Reading Terminal Market’s Annual Ice Cream Festival Returns with Vendors and World Championship Ice Cream Eating Contest
Reading Terminal Market’s Annual Ice Cream Festival Returns with Vendors and World Championship Ice Cream Eating Contest
Philly’s coolest summer tradition is back. Reading Terminal Market and Bassetts Ice Cream will once again transform Filbert Street into an ice cream lover’s paradise when the Annual Ice Cream Festival returns on Saturday, August 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The free, family-friendly event brings together some of Philadelphia’s favorite ice cream makers, specialty dessert vendors, and Reading Terminal Market merchants for an afternoon filled with frozen treats, live entertainment, and interactive activities. Held both inside the historic market and outdoors along the 1100 block of Filbert Street, the festival has become one of the largest community ice cream celebrations in the country.
Leading the festivities is Philadelphia institution Bassetts Ice Cream, America’s oldest ice cream company, joined by eight local ice cream artisans serving everything from handcrafted gelato and premium small-batch ice cream to tropical sorbets, water ice, and inventive frozen desserts.
Festivalgoers can sample treats from Cloud Cups, Dreams Ice Cream Factory, Hangry Bear, Irv’s Ice Cream, Mango Hut, Milk Jawn, Siddiq’s Water Ice, and Tubby Robot, offering a diverse lineup of frozen favorites that showcase Philadelphia’s thriving dessert scene.
Beyond the sweet treats, the festival offers entertainment for all ages. Families can enjoy balloon twisting, face painting, children’s crafts, music from a live DJ, and appearances by Reading Terminal Market’s beloved mascot, Philbert.
One of the day’s biggest attractions is the return of the Reading Terminal Market World Championship Ice Cream Eating Contest. Competitors will battle through three rounds of ice cream eating before finalists advance to a sundae-making competition. Judges will crown one overall champion, who will take home the coveted World Championship Belt.
Inside Reading Terminal Market, visitors can continue the celebration with exclusive one-day-only menu items from participating merchants. Creative offerings include Chef Beth’s Kitchen’s affogato served in a Center City Pretzel cup, Fox and Son Fair Foods’ peach cobbler funnel cake topped with vanilla ice cream, Flying Monkey Bakery’s ice cream sundae cupcakes, Tambayan’s ube and mango ice cream creations, Pennsylvania Libations’ boozy affogato, Market Bakery’s ice cream croissant, and many more inventive desserts.
Additional festival-exclusive treats include build-your-own ice cream cookie sandwiches from The Famous 4th Street Cookie Co., horchata cream from El Merkury, frozen banana pudding from Sweet Nina’s, vegan brownie sundaes from LUHV Vegan Deli, acai ice cream bowls from Main Squeeze Acai Bowls and Salads, mango apricot prosecco sorbet from Molly Malloy’s, and chocolate-covered sundae creations from Wilt’s Chocolate Smothered Berries.
Admission to the festival is free, with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the event. readingterminalmarket.org/event/ice-cream-festival-2026/
For the latest event details visit readingterminalmarket.org.
