By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival
The weekend at the end of August and Labor Day Weekend always have an amazing number of annual events with long histories. Some of this weekend’s events have impressive annual numbers – 33 for a Ukrainian festival, 45 for a Renaissance event, 12 for a burger fest and 173 (not a typo) for the Allentown Fair.
One event has particular relevance because of the horrendous history that is being made right now.
On August 24, the Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival at the Tryzub Ukrainian American Sport Center (County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham, www.tryzub.org) will celebrate its 33rd anniversary from noon-8 p.m.
The event is billed as “A resplendent outdoor summer concert marking Ukraine’s independence, the unity of her people, their struggle for freedom and dignity and Ukraine’s entry into the family of advanced democratic nations.”
The artists (dance troupes, musicians, singers and ensembles that have performed in previous years) have created a dynamic and integrated collaborative program.
Tryzub posted this message on the festival website – “THANK YOU to all of our members for your outpouring of support for Ukraine and for the complete condemnation of the invasion by Vladimir Putin.
“Many people in this organization as well as other Ukrainian Organizations have received numerous phone calls, text messages and emails from all over the world offering prayers and support for Ukraine. Many were not Ukrainian but wanted to reach out because they want to make a difference somehow or in some way. The outpouring is overwhelming; it is very much appreciated; and it is very emotional… THANK YOU!
“Although we are witnessing death and destruction within Ukraine, we must remain positive and vigilant. We now see protests all over the US, in Philly, Washington, New York, Chicago and many other cities. We see protests all over the world in Paris, Berlin, Sweden, Spain, Lebanon, Austria, Netherlands, Poland and so many other countries. There are also protests throughout Russia [which is very rare] across at least 47 cities with over 2,000 arrests. For those who are making your voices heard all over Planet Earth… THANK YOU!”
The festival, which is one of the most popular late-summer ethnic festivals in the area, starts at noon with children’s activities, vendor areas with Ukrainian crafts, food booths and live music.
The live entertainment at the festival includes performances by Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo, singer/songwriter Iryna Lonchyna, Vox Ethica Ensemble,
Дух Tанцю – Spirit of the Dance Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Soloveyky (Nightingales) Vocal Quartet.
There also will be vendors selling a wide variety of mouth-watering Ukrainian foods such as pyrohy (pierogies), holuptsi (stuffed cabbage) and kowbasa (kielbasa). Other items available for purchase include baked goods, picnic fare and cold beverages.
If you purchase online, print out ticket and bring it with you for entry.
Admission to the festival at the gate is $20 for adults and free for children (14 and under.)
$5 of each paid admission will be donated to Humanitarian Aid for Victims of War in Ukraine.
The Allentown Fair
When it comes to festivals in North America, the Allentown Fair (17th and Chew Street, Allentown, www.allentownfairpa.org) is without a doubt one of the oldest – if not the oldest. It’s an event that has been drawing large crowds ever since ’52 – that’s 1852.
The popular Allentown Fair was first staged in October 1852 when the Lehigh County Agricultural Society held its first fair. The huge annual fair in Allentown is still one of the state’s premier late-summer attractions.
Now known as “The Great Allentown Fair”, the 2025 edition runs from August 27 until September 1. It will be the fair’s 173rd anniversary this year.
The Allentown Fair is a fun-filled event that spans generations and appeals to people of all ages. The multi-day event at the Allentown Fairgrounds features thousands of farm, garden and home exhibits and competitions along with thrill rides, amusement games, variety acts, international food and some of the top entertainers currently on tour.
The Grandstand Stage’s 2025 schedule features Heart on August 27, Alabama on August 28, Kane Brown on August 29, Ace Frehely, Great White and Quiet Riot on August 30, Gabriel Fluffy Iglesias on August 31 and J&J Demolition Derby on September 1.
As always, amusement games and rides are one of the fair’s main attractions. This year, the Great Allentown Fair will again feature thrilling rides and games of skill and chance presented by Powers Great American Midways.
There will also be a wide array of agricultural competitions and exhibits each day at the fair. Tickets are $10 for adults with children under 12 admitted free.
