Barnes on the Block Returns for Its Ninth Year With a Full Day of Art Activities, Live Entertainment, a Beer Garden, Food Trucks & More
Barnes on the Block Returns for Its Ninth Year With a Full Day of Art Activities, Live Entertainment, a Beer Garden, Food Trucks & More
One of Philadelphia’s most beloved summer traditions is back. The Barnes Foundation hosts its Ninth Annual Barnes on the Block on Sunday, July 12, from 10 AM to 5 PM — a free, all-day block party celebrating art, community, and culture in true Philly fashion, produced in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Here’s everything you can expect throughout the day:
10 AM – 5 PM | Gallery Access
The museum’s doors are open all day with free gallery access to the Barnes collection.
11 AM – 4 PM | Art Activities
Creativity takes over the block with hands-on art making for all ages. Highlights include contributing to a community mural led by Mural Arts Philadelphia; a group sculpture with The Clay Studio’s Claymobile; a collaborative mural project with the Ministry of Awe and painter LEMUS; crafts with Fleisher Art Memorial’s Colorwheels; on-the-spot poetry by Marshall James Kavanaugh and local poets; portrait sketching by artist Mark Loughney as part of his project Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration; Barnes-inspired temporary tattoos by True Hand; and free play with Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse.
11 AM – 4 PM | El Mercado Cultural
Stroll through El Mercado Cultural, a craft market organized by Fleisher Art Memorial to encourage the Latinx/e community’s participation in commerce and the arts.
11 AM – 4 PM | Performances & Movement
The performance schedule runs all day and is packed from start to finish:
- 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM — Family yoga with Yoga4Philly in the Annenberg Court
- 11 AM – 4 PM — DJ sets by TAMEARTZ featuring DJ Mellodramatic, DJ NicoOso, and dance group Project Positive
- 11 AM – 12:30 PM — Double Dutch with Philly Girls Jump
- 11 AM — Drumming and stilt walking by the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble
- Noon & 1 PM — Percussion by Batalá
- 2 PM — Taiko drumming by KyoDaiko
- 3 PM — Lion dance by the Philadelphia Suns
- 4 PM — Traditional Mexican dance by Ñuuxakun
11 AM – 4 PM | Food & Beverage
Keep the energy up at the Barnes on the Block Beer Garden by Constellation Culinary Group, serving beer, wine, and cocktails. Local food vendors Dre’s Homemade Water Ice & Ice Cream and Cada Mañana Café will be on-site, and for something heartier, reservations are available at the Garden Restaurant inside the Barnes.
With free admission, a packed schedule, and something for every age, Barnes on the Block is one of those days that reminds you why Philadelphia summers are special. Mark Sunday, July 12 on your calendar.
