If you’re looking for things to do in Philly that will enrich and educate, you’re in luck because culture and civic action are in focus this week.
The Free Library is hosting four big Author Series events through Monday, from sci-fi to the history of American whiskey and everything in between. Hyatt Center City launched an art exhibit celebrating Women’s History Month, and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania celebrates Black history with a gallery talk.
Politicians are out and about seeking your support: DA Larry Krasner and Judge Pat Dugan are attending a candidate forum at String Theory School.
The Israeli Film Festival kicks off this week, as do the public art-focused Streets Department Excursions and a new solo exhibit at Studio 105.
Don’t forget that Monday, March 24 is National Cheesesteak Day. Your mission is to find the best cheesesteak in the city. Good luck!
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY
Women’s History Month art celebration, Free Library Author Series, Black History gallery talk, DA candidates’ forum
COME TO AN ART CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH. The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia celebrates Women’s History Month with an art exhibition curated by InLiquid. The Edge of Abstraction features celebrated artists Diane Pieri and Erin Elman and will be on display through mid-May, with a “Meet the Makers” opening reception on March 27, from 6 to 8pm. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street
SIT DOWN WITH A FOOD AND TRAVEL AUTHOR. The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Laurie Woolever | Care and Feeding: A Memoir on March 18 from 7 to 8pm at the Parkway Central Library. She will be in conversation with Palestinian writer and author Reem Kassis. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
LEARN MORE ABOUT PHILLY’S BLACK HISTORY. On March 19 at 6pm, join 1838 Black Metropolis for a Gallery talk with the curators of Free, As One: Black Worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers, for an in-depth look at some of the compelling stories from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania archives. Registration is free. 1300 Locust Street
LEARN THE JACK DANIELS STORY. On March 19 from 7 to 8pm, The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Fawn Weaver | Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest at the Parkway Central Library. Weaver discusses the hidden history of America’s ost famous whiskey with Michelle Miller. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL. On March 20 at 6:30pm, the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the NAACP, and the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition host the Philadelphia District Attorney Candidates Forum at String Theory School with Democratic primary candidates DA Larry Krasner and former Judge Pat Dugan. RSVP is required. Free. 1600 Vine Street
EXPLORE THE LIFE OF ALBERT BARNES WITH HIS BIOGRAPHER. Blake Gopnik, author of a new biography of Albert Barnes, will speak at the Parkway Central Library on March 20 from 7 to 8pm as part of the Free Library Foundation’s author series at The Maverick’s Museum: Albert Barnes and His American Dream. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Streets Department public art tour, historic Palestinian film screening, new art exhibit, a hop hop dance workshop, Israeli Film Festival, and National Cheesesteak Day
TAKE A GUIDED ART TOUR WITH THE STREETS DEPARTMENT. The Streets Department begins its guided tours of Philly’s art and public space on March 22 from 11am to 12:30pm with Streets Dept Excursion: Center City West Public Art. $18. 19th and Callowhill streets
SEE A GROUNDBREAKING FILM FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Come to Making Worlds Books on March 22 at 4pm for a screening of Fertile Memory (1981), a film following the lives of two Palestinian women filmed within the disputed Palestinian West Bank “Green Line.” Proceeds wil benefit The Sameer Project, which supplies emergency shelter and aid, and Gaza Champions, which provides direct funds to Palestinians seeking to rebuild their lives in Gaza. $10. 210 S. 45th Street
ATTEND THE OPENING OF A NEW ART EXHIBIT. Studio 105 at Ray Philly celebrates the opening of While You Were Sleeping, a solo exhibition by Philadelphia-based oil painter Elizabeth Bergeland, with a reception on March 22 from 7 to 9pm. The exhibit is on display through May 10. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1525 N. American Street
LEARN TO DANCE. Painted Bride hosts a community dance workshop Memory Dance Floor – Steps and Stories March 22 from 2:30 to 5pm at the West Philadelphia YMCA where attendees learn Bop, Chacha, Line Dancing, Umfundalai, and other Hip Hop dance from Philadelphia’s top contemporary dance instructors. All classes also include the sharing of stories on how and where dance created community and joy throughout the 52nd Street corridor and the West Philadelphia Black community at large. Free, donations accepted. 5120 Chestnut Street
SEE THE FINEST IN ISRAELI CINEMA. The 29th season of the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia opens March 22 through March 30. The opening night gala reception is happening March 22 at 8pm at The Weitzman with the film Bliss and featuring guest speaker Shemi Zarhin, Director. $15-38. Showtimes and locations vary.
MEET THE AUTHOR OF A MOVING SCI-FI NOVEL. The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Samantha Harvey | Orbital, in conversation with Katy Waldman on March 24 from 7 to 8:30pm at the Parkway Central Library. The book chronicles the lives of six astronauts on one of Earth’s last space station missions. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
CELEBRATE NATIONAL CHEESESTEAK DAY. While the holiday’s origins, just like the debate over who invented the cheesesteak and who makes the best, is controversial, March 24 is recognized as National Cheesesteak Day. The Philadelphia Citizen is nonpartisan and upholds the principles of journalistic integrity and we make no editorial comment on where the best cheesesteak in Philly can be eaten. Go to your favorite place. Prices and quality vary. Literally everywhere.
