6 family activities in Philly this weekend

     A scene from last year's Revolutionary Germantown festival. (Bas Slabber/for NewsWorks, file)

    A scene from last year's Revolutionary Germantown festival. (Bas Slabber/for NewsWorks, file)

    Here’s a look at what’s going on this weekend for families in Philadelphia. 

    Saturday: La Traviata

    Opera on the Mall presents a big screen broadcast of Verdi’s classic La traviata on Saturday October 3, 2015. Bring a blanket and swoon under the stars to Verdi’s operatic masterpiece at the Independence National Historic Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but registration is required.

    Saturday and Sunday: Shrek the Musical JrOpening Saturday at the Walnut Street Theater is Shrek the Musical Jr. Based on the Tony winning musical and Oscar winning Dreamworks movie, Shrek the Musical Jr is sure to be family friendly fun for all. Showing through October 24.

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    Sunday: Family Arts Festival at the Academy of Fine ArtsThe Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts will host its annual free Family Festival featuring performances by School of Rock Philadelphia, The Junk Jam Band, Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory and more. Come out and enjoy art projects, scavenger hunts and other fun creative activities.

    Sunday: Barnes Free First SundaysThis is the first Sunday of the month, and that means that admission to the Barnes Foundation museum is free. Tickets are limited and can’t be reserved in advance; they are available on-site starting at 9 a.m. Hours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This month features performances by Oran Etkin, Kulu Mele, Project Capoeira and more!

    Friday through Sunday: Reptiles: The Beautiful and the DeadlyExplore the wonderful world of reptiles at the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum’s new exhibit Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly. Enjoy a variety of live snakes, turtles, lizards and crocodilians in naturalistic habitats. This is the opening weekend, and it boasts special programming, including reptile crafts, a “reptile dinner party” and Meet the Keeper, throughout the weekend.

    Saturday: Revolutionary Germantown 

    For all the History Buffs out there, you won’t want to miss the Revolutionary Germantown Festival! Events will be held throughout Historic Germantown Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature numerous performances and activities including the famed Battle of Germantown reenactment! See event schedule for a complete list of events.

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