By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
It’s August and the weekend calendar is filled with special events – many of which are long-running traditional events.And this year, there is a long-running, ever-changing weekly event.
“52 Weeks of Firsts” (www.visitphilly.com/52-weeks-of-firsts) is a yearlong, citywide celebration honoring Philadelphia’s legacy of innovation produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee.
Not only was Philadelphia the birthplace of the country, but it was also the backdrop for many other marvels.
To honor these groundbreaking inventions and firsts, the Philadelphia Historic District is holding a year’s worth of free events to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
52 Weeks of Firsts shines a light on different Philly-born Firsts each week through a series of free public events called Saturday Firstivals — held every Saturday of 2026, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in more than a dozen neighborhoods.
Firstival: Saturday August 15 will present “First U.S. Mint: 1792.”
The event celebrates the launch of the first U.S. Mint and the shiny beginning of coin-making in the new nation.
The sculpture by Sam Martorano commemorates the first U.S. Mint, honoring the establishment of a national currency and the foundations of America’s economic identity.
The work reflects themes of craftsmanship, trust and unity, celebrating the role of the Mint in shaping commerce, stability and the shared values that helped build the nation.
Martorana is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and designer who brings his bold, beautiful, iconic visuals to various materials and applications.
Saturday’s event will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the United States Mint, which is located at 151 North Independence Mall East, in Old City Philadelphia.
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting another summer special event – “Ferragosto” – on August 15 from noon-7 p.m.
Visitors are invited to embrace the Italian summer holiday of leisure, recreation and relaxation — enjoy live music on the Lawn, gourmet Italian eats, a local Artisan Market and more.
There will be a live performance on the Lawn by Greg Jones from noon-4 p.m.
Crafted exclusively for this special occasion, the winery’s signature Hugo Spritz combines fresh lemon, mint from its vineyard garden and elderflower simple topped with sparkling Blanc de Blanc and splash of soda for the perfect seasonal sip.
Winemaker Davide Creato will be manning the grill, serving up his traditional Abruzzesi arrosticini from 1-4 p.m. and Mario & Gino’s Italian Kitchen Food Truck will be open during the same hours.
Talluto’s authentic cannolis will be available — while supplies last!
Local Artisans on site from noon-4 p.m. will be Two Waves + The Sun, PaperPie with Melanie, Blue Rock Coffee and Moore Meats.
Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Live on the Lawn” now through September 27 and “Friday Night Wine Down” now through September 25.
“Live on the Lawn” is a brand-new outdoor music series featuring local talent, great wine, and relaxed vibes every summer weekend afternoon.
“Friday Night Wine Down” offers fun games, drink specials, and extended hours on Friday evenings.
The laid-back, laugh-filled series features Quizzo trivia with fun themes and great prizes; seasonal wine slushies, PA craft beer, fresh mocktails, and the venue’s newest wine releases; and delicious bites from the winery’s new, in-house food menu including specialty weekly pizzas.
The focus will be on something a little different at a special event this weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, phillyexpocenter.com) – an event billed as “For Lovers of the Strange, Unusual & Bizarre — The Oddities & Curiosities Expo.”
The “Oddities & Curiosities Expo,” which will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on August 15 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on August 16, showcases hand selected vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses from all over the country with all things weird.Show attendees will find items such as taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/Halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, animal skulls/bones, funeral collectibles and much more.
The show promoters claim, “We truly have something weird for everyone at our shows. All items you see at our shows are legal to own.”
The O&C Expo provides a safe place for anyone to come and discover new artists, meet new friends and be surrounded by an amazing community of like-minded people.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show.
The Expo Center will host the “Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show” on August 15 and 16 –from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Visitors are invited to celebrate the enduring spirit of American craftsmanship at the Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show, which brings together more than 45 of the country’s finest artisans working in traditional Americana and folk art.
Guests can meet the artisans and shop for handcrafted treasures including furniture, paintings, quilts, hooked rugs, pottery, baskets, and wood carvings.
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The “India Mela” festival will be held now through August 16 at the Expo Center.
The region’s biggest three-day indoor cultural & shopping festival features more than 125 vendors from across the United States and India.
On August 15, the schedule includes Bollywood Celebrity appearance, live bands, local talent showcases, dance school performances and more.
Sunday’s featured events will be live bands and a festive closing ceremony.
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden
Guests are invited to visit the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Lansdowne Drive and Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, japanphilly.org/shofuso/) on August 16 for the 2025 “Obon Lantern Floating Ceremony – Okuribi.”
Observed every August, Obon is a Buddhist festival welcoming home one’s ancestors.
