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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mini Tour: Making Headlines
Wednesday, September 17, 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, 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.
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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, 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.
DesignPhiladelphia Festival: Rebranding Eastern State
Tuesday, October 07, 2025
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Private event for DesignPhiladelphia.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Winter Celebrations Hands-On Activities
Saturday, December 20, 2025
All Day
Drop-in hands-on activities inspired by winter celebrations. All materials provided—just bring your creativity!
Winter Celebrations Guide-Led Tour & Discussion
Saturday, December 20, 2025
All Day
Our guide-led tour will include additional content about winter celebrations at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today.
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.
NEW Mini-Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places
Saturday, December 20, 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, 2025
All Day
Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize.
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.
Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence
Thursday, January 01, 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, 2026
All Day
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Justice 101: Women and Incarceration
Sunday, March 01, 2026
All Day
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.
Freedom and Independence Day
Wednesday, July 01, 2026
All Day
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Justice 101: The History of the Justice System in England and America
Wednesday, July 01, 2026
All Day
Wawa Welcome America's Museum Days
Saturday, July 04, 2026
All Day
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Justice 101
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 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 - Saturday, August 30, 2025
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 - Friday, September 12, 2025
Private event for the Forum of Executive Women. Registration required.
Democracy for All Week: Freedom of Expression—Journalism, Art, & Justice
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 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, 2025 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
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 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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, 2025 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
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 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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 - Thursday, September 18, 2025
Private event for the Petey Greene Program.
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Friday, September 19, 2025
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 - Friday, September 19, 2025
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, 2025 - 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 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
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, 2025 - Monday, October 13, 2025
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 - Friday, September 26, 2025
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 - Saturday, September 27, 2025
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 - Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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.
DesignPhiladelphia Festival: Rebranding Eastern State
Tuesday, October 07, 2025 - Tuesday, October 07, 2025
Private event for DesignPhiladelphia.
Justice 101: State of the Union: Excessive Punishment The 8th Amendment and the Justice System
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Thursday, October 23, 2025
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?
October 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Sunday, October 26, 2025 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
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 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
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!
November 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, November 08, 2025 - Saturday, November 08, 2025
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.
Scout Days
Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 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 - Saturday, November 15, 2025
$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.
Justice 101: Restorative Justice: A Closer Look at Alternatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Wednesday, November 19, 2025
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.
Virtual Scout Day: Architecture
Sunday, December 07, 2025 - Sunday, December 07, 2025
$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 - Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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.
Mini Tour: Chaplain’s Office Murals
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Winter Celebrations Hands-On Activities
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Drop-in hands-on activities inspired by winter celebrations. All materials provided—just bring your creativity!
Winter Celebrations Guide-Led Tour & Discussion
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Our guide-led tour will include additional content about winter celebrations at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today.
Shared Light: Winter Celebrations at Eastern State
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - 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.
NEW Mini-Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Join an Educator for a 10-minute exploration of the history and significance of our synagogue.
Winter Celebrations Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize.
December 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Saturday, December 27, 2025
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.
Justice 101: The Civil Rights Movement: Finding Justice and Calling on the Declaration of Independence
Thursday, January 01, 2026 - Saturday, January 31, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 19, 2026 - Monday, January 19, 2026
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, 2026 - Saturday, February 28, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Justice 101: Women and Incarceration
Sunday, March 01, 2026 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Virtual Scout Day
Saturday, March 14, 2026 - Saturday, March 14, 2026
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, 2026 - Sunday, April 05, 2026
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, 2026 - Thursday, April 30, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
In Person Scout Day
Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
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, 2026 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Virtual Scout Day
Saturday, May 16, 2026 - Saturday, May 16, 2026
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, 2026 - Monday, May 25, 2026
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, 2026 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Date and details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Freedom Summer 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Welcome FIFA Fans!
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2026 - Friday, June 19, 2026
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.
Freedom and Independence Day
Wednesday, July 01, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Justice 101: The History of the Justice System in England and America
Wednesday, July 01, 2026 - Friday, July 31, 2026
Wawa Welcome America's Museum Days
Saturday, July 04, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
In-Person Events at Eastern State
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
DesignPhiladelphia Festival: Rebranding Eastern State
Tuesday, October 07, 2025
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Private event for DesignPhiladelphia.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 Hands-On Activities
Saturday, December 20, 2025
All Day
Drop-in hands-on activities inspired by winter celebrations. All materials provided—just bring your creativity!
Winter Celebrations Guide-Led Tour & Discussion
Saturday, December 20, 2025
All Day
Our guide-led tour will include additional content about winter celebrations at Eastern State Penitentiary and in prisons today.
NEW Mini-Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places
Saturday, December 20, 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, 2025
All Day
Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize.
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.
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.
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.
Memorial Day Weekend Preservation Fest
Friday, May 22, 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.
Welcome FIFA Fans!
Thursday, June 11, 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.
Freedom and Independence Day
Wednesday, July 01, 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.
Justice 101
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 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 - Saturday, August 30, 2025
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 - Friday, September 12, 2025
Private event for the Forum of Executive Women. Registration required.
