By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show
We’ve arrived at Labor Day Weekend — the weekend when summer unofficially draws to a close.
Even though the official end of summer arrives later in the month (September 22 is the autumnal equinox when fall officially begins), summer is already over for some because the new school year has already begun.
It’s a schizophrenic period for kids and parents. The neighborhood schools are open, and the neighborhood pools are open.
One thing that will never change about the Labor Day Weekend is the longevity of the annual events staged on the last holiday weekend of the summer.
Many of the area’s annual Labor Day Weekend events have been held continuously for 40 years or longer.
The Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show (Routes 100 and 401, Bucktown, 610-458-3344, www.ludwigshorseshow.com) is in elevated status near the top of the list of the Chester County’s longest-running annual Labor Day Weekend events.
The show, which is held at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds, has passed its diamond anniversary. The 2026 edition of the show, which is the 83rd annual staging of the event, will be held September 5-7 at its long-time site in the northern part of Chester County.
The three-day event will feature a variety of fun activities. Families can enjoy rides, vendors, face-painting, hayrides, live music, games, food concessions and children’s games. There will also be a large number of booths with representatives of groups that are involved in the preservation of open space.
The very first Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show was staged in 1943 as a small show to raise money for local scout troops. It featured just 88 horses. Now, it is a very large show with over 400 horses competing for three days in both hunter and jumper classes.
The featured equestrian event is the Lexus Jumper Mini-Prix competition. Other competitions will feature dressage, cones and cross country — and more than $3,000 in prize money.
The horse show features a number of special events including a country fair, a carriage parade, pie-eating contests, a costumed pet parade, Creepy Crawlers Big & Small, a “Mounted Parade of Hounds,” the Thorncroft Mainstreamers, hayrides, an antique tractor show, Silkie’s Farm Alpacas, “Pioneer Games” and amusement rides.
The show will run from 8 a.m.-dusk each day. Tickets are $10 a carload.
There is a festival in northern Delaware that sailed past the century mark almost two decades ago.
Arden Town Fair
It’s the Arden Town Fair (The Village of Arden, 2126 The Highway, Arden, Delaware, 302-475-3126, www.ardenclub.org) which is celebrating its 118th anniversary this year. It will be held on September 5 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The well-attended holiday event has many popular features such as delicious homemade baked goods, the Library Gild’s used book sale, more than 120 vendors of handmade crafts and jewelry, children’s games and rides and the antiques and collectibles market with more than 50 dealers.
Other attractions at the fair are the food court, pony rides, the dunk booth, booths selling plants from the Gardeners Gild, dance demonstrations, the popular Beer Garden with continuous live entertainment and the Holistic Expo at the Buzz Ware Village Center.
The Fair’s lineup of live music in the Shady Grove this year includes Dan Emery Scottish Bagpipes, Diamond State Concert Band, Artese N Toad, Embers, GoldRush, The Flying Vees, Tumultuous Uproar, Billy Pierce Band and J.D. Webb & the Good God Damn.
The Arden Club is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the Fair help maintain the Arden Gild Hall, where the public can enjoy concerts, musicals, plays, dances, Saturday evening dinners, and programs throughout the year.
Saturday’s event features free admission and free shuttle buses from the Claymont Transit Center, which is located on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont.
Some of the “Oldies But Goodies” events are Duryea Day and the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival.
Having been around for more than a half-century, Duryea Day has established itself as one of Boyertown’s most popular annual events.
This year, Duryea Day (Boyertown Community Park, Second and Madison streets, Boyertown, 610-367-2090, www.boyertownmuseum.org) is celebrating its 60th year with another top-flight “Antique and Classic Car Show.”The one-day event, which is hosted by the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, serves as a showcase for antique and classic cars and trucks of all types.
This year, it will be held on September 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the scenic park in downtown Boyertown.
Duryea Day was created as a tribute to local automobile pioneer Charles Duryea, who started building automobiles in Reading more than a century ago. Duryea was making automobiles long before most people in the area had even seen a car.
A Labor Day Weekend tradition, the “Antique and Classic Car Show” draws exhibitors from all over the Mid-Atlantic region with an amazing array of collector cars, antique trucks, hot rods, vintage motorcycles, custom cars and special interest vehicles.
Visitors have the opportunity to get up-close looks at a number of automobiles they probably have never seen before — cars made by long-defunct companies such as Franklin, Winton and Peerless. There will also be displays of timeless classics like the Ford “Model T.”
The auto show will feature awards in the following categories – Antique Pre-War Car, Antique Post-War Car, Antique Commercial Truck, Street Machine, Antique Pickup Truck, Street Rod, Antique Motorcycle and Antique Sports Car.
