The beginning of the fall semester is just a few short days away, which means CollegeFest is just around the corner! Do you have your ticket yet?
Here at Campus Philly, we’ve reimagined our annual CollegeFest celebration, and turned our iconic festival into a weekend-long experience. On September 11 and 12, 2021, all new and returning college students in Philly who sign up for CollegeFest will have exclusive, FREE access to over 25 museums, cultural institutions, events, activities, food, and prizes for the entire weekend!
PLUS, your transportation for the weekend is covered! We’ve partnered with SEPTA, Philly’s public transit system, to provide FREE RIDES exclusively for CollegeFest attendees.
Are you as excited as we are? Keep reading to find out the 18 ways that YOU can make the most of CollegeFest this year! (Psst. Don’t forget to SIGN UP HERE!)
Let’s get started! Here’s what is featured below:
Get ready to explore the city
Ride free during CollegeFest with SEPTA! We’ve partnered with SEPTA, Philly’s public transit system, to provide FREE RIDES on September 11 and 12, 10am to 5pm, exclusively for CollegeFest attendees!
This means you can take these modes of transportation—bus, subway, trolley, and regional rail—all around the city to participate in CollegeFest for FREE!
Check out the…
- Broad Street Line from the Temple University area
- Market-Frankford Line from the University City area
- SEPTA Bus
- SEPTA Trolley
- Regional rail (for those traveling from schools outside of the city)
Just sign up for CollegeFest, flash your CollegeFest confirmation email when boarding SEPTA, and get ready to have the best FREE weekend in Philly… ever.
Looking for more ways to get around during CollegeFest weekend? Try Indego: Philly’s bike share system!
On Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, any student with a valid CollegeFest registration (ie. your confirmation email!) can get a $5 Indego30 pass (that’s an entire month of rides!), so you can ride around the city and visit all of the FREE museums and activities! The Indego30 pass is usually $17 for the month, so this CollegeFest promo is a fantastic deal.
Check out these activities:
Meet the Phillie Phanatic & enjoy free food at Citizens! Philly is no longer just home to the Rocky steps, hoagies, and water ice. It’s now also the home of your new favorite Citizens branch. Stop by the shiny, new branch at 1835 Market Street on Saturday, September 11, for a chance at a pair of tickets to see our favorite baseball team (hint hint) at their September 25 game!
Plus, you’ll enjoy some food and snap a pic with a special guest, the Phillie Phanatic! See you there? *This event will be occurring on September 11 from 9am to 12pm
Head to the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 “Pitch” at Independence Visitors Center. Share your love for the game and help bring the FIFA World Cup to Philadelphia by visiting the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 “Pitch” located at the Independence Visitors Center! Open through October 31, 2021, fans are invited to experience the “Pitch” (which is free to all visitors) and partake in its soccer challenges while also registering support for Philadelphia’s bid to host matches.
Let’s talk free museums. For all the history buffs, we suggest checking out some of these top picks.
Stop by the African American Museum in Philadelphia to see the Anna Russell Jones: Art of Design exhibit before it closes for the season!
Fun Fact: Anna Russell Jones was the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, which is now Moore College of Art and Design! This exhibition displays her intricate interests in African American history, civil rights, commitment to public service, and fascination with medical practice. *Free Admission on Saturday Sept. 11 Only
Next up: Take a walk back in time and check out George Washington’s original office tent from the Revolutionary War at the Museum of the American Revolution.
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Experience the museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements all for FREE during CollegeFest.
Take a selfie with the Founding Fathers in Signer’s Hall at The National Constitution Center—and tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured!
The National Constitution Center brings together people of all ages and perspectives, through hands-on interactive exhibits, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history: the U.S. Constitution!
Stop by the Penn Museum’s special exhibitions that tell the stories of diverse cultures throughout history and their varied perspectives through a contemporary lens.The compelling narratives, unique objects, and engaging interactive exhibits make historical connections that are still relevant to our lives today. *Free admission on Sunday Sept. 12 Only
If you love art, check out these favorites.
Experience the latest exhibit, Hard/Cover, at The Fabric Workshop Museum, which invites five nuanced artists to expand their practices with screen-printing!
The Fabric Workshop Museum was founded in 1977 with a visionary purpose: to stimulate experimentation among leading contemporary artists and to share the process of creating works of art with the public. Outside of CollegeFest weekend, this museum is free and open to the public seven days a week. *Reserve your tickets before you visit!
Did you know that Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) was the first art museum and school in the United States?!
The museum was designed to celebrate the transformative power of art and art-making. PAFA inspires the public by expanding the stories of American art through its collections, exhibitions, and programs; and educates artists from around the world. *Reserve tickets before you visit!
Head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to climb the iconic Rocky steps and explore 200 galleries of art from all around the world. The PMA is home to a world-class collection and Philadelphia’s destination for creative play.
Go to the Barnes Foundation during CollegeFest to see the finest collections of impressionist, post-impressionist, and Modern paintings in the world. The museum’s collections include works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso, plus important African sculptures, Pennsylvania German furniture, and decorative arts. *Free admission to the Barnes Foundation is Sunday only. Limited walk-up tix available; call ahead to reserve tickets 215-278-7200
Looking for even more free museums to visit during CollegeFest? Check out the full list, including:
- Franklin Institute
- Betsy Ross House
- The Academy of Natural Sciences
- National Liberty Museum
- Independence SeaPort Museum
- Rodin Museum
Looking for ways to get active?
Join the team at barre3 Rittenhouse for a FREE pop-up barre class at Cira Green on Saturday, September 11, at 9am. barre3 is a full-body balanced workout combining strength conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness that will leave you feeling balanced in body and empowered from within.
The Schuylkill River Trail & Boardwalk is the perfect spot to bike (with your own, or using Philly’s bike share system, Indego!), walk, run, rollerblade, and explore. With plenty of trail space for your activity of choice, and plenty of grassy areas for relaxing, this spot is a must-visit all year round!
Yoga On The Banks is excited to be returning to the Schuylkill Banks for its 8th year of donation-based outdoor classes! Yoga on the Banks meets on the grassy area at 25th and Locust, near the Schuylkill River Banks boardwalk in Philadelphia. *Classes will be held Saturday and Sunday at 10am. These are donation-based classes ($5-15 suggested). Register in advance at YogaOnTheBanks.com
Register for a FREE day-pass to The Cliffs at Callowhill Climbing Gym, a nearly 40,000 sq. ft. full-service climbing & fitness facility located in the heart of Philadelphia (it’s the largest in Pennsylvania!). With almost 300 climbing routes fully reset every couple of months, the gym offers climbing for people of all skill levels & backgrounds.
Interested in becoming a member of The Cliffs at Callowhill? Any full-time undergraduate or graduate student who is currently enrolled and who shows a class schedule and student ID will receive a discount. Email [email protected] to get the link for the Student Membership deal!
Did someone say PRIZES?
That’s right! When you sign up for CollegeFest, you’re automatically entered to win PRIZES like gift cards, tickets to some of the coolest events in the city, and TONS OF SWAG! Here are some of our giveaways:
- Gift cards to Dunkin and honeygrow
- Tickets to Wonderspaces & B. PHL Innovation Fest
- Tickets to Outlaw Music Festival at the Mann Center (on Saturday, September 11)
- Back to school swag from Elastic & Campus Philly t-shirts
- Tickets to Candytopia… and so much more!
We can’t wait to see you at CollegeFest! Make sure to follow our Instagram to stay updated with all the details—see you on September 11 and 12!
