15+ Things to Do This Summer

Spend your summer in Bucks County at any number of these hot, hot, hot happenings! How many can you check off your list?

1. Explore Unique Castles

Bucks County is home to not one, but five castles, with a sixth castle just steps from Bucks County! Explore the architecture as you learn the history, sip some wine and even take home a souvenir. This summer, visit Henry Chapman Mercer’s former home, Fonthill Castle, which includes 44 rooms, more than 6,000 books and 18 fireplaces. 

2. See an Outdoor Movie on the Lawn of the Mercer Museum

Join the County Theater of Doylestown on the third Thursday of each month on the green of the Mercer Museum for a family-friendly series of outdoor film screenings. The Mercer Museum and The County Theater, in partnership with The Moving Picture Cinema, bring outdoor movies to the community, with the 2023 Movies at the Mercer Museum series. The line-up is: The Goonies (June 13), The Princess Bride (July 18), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (August 15), Clueless (September 19). 

WHEN: Every third Thursday of the month
WHERE: Mercer Museum

3. Sing and Dance at William Penn Bank Summer Music Fest in Bristol

Join Bristol Riverside Theater at their outdoor amphitheater all summer long! See acts like the Golden Oldies (June 24), Iconic Ladies of Song (July 29) and Classic Broadway (August 26). Grab a bite to eat at nearby dining before or after!

WHEN: June 24 - August 26
WHERE: William Penn Bank Arena

4. Follow the Bucks County Wine & Art Trail

Wine and art lovers can get a free mobile passport at VisitBucksCounty.com/WineandArtTrail. After checking in at 2 or more participating wineries along the Wine & Art Trail, participants will receive a FREE set of limited-edition Bucks County fine art notecards featuring works of art created at wineries along the Wine & Art Trail. Participants will also be entered to win one of the outdoor art reproductions on display at the wineries.

WHEN: All summer long!
WHERE: Sand Castle Winery, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Bishop Estate Vineyard & Winery, Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Rose Bank Winery, Wycombe Vineyards & Rushland Ridge Winery

5. Head to The Red, White, and Blueberries BBQ Bash

Peddler's Village has long been recognized for its weekend festivals, but this year they are doubling the fun: For the first time, they are hosting a four-day festival! The Red, White, and Blueberries BBQ Bash will take place from July 4 through July 7. Bring the whole family and enjoy lots of outdoor food, music, games, and treats! 

WHEN: July 4 - July 7
WHERE: Peddler’s Village

6. Find Family-Friendly Fun at Sesame Place® Philadelphia

Find tons of family-friendly events all summer long at Sesame Place® Philadelphia in Langhorne! Stop by for Summer Splash (June 17 - September 8) and the all-new 123 Playground. There will fireworks Memorial Day Weekend, July 4 and Labor Day.

7. Celebrate Doylestown Pride

A festival of films, celebrations and events, the month kicks off with the Pride flag raising on June 1 at the Bucks County Administration Building at 5:00 pm. Hurry up and book your reservation for a fun-filled Drag Brunch at The Hattery on June 23 at either 10:30 am or 1 pm! And of course, save the date for a Block Party on June 22. 

WHEN: June 15 - 23
WHERE: Around Doylestown

8. Outdoor music & events at The Tileworks

Part of the Mercer Mile of museums in Doylestown, The Tileworks is Bucks County native Henry Chapman Mercer's still working tile factory and museum. Stop by this summer for some music and fun on the lawn. Of course, tours are always an option any day in summer, too.

WHEN: Select Dates through June & July
WHERE: The Tileworks

9. Visit New Hope Summer Series and Fireworks 

Fireworks on the Delaware return for summer 2024 on June 7, July 5, August 2 and September 6! Great viewing from both New Hope and Lambertville. Shop and have dinner before the display.

WHEN: Select dates
WHERE: New Hope

10. Celebrate National Peach Month at Peddler’s Village

It’s a peach and shopping lover’s paradise with plenty of peachy treats, sizzling shopping deals, and scenic strolls through the summer gardens! Savor the flavors of all things peach from savory to sweet at the restaurants and weekend outdoor food tent. 