In addition to the car show, Duryea Day also features live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, a 50/50 drawing, a “car corral” and an auto flea market. There will also be a variety of entertainment and special activities for children.
Admission to Boyertown Park for Duryea Day is $10 for adults and free for children (ages 6-12).
Visitors to Duryea Day can take advantage of complimentary admission to the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles. A special trolley will make continuous loops between the park and the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles until 4 p.m.
The Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival (Salem County Fair Grounds, Route 40, Woodstown, New Jersey, 302-321-6466, www.delawarevalleybluegrass.org) has also been on the Labor Day Weekend schedule for a long, long time.
This weekend, the highly popular annual music event, which runs now through September 6, will celebrate its 54th anniversary. The festival will feature three days of old-time music – the kind of music that takes you back to a bygone era and makes you feel good.
The event was first held on Labor Day Weekend in 1972 in Glasgow, Delaware and was known as the Delaware Bluegrass Festival. It remained in Delaware through 1989 and moved to its current location in 1990.
Live music at this year’s festival will feature the following acts on September 5 – Critton Hollow, Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, Gibson Brothers, Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland, Tuba Skinny and Dan Tyminski Band.
The lineup for September 6 features Kid’s Academy, The Burnett Sisters, Black-Eyed Suzies, Blue Highway, Special Consensus and Appalachian Road Show.
Ticket prices start at $80.
Another really, really old annual event in the area is the Labor Day Volksfest at the Cannstatter Volksfest Verein (9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia, cannstatter.org/).
Cannstatter Volksfest
Held every year since 1873, the Cannstatter Volksfest is the nation’s oldest German festival and one of Philadelphia’s longest-running Labor Day Weekend events.
The 154th annual staging of the festival, which is running now through September 7, features tasty German food items such as Weisswurst, Bratwurst, Leberkaese, Heisser Leberkäse, Kartoffel-Salat, Schnitzel, Maultaschen, Spätzle, Pflaumenkuchen, Zwetschgenkuchen and, of course, Frankfurters.
One of the most popular sites at the fair will be the biergarten which will have an attractive variety of great-tasting German beer on tap.
The Volksfest is a family-oriented event that has amusement rides, games and an array of activities for every age group. There will be German music and dancing, souvenir booths, German traditional singing and vendors with German clothing.
The Volksfest will have live music each day with a roster of acts that includes GTV Almrausch Schuplattlers, Altweibermühle (Old Ladies Mill), Don Bitterlich, Die Heimatklaenge and MountainXpress.
Admission is $10 for one day and $15 for two-day pass. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
The 60th Annual Polish Festival the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa (654 Ferry Road, Doylestown, 215-345-0600, www.czestochowa.us) is being held now through September 7 and again on September 12 and 13.
Visitors to the festival will be able to feast on such Polish delicacies as kielbasa, pierogies, placki, holubki and chruschicki. There will also be several beer booths on the grounds.
The festival will feature rides, games, a “Polish Wedding & Dozynki,” “Medieval & WWII Polish Living History Groups” and a full slate of Polish music and polka bands.
Admission to the festival is $15 per person.
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 2026 edition runs now through September 7. It will be the fair’s 174th 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 2026 schedule features All Time Low on September 5, “Local Legends Live” on September 6 and J&J Demolition Derby on September 7.
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 Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (Mount Hope Estate and Winery grounds, Route 72, Cornwall, 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.
Each week, there are themed weekends.
On September 5 and 6, the theme at the Faire will be “Viking Weekend.”
The thrumming of drums can be heard off the coast as a longboat comes into view. By Odin’s ravens, Vikings have arrived in Mount Hope, and after consulting with the Town Council, it has been declared that all are welcome.
Featured events are Best Viking Beard Contest, Nipperkin’s Costume Exhibition and Skäld Contest.
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.
The year is 1567 and Queen Elizabeth is becoming ever more beloved by her people as each year passes. Having heard her father, Henry VIII, spin many tales about Mount Hope with all its joys and perils, she wishes to experience it for herself and has decided to make a visit to the Shire. With her, she brings along her favored Ladies, Sir Walter Raleigh, and her most favorite, Lord Leicester, Robert Dudley.
Mount Hope is wild with excitement to welcome Elizabeth and her Court and feeling that since the Shire is the place that ranked foremost in royal hearts for generations, who better to relieve the Queen of a burden that surely weighs on her heart and mind, namely, who shall be her consort?
As a woman, of course she must marry, and word on the Shire is that Dudley is vying for her hand, but not everyone is keen on that idea.
As far as Mount Hope is concerned, there could be no finer choice than for her to marry a good stout Englishman from the best Shire in the land.
