Events

Justice 101

Wednesday, August 27 - Friday, July 31, 2026

Join us each month as we dive into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive online or in-person elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.

August 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion

Saturday, August 30, 2025
11:00am - 11:45am

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.

Forum of Executive Women Event: Reentry Simulation with Why Not Prosper & the Eastern State Center for Justice Education

Friday, September 12, 2025
8:00am - 10:00am

Private event for the Forum of Executive Women. Registration required.

Democracy for All Week: Freedom of Expression—Journalism, Art, & Justice

Wednesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 21, 2025

This Constitution Day, and all week long, we celebrate and reflect on the role of the First Amendment in securing freedom and liberty for all.

Mini Tour: Making Headlines

Wednesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
All Day

Explore the powerful intersection of journalism, incarceration, and censorship — past and present. Through discussion, storytelling, and exploration of archival materials, this program examines the role of imprisoned writers and the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in prisons and jails. Reflect on who gets to speak, what stories are told, and how resistance takes shape through words.

Constitution Day: The Justice System in America Today

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
All Day

On Constitution Day, we celebrate and reflect on the role of the First Amendment in securing freedom and liberty for all. But does that include people who are incarcerated? Let’s examine how freedom of expression is limited and fought for in the American criminal justice system and the role of natural rights in an incarcerated facility.

Drop-In Writing and Art-Making Activities

Wednesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
11:00am - 4:30pm

Inspired by prison newspapers and the power of self-expression, these hands-on activities invite you to explore, reflect, and create.

Fireside Chat with Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick: Justice & Journalism

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
11:00am - 1:00pm

Free Online. Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick, a writer, justice advocate, and truth-teller. In this conversation, Jy’Aire reflects on the power of journalism as a tool for accountability and healing.

Justice 101: Freedom Behind Bars—The First Amendment & Incarceration in America

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm

This Constitution Day, we’ll examine how freedom of expression is restricted and fought for within the American criminal justice system. We’ll explore how natural rights are upheld, or denied, in prisons across different states; the legal and ethical boundaries of speech, press, and religious expression for incarcerated individuals; and the transformative power of prison journalism and art in preserving human dignity and challenging injustice. 

Petey Greene Program Event: Economic Freedom and Opportunity for All: Fair Chance Hiring with Industry Leaders

Thursday, September 18, 2025
5:30pm - 8:00pm

Private event for the Petey Greene Program.

Public Tour with Artist Talk 

Friday, September 19, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase timed tickets online to secure your spot. Join us for a special iteration of our Guide-Led Tour & Discussion featuring a Q&A with artist Mark Loughney.

Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney

Friday, September 19, 2025
1:00pm - 5:00pm

From 1 pm – 5 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."

Halloween Nights

Friday, September 19 - Saturday, November 08, 2025

Select nights, September 19 through November 8. Step inside Eastern State's massive front gate and into a Halloween festival of epic proportions — featuring five thrilling haunted houses plus historic tours, themed bars, live entertainment, and more — all inside the massive, abandoned complex of a real, ten-acre prison.

CollegeFest 2025

Sunday, September 21, 2025
11:00am - 3:00pm

Free daytime admission* for Campus Philly CollegeFest registrants. *Please note, a $1 service fee applies to each ticket. Timed tickets required. Students, sign up for CollegeFest and enjoy free daytime admission to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site!

Jewish History Self-Guided Walking Tour

Monday, September 22 - Monday, October 13, 2025
All Day

Explore the rich and often overlooked stories of Jewish prisoners and the community connected to Eastern State Penitentiary. This self-guided walking tour takes you through key locations within the grounds, including the first synagogue in an American prison, while highlighting personal narratives, cultural traditions, and the broader historical context of Jewish life in Philadelphia during the prison’s operation.

Spring Garden Sunflower Festival

Friday, September 26, 2025
12:00pm - 8:00pm

Takes place off-site at 1700 to 1900 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Meet us at the Spring Garden Sunflower Festival to dive into a creative, hands-on activity where art meets civic engagement. Use expressive media to explore themes of justice and community.

September 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion

Saturday, September 27, 2025
11:00am - 11:45am

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.

PA Civics Educator Forum

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm

Off-site at 1200 Line St, Archbald, PA 18403. The Eastern State Center for Justice Education joins PA Civics at its 2025 professional development forum for educators.

Legislature Reception

Thursday, October 02, 2025
3:00pm - 6:00pm

By invitation only. Private event for PA legislators and their guests.

DesignPhiladelphia Festival: Rebranding Eastern State

Tuesday, October 07, 2025
2:00pm - 4:00pm

Private event for DesignPhiladelphia.

School District of Philadelphia Teacher Workshop: The 13th Amendment and Prison Labor

Friday, October 10, 2025
All Day

The Eastern State Center for Justice Education welcomes Philadelphia School District Social Studies Teachers for a workshop on Prison Labor and the 13th Amendment as part of a district-wide professional development day.