WHEN: August 3 & 4
WHERE: Peddler’s Village

11. Rev Up Your Engine at the Annual New Hope Automobile Show

The New Hope Automobile Show is a Bucks County tradition and one of the oldest antique car shows in the country! This two-day show features the finest foreign and domestic classic and antique vehicles. Nationally recognized judging standards are employed for each marque. Proceeds benefit local scholarships and charities.

WHEN: August 10 & 11
WHERE: New Hope-Solebury High School

12. Download a Bucks County Ale Trail Passport to Win Free Swag

All summer long, download your Bucks County Ale Trail Passport, cross 5 breweries off your list and be eligible to win the limited-edition T-shirt! Look out for Visit Bucks County coll-beer-ations with participating breweries this summer, too. Taste the Ale Trail's seasonal brews as well!

13. Pick fresh flowers at Peace Valley Lavender Farm

Tis the season for lavender! This purple favorite that only blooms in the summer is fresh for the picking at the gorgeous flower farm in Doylestown overlooking Lake Galena. Pick up lavender-scented soaps, culinary lavender and more inside their gift shop while you’re there.

WHEN: June – August
WHERE: Peace Valley Lavender Farm

14. Book your tickets to see unique performances at the Bucks County Playhouse

This summer, the Bucks County Playhouse presents Last of the Red Hot Mama's from June 28 - July 27. Before Mae West, Bette Midler, or Queen Latifah, there was Sophie Tucker, a fabulously full-figured teenager, whose rise from a deli to international fame is told through song, tap dancing, and her groundbreakingly sassy humor. Then, get excited to see Grease from August 9 - September 8 with the hot-rodding "Burger Palace Boys" and the gum-smapping, hip-shaking "Pink Ladies". 

WHEN: June 28 - September 8 
WHERE: Bucks County Playhouse

15. View the exhibit Meditations of the Human Condition

The exhibition George R. Anthonisen: Meditations on the Human Condition celebrates the arc of Anthonisen’s artistic career spanning 65 years as a figurative sculptor. Well versed in history and current events, Anthonisen (b. 1936) creates visual dialogues, primarily in bronze, that investigate the human condition and people’s capacity to destroy, to create, to question, and to make noble choices. 

WHEN: Through October 13
WHERE: Michener Art Museum

16. Discover TreeTrails Adventure Park

The courses range in difficulty from beginner to advanced with skills and element challenges increasing in height and difficulty as guests progress. The courses all start at a centralized main platform, and after being harnessed and given a safety and training briefing, guests explore the park at their own speed and comfort level of difficulty. Both the adult and kids courses include zip lines, bridges made of cable and rope, and netted tunnels that are suspended between platforms built around trees and poles.

WHEN: All summer long! 
WHERE: TreeTrails Adventure Park

17. Kayak, Paddleboard or Canoe

Hit the water with a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Driftwood Water Adventures operates out of Tyler State Park, as well as down near Bristol. Kayaks are also available for rent at Lake Nockamixon, Silver Lake Nature Center and more. Paddleboard and do yoga at the same time with Mill Melanie Yoga in Ottsville!

18. See the Bi-Planes Soar at Van Sant Historic Airfield 

Rides, instruction and rentals are available within this flying circus of Biplanes, Cubs, Champs, Taylorcrafts and Gliders. Many other makes and models of antique aircraft are based on or visit our field that it feels like we have our very own airshow every weekend while antique - classic cars & motorcycles are lining the parking lot. The picnic area provides a fantastic shaded spot to watch those magnificent men in their flying machines take to the sky on a calm sunny afternoon. During the week, if the time is right, you may want to stroll down to the shop "Old School Aviation" and see what restorations are being given to some old mechanical birds. Come, sit, ride, fly, tell stories, watch and enjoy being a part of our new and old comrades giving the gift of flight.

WHEN: Wednesday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Van Sant Historic Airfield