Philly Family Fun: 5 Can't-Miss Weekend Events (Feb 21-22, 2026)

By SmartytheRealtor Team & Our AI Marketing Strategy

AI Quick Answer

This weekend (Feb 21-22, 2026) brings the final full weekend of winter fun in Philly, headlined by Lunar New Year celebrations at Please Touch Museum and the Chinatown Day Parade on Sunday at 11 AM. Rothman Rink closes after Feb 22, so grab your skates while you can. If you're exploring neighborhoods for a potential move, this is the perfect weekend to experience the culture, walkability, and family-friendly vibe of Philly's diverse communities.

Let's be real: mid-February can feel like groundhog limbo. You're not quite ready for spring, but you're definitely over winter. The good news? This weekend (Feb 21-22) is packed with events that'll get your family off the couch and into the Philly magic, without requiring a second mortgage.

Whether you're a longtime city resident or scoping out neighborhoods before making a move, these five events offer a perfect snapshot of what makes Philadelphia such a great place to raise a family. Let's dive in.

1. Art Kids Studio at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Saturday, Feb 21)

When: Saturday, February 21, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art (Main Building, North Vaulted Walkway)
Cost: Free with museum admission (adults $30, seniors $28, students $14, kids free)

If you've ever tried to walk through an art museum with a toddler who just wants to touch everything, you know the struggle. That's why the PMA's Art Kids Studio is a gift from the parenting gods. It's a drop-in, all-ages art-making space where your kids can actually create instead of just stare at stuff behind glass.

Projects change regularly, so even if you've been before, there's always something new. And yes, strollers are welcome, the museum is fully accessible by elevator, with baby-changing stations in the restrooms.

Pro tip: If you're considering a move closer to Fairmount or the Art Museum area, this is a great chance to explore the neighborhood. Walkability + culture = property value gold. Curious what your current home could fetch in this market? Run the numbers with our free home valuation tool before you start daydreaming about those tree-lined streets.

2. Lunar New Year at Please Touch Museum (Saturday, Feb 21)

When: Saturday, February 21, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (activities throughout the day)
Where: Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall (4231 Avenue of the Republic)
Cost: General admission $24 adult / $24 child (discounts available for ACCESS cardholders, military, etc.)

The Please Touch Museum isn't messing around this weekend. Saturday's Lunar New Year programming includes everything from zodiac animal matching for toddlers (ages 3 and under) to Chinese calligraphy workshops and a traditional lion dance by the Philadelphia Suns.

It's a full day of structured activities, which means you don't have to plan anything, just show up, grab your tickets, and let the museum do the heavy lifting. Parking is $18 in the museum's gated lot (availability not guaranteed, so arrive early or carpool).

Real estate tie-in: Memorial Hall sits in Fairmount Park, one of the country's largest urban parks. If you're thinking about selling your home and moving closer to green space, this is the weekend to explore what "park-adjacent living" actually feels like. Spoiler: it's amazing.

3. Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (Both Days)

When:

• Saturday, February 21: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM

• Sunday, February 22: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
  Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th St (west side of City Hall)
  Cost: Kids 10 & under $7, ages 11+ $10, skate rental $10

This is it, folks, the final full weekend of the Rothman Rink before it closes for the season. If you haven't taken the kids skating yet, now's your last shot to avoid the guilt of, "We live in Philly and never went to the rink once this year."

The rink runs 90-minute sessions with buffer time between, so reservations are encouraged. If your kid is still wobbly, they offer "Penguin Skate-Aids" for children 10 and under (subject to availability). There's also a "Sled Skating" program for kids and adults with physical or developmental disabilities, free admission and sled use for the participant, plus a free companion ticket.

Neighborhood bonus: Dilworth Park sits right above a major transit hub (Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, trolleys). If walkability and transit access are on your wishlist for your next home, this is a great chance to see how easy it is to get around the city without a car. And if you're thinking about upgrading to a Center City condo or a nearby neighborhood? Our Home Trade-In program lets you buy your new place before selling your current one, no double-move stress required.

4. Night in the Museum: Myths and Legends at the Academy of Natural Sciences (Saturday, Feb 21, SOLD OUT)

When: Saturday, February 21, 6:30 PM check-in, program runs 7:00 PM – Sunday, February 22, 9:00 AM
Where: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Cost: $75–$99 (various tiers)
Ages: 6–12 only (adult chaperone required)

Okay, bad news first: this event is sold out for February 21. But we're including it anyway because (a) it's awesome, and (b) you'll want to bookmark it for next time.