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia continues this important Shofuso tradition, to light lanterns and float them on Shofuso’s pond for Obon.
This night of remembrance and commemoration is dedicated to those no longer with us. Each registered participant will be able to choose if they would like to launch floating lanterns on Shofuso’s pond or simply observe the serenity of the experience.
Obon is a series of summer events in Japan based on Buddhist and ancestral worship that enshrine and celebrate the spirits of ancestors.
Typically, people return to their hometowns to celebrate Obon each year. Families gather, clean their graveyard and the shrine in their house, and light lanterns to welcome the spirits home.
Mukaebi is the welcoming fire and opening night of Obon.
After the spirits spend a few days with family, the Bon-Odori dancers form a circle under the lanterns to guide the spirits back to the otherworld. This is the Okuribi, or culmination of Obon when the ancestors are sent back to the spirit world.
The event on Saturday will start at 7:30 p.m.
There will be two very different but equally attractive ethnic festivals this weekend at Penn’s Landing (Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, www.delawareriverevents.com).
Both of the free festivals deal with Indians — but not the Native American kind.
West Indian or East Indian — both will be featured this weekend.
Penn’s Landing will host the annual Festival of India on August 15 and the annual Caribbean Festival on August 16.
The Festival of India, which is sponsored by the Council of Indian Organizations of Greater Philadelphia, is a festive event that features a day full of food, music, dancing and crafts.
Visitors can celebrate India with various cultural organizations, as well as Northern and Southern-style Indian cuisine such as chicken tikka masala, lassi, vada pav, dosa, as well as classical and Bollywood performances, music, shopping, henna tattoos, and tons of fun.
The event will host a variety of vendors who will be selling a wide array of traditional Indian arts and crafts including clothes, jewelry, music, and other cultural items.
Traditional Mahandi work (artistic design) will be available to be done on both hands and feet. Mahandi or hands painting is an old Indian custom still have been practiced by most of the Indian women.
The free festival will run from noon-7 p.m.
Penn’s Landing will host the 40th Annual Philadelphia Caribbean Festival (https://phillycaribbeanfestival.com) on August 16.
Sunday’s festival, which is free and open to the public, is a celebration of the culture of 14 Caribbean Islands. The event, which runs from noon-8 p.m., features live island entertainment including drumming, dancing and music.
As always, the festival will have cultural booths where people can get information about the islands of the Caribbean. There will also be a marketplace with vendors selling Caribbean arts and crafts, fashion items and souvenirs.
Island cuisine will be well represented with a number of vendors offering Caribbean delicacies such as Jamaican jerk-chicken and hard-dough bread, escovitched fish and festival cakes, codfish fritters, Jamaican Patties, curried goat and rice & peas.
There will also be a West Indies festival on August 15 in downtown Wilmington (King Street, Wilmington, Delaware, facebook.com/caribbeancultureawareness).
The free family-friendly Caribbean Carnival festival will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. followed by a concert in Rodney Square by Imani Ray at 3 p.m.
There will be kid-friendly cultural experiences, vendors for Caribbean items shopping, island music by a DJ and food vendors with West Indian treats.
In addition to the events focusing on East Indians and West Indians, there is also a festival this weekend honoring the Indians of North America.
On August 15 and 16, the Museum of Indian Culture (2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown, 610-797-2121, http://museumofindianculture.org) is hosting the 46th Annual Festival Roasting Ears of Corn Festival.
The 2026 event, which is Eastern Pennsylvania’s oldest American Indian festival, is a showcase for American Indian drumming, singing, dancing and food.
Visitors can watch demonstrations of Native American cooking, flintknapping and arrow making, experience throwing a tomahawk or see what it’s like using an atlatl (spear thrower). There will be a special crafts area for kids where they can make sand art pictures and weave dreamcatchers.
The festival features a wide array of Native American entertainment.
Bill Miller will return to the area to perform at this weekend’s festival. Performance times are 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Also performing will be Sicanni Purizaca.
Other live music and dance performances include American Indian singers, Aztec Fire Dancers, hoop dancers, and American Indian dancers, singers and performers from all over Canada and the U.S.
Festival attendees will be able to shop at the Marketplace for Native American jewelry, fine arts, and clothing. There will also be food vendors with Indian burgers, frybread, buffalo stew, Indian tacos and fire-roasted corn.
Tickets for the festival, which runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 62 and older) and youth (age 12-17) and free for children (age 10 and under).
This is definitely a weekend filled with ethnic festivals – two Caribbean, two Indian, one Italian, one Native American, one Japanese.
