Ben Franklin Parkway turns 100

The wrap-up to our 14-month Parkway 100 celebration is on October 26th

This is the actual date, 100 years ago, when you could first traverse the Parkway, end-to-end!

Philadelphia is set to celebrate the 100^th birthday of its grand cultural boulevard, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with Parkway Soirée, a block-party birthday festival from 5:00-10:00 p.m., on Friday, October 26, 2018. Presented by the Parkway Council, in partnership with PECO and PNC Bank, and featuring Night Market Philadelphia, the Parkway 100 finale promotes 100 family-friendly activities and experiences in the Parkway Museums District.

The centerpiece block party begins with the cutting of a giant birthday cake for the Parkway at 5:00 p.m. in Franklin Hall at The Franklin Institute, and continues with live music, and square dancing around the picturesque Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square. Guests can grab dinner from some of Night Market Philadelphia’s favorite sweet and savory food trucks, enjoy strolling entertainers, take in a Parkway public art or photo tour, or join a kids’ music jam session.

The pay-what-you wish evening admission at most institutions that night includes:

Dino-dancing and a Dino Drafts beer garden at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University,

Performances by Ballet X and the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School at the Parkway Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Museum of Art popular Final Friday has a focus on the three generations of Calders on the Parkway, including Sandy Calder’s Ghost, which hangs in the museum’s Grand Stair Hall.

East Terrace of  The Barnes Foundation will host a Young Professionals Night.