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Crowds of people in hammocks and picnic tables on the Schuylkill River Banks during Parks on Tap. Photo by Albert Yee for Fairmount Park Conservancy

The ultimate 2019 guide to Parks on Tap

The popular mobile beer garden returns this month.

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Philly goes all out for its summers; from parties on the parkway, to outdoor concerts, to food trucks galore.

But easily one of its most anticipated summer-long events is the moving beer garden dubbed “Parks on Tap,” which is hosted by the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and FCM Hospitality.

The garden visits a different park every weekend from late April to late September, giving Philadelphians a chance to experience a big sampling of the outdoor, public spaces the city has to offer.

Often, there’s yoga and music, as well as plenty of food, snacks, and—as the name suggests— beer.

The Conservancy just unveiled its schedule for 2019, including which parks the beer garden will be visiting and when. There’s no word yet on what entertainment they expect to see or what times the gardens will start, but we’ll update this guide when we know more.

For now, here’s the schedule so you can start planning some summer fun.

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Azalea Garden

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Wednesday, April 24 - Sunday, April 28

The Azalea Gardens is a lovely, open space just past the PMA. It offers plenty of room to run around, picnic, or just hang out in the grass.

Historic Rittenhouse Town

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Wednesday, May 1 - Sunday, May 5

This historic colonial town is a must-see for any Philadelphian, and what better way to do that than with a beer in hand? Take in some great olde Philly sights as you hang out in the sun

Columbus Square

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Wednesday, May 8 - Sunday, May 12

This South Philly park is a fixture on the Parks on Tap roundup every year—and for good reason. You can (and should) bring your dogs along and mingle with other proud pet parents. If you don’t have a pup, no worries! there’s still plenty to do at this South Philly fixture, including taking in a rose garden, and maybe getting a post-beer cheesesteak at Pats or Genos down the street.

Fernhill Park

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Wednesday May 15 - Sunday, May 19

Another popular fixture in the yearly Parks on Tap roundup, Fernhill is a wide open field with plenty of space for running around with kids or pets, or just lounging.

FDR Park

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Wednesday May 22 - Monday, May 27

If you’re looking for space, FDR park has you covered. This massive south Philly fixture has plenty of areas to hang out alone or with other people, a golf club, enough room for playing games and picnicing, and a lovely pond to really make it feel summer-y.

Fisher Park

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Wednesday May 29 - Sunday, June 2

Just steps from the subway and trolley stop, Fisher park is an Olney gem, with tons of sunny space. Read more about why the park is so beloved in an article from Curbed Philly’s former editor, Melissa Romero, here.

Schuylkill Banks

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Wednesday June 5 - Sunday, June 9

Head back to Center City in early June for a chance to enjoy a beer and some sun at the Schuylkill Banks, which brings some nature right to the heart of the city. Snap a photo on the banks with the high-rises in the background for something truly Instagram-worthy.

Belmont Plateau

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Wednesday June 12 - Sunday, June 16

Catch the sun in mid-June at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, which offers some crazy-good views back toward Center City. 

Campbell Square

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Wednesday June 19 - Sunday, June 23

This 3-acre park in Port Richmond has been around since the 19th Century, and in that time it’s become a beloved part of the neighborhood, and a great place to catch up with friends. Just hop off I-95, or take a quick public transit ride to get there.

Matthias Baldwin Park

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Wednesday June 26 - Sunday, June 30

This awesome 2-acre park used to be the site of Baldwin Locomotive Works. Today, the circular terraces, filled with perennial flowers, are actually part of a public art installation. 

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

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Wednesday, July 3 - Sunday, July 7

This not-so hidden gem in West Fairmount Park will play host to Parks on Tap in early July, offering a pretty idyllic picnic setting.

Flickr/Sarah J

Pastorius Park

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Wednesday, July 10 - Sunday, July 14

It might be a bit of a hike for city dwellers, but Pastorius Park is worth it. The Chestnut Hill park has plenty of green space for adults to enjoy (and for kids to run around in), and it promises to be a great site for a beer garden.