Constitution Day: The Justice System in America Today
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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.
Democracy for All Week: Freedom of Expression—Journalism, Art, & Justice
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 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.
Fireside Chat with Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick: Justice & Journalism
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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 - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
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 - Thursday, September 18, 2025
Private event for the Petey Greene Program.
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Friday, September 19, 2025
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 - Friday, September 19, 2025
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, 2025 - 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 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
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, 2025 - Monday, October 13, 2025
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.
September 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Saturday, September 27, 2025
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.
DesignPhiladelphia Festival: Rebranding Eastern State
Tuesday, October 07, 2025 - Tuesday, October 07, 2025
Private event for DesignPhiladelphia.
Justice 101: State of the Union: Excessive Punishment The 8th Amendment and the Justice System
Thursday, October 23, 2025 - Thursday, October 23, 2025
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?
October 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Sunday, October 26, 2025 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
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 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
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!
November 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, November 08, 2025 - Saturday, November 08, 2025
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.
Scout Days
Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 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 - Saturday, November 15, 2025
$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.
Justice 101: Restorative Justice: A Closer Look at Alternatives
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - Wednesday, November 19, 2025
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.
Shared Light: Winter Celebrations at Eastern State
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - 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 Hands-On Activities
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Drop-in hands-on activities inspired by winter celebrations. All materials provided—just bring your creativity!
Winter Celebrations Guide-Led Tour & Discussion
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
NEW Mini-Tour: Sacred Spaces in Unlikely Places
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Join an Educator for a 10-minute exploration of the history and significance of our synagogue.
Winter Celebrations Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Complete this winter celebrations scavenger hunt to receive an exclusive sticker prize.
December 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Saturday, December 27, 2025
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.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 19, 2026 - Monday, January 19, 2026
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.
In Person Scout Day
Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
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.
Memorial Day Weekend Preservation Fest
Friday, May 22, 2026 - Monday, May 25, 2026
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.
Welcome FIFA Fans!
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2026 - Friday, June 19, 2026
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.
Freedom and Independence Day
Wednesday, July 01, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Wawa Welcome America's Museum Days
Saturday, July 04, 2026 - Saturday, July 04, 2026
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
Past Events
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Sunday, August 17, 2025
12:00pm - 4:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Sunday, August 17, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
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.
July 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, July 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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, July 05, 2025
1:00pm - 4:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
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Wednesday Nights: Field Day
Wednesday, July 02, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Discover the rich and captivating history of sports and other team activities in prisons, past and present. Join in light-hearted, interactive, and fun and activities—inspired by games and sports played at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Wawa Welcome America: Pay-What-You-Wish Museum Night
Monday, June 30, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
Pay what you wish. A $1 service fee applies to each Pay-What-You-Wish Ticket. Advance reservations strongly recommended. As part of this year's Wawa Welcome America festival, enjoy an exclusive, pay-what-you-wish evening of Wednesday Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Join us for a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 28, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
June 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, June 28, 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.
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Wednesday Nights: Reentry Simulation
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Reflect on some of the many structural challenges people face when returning home from prison through a hands-on learning experience.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 21, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
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Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 19, 2025
10:45am - 2:30pm
Free livestream online, paid admission in person. Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary this Juneteenth for a meaningful day of reflection, learning, and community connection. Portions of the event will be livestreamed.
Wednesday Nights: Justice & Journalism
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Uncover the role of investigative journalism in shaping our understanding of the criminal justice system through live storytelling, panel discussions, and interactive exhibits.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 14, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
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Wednesday Nights: Escape & Resistance
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Experience an evening of immersive storytelling, live-action challenges, and history reimagined. As the sun sets over the historic site’s towering walls, 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.
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Public Tour with Artist Talk
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
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
Saturday, June 07, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
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Wednesday Nights: Behind Bars & On the Big Screen
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Explore the surprising intersection of cinema and incarceration in the early 20th century. Step into this little-known history through film screenings, engaging discussions, and more. Consider how film has long influenced and reflected ideas about imprisonment, rehabilitation, and social change.
In-Person Scout Day: Architecture
Sunday, June 01, 2025
10:00am - 4:30pm
$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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, May 31, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Saturday, May 31, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
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.
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Wednesday Nights: Music & Open Mic
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
5:30pm - 9:30pm
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Share your talents and gather in community. A stage set up in the center of the historic site will feature local musicians, spoken word artists, and storytellers sharing narratives related to justice, freedom, and resilience. Plus, sign up for an open-mic slot to add your voice to the evening.
May 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Sunday, May 25, 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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, May 24, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
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Memorial Day Weekend 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025
1:10pm - 1:10pm
Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary (ESPHS) from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, as we commemorate Memorial Day and the ways we remember the history of Eastern State.
Wednesday Nights
Wednesday, May 07 - Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Wednesday evenings, May 7 to July 2. $17 online in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy immersive experiences, interactive events, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of Philadelphia’s most unique landmarks. With a different theme each week, Wednesday Nights provide a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Pop Up Talk: Chess in Prison
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
All Day
Join us in the central rotunda of the penitentiary to learn about chess in prisons. This pastime was very popular at Eastern State. The Eastern State Penitentiary Chess team was an...