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street
TAKE A TROLLEY TOUR OF PHILLY’S GRITTIEST PAST. Through March 29, Founding Footsteps presents the Philly Mob Tour Trolley at 6 and 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 2 and 4pm on Saturdays (except St. Patrick’s Day). Great for true crime and history buffs 21 and older (BYOB). $55+. 901 N. Delaware Avenue
HOP ON THE TROLLEY WITH HARRIETT’S! Running Saturdays through March 29, Harriett’s Bookshop’s annual A Deeply Rooted Trolley Tour takes guests on a curated, immersive tour of Philadelphia’s food, art, music and culture scene. $50. 258 E. Girard Avenue
CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH WITH A ROOFTOP PARTY. Every Wednesday through March from 5 to 7pm, Stratus Rooftop Lounge celebrates Women’s History Month with Women’s Way Wednesdays featuring good eats, tunes supplied by notable female DJs and pay-as-you-go craft cocktails, local beer and wine. Profits from Women’s Way Wednesdays will benefit both Women’s Way and Sisterly Love Collective. $35. 433 Chestnut Street
JOIN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PHILADELPHIA’S RICH ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE. Back in November, the Cultural Alliance organized Cultural Dynamics: Co-Creating a Vision for Philadelphia, and now continues their efforts with their Community Conversations series in partnership with PA Humanities and Creative Philadelphia, bringing together a diverse group of cultural leaders, creators, community members, business and government leaders, and local stakeholders to co-create a vision for the city’s cultural future. Meetings will be held March 20 and 31 at various locations and times. Free. Various locations
VISIT LONGWOOD GARDENS. Through March 23, Longwood Gardens presents its Winter Wonder exhibit, showcasing the beauty of its new West Conservatory with lush, colorful gardens and soothing water effects. Timed admission tickets are required starting at 10am, evening times vary. $2-$25. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
SEE THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE. This March, Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia launches its second annual Black History Month Showcase through mid-March, featuring a mix of artwork by local Black artists. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street
SEE A GRIPPING DRAMA DIRECTED BY A PULITZER PRIZE WINNER. The Arden Theater presents August Wilson’s King Hedley II directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner James Ijames, tells the story of an ex-convict’s struggle to rebuild his life in 1985 Pittsburgh. Open through March 30, showings at 2 and 7pm. $32-$62. 40 N. 2nd Street
SEE NEW EXHIBITS AT THE CLAY STUDIO. Through March 30, The Clay Studio premieres three new exhibitions highlighting the work of its Resident Artists, hosting Doesn’t It Feel Warmer Just Knowing the Sun Will Be Out by Danish-American ceramicist Josephine Mette Larson, Dreams by ceramic artist Liisa Nelson, and Palimpsest by South Korean ceramic sculptor Jinsik Yoo. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Second Thursday hours of each month are 5 to 8pm. Free. 1425 N. American Street
SEE A STUDENT ART EXHIBITION. Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery presents Storyburst, an exhibition by After School Arab Arts students from John Moffet and Samuel Powell schools, on view to April 11. The students created mixed-media projects drawing inspiration from Arabic folktales and artists like Iasmin Omar Atta and Diana Al-Hadid. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 5pm. Free, registration required. 310 Master Street
WEST PHILLY RESIDENT? GET THOSE TAXES HANDLED! The Campaign for Working Families (CWP) and ACHIEVEability are partnering to offer free tax preparation and services to West Philadelphia residents. Appointments are available now through April 15 from 10am to 3pm through the CWP website. Free. 5901 Market Street, Suite 410
SEE SHAKESPEARE LIKE NEVER BEFORE. Running through April 27, Quintessence Theater Group presents the Reckless Love Repertory with 12 actors performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra. Evening and afternoon shows available. $25-$40. 7137 Germantown Avenue
ATTEND THE OPENING OF AN IMPORTANT BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT. Free, As One: Black Worldmaking in the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Papers highlights Black self-determination and leadership from the 1770s onward in the abolition movement of the Mid-Atlantic region, on view through May 23. Library and exhibit hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm and Wednesday from 1 to 7pm. Free. 1300 Locust Street
TAKE AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR AND TASTING. Every Tuesday and Thursday from through May, Carpenters’ Hall will stay open late for A Toast to History — Behind the Scenes at Carpenters’ Hall, a small group Scotch tasting tour that features access to its normally-closed second floor and 19th-century library. Tours begin at 4pm. $45. 320 Chestnut Street
ATTEND A GALLERY TALK ON THE LATEST IN FINE WOODWORKING. The Museum for Art in Wood presents Katie Hudnall: The Longest Distance Between Two Points, featuring a series of sculptural works and a large-scale interactive installation created from salvaged wood that captures the artist’s eye for “the absurdly mechanical and uncanny.” The exhibition runs from March 7 through July 20. Museum hours are daily from noon to 5pm. Free, registration required. 141 N. 3rd Street
SEE THE HUMAN BODY LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Through September 1, The Franklin Institute welcomes BODY WORLDS: Vital, an extraordinary collection of real human specimens preserved through Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ revolutionary plastination process. This is the third such exhibit for The Institute since 2005. Museum is open daily 9:30am to 5pm, with special evening hours exclusive to the exhibit Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8pm. $20-$65. 222 N. 20th Street
CONTINUE THE YEAR OF FREE SPEECH WITH A NEW EXHIBIT. On display at the National Liberty Museum through September 8, Word Powered: Exploring Free Speech Through Art is a juried exhibition of sculptures, paintings, video installations and more exploring censorship, freedom of expression and diverse perspectives. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $0-$12. 321 Chestnut Street
SEE THE NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MÜTTER. Through February 2, 2026, The Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia present Trusted Messengers: Community, Confidence, and COVID-19, a special exhibition that marks five years since the onset of the pandemic and considers how to build trust in public health. Initially developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Museum in Atlanta, the Philadelphia version features materials used in the development of the mRNA vaccine at Penn and spotlights local healthcare workers and organizations. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $15-20. 19 S. 22nd Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
Philadelphia Muses, courtesy Mural Arts Philadelphia