The annual air show at the New Garden Flying Field in Toughkenamon just keeps getting better year after year. The lively show, which has been staged continuously for more than 40 years, has become one of Chester County’s oldest and best traditional events.
The 2025 Festival of Flight Air & Car Show
The 2025 Festival of Flight Air & Car Show (New Garden Flying Field, off Route 1, Toughkenamon, http://www.newgardenflyingfield.com) is scheduled for August 23 and 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
With both morning, afternoon, and evening performances planned at New Garden Flying Field, the activity will be non-stop. The show will feature amazing aerobatics, displays of antique cars and an impressive number of aircraft on display.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy tasty food from a variety of vendors and see an evening show that is billed as a must-see.
The performer lineup includes Nathan Hammond (Ghost Writer Airshows), RJ Gritter, Jason Flood, Scott Francis, SkyElements Drone Show, Warbird Thunder Airshows, Kevin Russo, RC Aircraft Demonstrations and D&M Fireworks.
Other attractions at this weekend’s show at the New Garden Airport include demonstrations by RC modelers, souvenir stands, airplane rides, an antique and classic car show and food and beverage concessions.
Tickets start at $30.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Another popular event just outside the Philadelphia Metro area is the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (Mount Hope Estate and Winery grounds, Route 72, Cornwall, www.parenfaire.com).
This year’s 45th annual staging of the event, which bills itself as “the most wondrous event in all the Knowne World,” is running now through October 26.
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. This year’s Faire will take you back in time to the year 1558.
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.
Each week, there are themed weekends. On August 23 and 24, it will be Pyrate Invasion.
A black flag is raised under dark skies as the ship pulls into the harbor. Pyrates have come to Mount Hope.
Swashbucklers and Scallywags alike find themselves welcome, so let out a mighty “Avast!,” find some rum, and join a crew.
Featured events are Pyrate School for Nipperkins, The Captain’s Challenge (18+), Nipperkins Treasure Hunt and Red Cross Blood Drive.
Single-day tickets are available at the gate for $34.95. For children (age 5-11) single-day tickets are available at the gate and online for $18.95.
There will be more swashbuckling activities on Saturday along the river near Philadelphia Airport.
Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, www.fortmifflin.us) is hosting “Pirate Day” on August 23 starting at 10 a.m.
There will be pirates on Mud Island.
Visitors can learn the early history of the Fort, and why the British chose to build a fortification on Mud Island.
Merriment and mischief, hands on activities, a scavenger hunt, tours and weapons demonstrations will be featured – and possibly a pirate attack.
Guests can enjoy singing along with the Sea Dogs during their concert at 1 p.m.
Tickets for Pirate Day are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for children and veterans.
On August 23, history buffs – or just people looking for an interesting walk on a late summer day – can take part in the “Walking Tour of Paoli Battlefield.”
The tour, which is being presented by the Paoli Battlefield Historical Park (pbpfinc.org), runs from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
It will get underway at the Valley Creek Babtist Church at 146 Channing Ave in Malvern and traverse the hallowed ground of the Paoli Battlefield.
Participants can learn what happened there on the night of September 20, 1777 that led to this battle being called the “Paoli Massacre.” Answers to your many questions await you on this walking tour of the battlefield.
Make sure you wear appropriate footwear for walking around the battlefield, and trails in the woods.
Please bring a folding chair as there will be a 30-minute talk prior to the walking part. You will be able to put your chairs back into your vehicle before the walking portion starts.
You will be given a tour booklet when you arrive.
There is a fixed $20 donation per person to be included in the tour.
There will be books, hats, and tee shirts available for purchase at the parking lot. Each purchase is a donation to the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund.
On August 23, there will be a Butterfly Festival at Colonial Gardens (745 Schuylkill Rd, Phoenixville, 610-948-9755, www.colonialgardenspa.com).
The festive and colorful event, which will be held in the Garden, will feature a “Butterfly Release” of 500 butterflies with releases scheduled for 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
A Butterfly Release Reservation, which costs $10, entitles the purchaser to one butterfly to be released at one of the four mass releases at Colonial Gardens’ Butterfly Festival.
If you do not wish to release a butterfly, you may attend the event for free, without a reservation or ticket.