The Discovery Center

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Wednesday, July 17 - Sunday, July 21

This is an ideal spot for parents, especially. With the river on one side, and a pond on the other, there’s plenty of beautiful scenery. On top of that, you can find lots of kid-friendly activities.

Fairmount Water Works

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Wednesday, July 24 - Sunday, July 28

Take in more history at the Fairmount Water Works. The building was constructed between 1812 and 1817 to provide clean drinking water to city residents, which it did until the early 20th century. Now it’s home to a restaurant and an educational center, and, in July, it will host Parks on Tap

Gorgas Park

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Wednesday, July 31 - Sunday, August 4

Gorgas park is a community staple, with great views, a quiet atmosphere, and occasional summer concerts. Bonus: It’s pretty close to the heart of the city.

Dickinson Square Park

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Wednesday, August 7 - Sunday, August 11

This urban park has plenty of areas for kids to play, and green space for all ages to enjoy the summer.

Burholme Park

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Wednesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 18

Over in Northeast Philly, Parks on Tap will pop-up in Burholme Park for a peak summer weekend, with the stately Robert W. Ryerss Museum and Library serving as its backdrop.

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McMichael Park

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Wednesday, August 21 - Sunday, August 25

A new addition to this list, McMichael Park is a great East Falls gem, and a good place to check out if you’ve never been. It’s smaller than others on the list, but no less scenic.

Clark Park

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Wednesday, August 28 - Monday, September 2

This beloved, century-old West Philly park with its iconic bowl in the middle offers nine acres for folks to run around, play basketball, or simply sit under its 300 trees. 

Lemon Hill

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Wednesday, September 4 - Sunday, September 8

At one point in its long history, the historic Lemon Hill mansion was home to a German beer garden. It was also the first land acquired by the City to become part of the Fairmount Park system. Now it’ll go back to its roots when it plays host to a beer garden in late summer

Penn Treaty Park

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Wednesday, September 11 - Sunday, September 15

This Fishtown park on the Delaware River has some of the best views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Center City. 

Pretzel Park

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Wednesday, September 18 - Sunday, September 22

A metal sculpture of a pretzel will serve as a backdrop to Parks on Tap when it comes to Pretzel Park in Manayunk. It’s fitting for a park whose name came (allegedly) from its pretzel-shaped sidewalks. 

Strawberry Mansion Bridge

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Wednesday, September 25 - Sunday, September 29

The Parks on Tap season closes off at the end of September with its final event at the historic Strawberry mansion bridge. Any Philly resident likely knows that the iconic bridge has been around for over one hundred years. It underwent three years of renovation in the 90’s and, several years later, won the 2002 Preservation Achievement Award.

Azalea Garden

Wednesday, April 24 - Sunday, April 28

The Azalea Gardens is a lovely, open space just past the PMA. It offers plenty of room to run around, picnic, or just hang out in the grass.

Historic Rittenhouse Town

Wednesday, May 1 - Sunday, May 5

This historic colonial town is a must-see for any Philadelphian, and what better way to do that than with a beer in hand? Take in some great olde Philly sights as you hang out in the sun

Columbus Square

Wednesday, May 8 - Sunday, May 12

This South Philly park is a fixture on the Parks on Tap roundup every year—and for good reason. You can (and should) bring your dogs along and mingle with other proud pet parents. If you don’t have a pup, no worries! there’s still plenty to do at this South Philly fixture, including taking in a rose garden, and maybe getting a post-beer cheesesteak at Pats or Genos down the street.

Fernhill Park

Wednesday May 15 - Sunday, May 19

Another popular fixture in the yearly Parks on Tap roundup, Fernhill is a wide open field with plenty of space for running around with kids or pets, or just lounging.

FDR Park

Wednesday May 22 - Monday, May 27

If you’re looking for space, FDR park has you covered. This massive south Philly fixture has plenty of areas to hang out alone or with other people, a golf club, enough room for playing games and picnicing, and a lovely pond to really make it feel summer-y.

Fisher Park

Wednesday May 29 - Sunday, June 2

Just steps from the subway and trolley stop, Fisher park is an Olney gem, with tons of sunny space. Read more about why the park is so beloved in an article from Curbed Philly’s former editor, Melissa Romero, here.

