Reading Terminal Market Ice Cream Festival returns with sweet treats and family fun

From Metro Philadelphia:

Reading Terminal Market’s Ice Cream Festival is returning to Philadelphia for another tasty celebration.

Set for Saturday, Aug. 15, from noon to 4 p.m., the market will once again transform the 1100 block of Filbert Street into one of the largest community ice cream festivals in the country. Hosted in partnership with Bassetts Ice Cream, admission is free, so visitors can stop by anytime to purchase treats from some of the region’s favorite ice cream makers and Reading Terminal Market merchants—and there will be plenty to choose from.

Throughout the event, Bassetts Ice Cream will serve a variety of its signature scoop flavors while maintaining its full menu inside the market, but guests can also sample handcrafted gelato from Cloud Cups, small-batch premium ice cream from Milk Jawn and Irv’s Ice Cream, tropical sorbet from Mango Hut, real-fruit water ice from Siddiq’s Water Ice, and the wildly creative ice cream hoagies from Tubby Robot. Dreams Ice Cream Factory and Hangry Bear will also join the celebration, with Hangry Bear serving its popular hard-dipped cones alongside soft pretzel ice cream sandwiches.

Inside Reading Terminal Market, many merchants will offer exclusive festival-only menu items. Chef Beth’s Kitchen is serving an affogato in a soft pretzel cup, savory "Dirty Turkey Salad" ice cream cones, and fountain soda floats. The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company will offer visitors mini ice cream cookie sandwich flights and build-your-own creations, and Flying Monkey Bakery is baking up brownie sundaes and ice cream sundae cupcakes.

Other standout specials include Fox and Son Fair Foods’ peach cobbler funnel cake topped with vanilla ice cream, LUHV Vegan Deli’s warm vegan brownie with vegan vanilla ice cream, Tambayan’s ube and mango ice cream, Sweet Nina’s frozen banana pudding, Pennsylvania Libations’ boozy affogato, Wilt’s Chocolate’s smothered sundae and plenty more.

One of the biggest highlights of the festival is the always popular Reading Terminal Market World Championship Ice Cream Eating Contest. With it, contestants will compete in three rounds of speed-eating challenges, with the winner from each round advancing to a creative sundae-making competition. Judges will crown one overall champion.

Beyond the desserts, the Ice Cream Festival is designed to be a celebration for the whole family. Throughout the afternoon, visitors can enjoy balloon twisting, face painting, children’s crafts, music, and appearances from Reading Terminal Market’s lovable mascot, Philbert.

To find out more information on the 2026 Reading Terminal Market Ice Cream Festival (1136 Arch St.), visit readingterminalmarket.org