Visitors to the annual event will be able to learn about the life cycle of Monarchs and how to create their own way station to protect the fragile insects. The festival will also feature other educational seminars about Monarch butterflies.
The event also includes local artisans, vendors, and non-profits; lush, beautiful gardens to wander; native and pollinator-friendly plants for purchase; and hayrides through the site’s woods for $5 per person.
Because this event is outdoors, there is a rain date of Sunday, August 24.
The focus will be on something little different at a special event this weekend at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, phillyexpocenter.com) – an event billed as the “Heritage Indian Festival.”
One of the east coast’s longest-running South Asian festival is coming to the area on August 23 from noon-9 p.m. and August 24 from noon-7 p.m.
The Heritage India Festival is an ultimate shopping destination for the finest in fashion, jewelry, garments, accessories, handicrafts, and much more from the Indian subcontinent.
It will feature more than 150 booths with vendors from all over North America offering incredible variety and bargains.
Visitors will be able to sample culinary delights including appetizers like samosas, bhel puri and chaat, main entrees like curries, kabobs, and idlis and a huge variety of desserts.
There will be special cuisine from all over India, including South Indian curries, Gujarati Farsan, Maharashtran delicacies
Indian sweets, sugar cane juice, masala chai/coffee, kulfi and ice cream.
Guests can sample street foods, including kabobs, papri/samosa chaat, bhel puri, mirchi bhajias, Chicken 65, bondas, idlis and vadas.
The list of menu items also includes mouthwatering regional specialties and fusion food, including chhole bhature, Hyderabadi biryani, desi pizza, dosas, and wings.
Tickets are $5 (cash only) with children five and under admitted free. There is also free parking.
Another opportunity to appreciate Indian music and culture in person can be found at Chase Fieldhouse (401 Garasches Lane, Wilmington) on August 24.
The venue, which is home to a Sixers’ minor league team, will host a concert by Geeta Rabari, one of India’s premier pop and folk vocalists.
A native of Gujarat, Rabari is known as “Kutchi Koyal” or “Kutch Ni Koyal.”
She grew up singing Bhajans, Folklore, Santvani and Dirya. In addition to Gujarati songs, Rabari has recorded one Garba album.
Rabari’s first song, “Rona Ser Ma,” was a hit and introduced Rabari as a singer ready for top billing.
The show on Sunday is billed as “Delaware’s Biggest Garba Ever.”
Garba is a circle dance performed by Hindus in Gujarat, India, during Navratri festival. It is a symbol of life, time, and the feminine divinity Amba, and is influenced by Dandiya Raas.
Guests will be treated to a night of Indian culture like never before. Rabari, the voice of Gujarat and a global icon of folk music, is known for her incredible energy and devotion to folk traditions.
She will lead an unforgettable live Garba performance with soul-stirring melodies and electrifying rhythms that will have everyone on their feet.
Additionally, there will hot Indian food available for purchase.
Video link for “Rona Ser Ma” — https://youtu.be/35mYQ8bqp1A.
Tickets for the show, which starts at 4 p.m., are $30 and $40
The 12th Annual Delaware Burger Battle will be held on August 23 at the Rockford Tower (2000 Lookout Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, www.deburgerbattle.com).
Every year since 2012, Delaware’s most competitive chefs have gathered their grills to battle it out for burger supremacy at the Delaware Burger Battle. In 10 years, more than 32,000 burgers have been served.
The battle has welcomed more than 60 competing restaurants, 5,500 guests, thousands of beers and has raised more than $60,000 for charity.
Once you enter the arena, you’re free to go from booth-to-booth sampling burgers from all the participating restaurants. Most people can’t complete the circuit.
Tickets also include adult beverages and soft drinks.
This is a rain or shine event, as well as all ages. Free parking is available nearby, and shuttles are provided.
Tickets are $50 for adults, $30 for designated drivers and teens and $10 for children (ages 5-12).
The Schuylkill Banks Riverboat Tour (www.schuylkillbanks.org/events/riverboat-tours-1) presents “Secrets of the Schuylkill” now through October.
The boat ride is a one-hour family-friendly tour of Philly’s second biggest river featuring sights such as Bartram’s Garden and Fairmount Water Works.
