on the field where it was filmed. Take part in the 125th anniversary activities like testing your football & movie knowledge with trivia hosted by Bobby Mansure.

Dr. Edgar Wherry planted nearly 100 species of native ferns during his tenure at the Preserve. Over the years, their numbers have dwindled but many beautiful examples remain. Take a walk with local fern expert Janet Novac to explore the Fern Trail while learning its colorful history and our ongoing restoration efforts.

Explore, experience, and enjoy the sights and sounds of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (rain or shine). Bring a lawn chair, grab some food, and enjoy the festivities! There will be plenty of food, live music, guided hikes, yoga, crafts, a movie, and more!

Celebrate summer at our annual Midsommarfest, complete with food, drinks, homemade Swedish pastries, music and maypole dancing, as well as crafts and games for the kids. New this year, the award-winning Swedish band JAERV will be giving a very special performance that you don’t want to miss!

Visit the Fonthill Castle grounds for a lively children’s story hour featuring reading, music and more.