2026 Family Art Festival
Celebrate PAFA’s 220th Birthday at the 2026 Family Art Festival!
Join us for PAFA’s 2026 Family Art Festival, a free, all‑ages celebration marking PAFA’s 220th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary. Bring the whole family to Lenfest Plaza for an afternoon filled with hands‑on artmaking, live performances, museum exploration, and joyful surprises.
From creating artworks together to dancing, listening, and discovering something new, this festival transforms Lenfest Plaza into a lively hub of creativity, connection, and community—honoring more than two centuries of artistic tradition while looking boldly toward the future.
What to Expect
- Hands‑on art‑making stations for all ages
- Quiet zone with children's books and storytelling
- Gallery access in A Nation of Artists
- Guided family tours of the museum
- Live music, dance, and spoken‑word performances
- Special birthday surprises throughout the afternoon
- Free museum admission all day
Live Performances
12:00 PM — Blush
Opening performance with a special Stevie Wonder “Happy Birthday” celebration
1:00 PM — Three Aksha
Classical Indian dance performance
2:00 PM — Poetry215
Live poetry and spoken word
3:00 PM — K‑Pop Dance Group: PR¥SM
High‑energy contemporary dance performance
3:45 PM — Blush (Finale)
Closing performance and birthday celebration
Hands‑On Artmaking
Be part of a large‑scale collaborative art project celebrating PAFA’s 220th birthday. Each participant will create and contribute a candle to a shared sculptural “birthday cake,” forming a vibrant collective artwork built throughout the day.
Additional activities include:
- Design your own birthday hats
- Take‑home art projects
- Creative engagement with teaching artists and partner organizations
Create, Explore, and Connect with Our Community Partners
Explore hands-on activities and connect with leading cultural organizations across Philadelphia:
- Let’s Go 1‑2‑3
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
- Saint Joseph’s University
- The Clay Studio
- The Fabric Workshop and Museum
- The Franklin Institute
- Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
- Woodmere Art Museum
Each partner will host interactive tables with artmaking, demonstrations, and opportunities to learn more about their work.
About the Performers
Blush
Blush is an energetic pop, jazz, and rock band based in Philadelphia, PA. Inspired by the city's vibrant jazz community and diy venue scene, they strived to develop a sound that blended their favorite genres. No matter what type of music you're into, their hypnotizing saxophone melodies and vocals are guaranteed to make all listeners blush.
Three Aksha
Three Aksha is a Philadelphia-based dance company founded in 2003 by Artistic Director Viji Rao, dedicated to preserving and advancing classical Indian Bharatanatyam while fostering cultural understanding through performance, education, and creative movement. Rooted in the Kalakshetra tradition, the company is known for its innovative choreography within classical forms and for nurturing emerging artists from the greater Pennsylvania region. In addition to touring nationally and internationally, Three Aksha engages local communities through workshops, lecture-demonstrations, youth programs, and socially conscious initiatives that promote cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation.
Poetry215
Poetry215.com is a dedicated, Philadelphia-based digital hub and comprehensive, algorithm-free calendar for local spoken word and poetry events, created by Christopher K.P. Brown ("KP Ultra"). It acts as a community resource listing open mics, features, and venues, designed to connect poets, hosts, and fans.
About the Community Partners
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) is a nonprofit organization that preserves and interprets the artwork of Isaiah Zagar and furthers the legacy of Isaiah and his wife Julia. PMG celebrates art in its many forms through community outreach, public programs, hands-on activities, exhibitions, and tours.
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University is a Jesuit Catholic institution in Philadelphia with a more than 170‑year legacy of academic rigor, social justice, and engaged learning. Rooted in the liberal arts, the University offers a student‑centered education that prepares individuals for personal excellence, professional success, and active citizenship in a complex and rapidly changing world. Committed to educating the whole person, Saint Joseph’s fosters an inclusive and diverse community that encourages critical thinking, ethical decision‑making, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to service and social justice.
The Clay Studio
The Clay Studio inspires curiosity and discovery around the art and craft of clay, drawing together students, artists, and an engaged public into a welcoming community. Every day, in our classrooms, studios, galleries, and neighborhoods, we deepen the connection between people and clay with the highest quality programs and exhibitions. Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio continues in the belief that shared creativity, so fundamental to humanity, is a critical force for good.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art museum dedicated to collaborating with artists and revealing new possibilities in artmaking. Founded in 1977 by Marion “Kippy” Boulton Stroud, FWM is centered on its renowned Artist‑in‑Residence program, which invites artists at all stages of their careers to experiment with new materials, processes, and media in close collaboration with the Museum’s expert staff. Through ambitious exhibitions, on‑site fabrication, and a permanent collection that documents both finished works and the research behind them, FWM unites process and production to expand the boundaries of contemporary art. Rooted in a legacy of education and access, the Museum engages artists, students, and the public, advancing art as a catalyst for innovation, learning, and social connection.
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished centers for science education, founded in 1824 in honor of Benjamin Franklin, America’s first scientist. Located on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Institute inspires a passion for science and technology through hands‑on exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach that engage learners of all ages. As the most visited museum in Pennsylvania and a leading science center nationally, The Franklin Institute reaches more than one million people each year through its museum experiences, classrooms, neighborhoods, and digital platforms. Home to landmark resources including the Fels Planetarium, the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, and nationally significant collections, the Institute continues to advance public understanding of science while addressing the critical questions and innovations shaping our world.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, located on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience within the broader context of American history. Founded in 1976, the Museum preserves and presents the stories of Jews in America through exhibitions, educational programs, and a collection of more than 30,000 objects documenting Jewish life, culture, and contributions. A Smithsonian Affiliate, the Weitzman draws on national resources to foster dialogue, deepen understanding of Jewish heritage, and inspire visitors of all backgrounds to reflect on the freedoms, diversity, and shared ideals that shape the American experience.
Woodmere Art Museum
Woodmere Art Museum, set across two nineteenth-century stone mansions on ten acres in Chestnut Hill, is dedicated to celebrating the art and artists of Philadelphia. Founded on the vision of Charles Knox Smith—who transformed his estate into a place where art and nature could be experienced together—Woodmere has welcomed the public since 1910 and continues to honor that legacy through its galleries, gardens, and outdoor sculpture program, WOW (Woodmere Outdoor Wonder). The Museum’s history includes decades of progressive leadership, notably under Edith Emerson, who expanded the collection to include significant works by women artists. In 2025, Woodmere expanded with the opening of Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art & Education, adding new galleries, education spaces, and preserved green space while significantly deepening the presentation of Philadelphia-based art. Today, Woodmere champions an inclusive and evolving dialogue through exhibitions, programs, concerts, and events that reflect the city’s diverse artistic community.
A Nation of Artists program
This program is part of A Nation of Artists, a landmark exhibition presented by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the nation’s 250th anniversary, featuring more than 1,000 works, including highlights from the Middleton Family Collection.
We're so excited you're planning to visit PAFA!
Make time for art — visit us Thursday to Sunday.
Before reserving your tickets, please review helpful information about museum hours, accessibility, building access, and special admission programs.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at visitorservices@pafa.org — we’d love to help!