The best free events in Philadelphia this weekend and next week

📅 This calendar is updated every Friday with the best events for the week. You can always find it at inquirer.com/freecalendar. For more great events, check out our full events calendar and kids calendar.

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Here are great ways to keep busy for free this week:

(Community / in-person / multiday) Philadelphia is reopening! Now, you’re able to do (basically) all of the things you’ve missed for the last 16 months. But it’s only truly safe for vaccinated people to visit reopened places and attend in-person events. Make a plan to get vaccinated; there are many places throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey — CVS, Rite Aid, neighborhood rec centers, and more — where you can get your free COVID-19 shot. (phila.gov)

(Theater / in-person / multiday) The favorite summer tradition that is Shakespeare in Clark Park returns to the West Philly space for a nearly week-long outdoor show. This year, performers combine circus movement and classic theater to tell the story of the Shakespeare tale Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Both reserved seating and open seating are available; reserved seating must be booked online in advance. (July 28-Aug. 1, 7 p.m., 43rd St. and Chester Ave., shakespeareinclarkpark.org)

(Community / in-person) Glen Foerd mansion hosts a summer celebration complete with self-guided tours of the riverfront mansion, cocktails, food, and a live performance by the West Philadelphia Orchestra. Register in advance. (Donations encouraged, July 24, 6:30-10 p.m., 5001 Grant Ave., glenfoerd.org)

(Seasonal / in-person / multiday) Christmas comes to Chestnut Hill, which means carolers, music from a street-strolling brass quartet, visits with Santa, holiday displays, and sales at shops along Germantown Ave. Visit Bredenbeck’s Bakery for a make-your-own ugly sweater cookie, Tavern on the Hill for Christmas cocktails, JMcLaughlin for a warehouse sale, and more. The festive event runs all weekend. (July 24-25, Along Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill, chestnuthillpa.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / kid-friendly) Livestock. Midway rides. Contests for log sawing, pie-eating, crafts, and dairy goats. Powdered donuts. Bingo. Phoenixville welcomes back its circa 1929 summer festival in its all-American glory. Ages 2+. (Exhibit hall: July 26-30, 4-10 p.m., July 31, noon-10 p.m.; midway: July 26-30, 6-10 p.m., July 31, noon-10 p.m., 762 Pike Springs Rd., Phoenixville, kimbertonfair.org)

(Music / virtual) Tune into a series hosted by the Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project to learn about the history of Philly jazz and the present-day scene. Tom Perchard, author of Lee Morgan: His Life, Music and Culture and trumpeter Duane Eubanks lead an insightful discussion about jazz legend Lee Morgan who started his multi-decade career as a recruit in Dizzy Gillespie’s big band. (July 27, 7-8 p.m., eventbrite.com)

(Movie / in-person / kid-friendly) PG has been the new G for a while now, which means it’s cool to let your rising first graders watch this animated film on the banks of the Schuylkill. In the movie, Miles Morales takes over for Peter Parker, as voiced by Shameik Moore and Jake Johnson. BYO snacks. Ages 5+. (July 29, 8:15 p.m., DuPont Cres Trail, east side of Schuylkill River, south of Greys Ferry Avenue Bridge, schuylkillbanks.org)

(Community / virtual / free / kid-friendly) Darryl Williams, senior vice president of science and education at The Franklin Institute, leads a free online discussion with photographer Anand Varma about Varma’s new photography exhibition Jellyfish: Revealed. Learn about the important role that technology played in creating this exhibition (Free, July 28, 1 p.m., fi.edu)

(Community / virtual / multiday) The Moonstone Art Center holds the 25th anniversary of its Poetry Ink Anthology, an annual poetry reading with showcases from famous and up-and-coming poets. This year, the event returns in a multiday virtual format via Zoom with more than 100 poets, including the renowned Sonia Sanchez, who is confirmed to read her poetry on July 23. (Through July 24, 7 p.m. moonstoneartscenter.org)

(Storytime / in-person / kid-friendly) Cherry Hill’s recreation department and public library have arranged for outdoor read-alouds of children’s books at historic Croft Farm every Friday morning through mid-August. Afterward, it’s food truck Friday. BYO picnic blanket. Ages 2-7. (Fridays through Aug. 13, 10:30-11 a.m., 100 Bortons Mills Rd., Cherry Hill, cherryhill-nj.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / outdoors) On Fridays this summer, fireworks light up the sky above Wildwood. The show is free to watch and can be easily viewed all along the Wildwood boardwalk. (Through Sept. 3, Wildwood Boardwalk, wildwoodsnj.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / kid-friendly) It’s always some kind of month at Peddler’s Village, and July is devoted to blueberries, live blues bands on weekends, and, for four days, iridescent bubble magic by Meadow Perry (on July 3, 4, 11, and 17). Ages 2+. (Weekends through July 31, 2400 Street Rd., New Hope, peddlersvillage.com)

(Fitness / in-person / ongoing) Grab a mat, some water, and a towel, and head to Race Street Pier for a socially distanced yoga class. Three Queens Yoga Studio leads the classes at picturesque Race Street Pier. Free yoga runs on most Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays through September 26. (through Sept. 26, Race Street and N. Columbus Blvd., delawareriverwaterfront.com)

(Community / in-person / ongoing) Get your zen on with some local yoga led by Violet Vine. Pre-registration and face coverings are required. (Wednesdays through July 28, 7-8 p.m., 4601 Richmond St., eventbrite.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / outdoors / kid-friendly) A sure sign of summer is the return of Spruce Street Harbor Park. Visit the waterfront pop-up park for food and drinks on the lawn or down at the floating barge bar. Other activities include lounging in one of Spruce Street’s many colorful hammocks or playing an arcade game or two. (Through Sept. 26, delawareriverwaterfront.com, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.)

(Music / in-person / outdoors / multiday) On Wednesdays through the end of August, Dilworth Park hosts local dance troupes and music ensembles for free, weekly outdoor concerts. Masks and social distancing required; food and drinks available from the on-site cafe. (Wednesdays through August 25, 1 S. 15th St., centercityphila.org)

(Biking / in-person / multiday / kid-friendly) Volunteers have dug out the gaps between the person-made hills along Parkside, and the track is ready for bike riding. You don’t need to have your own dirt bike, BMX bike, or even helmet: Those are available to borrow, free of charge. Closed-toe shoes, masks, and for riders under 18, signed waiver required. Ages 5+, with 5-and-under days to be announced. (Tuesdays-Saturdays through October 30, noon-5 p.m., based on weather and volunteer availability, Parkside Ave. N., phillypumptrack.org)

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