Barnes on the Block
Sunday, July 12, 10am – 5pm
Free; food and drinks are pay-as-you-go.
About the Event
With summer in full swing, it's time for another round of free, family-friendly fun at Barnes on the Block. Presented by PNC Arts Alive, and in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, this annual celebration returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, July 12. Join us for a full day of outdoor festivities, featuring music from local DJs, live performances, hands-on art making, a craft market, local bites, and a beer garden.
The excitement continues inside the Barnes with access to the collection and three special exhibitions: our annual restorative justice exhibition, Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust, and our newest special exhibition, Freedom Dreams, featuring film, video, and installation by Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja’Tovia Gary, and Tourmaline. Registration is required for gallery access and opens at 10am on Thursday, July 9. Walk-ups are welcome as capacity allows.
Don’t miss this summer tradition—see you on the Parkway!
Check back in June for more details on Barnes on the Block activities and artists.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will move indoors.
What’s On
10am – 5pm
Gallery Access
Register for free access to the Barnes collection, our annual restorative justice show, Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust, and our newest special exhibition, Freedom Dreams, featuring film, video, and installation by Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja’Tovia Gary, and Tourmaline.
Registration is required for gallery access and opens at 10am on Thursday, July 9. Walk-ups are welcome as capacity allows.
11am – 4pm
Art Activities
Unleash your creativity with hands-on art making for all ages. Join us for fun, interactive art activities designed for the whole family to enjoy, while supplies last. Check out local artists bringing their imagination to life through sculpting and painting.
- Contribute to a community mural led by Mural Arts Philadelphia
- Enjoy on-the-spot poetry by Marshall James Kavanaugh and other local poets
- Participate in a group sculpture with The Clay Studio’s Claymobile
- Watch a painting demonstration by LEMUS
- Explore and play with Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
- Craft and create with Fleisher Art Memorial’s Colorwheels
- Get a Barnes-inspired temporary tattoo by True Hand
Check back soon for more updates!
11am – 4pm
Craft Market
Stroll through El Mercado Cultural and shop for goods by local artisans. This market is an initiative organized by Fleisher Art Memorial to encourage the Latinx/e community’s participation in commerce and the arts.
11am – 4pm
Performances
Enjoy live music throughout the day as local DJs and performers bring the vibrant sounds of Philadelphia to the Parkway.
11am – 4pm: DJ performances by TAMEARTZ, featuring DJ Mellodramatic, DJ NicoOso, and dance group Project Positive
11am – 12:30pm: Double Dutch with Philly Girls Jump
Noon & 1pm: Percussion by Batala
2pm: Taiko drumming by KyoDaiko
3pm: Lion dance by the Philadelphia Suns
4pm: Traditional Mexican dance by Ñuuxakun
11am – 4pm
Food & Beverage
Enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails at the Barnes on the Block Beer Garden by Constellation Culinary Group. Grab local eats from food trucks and vendors.
In the mood for something heartier? Make a reservation at the Garden Restaurant inside the Barnes.
Partners and Sponsors
Presented by:
In partnership with:
Additional support is provided by Philadelphia City Fund’s 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO.
Lead support for community engagement and family programs is provided through the Comcast Center for Community Engagement at the Barnes. Generous endowment support for community engagement programs is provided by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Additional annual support for these programs comes from David and Julia Fleischner and other generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
Food. Art. Fun.
Join us on Sunday, July 12, for our next Barnes on the Block party, at 20th Street and the Parkway.
Go Further
Book Talk: Everybody’s Fly with Fab 5 Freddy
Fred Brathwaite, aka Fab 5 Freddy, discusses his new memoir, Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture.
Barnes Create & Connect
Join us for an art-making experience designed for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
Deep Dive: Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust
Take a close look at the new installation by Sky Hopinka in the Annenberg Court.