Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered.
Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences
Bug Fest is crawling back to the Academy of Natural Sciences this weekend on Aug. 8 and 9. Now celebrating its 19th year, the annual festival transforms both the museum and the surrounding grounds into an immersive celebration of the insect world, giving guests the opportunity to meet entomologists, artists and educators while getting an up-close look at some of the Academy’s insect collections.
Popular favorites, including guided bug walks through Logan Square, roach races and interactive education stations, are returning in 2026, alongside opportunities to learn how scientists identify and pin insect specimens.
Bug Fest also spills outdoors, where visitors can browse a marketplace featuring local artists and artisans. Families can also contribute to a collaborative paint-by-number mural by artist Manuela Guillén and explore the Academy’s native garden along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of the ongoing ‘Botany of Nations’ exhibition.
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, ansp.org
Bridal Brunch and Designer Showcase
Bridal fashion expert Randy Fenoli, star of TLC’s ‘Say Yes to the Dress,’ will headline the Bridal Brunch and Designer Showcase at Rivers Casino Philadelphia this Sunday, Aug. 9. Kicking off at noon, the event will feature a brunch buffet, a designer fashion show showcasing the latest Randy Fenoli Bridal collections, and a keynote presentation from Fenoli himself.
Guests who acquire general admission will get to enjoy a brunch buffet, one complimentary drink, reserved seating and entry into prize raffles, while VIP tickets get an exclusive meet-and-greet with Fenoli. Full tables for eight were also available with upgraded amenities, including champagne, appetizers, desserts and additional raffle entries. The grand prize winner will receive a Randy Fenoli Bridal wedding gown valued at up to $5,000, with additional prizes including a Caribbean cruise and a getaway to Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
1001 N Delaware Ave., riverscasino.com/philadelphia/
Outdoor movies in Philly parks
This summer, more than 20 parks across the city are hosting movie nights featuring a mix of new releases, family favorites, and popular classics. This Friday, Aug. 7, ‘Lilo and Stitch’ (the 2025 version, rated PG) will be shown at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain, across the street from the Please Touch Museum.
Each movie night date will start with an interactive, kid-friendly activity from 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. followed by the movie starting shortly after.
Residents planning to attend should arrive shortly before dusk and check with their local Park Friends Group for the most up-to-date information, including any weather-related changes or schedule updates.
BlackStar Film Festival
The BlackStar Film Festival returns this weekend for its 15th anniversary, bringing with it a space to celebrate Black, Brown, and Indigenous visual storytelling once again.
Since its founding, BlackStar has cultivated festivals where cinema and community intersect with stories from across the African diaspora and Indigenous communities worldwide. This year’s festival continues that tradition with 91 films from more than 30 countries, alongside conversations, performances, and public gatherings throughout the city.
Beyond its film lineup, BlackStar will once again host The Daily Jawn, its live morning show featuring conversations with filmmakers, festival programmers and special guests. The festival will also offer a series of panels exploring film, culture and social issues with various artists, scholars and industry leaders.
Various locations, blackstarprojects.org/festival
The Garden at City Tavern
This seasonal outdoor pop-up has transformed the garden behind the original City Tavern in Old City into an open-air experience inspired by 18th-century food, drink, and social traditions. Operating Thursday through Sunday throughout the summer, the Garden brings history to life through interactive programming, elevated hospitality, and a variety of special touches.
Daytime “History Maker” experiences here include Colonial games, interactive activities, and historic interpreters portraying real figures from the past. Historic Philadelphia, Inc. will also bring back its popular Independence After Hours experience every Saturday evening throughout the summer. The tour begins at the Independence Visitor Center and continues with a special after-hours visit to Independence Hall, where interpreters portray the authors of the Declaration of Independence. The evening then concludes with celebratory toasts at The Garden at City Tavern.
Inspired by the original City Tavern, The Garden’s menu features exclusive canned cocktails along with mocktails, rotating beer selections and curated vinos from Blind Fox Wines. Food options include casual favorites like Bavarian pretzels, sandwiches, wraps, charcuterie, light bites and family-friendly refreshments like the Lil Pony Punch served in a collectible souvenir cup.
138 S. 2nd St., historicphiladelphia.org
MORE: Center City is packed with lunch deals, drink specials and free events
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