Memorial Day Family Fun: The Barnes and Beyond!

If you’re looking for Memorial Day activities to enjoy with your family and want to stay local, then we’ve got some plans for you.

 

Opening its doors on May 19th, the Barnes Foundation reserved its official grand opening for you guessed it, Memorial Day Weekend! Don’t miss out on this free-for-all-round-the-clock activities, events and access to worldly art collections. From May 26 thru the 28th, the celebration is at 2025 Ben Franklin Parkway. This line-up is 24/7, so if you can’t get there during the day, think about sneaking off to the Barnes for some grown-up time after the kids are in bed or even before they wake up!

 

Here’s a sneak peak on the weekend happenings at the Barnes:

 

Saturday, May 26

• 10 a.m.: Screening of The Collector, a documentary narrated by John Lithgow explores the life of Albert C. Barnes.

• 11:30 a.m.: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra will pull you out of your seat and get you moving with iConduct! So be prepared to participate.

• 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: ArtSee Activities. Create your own flower inspired by Henri Rousseau’s fantastically fanciful flora. Collage a handy-dandy tote bag with Matisse’s colorful cutouts. Draw a super sensational still-life like Paul Cézanne.

• 4:30 p.m.: 1920s Food Tasting and Demonstration by First and Fresh.

• Midnight–6 a.m.: The Philadelphia Film Society keeps the fire burning with a Midnight Film Series.

 

Sunday, May 27

• 7 a.m.: Get your early bird going and join Sunrise Meditative Yoga Class. Arrive early if you need a mat, reserved for first 20 people.

• 5:30 p.m.: Horticulture Walking Tour. Learn about plants and landscape of Philadelphia from Barnes horticulture staff or instructors.

• 8–9:30 p.m.: Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra. Don’t miss out on this synchrony of sounds from North India, Africa, Cuba, Brazil, and West Africa.

• 9 p.m.: Time travel back with the tasty desserts from the 1920’s.

 

Monday, May 28

• 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.: Coffee tasting courtesy of La Colombe.

• 2:30 p.m.: Book Signing. Have your own copy of Barnes collection signed by Judith Dolkart, one of the book’s authors and Chief Curator.

• 3 p.m.: The Peter Tang Chinese Ensemble, led by Wu Peter Tang, former erhu (Chinese violin) soloist of Beijing Central Government’s Singing and Dancing Ensemble, plays traditional and contemporary Chinese music arts traditional instruments.

But before you go, check out the full event listing and register in advance! 

 

Just in case that’s not enough, we’ve included a few more ideas. If you’re in the area, check out these fun memorial day family events:

 

Franklin Square on May 25-28th from 12-3p.m.

Take a ride around the square on the Lightening Bolt Express (tickets required), enjoy face painting and fun and games on the Great lawn

 

Ride the Free Waterfront Shutttle: Between Independence Visitor Center and Adventure Aquarium & Battleship NJ in Camden, NJ.

 

National Constitution Center on May 28-30th from 10-3p.m.

Celebrate the people, places and events of our nation’s past at this special museum program. Ages 8-12 free with admission.

 

The Morris Arboretum rings in Memorial Day with their Annual Arboretum Kick Off Garden Railway Display on Saturday May 28th from 1-3p.m.