9 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend: Bacon Fest, Beer Camp Across America, 2nd Street Festival, and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Bacon Fest
You had us at bacon. The 2nd annual Bacon Festival hits The Oval on Friday, for a celebration of all things bacon (Kevin, and the food.) Food trucks will be offering bacon-themed menus, including samplings of Godshall's maple bacon, turkey bacon, and chicken bacon. There will be bacon-related fun all night in the form of recipes, games, and contests. Oh, and a bacon space capsule that will be launching into "space," courtesy of the Franklin Institute. Yup. The festival will end with a screening of the Kevin Bacon classic Apollo 13 at 9 p.m. Friday, August 1st, 5:30-11 p.m., The Oval, 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
"People's Choice" with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Mann Center will host The Philadelphia Orchestra this Friday night–playing a program selected entirely by the people. The voting for the program took place back in June, and the results will be announced at the concert, followed by the selected lineup. The performance will showcase the talents of young violinist Eunice Kim, and will be hosted by Gregg Whiteside of WRTI. The concert is free, though you are asked to pre-register for the event online. Seating is first-come, first-served, and walk-up tickets will be based on availability. Showtime is 8 p.m., but the doors will be open at 6 p.m., so be sure to get there early. Friday, August 1st, 6 p.m., The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue.
Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
You can now be serenaded by smooth jazz tunes along the waterfront, for free, every Friday evening. Smooth Jazz Summer Nights concert series at Penn's Landing brings nationally renowned acts to the riverfront venue each weekend in August, beginning this Friday. Kicking off the series will be Grammy-nominated jazz pianist David Benoit. Live music underneath the summer stars–what better way to start off the weekend? Friday, August 1st, 7:30 p.m., Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. & Chestnut Street.
Beer Camp Across America
Attention, beer aficionados! Fishtown's Penn Treaty Park is hosting the Mid-Atlantic edition of Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp Across America this Saturday. Philly certainly adores its beer—so it's no shocker that the seven-city traveling beer festival is making a stop in our backyard. Sierra's beer-fueled fest is the ultimate collaboration of craft brewers from Philly and surrounding areas, featuring over 80 breweries. Beer Camp will celebrate our city's craft beer culture with unlimited tastings from each brewery, live music, and food vendors. Some of our favorites are in the lineup: Philadelphia Brewing Company, Yards Brewing Company, and Dock Street Brewery, amongst tons of others. Tickets are available for purchase online, with designated driver tickets available, too. For more information, click here. Saturday, August 2nd, 12 -5 p.m., $65, 21+, Penn Treaty Park, 1341 N. Delaware Ave.
Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival
Penn's Landing is celebrating the culture of Southeast Asia this weekend, with waterfront performances, traditional cuisine, and a dragon boat race along the Delaware River. The Southeast Asian Dragon Boat Festival highlights the traditional maritime activity of dragon boat racing, an important part of Southeast Asia's biggest festivals and celebrations. In honor of the tradition, more than 400 teams will race dragon boats down the river, while food, drink, music, and family-friendly activities fill Penn's Landing from noon until night. Entry to the festival is free. Saturday, August 2nd, 12-8 p.m., Marina at Penn's Landing, 301. S. Columbus Blvd.
Dog Wash for PAWS
Saturday means pups, beer, and drag queens, naturally. The Trestle Inn is hosting its first Dog Wash for the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). For a $20 donation to PAWS, dogs will get shampooed by the experts at BONeJOUR, while puppy parents receive a complimentary beer or wine. Seventies funk jams will be playing and there will be eats from Hot Dirty Dog BBQ. Oh, and Brittany Lynn, "The Hardest Working Drag Queen in Philly" will be in attendance, of course. Saturday, August 2nd, 1-5 p.m., The Trestle Inn, 339 N. 11th Street.
Dancing Nudes Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt
Calling all sleuths and Sherlocks: The Dancing Nudes Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt needs you to help solve a classic whodunnit. Hosted by Watson Adventures and based on a Sherlock Holmes tale, teams of investigators will solve the mystery of wealthy businessman Hilton Cubitt's death, with clues involving, ahem, nude portraits throughout the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It's like a game of <emClue, but so much better. Tickets are available for purchase online. Saturday, August 2nd, 2 p.m., $34-39, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Reggae in the Park
This Sunday marks the third year of Reggae in the Park, Philly's premiere summer reggae festival. The Mann Center will be completely rasta-fied, with performances from legendary reggae artists Matisyahu, Steel Pulse, Mavado, Konshens, The Expendables, and plenty others. There will be music on the Mann's main stage as well as in the Crescendo tent, plus live DJ sets on the main plaza, Caribbean and global cuisine to nosh on, arts & crafts vendors to peruse, and much more. Get ready for some serious jamming. Tickets are available for purchase online. For more information, click here. Sunday, August 3rd, 1:30 p.m., $40-94, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue.
