Family Friendly Events
Penn Museum Summer Nights: An Outdoor Concert Series Showcasing Global Music Wednesday Evenings at the Penn Museum from 5-8pm
August 14
Harrisburg Mandolin Ensemble
Inspired by the early 20th-century tradition of the community mandolin concert, this group lays down original tunes and arrangements, as well as selections of jazz, swing, bluegrass, old-time, folk, and world music.www.harrisburgmandolinensemble.com
August 21
West Philadelphia Orchestra
An eclectic ensemble made up of Philly’s finest and wildest musicians, the West Philadelphia Orchestra gets the crowd moving with the poignant melodies and the frenetic, propulsive rhythms of Eastern Europe. www.westphiladelphiaorchestra.com
August 28
Mid East Ensemble
Accomplished percussionist Joe Tayoun’s Mid East Ensemble features acclaimed local, regional and international musicians, performing a lively arrangement of classical and folk Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music.
September 4
Leana Song
This Philadelphia-based drum & music ensemble specializing in Afro-Cuban and West African drumming combines traditional call-and-response patterned Yoruba songs with modern folk and jazz instruments and harmony. www.leanasong.com
September 11
The Boyler Boys
This Irish pub band originated during an informal session, and have been playing together for more than 15 years. The Boys play a mix of traditional and quasi-traditional tunes, jigs, reels, hornpipe, and polkas, as well as a few songs about celebrating life.
Free monthly children’s programs at Crossroads!
Children’s programs begin at 6:00, last 30-40 minutes, and are free to children under 12 and their parents or other caregivers. Seating is first come, first served. Please, no unaccompanied children. Startup funding for children’s programs comes from the Union Benevolent association – if you can, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution so we can keep these events accessible to all children in our community.
A family-oriented benefit concert to support the Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania’s work for legal recognition of the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential in PA so that Pennsylvania families choosing home birth have access to licensed providers.
Franklin Institute Target Community Nights
Join in the fun at these FREE educational and fun-filled science extravaganzas sponsored by Target. Experience The Franklin Institute’s famous exhibitions, special programs, and themed activities.
Activities Include:
» FREE access to The Franklin Institute’s hands-on core exhibits, like Sports Challenge and The Giant Heart!
» FREE 3D movies in the Franklin Theater!
» FREE awe-inspiring LIVE Science Shows!
» FREE Fels Planetarium Shows!
» FREE access to the Joel N. Bloom Observatory! (weather permitting)
Registration will take place on the First Floor beginning at 5:00PM. Please enter The Franklin Institute through the Business Entrance located to the right of the main stairs on 20th Street and proceed to Lunchroom A. Admission is free but registration is required.
September 18 – Construction (Build It!)
October 16
November 20
A great place for the family to go – shaded space for picnics, a water fountain for the kids to play in, and a children’s discovery garden. Also Milk and Honey!
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Open 6am-1am, seven days a week.
Through the month of October, Sister Cities Park brings everything we love about fall to the city with a scarecrow display. The Philadelphia Parks and Rec have installed 17 adult-sized scarecrows to the park. Inspired by over 200 children from 16 different after-school programs throughout the city, the children used mop heads, straw, old brooms and clothes to let their creative spirit sour. Check it out!