And so, in true Mount Hope fashion, candidates are put forward, choices are made, sides are taken, conflicts, resolutions, and hijinks ensue.
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.
If you’re looking for a craft festival to attend this weekend, head to Lancaster. One trip will yield two craft festivals – two very old craft festivals.
The 48th Annual Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival (www.longspark.org/art-festival) runs now through September 6 at Long’s Park in downtown Lancaster (1441 Harrisburg Pike,
Lancaster).
The 38th Annual Heart of Lancaster County Arts and Crafts Show (www.hlcshow.com) is scheduled to take place on August 30 and 31 at Root’s Market (705 Graystone Road, Manheim).
More than 200 fine artists and artisans representing 30 states were selected through a juried process for inclusion in this year’s show at scenic Long’s Park, an 80-acre park in the center of Lancaster. All proceeds benefit the free Long’s Park summer entertainment series.
A large contingent of artisans will be selling their wares and demonstrating their crafts each day at Long’s Park. The show will feature an array of categories, including drawing, glass, paper, musical instruments, ceramics, leather, printmaking, wearable fiber, mixed media, precious jewelry, painting, metal, decorative fiber, photography, sculpture, toys and wood.
The “Susquehanna Style Bistro” at Long’s Park will offer guests a tasty selection of food from some of the region’s finest restaurants and caterers. The selection of salads, pastas, sandwiches, seafood and desserts will be complemented by a selection of fine wines, craft beers and special mimosas.
The festival will also present live entertainment each day.
Festival hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are $15 – free for those 25-and-under.
The Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show is celebrating its 37th anniversary this year — and its 12th anniversary as a two-day event on September 5 and 6.
This year’s show will feature a roster of more than 200 artists and fine craftsmen from all around the East.
This juried event features a wide variety of traditional, primitive, and contemporary art and crafts. Importantly, all the items on display at this show are hand-crafted by the artists. The event also offers an array of crafts demonstrations.
There will be vendors with a wide variety of food and beverage items at the event, which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.
One of the nicest attractions offered by the Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show is free admission for all.
“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: September 5 will present “First Signing of the Constitution: 1787.”
We the People … signed here first!
The U.S. Constitution was inked in Philadelphia, setting the course for democracy.
Visitors can step inside history where every signature still speaks volumes.
The design for the sculpture by Kat Black emphasizes the dedication and collaboration behind the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
The Founding Fathers traveled to Independence Hall and spent four months debating and drafting the document that established the framework of the American government.
Opposing viewpoints are symbolized through red and blue, while the compromises reached between them are represented in purple — the blending of those colors.
Kat Black is a painter who specializes in murals and photo-realistic gouache paintings. She is inspired by independent film, literature, nature and cultural rituals.
The event will take place at the National Constitution Center, which is located at 525 Arch Street in Philadelphia.
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/.
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks, 484-754-3976, http://www.phillyexpocenter.com) is hosting the East Coast Reptile Super Expo featuring hundreds of live snakes and reptiles on September 5.
Many people think snakes and lizards are interesting creatures and maybe even fun pets to own. If you fall into this category, you should check out the show on Saturday.
A wide array of reptiles will be on display as part of the popular exhibition, which is an annual event that is closing in on its silver anniversary.
One of the show’s main attractions is a sales exhibit area featuring many vendors with live reptiles, amphibians and arachnids as well as food items, supplies, books, cages, and related accessories.
Some of the featured vendors are AZO Reptiles, Rose’s Reptiles, Darin’s Toybox, Blake’s Exotic Reptiles, Dower Reptiles & Rodents, Reptile Kingdom, DHA Pythons, Gecko Haven, Hunger Reptiles, Jungle Emporium, Delaware Turtle, Just Lizards, Outback Reptiles, RKZ Rodents. Monstar Reptiles, Turtle to Turtle, and Delaware Valley Herpetarium.
The East Coast Reptile Super Expo, which is always a well-attended event, will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday.
Tickets are $10 — children (under five) admitted free.
The new Paranormal Cirque production, which is intended for a mature audience, is touching down at two area locations over the next few weeks.
Primarily, the Big Top will take up residence on the grounds of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 484-754-3976, https://paranormalcirque.com) now through September 7. It will also visit the York Exposition Center (334 Carlisle Avenue, York) from September 18-21.
Paranormal Cirque will expose audiences to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus, and cabaret with a new European style flare.
This innovative horror story, which is presented in true circus style under a Big Top tent, features different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline.
Audiences likely will find it difficult to separate reality from illusion at this show as they fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents.
