Contact:
Giavana Suraci
T 215.440.5516
gsuraci@centercityphila.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harvest Weekend, a Hay Maze and More Beginning this September!

PHILADELPHIA (August 16, 2022): Center City District (CCD) looks ahead to fall with a full lineup of free-to-attend programs starting in September at Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park, including activities for families, the return of Harvest Weekend and the popular Hay Maze in Dilworth Park.

Fountains in Dilworth Park remain turned on through October 5, and the park’s Air Grille Garden is open through October 9. Additional dining options include the Dilworth Park Café and the outdoor Starbucks Coffee kiosk.

The Boat Pond at Sister Cities Park will close for the season on October 15 before transitioning to the Imagination Playground on October 21, while the Children’s Discovery Garden continues to operate daily through the winter from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The parks’ Earth Fountain remains open through early November. The Sister Cities Café continues to be a convenient stop for coffee, snacks and takeaway fare. Its large outdoor seating area provides great views of play areas, and its lush lawn is the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic.

Year-round, Capriccio Café and Bar at Cret Park has an extensive food and drink menu that can be enjoyed inside the building’s glass pavilion or outside on the patio.

A full schedule of fall programming in CCD-managed parks can be found at centercityphila.org/parks/events. Highlights include:

Dilworth Park

Center City Fit presented by Rothman Orthopaedics
Mondays & Tuesdays
Now through October 11 | 6 p.m.

Professional instructors and trainers from Optimal Sport 1315 Walnut lead a variety of free fitness classes for participants of all skill levels, presented by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. Mondays are dedicated to 305 Dance Fitness and Tuesdays focus on Circuit Training. Please arrive early to fill out a waiver, which can be accessed via a personal smartphone. There will be no bag check.

Arts on Center Stage Encore
Select Wednesdays & Thursdays
September 1-September 14 | Times Vary  

Extended by popular demand, this weekly celebration of arts and culture continues for a limited time! Supported by PNC Bank and Temple University, performances include orchestral serenades, full-length operas screenings and more. Visit DilworthPark.org for the most up-to-date schedule. 

Live @ Lunch presented by PNC
Wednesdays & Thursdays
September 7-October 13 | Noon-1 p.m.

Take a break from the office at lunchtime to support local musicians! Whether you pull up a seat in the PNC Terrace, or lounge under umbrellas along the fountain, these free concerts will set the tone for the rest of your afternoon. This lunchtime concert series is presented by PNC Bank. 

Philadelphia Marketplace
Fridays & Saturdays
Through October 1| Noon-6 p.m.

A rotating lineup of local small businesses and makers pop-up weekly with a variety of offerings, including artwork, home goods, clothing and more.

Hay Maze
Daily | September 30-October 9

Enjoy fall on the farm without leaving the city! For a limited time, the Albert M. Greenfield Lawn transforms to a fun-for-all-ages experience to welcome the arrival of autumn.

Harvest Weekend
Friday, October 7 | Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 | Noon-8 p.m.
Sunday, October 9 | Noon-6 p.m. 

Hay bales, cornstalks and pumpkins aplenty – this 3-day experience embraces the best elements of fall for visitors of all ages. The park will be buzzing with activities and entertainment all weekend-long, including performances from local bands, live pumpkin carving demonstrations and roaming circus performers. Come hungry to fuel up on seasonal staples, including bratwurst and Bavarian pretzels, and adults can enjoy Troegs Oktoberfest and Iron Hill Oktoberfest lagers, along with specialty cocktails made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon and Haku Vodka. Visitors 21 and over are invited to participate in a Saturday afternoon stein-hoisting!

Additional highlights include photo-worthy backdrops, apple cider making, kid-friendly pumpkin painting and a locally-sourced craft market.

Made in Philadelphia Fall Market
Friday, October 7 | Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 | Noon-8 p.m.
Sunday, October 9 | Noon-6 p.m.

Planned in conjunction with Harvest Weekend, a diverse lineup of local artisans will display unique finds such as paintings, jewelry, crafts and more! Come out to support these one-of-a-kind entrepreneurs.

Sister Cities Park

Parkway Pals Storytime
Tuesdays
September 6-October 11 | 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Toddlers and their parents will be joined by the Free Library of Philadelphia for stories, songs and movement.

Pictures in the Park
Fridays
September 9-September 30 | 7 p.m.

Spend Friday nights under the stars and watch animated films on the big screen! Classic movie theater snacks will be available at the Sister Cities Café, plus beer, wine and cocktails for adults. Bring-your-own blankets encouraged.

This season’s series includes:

• 9/9: Raya and the Last Dragon
• 9/16: Sing 2
• 9/23: Luca
• 9/30: Encanto

 

Parkway Pals Family Saturdays  
Saturdays
September 10-October 15 | 11 a.m.-noon

Kids are invited to embrace their silly side as live entertainers offer unique programs and performances every Saturday morning this fall. From live music to hip-hop dancing and Halloween-themed fun, these free offerings are perfect for youngsters in need of outdoor play. The lineup includes:

• 9/10: Play Day | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Celebrate the first week of Family Saturdays with laughter, learning and live performances. Highlights include cool insect demonstrations, story adventures and a rocking kiddie concert.  

 

• 9/17: Wizards and Witches Experience
  • Young wizards and witches in-training will enjoy a day of magic and merriment that includes crafts, giveaways and a Quidditch lesson with the Philadelphia Quidditch Conference.

 

• 9/24: Ants on a Log
  • Rock out and enjoy an afternoon of silly songs that promote positivity. 

 

• 10/1: Hip Hop Fundamentals
  • Kids will receive a lesson in hip hop dancing while learning about the history and culture of its roots.

 

• 10/8: Silly Joe
  • Stop by for stories, sing-a-longs and lots of fun for the whole family.

 

• 10/15: Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • This not-so-scary Halloween celebration will feature a scavenger hunt (complete with a candy treat), free pumpkin painting, spooky story time with the Free Library of Philadelphia and a special circus arts performance. Costumes are encouraged!

 

Cret Park

Jazz on the Parkway
Sundays
September 4-September 25 | 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Relax to the rhythm of jazz tunes on Sunday afternoons at Capriccio Café and Bar! Local jazz group Vibe-A-Delphia will perform as you sip your favorite cocktail under the café’s shaded outdoor patio. Additional seating for non-café customers is available on the lawn areas of the park. These performances are supported with funds from the Music Performance Trust Fund, American Federation of Musicians, and Local 77.

All programs are weather permitting and subject to change. Visit centercityphila.org/parks/events to learn more.

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.