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
- Gallery activations 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
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
- Museum for Art in Wood
- Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
- Reading Terminal Market
- Saint Joseph’s University
- The Clay Studio
- The Fabric Workshop and Museum
- The Franklin Institute
- The Print Center
- 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.
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!