There are also a lot of events that have been on the calendars for years and years.
Two of the ethnic cultural festivals are celebrating significant anniversaries — Penn’s Landing’s 40th Annual Philadelphia Caribbean Festival and Allentown’s 46th Annual Festival Roasting Ears of Corn Festival.
If you head west of Chester County, you’ll find events this weekend with even more impressive anniversaries – 47th, 52nd and 78th.
On August 15 and 16, the small town of Mount Gretna comes to life with the 52nd Annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show (Route 117 and Pennsylvania Avenue, Mount Gretna, www.mtgretnaarts.com).
The annual event features art, music, and food — all displayed on the historic grounds of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua.
Mt. Gretna is a small Victorian community founded in the late 1800s as a summer resort. Initially, the only way for residents to reach their cottages in the woods was to travel by train. The streets in Mt. Gretna were footpaths until automobiles became the regular mode of travel.
Many of the original cottages surround the Mt. Gretna Playhouse, an open-air theater where numerous cultural events are held. The quaint atmosphere attracts many visitors every summer for music, theater, miniature golf, a walk in the woods, a ride on the rail-trail, a hike to Governor Dick (an observation tower on top of the mountain), a visit to the Jigger Shop (a local ice cream parlor), and the Art Show.
Live entertainment will be provided by The Fourth Planet, featuring vibraphonist Tony Miceli, Edilson Sobagal Latin Jazz Ensemble, Mount Gretna Marching Band, Tom Hilliker: Friends and Family and The Hot Club of Reading All Stars,
Proceeds from the Art Show are used to support cultural programs of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua and to maintain the Chautauqua’s historic buildings and grounds. Media is sponsored in part by a grant from the Lebanon County Commissioners. The show also contributes substantially to the Mt. Gretna Volunteer Fire Company and funds a variety of community projects throughout Mt. Gretna.
The Art Show has an admission charge of $15 for adults and is free for children under 12. The admission fee includes parking in designated parking locations. Please note that no pets are permitted on the Art Show grounds.
Another popular event just a few miles from Mount Gretna is the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (Mount Hope Estate and Winery grounds, Route 72, Cornwall, 717-665-7021, www.parenfaire.com).
This year’s 47th annual staging of the event, which bills itself as “the most wondrous event in all the Knowne World”, is running now through October 25.
The festive annual event features authentic Elizabethan food and drink, traditional crafts from the guildsmen of yore and old-time games of skill — and a cast of hundreds of colorfully costumed re-enactors.
Every summer, the Faire, which takes place at Mount Hope Estate and Winery’s authentic 35-acre recreation of a 16th-century village in Olde England, features a new story from a different year of England’s past.3
The theme for this weekend is “Fairies & Fantasy.”
More than 70 shows are scheduled throughout each day on the Faire’s numerous stages.
Without a doubt, the most popular attraction is the Jousting Arena. Visitors to the Faire flock to Bosworth Field whenever it’s time for the Ultimate Joust. Peasants lead cheers for their favorite knights while musicians pound out a heart-thumping beat. The Master of the List announces the combatants and soon an encounter of royal proportions ensues.
The Faire offers a wide variety of activities for visitors, including listening to bagpipe music, checking out handsome Lords in their colorful silks, watching a jester’s acrobatics, learning how to juggle, being the recipient of a gypsy woman’s flirtations and watching the march of Beefeater Guards.
Guildsmen’s Way is the area that features a large variety of merchants and artisans, including jewelers, candle makers, potters, herbalists, leather smiths, clothiers, and pewter makers — all offering for sale and demonstrating their ancient wares.
And there are more than 20 Royal Kitchens located around the faire with menus featuring a wide variety of food and beverages.
Single-day tickets are available at the gate for $35.95. For children (age 5-11) single-day tickets are available at the gate and online for $18.95.
For an annual event with a completely different vibe, head west to Lancaster County this weekend.
This year’s 78th Annual Thresherman’s Reunion, which is being held now through August 15 at the Rough and Tumble site (4977 Lincoln Highway East, Kinzers, www.roughandtumble.org), is the 75th annual staging of the event.
The Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association’s annual Thresherman’s Reunion, which is billed as “The Most Complete Steam & Gas Show in the East,” has become a cherished tradition in Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is not only a “complete show,” it is an old show — one of the oldest continually running events in the state.
The daily schedule starts with breakfast at 7 a.m. at the R&T Multi-Purpose. The day’s activities include a sawmill in operation, a “Pageant of Threshing”, a shingle mill in operation, a “Parade of Power” and threshing machine demonstrations.
