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Sesame Place Philadelphia opened its Back to School Bash this morning, August 24, 2026, and the week runs through August 30. Families still chasing one more late-summer park day get character dining, themed meet-and-greets, a school-supply donation perk, and the usual rides and water play while Sesame Summer Splash continues.
The park’s own event page is the booking authority. The standout paid add-on is a reserved Back to School Bash Dine with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Count von Count.
Free-with-admission extras include a dance party, backpack meet-and-greets, and Honker’s science show.
- Dates: August 24 through August 30, 2026 at Sesame Place Philadelphia.
- Where: Langhorne-area park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Must book: Back to School Bash Dine requires a reservation.
- Donation perk: Qualifying school supplies earn $10 Sesame Cash the same day.
- Included extras: Dance party, school-themed meet-and-greets, and a science show.
What Sesame Place confirmed for this week
Sesame Place Philadelphia lists Back to School Bash for August 24 to August 30. The week sits inside the broader Sesame Summer Splash season and is aimed at families squeezing in fun before school routines harden.
Confirmed on the official page: a daily Back to School Bash Dine, a school-supply drive with same-day Sesame Cash, a Furry Friends Dance Party, backpack-ready character meet-and-greets, Honker’s Super Fun Science Show, and downloadable activity sheets.
Visit Bucks County repeats the same August 24 to 30 window for local planners. That match is useful corroboration, but ticket and dining inventory still live on the park site.
Unknowns remain on exact showtimes for any given day. The park points guests to the daily hours and schedule board rather than locking every performance time on the event page.
How the reserved character dine works
The Back to School Bash Dine brings Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Count von Count into a school-themed feast. Characters talk about favorite parts of going to school while families eat.
Reservations are required. The park routes booking through its Dine with Elmo and Friends path, so treat the dining add-on as a separate purchase from park admission.
If the dine is sold out for your preferred day, you can still use the free character extras. Meet-and-greets with backpacks and the dance party do not need the dining reservation.
School-supply drive and Sesame Cash rules
From August 24 to 30, guests who bring donations receive $10 Sesame Cash for use the same day. Qualifying options are a new 17-inch backpack, or three items from this list: disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, or tissues.
The park caps the thank-you at $20 Sesame Cash per household. Cash is valid only on the day it is issued and only for the listed items and quantities.
Donations go to United Way of Bucks County for local families and school districts. Keep the perk in perspective: it is a same-day spending credit, not a ticket discount.
What else is running during the bash
The Furry Friends Dance Party keeps the school theme with singing, counting, and rhymes. Honker’s Super Fun Science Show pairs Professor Kiks and Honker for audience-participation experiments meant as a classroom warm-up.
Back-to-school meet-and-greets put characters in backpack mode for photos. Activity sheets are available as free downloads for kids who want quiet time between rides.
Water attractions remain part of the summer package while temperatures cooperate. The park warns that select water rides may stay closed below about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack both swim gear and dry clothes for late August swings.
Deep Arrival’s earlier Sesame Place birthday coverage at the July birthday week post is useful chronology only. This bash is a separate dated stream with different dining and donation rules.
Planning a day this week
Buy dated tickets first, then attempt the dine reservation if character dining is the main reason for the trip. Arrive ready for bag check if you are carrying donation items for Sesame Cash.
Park hours this week still need a same-morning check on the hours calendar because parade and show times can shift. Labor Day weekend programming starts September 5, so this bash is the bridge week before that separate celebration.
For ride lists, height notes, and a park map before you buy, use Deep Arrival’s Sesame Place Philadelphia planning guide. Keep the city overnight separate if you are also touring Center City after the park day.
Who this week is really for
Back to School Bash is built for families with preschool and elementary kids who still have a flexible late-August calendar. The school-themed dine and backpack meet-and-greets are the clearest reasons to choose this week over a generic summer day.
Teen-only groups will find less value unless they specifically want the science show or the donation perk. The park remains a young-child destination first.
Local Bucks County readers can treat the supply drive as a same-day errand plus park visit. Out-of-town guests should still prioritize parking, bag check, and the dine reservation before counting on Sesame Cash as a budget fix.
If rain or cool air shows up midweek, lean on indoor shows and character greetings first. Water play is a bonus this week, not the only product.
Tickets, hours, and the Labor Day handoff
Back to School Bash does not replace regular park admission. Guests still need a valid dated ticket or season pass, then add the dine only if they want the reserved meal.
Check the park hours calendar the morning you go. Late August schedules can shift for weather, staffing, and parade timing, and the event page intentionally points to that live board for show times.
Labor Day Celebration begins September 5 with fireworks listed for September 6. That is a different dated stream.
Do not assume Back to School Bash perks roll into Labor Day weekend.
If you are choosing between this week and next weekend, pick Back to School Bash for the school-themed dine and supply drive. Pick Labor Day if fireworks are the main draw.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Want the school-themed character meal | Reserve the Back to School Bash Dine before you buy only a general ticket. |
| Can bring school supplies | Pack a new 17-inch backpack or three qualifying hygiene items for same-day Sesame Cash. |
| Skip dining but want characters | Use the free dance party and backpack meet-and-greets on the daily schedule. |
| Visit only for water play | Check temperature; some water rides may pause below about 70 F. |
| Need Labor Day fireworks instead | Wait for the separate September 5 to 7 Labor Day celebration. |
- This week only: The bash ends August 30, so late bookings should lock a day now.
- Dining first: Character-dine inventory can vanish faster than park tickets.
- Donation timing: Sesame Cash works only on the day you donate at the park.
- Weather pack: Bring layers and swimsuits because late August can swing quickly.
Treat August 24 to 30 as a fixed window, not a soft promo. If the dine reservation is the trip maker, book that first and only then fill the rest of the day with water play and free character extras.
When is Sesame Place Back to School Bash 2026?
August 24 through August 30, 2026, at Sesame Place Philadelphia in Bucks County.
Do I need a reservation for Back to School Bash?
Park admission covers most extras, but the Back to School Bash Dine requires a separate reservation.
How does the school-supply Sesame Cash perk work?
Bring a new 17-inch backpack or three listed hygiene items to earn $10 Sesame Cash the same day, up to $20 per household.
Are water attractions open during the bash?
Yes as part of summer operations, but some water rides may close when temperatures fall below about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
