Philly Fairy Festival

Philly Fairy Festival is Philadelphia’s fantasy celebration of nature and all the magic that comes with it. Join our woodland friends at the Schuylkill Center for a day of art, play, and exploration. Enter your home into the Fairy House contest along the Fairytale Trail; revel with the fae-folk of Indecorous Theatre; learn fantastical crafts from the Philly Craft Coven. There will be snacks, drinks, performances, and so much more! Costumes encouraged! Check  back for updates on our growing list of special guests.
Online Ticket Sales
Tickets: $15
Children 12 and under: $10
Please note, ticket sales close at 5pm on July 18, 2025. Tickets will be available at the door for a flat rate of $18.
Tickets
Join the Fairytale Trail and Save $10 on tickets!
The Fairytale Trail is a gallery of submitted fairy houses, small structures built from natural materials. They can be made as a family, a group, a business, or an individual, all of whom will be honored in the Fairy Festival program for their participation. Registration is required. Drop off and set up of submitted houses will take place on Friday, July 16th between the hours of 9am and 6pm. Please see below for rules and guidelines.
Houses may be any size but should be kept to a miniature scale
Houses must be made of only natural materials: feathers, dry grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, moss, nuts, acorns, berries, gourds, pinecones, etc.
Houses must appear to be made only of natural materials, but you may use structural components – hot glue, twine, acrylic spray, etc. – as long as they are concealed.
Please avoid using reproductive parts from invasive species (roots, seed pods, etc.), that may spread.
Please do not use items of value in your decorations as we cannot be held responsible for missing items.
Edible materials will attract other creatures besides fairies! Use them at your own risk.
Activities
Self-Guided Adventure Hikes: Inspired by the Choose Your Own Adventure novels of the past, take yourself on a woodland journey on our trails and see if you can discover the mysteries of Pennsylvania’s unique cryptids. Expect tricky puzzles, challenging choices, and a story that changes depending on what you decide.
All Day Arts and Crafts: Philadelphia’s largest artists collective, Cassie’s Craft Coven, will offer hands-on demos of some magical makings. Check out some chainmail, build your own fairy crown, and see what else the Coven has in store for you.
The Alchemist Guild: Curious about potions? Or perhaps just looking for a refreshing beverage to take the edge off of a hot summer day? Look no further than the Alchemist Guild, with magical cocktails (and mocktails) served all day. Maybe you’ll even learn a few tricks to take home with you!
The Fairytale Trail: See how we’ve transformed the Widener Trail into a magical world! We’ve invited guests, partners, staff, and friends to build their own fairy houses, using natural materials of course, and put them up in a neighborhood of their choosing along the path. Submissions will be installed the day before, and the winner (by popular vote) will be announced the following week. Everybody who attends the festival will have an opportunity to see this collaboratively built fantasy land.
Partners and Performers
Indecorous Theater: At Indecorous Theatre Productions our mission is to take away the gated community feel from the Classics and make them accessible and available to the people for which they were written. These stories are for everyone and for today. They still resonate and grow and change. Using the beauty of these texts that have beaten time we want to tell new stories with new bodies and open up the conversation. Because at the end of the day, this work, these words, and art is about real people and all the diversity and change and indecorous energy real people create.
Cassie’s Craft Coven: Cassie’s Craft Coven hosts creative events around Philadelphia and at their studio in Olde City Philadelphia. With CEO (Craft Experience Organizer) Cassie Jones, the coven has a priority of accessibility to the arts and values providing a safe space for every type of Philadelphian. Events are scheduled at locations around the city like bars, rec centers, and businesses that donate their spaces. Some events are cost dependent while most are donation based and welcome all types of people. Whether you’re attending a free coven social event or committed to learning a skill at an educational workshop, you’re sure to feel welcome with the coven.
Tracey Ahrendt Photography: Looking for something to remember your fairy ensemble with? Missing some magic from your look? Artist and photographer Tracey Ahrendt will be on site with a magical fairy photo booth! Take home a polaroid of your look – whether you came in one or made some magic of your own here.
Keith Engle: Keith Engle plays traditional Irish fiddle music, focusing on the music as it was played in an isolated region of Ireland called Sliabh Luachra in the 1800s. He has been playing for over 20 years, and travels to Ireland frequently to immerse himself in the style and perform. He has performed at the World Fiddle Day Scartaglin festival and Scully’s Fest in County Cork, as well as at numerous Historical Heritage, Celtic, Renaissance, and Steampunk festivals from Boston to New Orleans
Flyleaf the Book Fairy: Books and bubbles, oh my oh my! Flyleaf is bringing her magic to the Schuylkill Center with friendly tales and a touch of magic. Make sure you find her before you leave! You wouldn’t want to miss a real-live fairy!
Alicia Wilby Paints: Artist, face painter, and friend of the Schuylkill Center Alicia Wilby is on hand to make sure that no face goes unpainted! Add some color to your look and let your imagination run wild.
Food, Drinks, and Treats
Pink’s Cold Treats
1984 Cakes
Hangry Joe’s
Volunteer!
Philly Fairy Festival is looking for volunteers to help support this fantasy celebration of nature and all the magic that comes with it. No prior experience is required. Click here to sign-up for the shift(s) that work with your schedule. Contact volunteer@schuylkillcenter.org with any questions. Family friendly costumes encouraged!
If you would like to be a sponsor for Fairy Festival, please contact craig@schuylkillcenter.org