Schuylkill Banks

Wednesday June 5 - Sunday, June 9

Head back to Center City in early June for a chance to enjoy a beer and some sun at the Schuylkill Banks, which brings some nature right to the heart of the city. Snap a photo on the banks with the high-rises in the background for something truly Instagram-worthy.

Belmont Plateau

Wednesday June 12 - Sunday, June 16

Catch the sun in mid-June at Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, which offers some crazy-good views back toward Center City. 

Campbell Square

Wednesday June 19 - Sunday, June 23

This 3-acre park in Port Richmond has been around since the 19th Century, and in that time it’s become a beloved part of the neighborhood, and a great place to catch up with friends. Just hop off I-95, or take a quick public transit ride to get there.

Matthias Baldwin Park

Wednesday June 26 - Sunday, June 30

This awesome 2-acre park used to be the site of Baldwin Locomotive Works. Today, the circular terraces, filled with perennial flowers, are actually part of a public art installation. 

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Wednesday, July 3 - Sunday, July 7

This not-so hidden gem in West Fairmount Park will play host to Parks on Tap in early July, offering a pretty idyllic picnic setting.

Flickr/Sarah J

Pastorius Park

Wednesday, July 10 - Sunday, July 14

It might be a bit of a hike for city dwellers, but Pastorius Park is worth it. The Chestnut Hill park has plenty of green space for adults to enjoy (and for kids to run around in), and it promises to be a great site for a beer garden.

The Discovery Center

Wednesday, July 17 - Sunday, July 21

This is an ideal spot for parents, especially. With the river on one side, and a pond on the other, there’s plenty of beautiful scenery. On top of that, you can find lots of kid-friendly activities.

Fairmount Water Works

Wednesday, July 24 - Sunday, July 28

Take in more history at the Fairmount Water Works. The building was constructed between 1812 and 1817 to provide clean drinking water to city residents, which it did until the early 20th century. Now it’s home to a restaurant and an educational center, and, in July, it will host Parks on Tap

Gorgas Park

Wednesday, July 31 - Sunday, August 4

Gorgas park is a community staple, with great views, a quiet atmosphere, and occasional summer concerts. Bonus: It’s pretty close to the heart of the city.

Dickinson Square Park

Wednesday, August 7 - Sunday, August 11

This urban park has plenty of areas for kids to play, and green space for all ages to enjoy the summer.

Burholme Park

Wednesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 18

Over in Northeast Philly, Parks on Tap will pop-up in Burholme Park for a peak summer weekend, with the stately Robert W. Ryerss Museum and Library serving as its backdrop.

Wikimedia Commons

McMichael Park

Wednesday, August 21 - Sunday, August 25

A new addition to this list, McMichael Park is a great East Falls gem, and a good place to check out if you’ve never been. It’s smaller than others on the list, but no less scenic.

Clark Park

Wednesday, August 28 - Monday, September 2

This beloved, century-old West Philly park with its iconic bowl in the middle offers nine acres for folks to run around, play basketball, or simply sit under its 300 trees. 

Lemon Hill

Wednesday, September 4 - Sunday, September 8

At one point in its long history, the historic Lemon Hill mansion was home to a German beer garden. It was also the first land acquired by the City to become part of the Fairmount Park system. Now it’ll go back to its roots when it plays host to a beer garden in late summer

Penn Treaty Park

Wednesday, September 11 - Sunday, September 15

This Fishtown park on the Delaware River has some of the best views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Center City. 

Pretzel Park

Wednesday, September 18 - Sunday, September 22

A metal sculpture of a pretzel will serve as a backdrop to Parks on Tap when it comes to Pretzel Park in Manayunk. It’s fitting for a park whose name came (allegedly) from its pretzel-shaped sidewalks. 

Strawberry Mansion Bridge

Wednesday, September 25 - Sunday, September 29

The Parks on Tap season closes off at the end of September with its final event at the historic Strawberry mansion bridge. Any Philly resident likely knows that the iconic bridge has been around for over one hundred years. It underwent three years of renovation in the 90’s and, several years later, won the 2002 Preservation Achievement Award.