There will also be displays featuring steam traction engines, antique tractors, threshing machines, Hit & Miss Gas engines, two steam railroads, shingle mill, large gas engines, model engines, sawmill, barker fan, stone crusher, antique cars, stationary bailers, antique wagons and the “Stationary Steam Engine Museum.”
The Gay Street Open-Air Market (www.downtownwestchester.com) will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 28.
The Open-Air Market gives residents and visitors more space to shop, eat, and explore the town.
Four blocks of Gay Street are closed to vehicles every weekend, so everyone can partake in al fresco dining and shopping.
The streets are closed from roughly Friday at 8 a.m. to Monday at 8 a.m.
This event is rain or shine. Shopping/dining in the street will most likely be unavailable until the bad weather passes, but Gay Street will remain closed.
For more info, visit https://www.downtownwestchester.com/openairmarket/.
Visiting Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org) is a real treat at any time during the year but especially sweet during the summer when the grounds are filled with vibrant colors produced by a variety of flowers.
Longwood Gardens is one of the best outdoor attractions in the area, one of the best family attractions in the state and one of the best gardens attractions in the country.
The popular illuminated fountain shows are being held throughout the summer.
The most recent chapter of the “2026 Fireworks & Fountains Shows” series will take place on August 22.
The show, which is titled “Blue Tango,” will start at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday evening.
There are times when even the very best can get better.
Each of the six districts has a distinct personality.
Chimes Tower District — A stunning hillside of rare, expertly edited plants, a historic bell tower anchored on a 50-foot waterfall, and award-winning trees beckon, all within view of the majestic Main Fountain Garden.
Conservatory District — Considered the centerpiece of Longwood Gardens, stunning 19th-century architecture works in harmony with a perpetual flower show under acres of glass. Explore dazzling displays and rare plant species through a series of breathtaking rooms.
House & Theater District — Developed with the specific purpose of display and performance, experience a vista to the early days of Longwood, taking in views that Pierre and his family enjoyed more than a century ago, including Peirce’s Park and Peirce’s Woods.
Lakes District — Open vistas, rolling green lawns, sparkling water, and splashing fountains recall a European holiday from days gone by, reminding us of the joy of fresh air, a nice walk, and an exquisite view.
Meadow & Forest District — The expansive landscape of the Meadow and Forest District harmonizes the best practices in ecological restoration with garden designs showcasing horticultural excellence and beauty while prioritizing plant and animal communities.
Main Fountain Garden District — The classical gardens and grand theatre of this district have captivated guests for more than 90 years. Inspired by Pierre S. du Pont’s travels to Europe’s great water gardens, World’s Fairs, and expositions, the Main Fountain Garden highlights horticulture, engineering marvels, and the beauty of exceptional design.
Longwood’s summer schedule features Main Fountain Garden Performances through October, Illuminated Fountain Performances Thursdays-Saturdays through October, Festival of Fountains through October, Fireworks & Fountains Shows on select dates through October, Open Air Theatre Fountain Shows daily through November, and Festive Fridays one per month.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $38 for adults, $38 for seniors and college students, $29 for active military and $22 for youth.
In 2026, America turns 250, and Philadelphia is throwing the ultimate yearlong celebration.
Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) presents a special event called
“Walking Tour” now through August 17, August 22-24 and eight additional dates in August and September.
With the “Walking Tour,” participants can walk through history during an in-depth, hour-long-plus guided tour.
In this walking tour of the powder yard, which starts at 11 a.m. each day, guests experience an in-depth, behind the scenes look at the black powder manufacturing process at the DuPont Company and can try their hand at graining some powder.
The tour ends with explosive demonstrations of black powder.
This tour involves walking on uneven ground and is approximately 90 minutes in duration.
Hagley Museum and Library will host “Summer Nights at Hagley” on August 19 from 5-8 p.m.
The Summer Nights at Hagley event scheduled for August 26 has been cancelled to allow Hagley to complete important preservation work in the historic powder yard.
Visitors to Hagley can enjoy an after-work hike or a picnic along Brandywine Creek’s most beautiful mile on summer Wednesday evenings from June through August.
It is a family event featuring summer fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Guests can bring a picnic to enjoy at Hagley’s picnic pavilion on Workers’ Hill or at a picnic table along the Brandywine.
Dogfish Head craft beer and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream are also available for purchase. You are welcome to bring your own food to “Summer Nights at Hagley,” but outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Admission is $5 per person and free for Hagley members and children five and under. Please note that this event is weather-dependent.