Indigenous People’s Weekend

Friday, October 10 - Monday, October 13, 2025
All Day

This weekend, our Guide-Led Tour and Discussion will include additional content exploring the impact of the criminal justice system on Indigenous people throughout the United States.

Hidden History at Eastern State

Sunday, October 19 - Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Step inside the cellblocks and corridors that most visitors never see. With Hidden History at Eastern State, you’ll be guided through behind-the-scenes spaces and uncover powerful stories that shaped this National Historic Landmark.

Hidden History: Behind the Scenes of Halloween Nights

Sunday, October 19, 2025
5:30pm - 7:00pm

Go behind the scenes to see how Eastern State transforms into Halloween Nights, then enjoy a private Speakeasy reception followed by VIP access to the festival.

Hidden History: Halloween Nights Behind the Scenes Friendraiser (Invite Only)

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Private event

Justice 101: State of the Union: Excessive Punishment The 8th Amendment and the Justice System

Thursday, October 23, 2025
6:00pm - 8:30pm

What does it mean for a punishment to be cruel and unusual? How has the interpretation of the Eighth Amendment shaped American justice over time and where is its legal interpretation today?

Mobile Museum and Guide-Led Tour: Roots and Realities of Solitary Confinement

Saturday, October 25 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
9:00am - 3:00pm

The Mobile Museum is free. The Guide-Led Tour is included with admission. Reflect on Eastern State Penitentiary’s legacy as the birthplace of solitary confinement in America and examine its use in prisons today. Join guided tours exploring the prison’s early history, then engage with the Journey to Justice Bus tour.

October 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion

Sunday, October 26, 2025
11:00am - 11:45am

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.

Fall Festival

Sunday, October 26, 2025
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Free for kids in costume and their caregivers. No reservations necessary. Join us for some fall-themed family fun: trick-or-treating, scavenger hunt, story time, hands-on activities, art making, music, and more!

Video Screening: Veterans, Prisons, and Courts Today

Friday, November 07 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
All Day

Learn about the impact of the justice system on veterans today.

Pop-Up Talks: World War I at Eastern State Penitentiary

Friday, November 07 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
All Day

Take a 10-minute guided tour to learn about the 120 people incarcerated at Eastern State who went on to serve in the military, plus the thousands of others who contributed to war efforts on the home front.

Pop-Up Exhibit: Veterans and Wartime at Eastern State Penitentiary

Friday, November 07 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
All Day

View a special pop-up exhibit featuring photos, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of veterans and wartime at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Veterans Day

Friday, November 07 - Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Spend Veterans' Day Weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site! Learn more about veterans and the criminal justice system by engaging in a variety of special programs.

November 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion

Saturday, November 08, 2025
11:00am - 11:45am

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.

Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance Event: In with the Old

Tuesday, November 11, 2025
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Private event for the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Scout Days

Saturday, November 15 - Saturday, November 14, 2026

Led by our engaging staff, all Scout Days participants will enjoy interactive discussions and activities. Members of Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA will also meet badge requirements.

In-Person Scout Day: Architecture

Saturday, November 15, 2025
All Day

$21 per person. Advance registration required. Eastern State invites members of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and all youth to join us for In-Person Scout Day: Architecture. Led by our engaging staff, learn more about Eastern State Penitentiary's history, the building's unique design, the ethics of prison architecture, and careers in architecture and historic preservation.

Reentry Simulation

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
11:00am - 12:30pm

Private event for School District of Philadelphia student groups

Justice 101: Restorative Justice: A Closer Look at Alternatives

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Explore the dynamics of restorative justice, a practice that offers a transformative approach to addressing harm, emphasizing dialogue and understanding between victims and perpetrators as a path to healing and closure.

Closed for Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27, 2025
All Day

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is closed for Thanksgiving. We resume normal hours on Friday.

Sports and Recreation Scavenger Hunt

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Complete this sports-themed scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize!

Sports & Recreation Guide-Led Tour

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Our guide-led tour will include additional content about sports and recreation.

Sports & Recreation Trivia

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded.

Baseball Pop-Up Talks & Home Run Hits

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Learn about baseball in prison, then step up to the "plate" and see how far you can hit a wiffle ball toward Eastern State's tall perimeter wall.

Mini Tour: Race, Baseball, & The Legend of Charles "Jack" Blackburn

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025
All Day

Hear the fascinating story of a renowned boxing champion turned Eastern State Penitentiary baseball player.

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Power of Play: Sports and Belonging

Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30, 2025

Learn more about the power of sports in fostering a sense of belonging throughout the penitentiary's history and in correctional facilities today. Programs include a scavenger hunt, mini tour, trivia, wiffle ball activity, and more, all included with standard admission.