There are contortionists, illusionists, freaks, lyra, burlesque dancing and mysterious creatures — all the elements that make one think of a “paranormal” circus…a circus unlike anything you’ve seen before.
perfect harmony with the evolution of a show that brings you back to when we dream … and when we had nightmares and fantasies.
Video link for Paranormal Cirque — https://youtu.be/UxVYV1WZCk4.
Ticket prices start at $30.
Hagley Museum and Library (Buck Road East entrance via Route 100, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) is hosting a “Cannon Firings” event on September 5, 6 and 7 at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. each day.
Have a blast during your visit to Hagley with a demonstration of its signal cannon.
Be prepared — it may seem small, but it really packs a punch.
Demonstrations will take place near the Historic Home & Garden area due to the partial property closure.
Included with admission and free for Hagley members.
Please note that cannon firings are 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 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 $22 for Adults, $18 for Seniors (62+) and Students, and $12 for Children 6-14.
Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) is celebrating the holiday weekend with a Labor Day Soirée on September 5 and 6.
The live music schedule will feature Acoustic Keys from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday and Dan Rendine from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is free with only walk-in seating available.
Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodswinery.com) is presenting “Labor Day Weekend at the Vineyard” now through September 7.
The winery is celebrating the holiday with a four-day weekend of live music, special drinks and incredible vineyard views.
The live music schedule features Joe Vandetty from 2-5 p.m. on September 5, Nicole Zell on September 6 from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday and Allison Landin from 1-4 p.m. on September 7.
The West Chester Railroad (www.wcrailroad.com) is running its “Summer Picnic Specials” every Sunday now through September 27.
There will be one excursion each day at noon.
Passengers can enjoy a 90-minute round trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and return on a warm summer afternoon. Riders are invited to pack a lunch to enjoy during excursion’s stop at the Glen Mills train station picnic grove.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children (2-12) and free for children (under two).
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 September 5 and 6 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 September 5 and 6 — 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.
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 unveiled 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).
On September 5, the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve (3000 Creek Road, Yorklyn, Delaware, 302-239-2385, http://auburnheights.org) is presenting “Steamin’ Day at Auburn Heights.”
The site, which features the Marshall Steam Museum and the Auburn Heights Mansion, focuses on steam power when it presents “Steamin’ Days,” which run from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
General admission tickets are $15 (13 and older) and $10 (age 12 and under).
Also included is entry to the Marshall Steam Museum, which features the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley steam cars along with a 1930s working Lionel electric train display, a hands-on engine display, kids’ activities and exhibits.
The Delaware River waterfront hosts a number of cultural celebrations this summer during the PECO Multicultural Series.
This weekend, it’s Brazil’s turn to be in the spotlight along the Delaware River.
Brazilian Day will run on September 7 from 1-7 p.m. on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing.
The event, which is part of PECO’s annual multicultural series at Penn’s Landing, will feature native food, cultural exhibits and live entertainment.
Featured artists are Project Capoeira including Capoeira and Samba, Batala Philly and Acaraje Drums play Samba Reggae and DJ Pesadelo round out the entertainment.
The event at Penn’s Landing is part of the Brazilian Day Philadelphia Series which occurs in September to celebrate Brazilian Independence Day. The Series celebrates, promotes, and shares Brazilian arts and culture in the Greater Philadelphia region while fostering intercultural exchange and uniting the Brazilian community.
Since 2014, the Brazilian Day Philadelphia Series includes a flag ceremony, Capoeira performances and classes, and a variety of other arts and cultural events for the public to enjoy.
On August 29, Glen Foerd (5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, https://www.glenfoerd.org/events) is presenting “Walk Around Philly: The Northeast” on September 7 from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Participants can join “Walk Around Philadelphia” for a segment of their fall journey walking the circumference of the city.
Group A will be walking counter-clockwise, starting in Torresdale and making their way to Somerton, while Group B will be walking clockwise, starting in the same location but ending up in Bridesburg.
Registration for all segments of the walk are separate, with information pertaining to the meetup locations, durations, and terrain of each segment listed in their sign-up pages.
Free registrations are always available.
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.
“Botany of Nations,” which will run now through the end of September 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.
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.
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.
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 Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, www.delart.org) is currently featuring several new exhibitions.
“Citizen Artist” 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.
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 September 5 from 11 a.m.-1 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.
Newlin Grist Mill (219 South Cheyney Road, Glen Mills, 610-459-2359, www.newlingristmill.org) is holding its “1704 Mill Tour” on September 5 and 6 starting at 11 a.m. each day.
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.
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 September 5 and 6 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.
This is a great time of year to visit 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.
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.
Now is a great time to plan a visit to 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).
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.
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.