Hagley Museum and Library is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. This example of early American industry includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
High on a bank of the Brandywine River overlooking the original powder mills, E. I. du Pont, founder of the DuPont Company, built his home. For almost a century the Georgian-style home and surrounding complex of buildings and gardens served as the center of family and business life. Five generations of du Pont family members lived in the house since its completion in 1803, each leaving their mark. Today you will see it much as it was when the last family member lived there, filled with furnishings and collections of American folk art, alongside treasured family pieces and items brought with the family from France when they left in 1799.
Admission is $22 for adults, $18 for seniors (62+) and students, and $12 for children 6-14. Walking tours are an additional $5.
On August 20, the Brandywine Zoo is hosting one of its summertime “Sip & Stroll” events.
Visitors to the Zoo can “Sip & Stroll” through the zoo at the family friendly happy-hour series, which runs June through September. Each “Sip” will feature a local food vendor and live music, along with adult beverages, including craft beer and wine.
Plus, the concession stand will be open with snacks and soft drinks. Drink and food purchases are sold separately. Drink tickets ($6) and silicone cups can be purchased at the ticket window or snack bar.
Live music will be provided by Gunpowder Lane Acoustic Roots Music, and the featured food vendor will be The Stand.
Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for youth.
There will be several “Self-Guided Museum Tours of Rockwood” this weekend at Rockwood Park & Museum (4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE, www.newcastlede.gov/431/Rockwood-Park-Museum).
Visitors can explore the grandeur, history and beauty of the Rockwood Mansion, home of the Shipley, Bringhurst and Hargraves families for 120 years.
These tours, which will be held on August 8 and 9 from noon-4 p.m. each day, emphasize the magnificent mansion interiors and stories of the families that lived there.
This self-guided alternative allows you to enjoy Rockwood your own way. This tour invites you to explore the first and second floors of the museum at your own pace. Additionally, staff and signage will be nearby to answer any questions.
Tours involves stairs. Reservations are suggested. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $10.
Every Saturday in August, Pottsgrove Manor (100 West King Street, Pottstown, www.montgomerycountypa.gov/departments/parks-trails-historic-sites/historic-sites/pottsgrove-manor) is presenting “Open House Days.”
Visitors can see something new every Saturday as Pottsgrove Manor highlights items from the collection and welcomes Living History activities throughout the day. They will be able to discover the ins-and-outs of 18th century items with the curator and learn about the trades and skills of the past with living history interpreters.
Pottsgrove Manor’s staff and living history volunteers will demonstrate 18th-century trades, crafts, and pastimes. Many of the audience-friendly events are interactive.
This event also features free admission with a $2 suggested donation.
On August 15, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.laurelhillphl.com) will present
“Nurture with Nature: Songbirds, Seeds, and Seasonal Cycles” from 3-5 p.m. at Laurel Hill West.
Working with the healing power of plants can help to decrease stress and anxiety, process grief, and improve overall well-being. Combining eco-mindfulness and creative activities, the workshops in the “Nurture with Nature” series invite participants to learn about the uses and roles of specific native plants through the lens of natural cycles.
The site’s last workshop in the series welcomes the pending arrival of autumn. Flowering plants are beginning to go to seed while shrubs are beginning to bear fruit that will help to sustain bird populations throughout winter
This will create bird feeder garlands utilizing found seed heads, fruits, leaves, and other natural materials to display in your own garden for your feathered friends.
Participants will also learn about some of our native birds, the plants they prefer, and how their roles in the ecosystem are defined by the life, death, and resurrection of the natural world around them.
Workshops are led by Kate Irvine, a licensed Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner and mixed media artist. Participants are welcome to attend one, some, or all four workshops in this series.
The event will take place in tentative plant garden and green burial area, Nature’s Sanctuary, at Laurel Hill West.
Tickets are: $25/General Admission (Ages 13 and up); $23/Seniors (Ages 65+) and Students with ID; $12.50/Youth (Ages 6-12); and Free (Ages 5 and under).
On Saturday, Laurel Hill will also present “Military Heroes of the Campaigns of the West” from noon-2 p.m. in Laurel Hill East.
Participants are invited to join in for a walk with those who traveled west to seek their fortunes.
They were ones who experienced hardships and death from sickness to arrows in order to follow their dreams of glory and wealth. They were brave souls who traveled through a barren landscape in the midst of America’s longest war.
Tour guides will be Carol Neumann and Andy Waskie.
Tickets are: $20/General Admission (Ages 13 and up); $18/Seniors (Ages 65+) and Students with ID; $10/Youth (Ages 6-12); and Free (Ages 5 and under).