Sports & Recreation Trivia
Saturday, April 19, 2025
2:00pm - 6:00pm
Join us in the central rotunda of the penitentiary for trivia to test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded.
April 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, April 19, 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...
Spring Break: Sports & Recreation
Friday, April 11 - Sunday, April 20, 2025
Sports and recreation played a crucial role in enhancing prisoners' daily lives at Eastern State Penitentiary by easing tensions, boosting morale, and fostering camaraderie among teammates.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Sunday, August 17, 2025 - Sunday, August 17, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Sunday, August 17, 2025 - Sunday, August 17, 2025
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.
July 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, July 26, 2025 - Saturday, July 26, 2025
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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, July 05, 2025 - Saturday, July 05, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Wednesday Nights: Field Day
Wednesday, July 02, 2025 - Wednesday, July 02, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Discover the rich and captivating history of sports and other team activities in prisons, past and present. Join in light-hearted, interactive, and fun and activities—inspired by games and sports played at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Wawa Welcome America: Pay-What-You-Wish Museum Night
Monday, June 30, 2025 - Monday, June 30, 2025
Pay what you wish. A $1 service fee applies to each Pay-What-You-Wish Ticket. Advance reservations strongly recommended. As part of this year's Wawa Welcome America festival, enjoy an exclusive, pay-what-you-wish evening of Wednesday Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Join us for a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 28, 2025 - Saturday, June 28, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
June 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, June 28, 2025 - Saturday, June 28, 2025
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.
Wednesday Nights: Reentry Simulation
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - Wednesday, June 25, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Reflect on some of the many structural challenges people face when returning home from prison through a hands-on learning experience.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 21, 2025 - Saturday, June 21, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Thursday, June 19, 2025
Free livestream online, paid admission in person. Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary this Juneteenth for a meaningful day of reflection, learning, and community connection. Portions of the event will be livestreamed.
Wednesday Nights: Justice & Journalism
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - Wednesday, June 18, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Uncover the role of investigative journalism in shaping our understanding of the criminal justice system through live storytelling, panel discussions, and interactive exhibits.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - Saturday, June 14, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Wednesday Nights: Escape & Resistance
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Wednesday, June 11, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Experience an evening of immersive storytelling, live-action challenges, and history reimagined. As the sun sets over the historic site’s towering walls, 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.
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - Wednesday, June 11, 2025
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
Saturday, June 07, 2025 - Saturday, June 07, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Wednesday Nights: Behind Bars & On the Big Screen
Wednesday, June 04, 2025 - Wednesday, June 04, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Explore the surprising intersection of cinema and incarceration in the early 20th century. Step into this little-known history through film screenings, engaging discussions, and more. Consider how film has long influenced and reflected ideas about imprisonment, rehabilitation, and social change.
In-Person Scout Day: Architecture
Sunday, June 01, 2025 - Sunday, June 01, 2025
$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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Saturday, May 31, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Public Tour with Artist Talk
Saturday, May 31, 2025 - Saturday, May 31, 2025
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.
Wednesday Nights: Music & Open Mic
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - Wednesday, May 28, 2025
$17 online in advance, $20 at the door (subject to availability). Share your talents and gather in community. A stage set up in the center of the historic site will feature local musicians, spoken word artists, and storytellers sharing narratives related to justice, freedom, and resilience. Plus, sign up for an open-mic slot to add your voice to the evening.
May 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Sunday, May 25, 2025 - Sunday, May 25, 2025
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.
Public Portrait Session with Mark Loughney
Saturday, May 24, 2025 - Saturday, May 24, 2025
From 12 pm – 4 pm, visitors are welcome to sit for a portrait drawn by Mark Loughney, artist of "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration."
Memorial Day Weekend 2025
Friday, May 23, 2025 - Monday, May 26, 2025
Join us at Eastern State Penitentiary (ESPHS) from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, as we commemorate Memorial Day and the ways we remember the history of Eastern State.
Wednesday Nights
Wednesday, May 07, 2025 - Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Wednesday evenings, May 7 to July 2. $17 online in advance, $20 at the door. Enjoy immersive experiences, interactive events, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of Philadelphia’s most unique landmarks. With a different theme each week, Wednesday Nights provide a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Pop Up Talk: Chess in Prison
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Join us in the central rotunda of the penitentiary to learn about chess in prisons. This pastime was very popular at Eastern State. The Eastern State Penitentiary Chess team was an...
Sports & Recreation Trivia
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - Saturday, April 19, 2025
Join us in the central rotunda of the penitentiary for trivia to test your knowledge about sports in prison. Prizes will be awarded.
April 2025: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - Saturday, April 19, 2025
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...
Spring Break: Sports & Recreation
Friday, April 11, 2025 - Sunday, April 20, 2025
Sports and recreation played a crucial role in enhancing prisoners' daily lives at Eastern State Penitentiary by easing tensions, boosting morale, and fostering camaraderie among teammates.