Happening

There’s always a lot happening at Woodmere! Beyond our exhibitions and classes, we have a wide variety of public programming, including music performances, events for the whole family, and deeper dives into art with our lectures & talks.

family programs

Looking for a way to engage your whole family in art & community programs? Explore the world of art together through hands-on activities, storytelling, and interactive special events designed to spark imagination and connection. A time for families to learn and create together!

Showing 1-3 of 52 events
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Tour
Maguire Hall

Violet Oakley Birthday Tours

11 am; 12:30 pm; 2 pm; or 4 pm
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Jun 10, 2026
FREE with Admission
Celebrate the birthday of Violet Oakley with a special guided tour at Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education. A pioneering Philadelphia artist, muralist, and cultural leader, Oakley became one of the leading figures of the American Renaissance through works that explored civic life, education, equality, and peace. Visitors will explore a selection of her artworks and discover how she used symbolism, storytelling, and imagination to create art that continues to inspire audiences today.
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Family Program
Maguire Hall

The Joy of Juneteenth

2 - 4 pm
-
Jun 19, 2026
FREE
Join Woodmere Art Museum for our 2026 Juneteenth Celebration, The Joy of Juneteenth, an afternoon of art, storytelling, music, and community honoring Black history, culture, and joy on Friday, June 19th, 2-4 pm. From 2–3 PM, families can enjoy drop-in artmaking and storytelling activities exploring themes of freedom, legacy, and self-expression. From 3–4 PM, the celebration continues outdoors, weather permitting, on the front porch and pavilion with performances by students from local schools, including the DC DIAMONDS Step Team, and storytelling, poetry, music, and dance with Mama Nzinga, affectionately known as “The Poet.”
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Free Admission Day
All ages
Smith Hall and Maguire Hall

Wawa Welcome America Free Admission Day

10 am - 5 pm
-
Jun 24, 2026
Free
Celebrate Indepndence Day with Wawa Welcome America, a festival of events and activations throughout the city. As part of Welcome America, guests will enjoy free admission days to museums throughout the city, including Woodmere! Learn more at https://july4thphilly.com/events/
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PERFORMANCES at woodmere

Woodmere celebrates music & community in Philadelphia with Jazz and Classical performances, along with occasional choir and gospel concerts, and dance productions. With exceptional performers, an acoustically astounding space, and amazing works of art, the concert experience at the Museum is like no other.

WRTI is a partner for Music at Woodmere.
Friday Night Jazz is offered in partnership with LifeLine Music Coalition.

Motown Magic

5 - 6:30 pm
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Jul 11, 2026
Relive the unforgettable energy, glamour, and harmonies of Motown’s legendary leading ladies. Featuring Sherry Butler and Kim Payton, this joyful celebration brings beloved classics to life through powerful vocals, timeless melodies, and the irresistible spirit of song and dance.
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John Coltrane’s Temptations

5 - 6:30 pm
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Jul 18, 2026
What if jazz legend John Coltrane interpreted the music of The Temptations? Experience a powerful musical fusion as The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble reimagines Motown favorites through the bold, expressive lens of one of jazz’s most dynamic innovators. Featuring classics like “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and more.
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Could You be Loved? - The Music of Bob Marley

5 - 6:30 pm
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Jul 25, 2026
Celebrate the music, message, and revolutionary spirit of Bob Marley, whose songs of freedom, unity, and resilience continue to inspire generations around the world. Guitarist Herb Smith brings Marley’s timeless sound to life with classics like “Get Up Stand Up,” “Redemption Song,” “Buffalo Soldier,” and more.
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tuesday nights at the movies

On Tuesday nights, Woodmere’s main gallery is transformed into an intimate setting for screenings of rare and underseen films as well as classics. Tuesday Nights at the Movies is presented with the Chestnut Hill Film Group and sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Local.

Donations suggested.

Lectures & talks

Our lectures, talks, and panel discussions provide enriching experiences that deepen your understanding of art and culture. Engage with curators, artists, writers, and scholars  who offer insightful perspectives on exhibitions, the Museum's collection, and historical and cultural contexts that spark discussion and invite audiences of all backgrounds to explore art in meaningful ways.

Showing 1-3 of 52 events
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Conversation
Maguire Hall

Pride Month Conversation

3 pm
-
Jun 21, 2026
FREE
While Woodmere celebrates inclusivity throughout the year, Pride Month offers a special opportunity to honor the many voices, stories, and perspectives represented in our collection. This Father’s Day, join Director & CEO Bill Valerio for a “prideful” conversation exploring the LGBTQ+ artists featured in Woodmere’s Maguire Hall. Families are also invited to celebrate together by registering children for our “Family”-themed workshop in the MacDonald Children’s Studio. Visitors can then continue their experience with Woodmere’s new self-guided Pride Tour, debuting this month on Bloomberg Connects. Refreshments will be served. Free with registration.
Register
Curator Talk
Maguire Hall

Curator Talk on Wild Sight: Thomas Chimes on the Edge of the Rational

6 pm
-
Jun 24, 2026
FREE
Please join associate curator Amy Gillette for a discussion of the exhibition Wild Sight: Thomas Chimes on the Edge of the Rational held in the Connelly Dining Room of Woodmere's Frances M. Maguire Hall. A reception will follow. The gallery will be open through 6 pm, prior to the lecture.
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Panel Discussion
Smith Hall

Panel Discussion: Woodmere’s 83rd Annual Juried Exhibition

5 - 6:30 pm
-
Jun 30, 2026
FREE
Please join us on Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM for a panel discussion featuring Ron Tarver, Mikel Elam, Miguel Horn, Chelsey Luster, and Merrill Mason from Woodmere’s 83rd Annual Juried Exhibition. Tarver, this year’s juror, has spent nearly 50 years creating photographic essays exploring themes of family, identity, community, memory, and the American experience. A Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, Guggenheim Fellow, and Associate Professor and Chair of Art at Swarthmore College, Tarver will join exhibiting artists in conversation about the exhibition’s theme of Family and the many ways artists reflect on kinship, belonging, care, history, and collective identity through contemporary art. 
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school trips &
private tours

Woodmere offers tours with our docents and a variety of educational events. Explore the options today!

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