On August 20, Glen Foerd (5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, https://www.glenfoerd.org/events) is presenting “3rd Thursday at Glen Foerd” from 6-8 p.m.
At Glen Foerd, the third Thursday of every month from May through September is reserved for an evening of family fun.
This month, there will be food from Red Stone Pizza, live music by Ashton John, and an arts-and-crafts table for visitors of all ages.
Drinks will also be available for purchase. Guests are invited to bring a blanket or some chairs and enjoy the grounds and Main House, which will be open for free self-guided tours.
Glen Foerd is an 18-acre public park and historic site located along the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Built in 1850 and enlarged in 1902-03, the estate, which features consisting of historic gardens, an Italianate-Classical Revival style mansion, and multiple additional structures, was saved from potential development through the activism of dedicated neighbors in 1983.
Today, Glen Foerd focuses on welcoming a diverse community through a wide array of programs for all ages.
While this event is free and open to all, community donations are essential to making evenings like this possible.
A $10 suggested donation is highly encouraged. Your donations will help us continue low-cost community events and many others we offer throughout the year.
Newlin Grist Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, 610-459-2359, www.newlingristmill.org) is holding its “1704 Mill Tour” on August 15 and 16.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the site’s 1704 water powered mill.
While the Mill is not currently operational, visitors on guided tours will get a rare opportunity to see the process of building a new waterwheel and waterbox.
Visitors must be on a guided tour to go inside the Grist Mill.
Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for seniors and children 12 and under.
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a “Guided Mansion Tour” on August 16.
Hope Lodge was built between 1743 and 1748 by Samuel Morris, a prosperous Quaker entrepreneur. Morris acted as a farmer, shipowner, miller, iron master, shop owner, and owner of the mill now known as Mather Mill. Hope Lodge is an excellent example of early Georgian architecture, and it is possible that Edmund Woolley, architect of Independence Hall, offered advice in building. Samuel Morris owned the estate until his death in 1770.
Visitors can participate by watching a short film and then taking a tour. Guided tours of the mansion will depart at 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, and free for children under 5.
Hope Lodge is a Blue Star Museum which means that active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve and their families, are admitted free for regular tours from Memorial Day through Labor Day
The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday now through September 27 at noon each day.
Passengers can enjoy a relaxing 90-minute train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on a warm summer afternoon. They can also pack a lunch to have during the excursion’s stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children (ages 2-12).
The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, 215-862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Grapevine Express,” which features “Grapevine Express” on August 15 and 16 at 5 p.m. each night.
Riders are invited to take part in a romantic “Wine and Cheese Excursion” and enjoy fine gourmet cheese, artisan crackers, meats, fruit, and our featured local wines. Additional Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic beverages are also available onboard.
Wine and cheese will be served to passengers as they travel along the same railroad line passengers did when it was built in 1891 connecting New Hope with Philadelphia. The journey travels through the beautiful hills and valleys of Bucks County, along once vital waterways and streams and across numerous trestle bridges.
The excursions will take place aboard one of the rail line’s lavishly appointed early-1900’s first-class parlor cars.
Tickets are $116 (Ages 21 and older only).
This weekend, the Strasburg Railroad (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running its “Wine & Cheese Train” on August 15 and 16 at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Passengers can enjoy the luxurious, climate-controlled first-class accommodation and a tasting of select wine, cheese, and crackers as they travel in style down the tracks from Strasburg to Paradise and back. The total trip time is 45 minutes.
“Wine & Cheese Train” boarding is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Riders must be 21 or older and have their photo ID ready when they board.
Featured wines are carefully selected from Waltz Vineyards, and cheeses are paired accordingly. Beer and select non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase upon request. Riders can purchase a souvenir wine glass on board the train if desired. Glasses are $7 each.
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, alcohol is only served during the train ride. The rail line is not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages while the train is berthed in the station.
This popular train is available on select Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season. Tickets are $70.
“Monster-Mania Con 67” will be held now through August 16 at the Doubletree By Hilton (2349 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, monstermania.net).
One of the nation’s premier horror film conventions, Monster-Mania Con features an impressive list of celebrities who will be appearing this weekend, including Malcolm McDowell, Ashley Laurence, Bill Ward, Brooke Bundy, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dick Hallorann Duo (Chalk/Lumbly), Emma-Leigh Cullam, Geezer Butler, Hellraiser Duo, Robert Englund, Sean Chapman and Tuesday Knight.
Visitors to the convention will be able to meet the stars, get autographs, browse vendor rooms and enjoy films and special events all weekend long.