Riders can discover the Hidden River on a fun and educational riverboat tour while seeing spectacular views of Philadelphia.
They can also learn about the past, present, and future of the tidal Schuylkill River and its impact on Philadelphia on a one-hour Secrets of the Schuylkill tour which costs $25 for adults and $15 for children (age 12 and under).
Tours depart from the Walnut Street Dock under the Walnut Street Bridge on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. Tours are scheduled for August 17, 21, 24 and 28 There will also be tours on September 14 and 28.
There are also numerous kayak and moonlight kayak tours scheduled throughout the summer.
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 31, 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 $25 for adults ($28 on Saturday and Sunday), $23/$26 for youth, and $10 for children.
On August 24 and 25, the Xfinity Mobile Arena, (3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, www.ticketmaster.com) is hosting “Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-n-Fire Party.”
The popular family entertainment tour brings audiences the only opportunity to watch their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, Boneshaker™, Bigfoot® and more, plus the all-new Gunkster™ as they light up the floor in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles.
Event performances will also feature a dazzling dance party, spectacular laser light shows and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Plus, a special appearance from the car-eating, fire-breathing transforming robot MEGASAURUS, and the electrifying high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, Freestyle Motocross.
The exciting Crash Zone Pre-Show Party will be held 2.5 hours before every performance. The unique experience provides fans access to the competition floor to see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. Each pass includes an autograph card plus a souvenir pass and lanyard exclusive to Crash Zone attendees.
Show times are 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Ticket prices start at $30.
It’s time for the Bethel Township Corn Boil this weekend. It will be held August 24 from 4-8 p.m. at Bethel Springs Elementary School (3280 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley,
Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of free food – including endless ears of corn fresh from boil to plate.
There will also be live music and entertainment, games, prizes, bounce houses, and face painting.
This year’s event features Bethel’s Inaugural “National Night Out.”
Visitors can meet police, fire and EMS personnel, explore the vehicles and equipment used to keep Bethel safe, and take home some sweet swag.
Guests are requested to bring a dessert to share at the event and non-perishables to donate to the Loaves of Love Food Pantry.
The rain date is August 31, 2025.
An attractive eating and dining event will be held in in Bucks County at Fonthill Castle (130 East Swamp Road, Doylestown, www.mercermuseum.org).
Fonthill Castle will host its ninth annual end-of-summer Beer Fest on August 23 from 2-5 p.m.
The brew-oriented event will feature quality drafts from more than 35 local and regional breweries in the beautiful outdoor setting of Fonthill Castle.
Guests at Saturday’s festival will also be able to enjoy music, dine on light fare and receive a commemorative beer tasting glass.
General admission tickets, which are $95, include unlimited beer tastings. All guests must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID to attend.
Tickets are non-refundable. The event will be held rain or shine — unless weather conditions are hazardous.
The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) is hosting “Zoo Brew 10 Year Celebration” on August 23 from noon-4 p.m.
Tickets for this event, wh8ch are $50, include zoo admission, door prizes, and a souvenir pint glass to commemorate this milestone.
Participants can enjoy samplings from local favorites like Five Saints Distilling, 2SP Brewing Company, Von C Brewing Company, Wissahickon Brewing Company, and more.
A “Zoo Snooze” overnight campout will start at 5 p.m. on August 23 and run until 9:30 a.m. on August 24.
The “Campout” includes — Dinner (includes pizza, salad, and potato chips), Breakfast (includes pastries and fresh fruit), Flashlight tour of the zoo, Campfire & activities, educational show the next morning and Zoo admission the next day.
Tickets are $80 for adults and $12 for children.
The Lancaster Craft Beerfest is scheduled for August 23 at Binns Park (120 North Queen Street, Lancaster, www.lancastercraftbeerfest.com).
The event will be held in two sessions – noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.
The organizers have curated an impressive lineup of local and regional breweries geared to please beer enthusiasts.
With seven years of relationships built with incredible brewers and top newcomers, they are once again bringing the flavor to the fest – featuring new tastes along with classic favorites.
Each ticket comes with a 5-oz. tasting mug for unlimited pours at the fest.
The cost is $55.20 for general admission and $14.64 for designated drivers.
