# One river, two cities, zero dollars

> Philadelphia and Camden merge into a single free waterfront party on Sept. 26, with ferries running between them.
- Title: One river, two cities, zero dollars · PhillyVoice | Shortify
- Summary: Philadelphia and Camden merge into a single free waterfront party on Sept. 26, with ferries running between them. Park in Camden for $10, ride the free ferry…
- Keywords: philadelphia, camden, festivals, family-friendly, outdoors, news, local, One, river, two, cities, zero
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/delaware-river-festival-philadelphia-camden-free-ferry-2026
- Published: 2026-09-14T20:22:02.616+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: philadelphia, camden, festivals, family-friendly, outdoors, news, local
## Two waterfronts, one party
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Delaware River Festival links the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts into a single celebration, with ferry rides carrying people between the cities.
## Free, and rain or shine
The festival runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park. Admission and every scheduled activity cost nothing, and organizers say it happens in any weather.

> Admission and the scheduled activities are free, and everything will take place rain or shine.
## Get on the water
At Penn's Landing, pedal boats launch from noon to 4 p.m. and you can try fishing at the marina. Anyone under 18 needs an adult with them to ride a pedal boat.
## Board a tall ship
Tours of the Tall Ship Gazela run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is one of the shorter windows of the day, so go early if a historic sailing ship is the draw.
## Birds, paint and a museum
On land in Philadelphia there is a bird show at noon, face painting, and free entry to the Independence Seaport Museum building.
## Tai chi on a barge
Floating tai chi takes place aboard the Spruce Street Harbor Double Decker Barge from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Yes, the class is literally on the river.
## Ride the RiverLink over
The free RiverLink ferry shuttles attendees between Penn's Landing and Wiggins Park, so the two programs work as one schedule instead of two separate trips.
## What Camden brings
Wiggins Park hosts a Feathered Friends meet-and-greet from 2 to 3 p.m. and a walk-through watershed tunnel from the Center for Aquatic Sciences. Crafts, games and environmental exhibits run on both sides.
## Seventh year, two festivals merged
The Delaware River Festival is in its seventh year. It grew out of two earlier events, Coast Day and the River Days Festival, folded into one celebration of the shared river.
## Driving is the hard part
Southbound Columbus Boulevard drops to one lane, and the Walnut Street walking bridge and its parking lot are closed. Organizers push carpooling and parking on the Camden side.
## Park cheap, or take transit
Philadelphia lots near the site charge a $25 flat rate; Camden's Aquarium lots 7 and 8 cost $10. Second Street Station is a 10-minute walk, Aquarium Station six minutes, PATCO City Hall about 15.
## Key takeaway

Park in Camden for $10, ride the free ferry over, and you get both waterfronts of activities without paying for anything.