Things to Do in

Center City

When
This Month
Activities
17
Types
13 Events, 4 Experiences

Discover the best activities, events, classes, and experiences in Center City. All carefully curated for families!

Seaport Summer Camp - Week 6 (Seaing Green)
Event
Seaport Summer Camp - Week 6 (Seaing Green)
FREE

Mon, Aug 3 • 12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Come discover the history of the Philadelphia region through the lens of the Delaware River. Enjoy hands-on programming, to crafts, on-water activities, and so much more!

Seaport MuseumCenter City
Baby Toddler Storytime!
Event
Baby Toddler Storytime!
FREE

Mon, Aug 3 • 10:30 AM-10:30 AM

Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Cooler weather? We'll have storytime in the auditorium on the ground floor! Warmer weather? We'll be in Shakespeare Park, across the street from the library!

Parkway Central LibraryCenter City
Latin Night: Salsa & Bachata
Event
Latin Night: Salsa & Bachata
FREE

Fri, Aug 7 • 6:00 PM-10:00 PM

Join a pro instructor at 6 pm for a high-energy salsa lesson. Then keep the vibes going with a live DJ set from DJ Valentin of Dance Philly, spinning bachata, salsa, and more Latin hits until 10 pm. Free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

Spruce Street Harbor ParkCenter City
Wanamaker Lewis and his bandmates Rustic Music Service
Event
Wanamaker Lewis and his bandmates Rustic Music Service
FREE

Fri, Aug 7 • 6:00 PM-6:00 PM

Wanamaker Lewis and his bandmates Rustic Music Service will be returning to Fitler Square to play an exciting mix of blues, folk, folk rock, bluegrass, and jazz music. For nearly 40 years, Wanamaker Lewis has been playing banjo, acoustic and electric guitar in venues all around Philadelphia.

Fitler Square ParkCenter City
Summer Concert Series: Wanamaker Lewis
Event
Summer Concert Series: Wanamaker Lewis
FREE

Fri, Aug 7 • 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Wanamaker Lewis and his bandmates Rustic Music Service will be returning to FitlerSquare to play an exciting mix of blues, folk, folk rock, bluegrass, and jazz music. For nearly 40 years, Wanamaker Lewis has been playing banjo, acoustic and electric guitar– in venues all around Philadelphia.

Fitler Square ParkCenter City
Latin Night: Salsa & Bachata
Event
Latin Night: Salsa & Bachata
FREE

Fri, Aug 7 • 6:00 PM-10:00 PM

Join a pro instructor at 6 pm for a high-energy salsa lesson. Then keep the vibes going with a live DJ set from DJ Valentin of Dance Philly, spinning bachata, salsa, and more Latin hits until 10 pm. Free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

Spruce Street Harbor ParkCenter City
Bug Fest 2026
Event
Bug Fest 2026
$22

Sat, Aug 8 • 12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Celebrate bugs at the Academy with Roach Races, Bug Walks, expert talks, rare specimens, family activities and a nature-inspired marketplace.

Academy of Natural SciencesCenter City
Seaport Summer Camp - Week 7 (To China and Back)
Event
Seaport Summer Camp - Week 7 (To China and Back)
FREE

Mon, Aug 10 • 12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Come discover the history of the Philadelphia region through the lens of the Delaware River. Enjoy hands-on programming, to crafts, on-water activities, and so much more!

Seaport MuseumCenter City
Friday Night Jazz Series: SNACKTIME
Event
Friday Night Jazz Series: SNACKTIME
FREE

Fri, Aug 14 • 12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Experience a series of unforgettable nights on the Waterfront featuring an exceptional collective of jazz musicians in partnership with Rising Sun Presents. Free and open to all ages. Live Waterfront jazz with skyline views, food, drinks, and laid-back lounge vibes.

Spruce Street Harbor ParkCenter City
Don't Try This at Home Day
Event
Don't Try This at Home Day
$29

Sat, Aug 15 • 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Experience one of the most exciting family-friendly science events in Philadelphia - Don’t Try This at Home Day at The Franklin Institute. Enjoy high-energy, large-scale science demonstrations that push experiments to the limit, all conducted safely by expert performers and fearless partners.

The Franklin InstituteCenter City
Don't Try This at Home Day - August 15
Event
Don't Try This at Home Day - August 15
FREE

Sat, Aug 15 • 11:00 AM-3:00 PM

Experience a sizzling science spectacle packed with wild, over-the-top experiments you should absolutely not attempt in your kitchen. One day only where science gets dangerously fun.

The Franklin InstituteCenter City
Final Fridays Monthly Event Series
Event
Final Fridays Monthly Event Series
FREE

Thu, Aug 27 • 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

The Final Fridays event series will bring local artists and organizations together for evenings at the Rail Park, featuring live music, hands-on activities, movie screenings, and more! All events will be free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Rail ParkCenter City
Friday Night Jazz Series: The Michael Kaplan Superband
Event
Friday Night Jazz Series: The Michael Kaplan Superband
FREE

Fri, Aug 28 • 12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Experience a series of unforgettable nights on the Waterfront featuring an exceptional collective of jazz musicians in partnership with Rising Sun Presents. Free and open to all ages. Live Waterfront jazz with skyline views, food, drinks, and laid-back lounge vibes.

Spruce Street Harbor ParkCenter City
Drop-in Science Workshops: Rainforest Rangers!
Experience
Drop-in Science Workshops: Rainforest Rangers!
FREE

Hours vary

What is so important about the rainforest? What plants and animals can you find there? Drop in to learn about the lungs of the planet and be amazed at how biodiversity plays a big part in this habitat. Explore real mammalogy and herpetology specimens and craft your own rainforest ranger button to take home. Learn more about Drop-In Science Workshops

Center City
Drop-in Science Workshops: Rainforest Rangers!
Experience
Drop-in Science Workshops: Rainforest Rangers!
FREE

Hours vary

What is so important about the rainforest? What plants and animals can you find there? Drop in to learn about the lungs of the planet and be amazed at how biodiversity plays a big part in this habitat. Explore real mammalogy and herpetology specimens and craft your own rainforest ranger button to take home. Learn more about Drop-In Science Workshops

Center City
Garden Bar
Experience
Garden Bar
FREE

Hours vary

Enjoy a change of scenery at the Rodin Garden Bar pop-up. Explore the Rodin Museum, enjoy refreshing summer cocktails and tasty small plates, listen to music, and take in the garden oasis.

Rodin GardenCenter City
Garden Bar
Experience
Garden Bar
FREE

Hours vary

Enjoy a change of scenery at the Rodin Garden Bar pop-up. Explore the Rodin Museum, enjoy refreshing summer cocktails and tasty small plates, listen to music, and take in the garden oasis.

Rodin MuseumCenter City

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About Activities in Center City

Center City Philadelphia is the cultural heart of the city, offering world-class museums, libraries, and family attractions all within walking distance. The Free Library's Central Branch hosts daily story times, while Rittenhouse Square and Sister Cities Park provide beautiful outdoor spaces for toddlers to explore. From the Please Touch Museum to family-friendly restaurants, Center City makes it easy to fill your day with enriching activities.

The neighborhood's walkability and public transportation access make it ideal for families without cars. Many venues offer free or low-cost programming specifically designed for babies and toddlers, including music classes at Settlement Music School, library programs, and seasonal festivals in the parks.

Popular Venues & Spaces

Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch
Rittenhouse Square
Sister Cities Park
Please Touch Museum