Some proceeds from the event benefit the Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square.
Beer will also be an attraction at Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) which is hosting “Summer Nights at Hagley” on August 27 from 5-8 p.m. each night
Visitors to Hagley can enjoy an after-work hike or a picnic along the 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.
There will be a “Science Saturday” event on August 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The theme will be “Playing with Polymers.”
The historical site also presents a special event on August 25 — a “Walking Tour.”
The “Walking Tour” on will depart at 11 a.m. n August 19
With the “Walking Tour,” participants can walk through history during an in-depth, 90-minute guided tour each Monday morning from March through December. This week’s topic is “Rocks & Roll Mills.”
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 the banks 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.
Admission is $20 for Adults, $16 for Seniors (62+) and Students, and $10 for Children 6-14.
Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org) is both a scenic and an historic site in Delaware.
Odessa is one of Delaware’s most historic sites.
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. They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.
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. General Admission: Adults, $10; Groups, Seniors, Students, $8; and Children under six are free.
Visitors have been flocking all summer to Kennett Square to enjoy the “Festival of Fountains” at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, www.longwoodgardens.org).
The “Festival of Fountains” will run until September 28.
Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre and Italian Water Garden fountains are popular attractions as are the Square Fountain, Round Fountain (Flower Garden Walk), Sylvan Fountain (Peirce’s Park), and Children’s Corner fountains.
Longwood’s posting for this weekend’s special events is:
Spotlight Tours (5 and 7 p.m.)
During our free, 30-minute guided Spotlight Tours, delight in the diversity of our aquatic plant collection in the renewed Waterlily Court.
During our free, 30-minute guided Spotlight Tours, delight in the diversity of our aquatic plant collection in the renewed Waterlily Court.
Chimes Tower Hours (5 and 7 p.m.)
Climb to the top of the Chimes Tower for a stunning view of Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and the surrounding landscape.
Climb to the top of the Chimes Tower for a stunning view of Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and the surrounding landscape.
Family Activity in the Pumphouse Plaza (6-8 p.m.)
Stop by our Pumphouse Plaza and pick up a self-guided activity themed to this Fountain Fest Weekend.
Stop by our Pumphouse Plaza and pick up a self-guided activity themed to this Fountain Fest Weekend.
Live Music in the Beer Garden (6-8:45 p.m.)
On It Productions DJ and Live Music
On It Productions DJ and Live Music
Organ Demos (6:30 and 7:30 p.m.)
Carillon Music (7:30 p.m.)
Carillon Music (7:30 p.m.)
Illuminated Fountain Performances (9:15 p.m.)
Dancing fountains, performances under the stars, and beautiful gardens make the Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens magical.
The spectacular celebration of music, light, water, and nature includes distinctive garden experiences indoors and out.
Before the fountain performances, guests can sit under the stars and enjoy live music and refreshing brews and pub fare in Longwood’s Beer Garden. Other dining options at Longwood are 1906 Fine Dining and The Café.
As the season unfolds, flowering trees delightfully punctuate the landscape, radiant tulips stretch toward the sun, and the delicious fragrance of wisteria floats along the breeze.
Visitors can also enjoy special exhibits at the Orchid House.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $35 for adults, $31 for seniors and college students, $26 for active military and $20 for youth.
The Brandywine Valley has quite a few museums and tourist sites that provide residents and tourists with ideal opportunities to spend leisure time — and you can maximize your effort if you take advantage of the 2025 Brandywine Treasure Trail 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 the 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.
For more information, visit www.visitwilmingtonde.com/bmga/.
The 2025 season is in full swing at Nemours Estate (1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware, nemoursestate.org). The entrance is located on the campus of Nemours Children’s Health, follow signs for Nemours Estate.
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.
The Gardens are one of the estate’s prime attractions. The 157 jets at the center of the one-acre pool shoot water 12 feet into the air; when they are turned off, the entire “Long Walk” is reflected in the pool.
Admission to Nemours is $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $10 for children.
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 15 and 16 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 involve stairs. Reservations are suggested. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $10.
Chanticleer (786 Church Street, Wayne, www.chanticleergarden.org) in in the middle of its summer celebration.
