Free ice cream festival at Reading Terminal Saturday, and the lanterns' last night is Sunday

Two downtown things this weekend with a hard deadline on them, plus a free craft table a few blocks away.

**Reading Terminal Ice Cream Festival** — Center City · Sat Aug 15, 12–4pm · Free to walk in, pay per scoop · all ages On the 1100 block of Filbert plus inside the market. Seven vendors — Bassetts, Milk Jawn, Tubby Robot, Hangry Bear, Irv's, Cloud Cups, The Mango Hut — with contests and kid activities. Go at noon, not at 2. Reading Terminal on an August Saturday afternoon is shoulder-to-shoulder and hot, and the stroller math gets bad fast. https://readingterminalmarket.org/event/ice-cream-festival-2026/

**Chinese Lantern Festival, final night** — Franklin Square · Sun Aug 16, 6–11pm · ~$28 adult / $16 ages 3–12 on weeknights, toddlers free Last night after a run since June 5. Two things worth knowing before you buy: the ticket only covers after 6pm, and Sunday is a weekend rate, so budget above those weeknight numbers. If 6pm-plus is a non-starter at your house, Franklin Square is free during the day and the lanterns are still standing there — just not lit. https://phillychineselanternfestival.com/

**Crafting History** — Old City · Sat Aug 15, 1–3pm · Free Ten-minute walk from the market. Historic St. George's runs a free craft table year-round; August is decorating picture frames and they supply everything — paint, ribbons, charms, clay. https://www.hsgmuseum.org/events/crafting-history

The playground, carousel and mini golf at Franklin Square stick around all year. It's only the lanterns that end Sunday.

Anything else downtown wrapping up this weekend?