RockyFest

Wednesday, December 03, 2025
All Day

Celebrate the anniversary of Philadelphia’s most iconic film franchise with a city-wide series of events, including special programming at ESPHS highlighting the history of boxing in prison.

Virtual Scout Day: Architecture

Sunday, December 07, 2025
11:00am - 2:15pm

$17 per participant. Online via Zoom. Advance registration required. Eastern State invites members of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and all youth to join us for Virtual Scout Day: Architecture. Led by our engaging staff, learn more about Eastern State Penitentiary's history, the building's unique design, the ethics of prison architecture, and careers in architecture and historic preservation.

Justice 101: Bill of Rights: Trial Amendments and the Rights of the Accused

Wednesday, December 10, 2025
11:00am - 1:00pm

Join us for this dynamic conversation as we trace the evolving promise of due process and its enduring impact on human dignity and the justice system. Date and time subject to change.

Redemption Songs: Stories, Music, and the Struggle for Justice

Thursday, December 18, 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Join us for musical performance, storytelling, and Jewish ritual to rededicate our synagogue.

NEW Mini-Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
All Day

Join an Educator for a 10-minute exploration of the history and significance of our synagogue.

Winter Celebrations Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
All Day

Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize.

Winter Celebrations Hands-On Activities

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
All Day

Drop-in hands-on activities inspired by winter celebrations. All materials provided—just bring your creativity!

Shared Light: Winter Celebrations at Eastern State

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Through historical accounts, guided tours, and hands-on activities, learn how people at Eastern State Penitentiary marked holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Day—finding moments of light, connection, and meaning within the confines of prison life.

Winter Celebrations Guide-Led Tour & Discussion

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
All Day

Our guide-led tour will include additional content about winter celebrations at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today.

Mini Tour: Chaplain’s Office Murals

Saturday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
All Day

Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 24 - Thursday, December 25, 2025
All Day

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is closed December 24 and 25. We resume normal hours on December 26.

December 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion

Saturday, December 27, 2025
11:00am - 11:45am

Included with admission, subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.

Closed for New Year's Day

Thursday, January 01, 2026
All Day

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is closed January 1. We resume normal hours on January 2. Happy New Year!

Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence

Thursday, January 01 - Saturday, January 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 19, 2026
All Day

Free online. Included with admission in person. Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and contemplate the significance and ongoing relevance of his pivotal civil rights texts, including his 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and famous "I Have a Dream" speech, during an all-day event at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Justice 101: The First Amendment and Incarceration: Natural Right to Freedom of Expression

Sunday, February 01 - Saturday, February 28, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: Women and Incarceration

Sunday, March 01 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Civic Learning Week National Forum Kickoff Reception

Sunday, March 08, 2026
All Day

Private event for Civic Learning Week National Forum

Virtual Scout Day

Saturday, March 14, 2026
All Day

Led by our expert staff and partners with expertise in historic preservation, architecture, and construction trades, scouts will enjoy a full day of virtual, interactive discussions and activities. Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Spring Break: Escape and Resistance

Friday, March 27 - Sunday, April 05, 2026
All Day

Uncover real accounts of daring escape attempts, test your problem-solving skills in a hands-on challenge, and step back in time to the era of Prohibition through immersive storytelling, live-action challenges, and history reimagined.

Justice 101: To Establish Justice: Reentry and Recidivism

Wednesday, April 01 - Thursday, April 30, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

In Person Scout Day

Sunday, April 19, 2026
All Day

Led by our engaging staff, all In-Person Scout Day participants will enjoy interactive discussions and activities. Members of Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA will also meet badge requirements. Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Justice 101: National Historic Preservation: The Power of Place

Friday, May 01 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Virtual Scout Day

Saturday, May 16, 2026
All Day

Led by our expert staff and partners with expertise in historic preservation, architecture, and construction trades, scouts will enjoy a full day of virtual, interactive discussions and activities. Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Memorial Day Weekend Preservation Fest

Friday, May 22 - Monday, May 25, 2026
All Day

Program details to be announced. Whether you're a history buff, preservation enthusiast, or looking for a meaningful way to honor those who served and sacrificed, Eastern State offers a unique blend of education and remembrance.

Justice 101: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth Today

Monday, June 01 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026
All Day

Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Freedom Summer 2026

Thursday, June 11 - Sunday, July 19, 2026

Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Welcome FIFA Fans!

Thursday, June 11 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
All Day

Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Juneteenth Celebration

Friday, June 19, 2026
All Day

Free Online. Join us as we come together to commemorate Juneteenth, honoring the realized freedom and the struggle of the once enslaved Africans in America.

Justice 101: The History of the Justice System in England and America

Wednesday, July 01 - Friday, July 31, 2026
All Day

Freedom and Independence Day

Wednesday, July 01 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
All Day

Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.

Wawa Welcome America's Museum Days

Saturday, July 04, 2026
All Day

Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.