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. The family’s pharmaceutical firm would become part of Merck & Company in the 1920s.
The Rosengartens hired architect and former classmate Charles L. Borie to design the house, which was completed in 1913. Landscape architect Thomas Sears designed the terraces as extensions of the house. A 1924 addition converted the summer home into a year-round residence and the family moved here permanently.
Admission to Chanticleer is $15 for adults and free for pre-teen children (12 years and under).
Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden (1829 East County Line Road, Villanova, stoneleighgarden.org/garden/home/) will present a “Home and Garden Tour” on August 9 at 10:30 a.m.
Formerly a Main Line country estate, Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden opened to the public in 2018.
Dazzling displays of native plants, ancient trees, landscape designs by the Olmsted Brothers, and myriad habitats are highlighted on this guided exploration of Stoneleigh.
This tour will highlight the transition from beloved family home to public garden through a guided exploration of breathtaking historical landscapes, majestic trees, and the more than 2,000 varieties of native plants.
Guests can learn how the staff created gardens that are beautiful, biodiverse, and beneficial to wildlife.
Tickets for the tour are $15.
Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum (1237 State Road, Andalusia, www.andalusiapa.org) is located on a wooded promontory overlooking the Delaware River.
It has been a stately presence on this stretch of water, just north of Philadelphia, for more than 200 years.
The ancestral home of the Biddle family, Andalusia is also a natural paradise of native woodlands and spectacular gardens that have evolved over time.
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, while also offering a glimpse into the life of a family that helped to shape its future.
Its surrounding gardens delight the senses all through the year, from the tumbling, brightly colored leaves of fall to the floral extravaganza of spring and the abundance and scent of summer.
Self-Guided Garden Tours will be available Mondays through Wednesdays through November 4 (excluding holidays) at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum (8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, www.fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz) has an attractive morning event scheduled for this weekend.
Participants can take an educational walk with the Refuge’s knowledgeable volunteers, Chuck Root and Emily Dodge.
They will be able to discover the 300+ species of birds that use the Refuge during their migration routes — each week guarantees different species.
Along the way, they will also be looking out for the many species butterflies and dragonflies of the refuge.
Walk will meet at the Rt. 420 entrance and be at a relaxed paced on flat surfaces. There are no bathrooms and water available, please plan accordingly. No registration required.
The event, which is scheduled for 9 a.m., is free with no registration needed.
Now through August 24, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings — Something Sweet.”
Guests can savor some sweetness in the Barrel Room. The winery’s latest pairing experience highlights wines that are brimming with flavor and decadence.
The trained staff will guide visitors through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse wines from across the winery’s portfolio alongside artisan cheeses and other accoutrements.
The “Pairing Line Up” is Greeting Wine: Berry Spritzer featuring Good Vibes Only, Sunset Blush with fresh Chevre and Hot Honey, White Sangria with Mango Salsa, Red Sangria with a Lemon Macaron and Niagara with Birchrun Blue Cheese.
Chaddsford Winery is also hosting “Wine Down” on Fridays now through September 26 from 5-9 p.m. each night.
“Wine Down” will feature Quizzo trivia games on Fridays.
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting a summer music series.
The winery will open at 11 a.m. each day and have matinee performances of live music.
There will be music by Rick Caldwell on August 22 from 5-7 p.m., Greg Jones on August 23 from 2-5 p.m. and Jason Ager on August 24 from 1-4 p.m.
On August 23, Heckler Plains Farmstead (237 Landis Road, Harleysville, www.lowersalfordtownship.org) will be the site of the 2025 Hecklerfest.
The popular annual event will start at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.
Visitors will have the opportunity to spend a day in the 1800s at the Historic Heckler Plains Farmstead.
They will be able churn butter, have pie from the State’s oldest working outdoor bake oven, check out the spring house, tour the barn from the 1700s and shop local crafters.
Members of the J.S. Hancock Society will be on hand to re-create life on the farm in the 1800s and members of the Lower Salford Historical Society will be present to provide information on the history of Lower Salford Township.
A Montgomery County Park with a special event this weekend is Pottsgrove Manor (100 West King Street, Pottstown, 610-326-4014, http://montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=930).
