FREE: Ice Cream Festival on Filbert 🍦
Saturday, August 15 | 11 AM–3 PM
Reading Terminal Market | Philadelphia
FREE to attend
Ice cream festival. In August. In Philly. Obviously we’re going.
The annual Ice Cream Festival on Filbert is back outside Reading Terminal Market, bringing together some of Philly’s favorite ice cream and frozen treat spots.
Expect favorites like Bassetts Ice Cream, Milk Jawn, The Franklin Fountain, Cloud Cups, Scoop DeVille, Siddiq’s Water Ice and more.
The festival itself is FREE to attend, and treats are pay-as-you-go.
KFP TIP: Grab lunch inside Reading Terminal Market first and then head outside for dessert!
Link to event: https://readingterminalmarket.org/event/ice-cream-festival-2026/
FREE: Stories of Science🔬
Science History Institute | Old City
FREE
Add this one to your FREE Philly list!
Head to the Science History Institute in Old City for Stories of Science, where families can explore the museum and discover the surprising stories behind science and the things we use every day.
And one of the best parts? Admission is completely FREE.
This is such a good indoor option to keep in your back pocket for a hot or rainy summer day, and you can easily pair it with other Old City adventures.
Link to event: https://www.sciencehistory.org/visit/events/stories-of-science-revolutionary-ideas-with-thomas-paine/
FREE: Decorate a Picture Frame at Historic St. George’s 🖼️
Looking for something hands-on?
Head to Historic St. George’s for a family-friendly picture frame decorating activity! Kids can get creative while families have the chance to visit one of Philadelphia’s incredible historic sites.
It’s another great FREE activity to add to your weekend plans.
More details:
https://kidfriendlyphilly.com/events/decorate-a-picture-frame/
The Oval Mini Fest ✨
The Oval | Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Oval is back with another weekend of family fun on the Parkway!
The Oval Mini Fest brings activities, entertainment and programming to Eakins Oval, making it an easy addition to a Center City day.
Pack up the kids, head to the Parkway and make a day of it with some of the other museums and attractions nearby.
Event details:
https://www.parkwaycouncil.org/oval-minifest
FREE Skating for Philly Students at Summerfest🛼
Every Sunday in August
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Here’s another FREEBIE for Philly families!
During Back-to-School Sundays, Philadelphia students can skate for FREE at Summerfest with a valid Philadelphia school ID.
Even better, skate rental is included!
It’s an easy way to squeeze another waterfront adventure into the last few weeks of summer without spending a ton.
Philadelphia Taco Festival 🌮
August 15–16 at Stateside Live!
Tacos + kids activities + live entertainment = a pretty solid weekend plan.
The Philadelphia Taco Festival is taking over the newly expanded Stateside Live! with more than 40 eateries and 130+ styles of tacos.
There will also be live bands, Mariachi music, DJs, lucha libre wrestling, mechanical bull riding, contests and a FREE kids zone.
Come hungry!
Link to event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/philadelphia-taco-festival-tickets-1990449979470?aff=googleppc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24011446754&gbraid=0AAAAADqQUA1E98bD8zxXARXaJv-NPefRA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY44Fq4hJMbvVeGT5kYC6gQ23ojWFjZhtG06UhoLj3VWK1B_iWSKjpMaAiBMEALw_wcB
Colors of Creation at the Weitzman 🌈
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History | Center City
Looking for something completely different to do indoors?
Check out Colors of Creation, a new immersive experience at the Weitzman featuring light, color, sound and larger-than-life visuals.
It’s a great option for a hot or rainy day when you need to get everyone out of the house.
Tickets: $20
KFP DISCOUNT: Use code BRITT20 to get tickets for $16!
ROAD TRIP PICK: Montgomery County Agricultural Fair 🎡🎟️🐷
August 14–22
Montgomery County Fairgrounds | Gaithersburg, Maryland
This one is a little farther from Philly, but if you’re up for a road trip, it looks SO fun.
The 77th Annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is back with nine days of carnival rides, animals, food, contests, demonstrations and special events.
This year’s “Barn in the USA” theme celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, with Monster Trucks, a demolition derby, rodeo performances, Touch-a-Truck and more throughout the fair.
Admission: $20
Kids 11 and under: FREE
👉 Fair details:
https://kidfriendlyphilly.com/events/montgomery-county-agricultural-fair-77th-annual/2026-08-14/
What are you doing this weekend?
As always, I’ll keep sharing things to do with kids in Philadelphia, free events, festivals, day trips, weekend adventures and hidden gems all week long.
Follow @KidFriendlyPhilly on Instagram and Facebook for even more ideas, and check KidFriendlyPhilly.com before you head out!
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