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Eastern State Penitentiary :: Home
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Saturday, July 4

Independence Day

Standard Admission
The penitentiary is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern State is located just three blocks from the Ben Franklin Parkway, site of the some of the best fireworks in the nation! So tour the prison, have dinner at one of the great local restaurants, and stay for the fireworks! Happy Independence Day!


Saturday, July 11,  5:30 p.m..

Bastille Day!

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Reenactment and Street Party Free  
One of Philadelphia’s most popular summertime events!  Local businesses team with Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site for a playful reenactment of the Storming of the Bastille (influenced more by Monty Python than the French Revolution), followed by a French-themed street party.  Come early and take a tour of Eastern State (standard admission), or stay late and take a 25-minute evening tour following the Reenactment ($10 per person for adults, $5 per person for kids age 7 to 12 -- cash only).

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Saturday, August 1 & Sunday,  August 2, 11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Willie Sutton / Tunnel Escape Weekend

Free with admission
Two actors, one portraying tunnel mastermind Clarence Klinedinst and one portraying bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton, give their conflicting accounts of who designed the tunnel, how it was built, and why the escapees got caught.  Meet each inmate in his cell, and see how their accounts vary.  Based on actual conflicts in the accounts of Willie Sutton and Clarence Klinedinst.


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Friday, September 11,  8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Secret Cinema

Admission $8
The Secret Cinema returns to Eastern State with a great vintage prison film projected (not video) inside the cellblocks of Eastern State Penitentiary.  Opens with quirky short film introductions.  Title TBD.


September 18 – November 1.

“Terror Behind the Walls” Haunted House 

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Called “perfect for Halloween” by the New York Times and ranked No. 1 in the nation by AOL City Guide, Terror Behind the Walls is the region’s premier haunted attraction.  Tickets go on sale Sept. 9, 2009.  Check the Halloween website for coupons, previews, photos and ticketing.

Saturday, October 3, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.Judging 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Members’ Photo Contest

Free with Admission  
Eastern State is one of the most photogenic locations in America. Each year photographers travel from as far away as California and Canada to photograph the penitentiary.  Each Member may submit one color and one black and white Eastern State photograph for our 2009 Members’ Only photo competition. 

Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15

Behind the Scenes Tour:  The Punishment Cells

Historic Site Members: Free  /  Members’ Guests:  $12.00 

One weekend only.

Thursday, November 26

Closed for Thanksgiving


Tuesday, November 30

Last Day of the 2009 Standard Tours


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Wednesday, December 1

First Day of 2009 Winter Adventure Tours

 An hour-long tour of the beautiful, winter cellblocks with an expert guide and a cup of hot chocolate.


Thursday, December 24

Closed for Christmas Eve


Friday, December 25

Closed for Christmas Day


 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.