Every Saturday in August, 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.
This week’s themed Open House features music from the 18th century with musician Betsy Chapman.
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.
Visitors can also find historic summer delights being created in the reproduction kitchen from period receipts.
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.
Hope Lodge (553 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, 215-343-0965, http://www.ushistory.org/hope/) will be presenting a its “Guided Mansion Tour” on August 24.
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.
The site opens at 12:30 p.m. with self-guided tours starting at 1 and 2:30 p.m. The house closes at 4 p.m.
Tour admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (age 65+) and for youth ages 6-17, and fee 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.
A popular venue where you can get close to nature is Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org).
The arboretum’s schedule for this weekend features the “Wildflower Walk: Summer Edition” on August 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
At the “Saturday Wildflower Walk,” wildflower expert Dick Cloud will lead an informative two-hour hike that will take visitors through meadows, woods, and occasionally streamside.
These walks are for those who have a love of plants, their role in ecology, or for those who want to learn more.
Admission to Tyler Arboretum is $18 for adults (ages 18-64), $15 for seniors and veterans and $10 for children (ages 3-17) and Military with valid ID.
Glen Foerd (5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, https://www.glenfoerd.org/events) is hosting two special events this weekend “Botanical Alchemy: A Solar Dye Workshop” and “Open Boating Days at Glen Foerd.”
“Botanical Alchemy: A Solar Dye Workshop” will be held on August 23 at 1 a.m.
Participants will be able to learn the art of solar dyeing using flowers and foliage to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind designs on fabric.
“Open Boating Days at Glen Foerd” are scheduled for August 24 and September 21.
Glen Foerd will have canoes, rowboats, and kayaks for guests to explore parts of the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River.
This is a walk-up, first-come, first-served event. Boat space is limited.
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.
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) is celebrating “Peach Month” in August.
It’s a paradise for those who love shopping and/or peaches with plenty of peachy treats, weekend entertainment, and scenic strolls through the Village’s summer gardens.
Visitors will be able to savor the flavors of all things peach from savory to sweet at the Village’s restaurants and weekend outdoor food tent all month long.
On August weekends, visitors can enjoy live music while they shop and enjoy peach-themed foods and beverages.
Fresh peaches, peach pies, and peach products will be available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is enjoying its 45th Birthday Celebration this year.
The park is adorned with colorful garland, bright balloons, fabulous birthday presents and more fun décor.
The fantastic, new Sesame Street Birthday Parade makes its debut. This colorful and musical parade will get the whole family dancing with contemporary and classic Sesame Street tunes, show-stopping performances, and an interactive birthday song.
Everyone can dance, groove and sing along at the Furry Friends Birthday Dance Party, enjoy a Birthday-themed story time and get one-of-a-kind photos with everyone’s furry friends in their fabulous new birthday attire.
Ticket prices for Sesame Place start at $42.99.
The West Chester Railroad (610-430-2233, www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday now through September 21 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 23 and 24 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 railroads lavish early 1900’s first-class parlor cars.
Tickets are $99 (Ages 21 and older only).
The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (Reading Outer Station, Reading, www.rbmnrr-passenger.com) is running “All Day Train Excursions” every Saturday and Sunday in August and September.
Passengers can take a train excursion through Pennsylvania’s beautiful landscape to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. They can board the train at the Reading Outer Station, Port Clinton Station, or Tamaqua Station.
During the trip, riders will see rolling farmland, beautiful mountains, glistening lakes, and small towns along the railroad’s main line. The train will also travel through tunnels and over bridges — a highlight being the Hometown High Bridge.
Once the excursion arrives in Jim Thorpe, riders have more than 3.5 hours to explore the many shops, restaurants, and attractions before boarding the train for your return trip.
While in Jim Thorpe, they can also ride one of the rail line’s 70-minute Lehigh Gorge trains at a discounted rate.
Tickets for the all-day excursion are $39 from the Reading Outer Station and Port Clinton Station and $24 from the Tamaqua Station.
On August 23, the Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Secret Valley Expedition” at noon.
The tourist rail line’s two-hour expedition into Berks County features rides on meticulously restored century-old rail cars and visits to one of the most scenic and historic regions in the northeast.