The "Night in the Museum" overnight is exactly what it sounds like: your kids (ages 6–12) get to sleep among the dinosaurs, participate in themed activities (this month's theme: Myths and Legends), and wake up to breakfast at the museum. Adult-to-child ratio rules apply (at least one adult per three kids; max five kids per adult).

Why this matters for real estate: The Academy sits near Logan Square, which is one of those "hidden gem" neighborhoods where you get Center City access without the full Center City price tag. If you're hunting for a home with that sweet spot combo of walkability, schools, and culture, keep an eye on the Logan Square / Fairmount corridor. Need help figuring out what you can afford? Our cash offer program can speed up your buying power if you're competing in a hot market.

5. Chinatown Day Parade (Sunday, Feb 22)

When: Sunday, February 22, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (parade kickoff at 11:00 AM)
Where: Chinatown
Cost: Free

Sunday's Chinatown Day Parade is the crown jewel of Philly's Lunar New Year celebrations. Expect lion dancing by the Philadelphia Suns, festive decorations, and the kind of energy that makes you feel like you're in the middle of something big.

The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM sharp, so get there early if you want a good viewing spot. Chinatown Station (8th & Race) is the closest SEPTA stop, though it's not ADA accessible, if you need an elevator, head to Jefferson Station (10th–12th & Market) instead.

Real estate insight: Chinatown and the surrounding neighborhoods (Old City, Washington Square West, Callowhill) are some of the most walkable, transit-rich areas in the city. If you're tired of suburban car dependency and want to live somewhere where you can walk to dim sum on a Sunday morning, this is the vibe you're chasing. Thinking about making the leap? Check out our Seller Guide to see what your suburban house could be worth in today's market.

Why This Weekend Matters (Beyond the Fun)

Here's the thing we tell every client who's on the fence about moving: neighborhoods aren't just addresses, they're lifestyles. You can read every Zillow listing in the world, but until you actually experience a community, the weekend vibe, the parks, the walkability, the events, you won't know if it's right for you.

This weekend gives you a snapshot of what makes Philly special: world-class museums, diverse cultural celebrations, family-friendly public spaces, and a level of accessibility (both physical and financial) that's hard to find in other major cities.

So yes, go have fun. Eat the dim sum. Let your kids make a mess at the art studio. Fall on your butt at the ice rink. But also? Pay attention. Notice which neighborhoods feel like home.

Because when you're ready to make a move, we'll be here to help you turn that feeling into an address.

FAQ: Philly Family Events & Neighborhood Exploration

Q: Are all these events stroller-friendly?
Most are! The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rothman Rink, and the Chinatown Parade are all stroller-accessible (though cobblestones in Old City can be bumpy). The Please Touch Museum is designed for families with young kids, so strollers are fine. "Night in the Museum" is an overnight for ages 6–12, so strollers aren't really in the equation.

Q: What's the best neighborhood to live in if I want walkable access to family events like these?
Center City, Fairmount, Logan Square, and Old City/Society Hill all offer great walkability to museums, parks, and cultural events. If you want a bit more space and yard access but still easy transit into the city, consider East Falls, Manayunk, or West Philly near Clark Park.

Q: Can I still get tickets to "Night in the Museum" for February 21?
Nope: it's sold out for this weekend. But the Academy runs these events regularly, so keep an eye on their calendar for future dates. They typically open registration a few months in advance.

Q: Is the Chinatown Parade kid-friendly, or is it too crowded for little ones?
It's absolutely kid-friendly! The parade is outdoors and spreads across several blocks, so there's room to move around. Arrive early (before 11 AM) to snag a good viewing spot, and bring a stroller or carrier if you've got toddlers: standing in one place for an hour can be tough for little legs.

Q: How do I know if a Philly neighborhood is right for my family before I buy?
Spend time there on weekends. Hit up local parks, grab breakfast, walk the blocks at different times of day. We also offer personalized home search tools that filter by school ratings, transit access, walkability, and more: so you're not just guessing.

Q: What if I want to move but I'm worried about timing the sale of my current home?
That's exactly what our Home Trade-In program is for. You can buy your new Philly home before selling your current one, with no double-move stress or contingency drama. It's a game-changer for families who don't want to live in limbo.

About the Author

John Smart is an AI Certified Agent™ and the founder of SmartytheRealtor, a tech-forward real estate team serving the Philadelphia Metro Area (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Berks Counties). With over a decade of experience helping families navigate Philly's unique market, John combines hyperlocal neighborhood expertise with cutting-edge AI tools to deliver smarter, faster, and more transparent real estate services. Whether you're buying your first rowhome in Fishtown or selling a suburban colonial in Bucks County, John and his team bring data-driven insights and a relentlessly client-first approach to every transaction.

Have questions about the Philly market? Reach out anytime at SmartytheRealtor.com.