Activities get underway at 10 a.m. on August 16 and 17.
Admission is $40 each day.
On August 16, it will be time for “Play Without Boundaries” at the Please Touch Museum (4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org).
Play Without Boundaries is the Museum’s sensory-friendly event series. During Play Without Boundaries, the Museum is adapted to provide a relaxed environment for individuals with autism, learning disabilities, and other sensory or communication needs.
The Museum is closed to the general public for two hours and turns down lighting and sound to provide a quieter experience for families. This program is reserved for guests with pre-registered tickets only; the Museum will open to guests with general admission and member tickets at 11 a.m.
“Play Without Boundaries” is made possible by a generous grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, with additional funding from the Wawa Foundation, and the Ladies Aid Society of the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
On August 15, Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery and The Cemetery Chronicles will present “A Picnic at the Mausoleum with Poe” at Riverview Cemetery (3300 North Market Street, Wilmington, riverviewcem.com).
The public is invited to join the Historic Riverview Cemetery for readings of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories and poems on the lawn of Delaware’s first public mausoleum.
Guests are requested to bring a picnic with favorite foods, a blanket or lawn chair, and a most curious spirit — and then settle in with friends and family for an enchanting summer evening among the tombstones.
All ages are welcome but alcoholic beverages are not.
The free event will run from 6-8 p.m.
As part of Historic Philadelphia’s anniversary celebration at Franklin Square (200 Sixth Street, Philadelphia, phillychineselanternfestival.com), the organization is illuminating the park with its annual “Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square.”
Now through August 30, Franklin Square will come alive every night with its Chinese Lantern Festival featuring more than two dozen illuminated lanterns – all constructed by lantern artisans from China.
In addition to the gorgeous light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, taste expanded food and drink options including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise.
Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.
Chinese-inspired performances will take place in Franklin Square twice nightly. Performances, which celebrate Chinese performance art and entertainment, are 30-minutes long and are scheduled for 7 and 9 p.m.
Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. Admission is $32 for adults, $29 and $16 for youth.
“Botany of Nations,” which will run now through February 14, 2027 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, ansp.org), is a groundbreaking exhibition that provides a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.
Developed with contributions from Indigenous cultural historians, “Botany of Nations” offers a culturally layered view of the plants of North America.
Collected on the famous expedition, some of the oldest plant specimens in the country today are housed in the Academy’s own Lewis and Clark Herbarium.
Admission prices are — Adults (Age 13 and above), $22; Seniors (age 65+), $19; Children (Age 2 – 12), $18.
The newest exhibition at the Brandywine Museum of Art (1 Hoffman Mill Road, Chadds Ford, brandywine.org), is “Treasures from the Family: The Gift of Betsy James Wyeth.”
Visitors can discover Betsy James Wyeth’s role as the curator and archivist of the Wyeth family’s rich history and collections in “Treasures from the Family: The Gift of Betsy James Wyeth.”
The exhibition consists of art and archival material from the major bequest she left to the Brandywine Museum of Art upon her death in 2020.
“Treasures” highlights paintings held by the Wyeth family, many of which were on loan to Brandywine for decades. In addition to these familiar paintings, other works in the bequest showcase moments in N.C. Wyeth’s career development such as a teenage self-portrait and his experiments with impressionist brushwork.
Admission to the Brandywine Museum of Art is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (65+) and $8 for children ages 6-18 and students with ID.
The 2026 season is rolling along at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org).
Originally constructed in 1910, Nemours Estate is one of Delaware’s grandest buildings and includes the largest formal French garden in North America.
Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
Nemours was the estate of Alfred I. duPont.
Admission to Nemours is $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $10 for children.
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, 800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org) has attractions both indoors and outdoors going on right now.
There seems to be no end to what’s in bloom — and in almost every corner of the garden.
White flowers of kousa dogwoods, deutzias, and mock oranges invite you to visit Sycamore Hill. Visitors can wander the garden paths to discover the delicate beauty of pink mountain laurels and pale Pink Leda roses at the Bristol Summerhouse.
In Azalea Woods and Enchanted Woods, look for the flowers of martagon hybrid lilies opening. A few late-flowering peonies can be found in the Lower Peony Garden, while ferns cover the shady March Bank.
Admission to Winterthur is $27 for adults, $25 for seniors and students and $10 for children.
Brandywine Valley has quite a few museums and tourist sites that provide both residents and tourists with diverse ways to spend leisure time.
You can take advantage of these options with the 2026 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport (www.visitwilmingtonde.com/passport/).
The cost is $49 for an individual pass and $99 for a family pass (for up to five family members).
The Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport is good for one-time admission to Wilmington and Brandywine Valley’s top attractions now through October 31.
A family pass, which includes one-day admission to each of 12 sites, can bring a savings of over $200 for the holders — especially since many of the participating institutions have regular admission fees in double figures.
The list of locations covered by the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport includes Longwood Gardens, Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Brandywine River Museum, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware History Museum, Hagley Museum and Library, Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Nemours Mansion & Gardens, Read House and Garden, Mt. Cuba Center, Rockwood Museum and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library.
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.
Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell’s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.
Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware.
Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The site is also open on Monday by reservation.
The Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) is currently featuring several new exhibitions.
“Living Indigenous,” which runs through August 23, celebrates the creative contributions of Indigenous artists living in and connected to Delaware, developed in partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Museum.
“Citizen Artist,” which is on display through July 19, coincides with the Semiquincentennial in 2026.
The “Citizen Artist” will meet a moment of national reflection with a celebration of artist workers in America.
“The People’s Gallery,” which runs August 7 through September 6, amplifies Delaware 250 by inviting up to 600 Delaware residents or DelArt Members to submit one work of art for exhibition in the Museum.
The Museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $6 for youth.
The 2026 season is in full swing at Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org).
The Chanticleer estate dates from the early 20th-century, when land along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad was developed for summer homes to escape the heat of Philadelphia. Adolph Rosengarten, Sr., and his wife Christine chose the Wayne-St. Davids area to build their country retreat. As the home of the Rosengartens, Chanticleer was beautiful and green with impressive trees and lawns.
Admission to Chanticleer is $12 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org), which is located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River, has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1966, the Big House — one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States — provides an unparalleled look into our nation’s past.
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
A sweet place to enjoy flowers in bloom is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org).
The arboretum’s schedule for this weekend features “Saturday Wildflower Walk” on August 15 from 1-3 p.m.
On Saturday, guests can join wildflower expert Dick Cloud on an informative two-hour hike that takes them through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside.
Although the focus is on plants, the guide will talk about whatever participants might see while they are out.
Admission to Tyler Arboretum is $18 for adults (ages 18-64), $15 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for children (ages 3-17) and Military with valid ID.
A long-running summer music tradition in Lancaster County is the Long’s Park Summer Music Series (www.longspark.org/summer-music-series).
The free concerts, which are running now through August 23, are held at Long’s Park. The concert venue is located at Harrisburg Pike and Route 30 in Lancaster.
The concerts, which start at 7:30 p.m. are free (with donations welcomed). There will be food trucks on site.
The 2026 schedule is: August 16, Ghost Funk Orchestra; and August 23, Hayes Carll.
Treetop Quest Philly (51 Chamounix Drive, Philadelphia, www.treetopquest.com) is an aerial adventure park that will challenge you physically and mentally as you maneuver from tree to tree through obstacles and zip-lines.
Once you’re equipped, they will teach you how to operate your equipment and you’ll be able to swing through each course as many times as you want for 2.5 hours.
Each participant is outfitted with a harness and gloves. Each course has a continuous belay system — a lifeline that is impossible to detach without a staff member. The activity is self-guided, and the staff is ready to assist when needed.
Gloves are required for this activity. During this time, we encourage participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves to use while up in the trees. Gardening gloves are perfect for this activity.
Ticket prices start at $49.
“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages that is open now and will run throughout the winter months.
Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.
The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.
General Park Admission price is $75.
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is celebrating “National Peach Month” throughout August.
During the month of August, visitors can savor peach-themed food and drink specials served every day in Peddler’s Village’s restaurants and eateries.
Peddler’s Village shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Admission and parking are free. The event will be held rain or shine.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is presenting its “Summer Splash” now through September 7.
There’s nothing like summer at Sesame Place Philadelphia! It’s a great time to have fun and cool off with splashy water attractions for all ages. Enjoy Bert & Ernie’s Splashy Shores, Big Bird’s Beach, The Count’s Splash Castle, Big Bird’s Rambling River, and more.
Plus, have even more fun in the sun by enjoying our family-friendly rides like Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Roller Coaster, Elmo’s Flyin’ Fish, the Sunny Day Carousel, and the 123 Playground!
Summer is the perfect time to meet your favorite Sesame Street friends at Sesame Place! Grab one-of-a-kind pictures with your favorite furry friends! Dance and sing along with everyone at our exciting character dining experiences and shows. Don’t miss the Sesame Street Party Parade which is full of fun and promises to get the whole family singing and dancing.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.
The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.
Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.
The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”
Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.