It will also run the brunch edition of its Secret Valley Expedition on August 24 at 10:30 a.m.
The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its “Great Northern Central Train Raid” on August 23 at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.
The NCRR Train is headed for Washington, DC and rumor is there’s gold on board. This could mean a train raid.
This excursion features the Union and Confederate armies skirmishing for control of the train — and the gold. This ride calls for all Civil War steam engine enthusiasts and children who love Living History. Photographers will also enjoy the action.
Tickets are $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.
This weekend, the Strasburg Railroad (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running its “Wine & Cheese Train” on August 22, 23 and 24 at 4 and 6 p.m. each night.
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 $79.
If you like to look at model railroad layouts in addition to experiencing live trains, then you should definitely check out the Garden Railway Display at the Morris Arboretum & Garden (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill,www.morrisarboretum.org).
The ultra-popular Garden Railway Display has become a major summer attraction at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum. The 26th annual edition of the display will remain open until September 30.
This summer, Morris Arboretum will unveil a brand-new exhibition in its popular Garden Railway – “Garden Railway: Dinos!”
With more than 15 different rail lines running along a third of a mile of track, visitors will enjoy a spectacular display of dinosaurs including Triceratops, and Velociraptor, as well as other Mesozoic creatures—all made out of natural materials such as bark, leaves, and twigs.
As one of the largest outdoor miniature train displays in the United States, the Garden Railway will delight and amaze visitors of all ages.
The railway has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.
The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials – bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones – to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers.
Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle. There is even a masterpiece replica of Independence Hall are made using pinecone seeds for shingles, acorns as finials and twigs as downspouts.
Visitors will be able to see miniature replicas of iconic structures at some of America’s most famous public gardens including the Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden, Torii Gate and Pavilion at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Science Pyramid at Denver Botanic Gardens, and so much more.
Admission is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (65 and older); $10 for students (ages 13-17 or with ID), active military and retired military; and free for children (under 3).
Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the summer.
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.
Tickets are $35.
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.
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 our activity. During this time, we encourage participants to bring their own gloves to use while up in the trees, gardening gloves are perfect for this activity.
Ticket prices are $55, adults; $48, ages 12-17; $38, ages 7-11.
“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 through November 26.
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 prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59 and Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7–11), $51.
One of the most popular late-summer events in southeastern Pennsylvania has been the New Holland Summer Fest.
Unfortunately, last year’s event was the final festival in the series.
In a Facebook post, the New Holland Summer Fest Committee wrote, “It is with great sadness that we will no longer be continuing with our yearly New Holland Summer Fest. We do understand this has been an ongoing event since 1999 that the community looks forward to. Unfortunately, it requires a large investment of time and is costly to maintain. We do appreciate all your support through the years.”
Fortunately, New Holland Fire Rescue hasn’t been the only fire company holding an upcoming food event to raise money for a fire company.
Here are some other food events happening between now and mid-September around Lancaster County.
The Rawlinsville Volunteer Fire Company will hold its August chicken barbecue starting at 10 a.m. August 23 at the fire company (33 Martic Heights Drive, Holtwood).
Two Food Truck Frenzy, Hempfield Fire Department Edition, runs from noon-5 p.m. August 23 at the fire company (19 West Main Street, Landisville. Food Truck Frenzy, Manheim Fire Company Edition, runs from noon-5 p.m. August 24 at the fire company (83 South Main Street, Manheim).
The Intercourse Fire Company will hold a breakfast buffet from 6-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the fire company (10 North Hollander Road, Intercourse)
The Schoeneck Fire Company will have about 10 food trucks serving up a variety of meals, snacks, desserts and beverages at its annual celebration from 2-9 p.m. on September 6 at the fire company (125 North King Street, Denver). In addition to the food trucks, there will be bounce houses, a DJ and fireworks.
The Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company will hold a chicken barbecue fundraiser on September 27 from 9:30 a.m. until the food is sold out. The event is at the firehouse (135 South State Street, Ephrata).
Columbia Borough Fire Department will hold a chicken barbecue on September 27 from a.m. until the food is sold out, at the fire company (10th and Manor streets, Columbia).
