Experience eight acres of fun on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The 2024 Oval offers food, drink, performances, and activities for all!
The Oval pop-up park returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 11, 2024. This family-friendly event runs for seven weekends through August 25, 2024. The Oval features eight acres of food, drink, art, games, and entertainment. The fun takes place at Eakins Oval, across from the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s famous steps.
This lively gathering place welcomes locals and visitors alike to:
- Relax in a beer garden by Libertee Grounds.
- Dine from food trucks or Libertee Grounds’ pop-up kitchen.
- Play a round of all-ages, Philly-themed mini golf.
- Take in a ground mural by artist Felix St. Fort and Mural Arts Philadelphia.
- Join group wellness and fitness activities.
- Enjoy cultural performances and movie nights every Friday.
- Dance with friends at music concerts curated by SNACKTIME every Saturday.
- Bring the kids to family-focused programming on Sundays.
- Test your knowledge at Quizzo every Sunday.
- Explore marketplace and festival days.
The 2024 Oval is open:
Thursdays: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fridays: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturdays: Noon to 11 p.m.
Sundays: Noon to 9 p.m.
- Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
- The Parkway Council
- Mural Arts Philadelphia
Check out these Upcoming Highlights:
Beer Garden and Mini Golf
This summer Eakins Oval will feature an outdoor putt course, pop-up restaurant, and beer garden. Sponsored by Libertee Grounds. The restaurant, bar, and 18-hole indoor mini golf course, will also offer food and drink from their menu:
- Masala Nachos, chicken cheese steaks, and more.
- Beer, wine, and other spirits.
- Non-alcoholic drinks.
Learn more about the beer garden and mini golf.
Parkway Presents
The Parkway Council presents a series of cultural performances at the Oval.
All performances start at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage.
- July 12—Get down with Project Positive as they bring their acrobatic breakdancing and community empowerment to the Oval.
- July 19—Experience a night of traditional Chinese lion dancing, drumming, and cultural celebration with The Philadelphia Suns.
- July 26—Dance along with Guachinangos. The band mixes Mexican son jarocho [music styles] with Colombian cumbia and other Latin American rhythms.
- August 2—Enjoy African dance, costumes, and song with Troupe Da Da.
- August 9—Learn about the history of and enjoy emceeing, breaking, rapping, and graffiti art, at a hip hop masterclass. Sponsored by TAMEARTZ.
- August 16—Watch traditional Indonesian dance with Modero & Company.
- August 23—Groove to a drum line performance by Mad Beatz Philly.
Friday Night Movies
After the sun sets, the Oval is your summer outdoor movie theater! Every Friday night, grab a spot on the Oval lawn under the stars for free screenings of fan favorites. Seating is not provided, so be sure to bring your own chair or blanket.
Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Schedule is subject to change.
- July 12—The Little Mermaid (2023)
- July 19—The Lion King (1994)
- July 26—E.T.
- August 2—Elemental
- August 9—Wonka (2023)
- August 16—Jumanji
- August 23—Luca
Movies are free. Food and drink may be purchased from Oval vendors. Outside alcoholic drinks not permitted.
Saturday Night Music
Bring your friends, bring your family, and come dance! Philly-favorite SNACKTIME curates a concert series featuring some of the region’s best bands. Concerts are every Saturday night at 8 p.m.
- July 13—Ivy Sole
- July 20—Victoria Victoria
- July 27—Love Club
- August 3—Josh Lee & The Family
- August 10—Sibby Liv and guests
- August 17—Olivia K and the Parkers
- August 24—SNACKTIME and special guests
Family Programs
Enjoy free, all-ages family activities and programs Sundays starting at 12 p.m.
- July 21—Get creative with the Fleisher Art Memorial’s Color Wheels program.
- July 28—Enjoy a bracelet making workshop with We Are the Seeds, an indigenous arts and culture organization. Then learn about traditional Brazilian dance with Project Capoeira.
- August 4—Come to the Oval for a family festival day! Enjoy children’s music, craft making, story time, face painting, caricatures, and more. Don’t miss a special “Touch a Truck” activity in partnership with Greene Towne Montessori School.
- August 11—Become a scientist and explore the natural world with the Riverways Collaboration.
- August 18—Get your hands messy and make community art with the Clay Studio.
- August 25—Dance, sing, and celebrate all the ways that make us unique with DJ Flip and Let’s Rock Recess.
Festival marketplace days
Enjoy two festival marketplace days from noon to 6 p.m. this summer at the Oval.
Now + Then Marketplace
Browse wares from dozens of local artists, artisans, makers, and resellers.
- July 14 and August 24 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Celebrate the Parkway! After the Oval, visit the Rodin Museum’s Garden Bar, and join the fun at Barnes on the Block.
Hip Hop in the Park, curated by TAMEARTZ
Celebrate Hip Hop and its everlasting influence. Enjoy live performers and shop local vendors.
- August 10 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Art on the Parkway
Starting August 1, visitors can experience The Weight of Our Living. The new temporary artwork by Rachel Hsu will be installed in Maja Park next to Eakins Oval.
The artwork is the selected proposal from the Art on the Parkway competition. It is organized by the Association for Public Art and the Parkway Council. Art on the Parkway invited proposals from artists and designers to explore the ways art can:
- Help create and define a sense of place.
- Celebrate the Parkway’s historic built environment.
- Explore its future as a more inclusive and vibrant public space.
Please note:
All Oval programs are weather permitting. Changes or cancellations will be announced on Instagram and Twitter at @TheOvalPHL. You can also view the most up-to-date information on The Oval event calendar.
The 2024 Oval is co-organized by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Parkway Council.
This event is presented in partnership with:
- CREATIVE Philadelphia
- The Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association
- Visit Philadelphia
- La Cabra Brewing
- Libertee Grounds
- Mural Arts Philadelphia