You can keep going, citizens; we still have things to do! Monday is Veterans Day, so thank someone who has served and support them however you can.
As autumn winds down, you still have an opportunity to help PHS plant trees across the region, but you can also strap on those ice skates (temperatures permitting!) and start your holiday shopping at Dilworth Park. The big annual PMA Craft Show is in town, as are the Jewish Film Festival, Electric Feels and the Philly Wine Fest.
If you’re down with putting on formalwear, the Mazzoni Honors features a star-studded guest list, as does the Fashion Touchdown. Celebrate culture and support organizations making the world a better place. Plus, Wednesday is World Kindness Day, so you can do that too.
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
Spooky author reading, a talk with a real-life diplomat, Jewish Film Fest begins, Asian Film Fest winds down, yoga at a brewery.
STAY SPOOKY FOR ONE MORE NIGHT. Come to the Museum for Art in Wood on November 13 from 6:30 to 7:30pm to enjoy A Strange and Eerie Reading with spell-casting author, educator, and co-owner of A Novel Idea bookstore, Christina Rosso. They’ll be reading from Creole Conjure and She is a Beast, with a book signing to follow. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER. On this day, World Kindness Day, celebrated November 13, and every other day. It’s good for you.
INSTEAD OF NETFLIX & CHILL, NETFLIX & DISCUSS. The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is hosting Alexander Vershbow, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, for Discussing The Diplomat: Fact or Fiction? on November 13 from 5 to 7pm. Learn what an ambassador really does and separate fact from fiction in the show The Diplomat. $5-$35. 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 1660
CELEBRATE JEWISH FILM AND MEDIA AT FALL FEST! Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media presents the 44th annual Fall Film Fest November 14 through November 24 for 10 days of innovative and moving films, screening at six locations from the city to the burbs. Single showings and festival passes are available. $10-$220. Various locations
DO YOGA, GET BUZZED. Experience an all-level yoga class with teacher Meredith Megan Rebar, followed by a special tasting of Siege of Wolves and spooky-themed cocktails for sale all evening at Howl at the Moon Yoga with Siege of Wolves Rum happening November 14 from 6 to 7pm at Two Locals Brewing. $15. 3675 Market Street
ATTEND THE BIGGEST CRAFT SHOW IN PHILLY. The PMA invites 195 talented artists representing 13 art and design genres plus 24 guest artists from Italy for the 48th Annual PMA Contemporary Craft Show, happening November 15 through November 17 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. $5-$25. 1101 Arch Street
CELEBRATE THE WINTER (even though it still feels like September) AT DILWORTH PARK. It’s that time of year already! The ice skating rink, Wintergarden and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market open for the season on November 15 at Dilworth Park. Holiday shopping is Friday and Saturday from noon to 9pm and Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 8pm. The rink is open 7 days a week with special events scheduled throughout the season. Advanced tickets are recommended! Free-$19. 1 S. 15th Street
CATCH UNIQUE FILMS FROM OUR ASIAN COMMUNITY. Through November 17, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival exhibits and celebrates the works of AANHPI (Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) storytellers. Dozens of movies, documentaries and shorts will be screened at five venues across Philly. Individual tickets and all-access passes are available. $17-$175. Various locations
DON’T JUST TOUCH GRASS, PLANT TREES! Through November 17, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) hosts tree plantings throughout the Philadelphia region. Volunteers can sign up to help PHS plant over 1200 trees at dozens of locations. Free. Various locations
LAST CHANCE: LEGOS LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. Through November 17, the world’s largest display of LEGO art is on display at the Franklin Institute. The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of artworks made exclusively in plastic bricks that snap together, including original pieces and re-imagined versions of famous masterpieces, a multimedia exhibition of LEGO-infused photography by Dean Wes, and a 9,000-square-foot play space. Museum hours are 9:30am to 5pm daily, with evening hours to 8pm Thursday through Saturday. $20-$43. 222 N. 20th Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Chestnut Hill gets into the holiday spirit, Fat Lady Brewing gets into the eating contest craze, Indie dance party, Philly Wine Fest, Mazzoni Honors, Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser.
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN CHESTNUT HILL. From November 16 through December 25 Holidays on the Hill brings lights, hot chocolate, shopping, music and festivities to Chestnut Hill. Homes and businesses will be decked out, free parking specials are available, and local business offer unique gifts. Also, Santa will totally be there. Various locations around Germantown Avenue
ATTEND A MAJOR LEAGUE EATING COMPETITION. On November 16, Fat Lady Brewing hosts Mayhem in Manayunk, an all-day pizza appreciation event with music and entertainment running from noon to 4pm. At 3pm, don’t miss the 2024 Benny’s Invitational Pizza Eating Championship, where former Wing Bowl competitor Dave “U.S. Male” Goldstein is defending Philly’s pizza-eating honor against a bevy of international competitors. Pay as you go. 4323 Main Street
GET IN YOUR FEELS AT A DANCE PARTY. Brooklyn Bowl hosts Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Indie Dance Party on November 16, starting at 9pm. An experience-driven dance party featuring DJs spinning indie rock and electronic dance music with vibrant production, the event is billed as “a party with a festival feel.” 21 and up. $29. 1009 Canal Street
EXPERIENCE PHILLY’S ULTIMATE WINE-TASTING EXPERIENCE. Philly Wine Fest is happening November 16 from noon to 10pm at Live Casino & Hotel. The festival includes dozens of wines from local, regional, and national wineries, a commemorative sampling glass, and a $15 gaming credit for the casino. $39-$59. 900 Packer Avenue
BE FASHIONABLE FOR A GREAT CAUSE. Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence hosts its signature fundraising event, Fashion Touchdown on November 18, starting at 5:30pm for VIPs. Runway styles and special guest appearances, silent and live auction, curated menu of food and beverages, and more will be on hand in the Ballroom at the Ben raising money to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. $250-$500. 834 Chestnut Street
ATTEND A STAR-STUDDED EVENING WITH HONORS … AND GEORGE TAKEI! The 2nd annual Mazzoni Center Honors benefit pays tribute to actor, activist, and icon, the one and only George Takei on November 18 at 7:30pm in Marian Anderson Hall. Hosted by Soledad O’Brien, the lineup includes Celia Rose Gooding, Derrick Pitts, Martha Wash, Rob Hyman and many more. $80-$125. 300 S. Broad Street
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
GIVE YOUR INPUT ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND RELOCATIONS. The average school building in the School District of Philadelphia is 73 years old. SDP requires your input on school closings, construction, and relocation. Through November 23, the District holds meetings both in-person and virtually to get the public’s input. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Locations are listed on the registration form and include both morning and evening meetings. Free. Locations citywide
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
FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. Join Robert Malissa’s Old City Magic Show and Walking Tour every weekend through November 17 (with a few surprise pop-up bonus days!). The tour celebrates The Month of Magic with alley seances and a 200-year-old clairvoyant. For the last two weeks of October, tour-goers with the best costumes win prizes. $32.40. 4th and Ranstead streets
EXPERIENCE WHAT EVERYONE NOT LIKE YOU EXPERIENCES. Through November 23, Hook&Loop, an artist collective led by disabled, sick, neurodivergent, and MAD Philadelphians, run the residency Undue Burden, a digital and printed community archive celebrating and documenting the experiences of people with disabilities. Suggested donation $15. 5212 Market Street
DON’T MISS HAMILTON! The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Hamilton runs until November 23. Evening and afternoon performances are available. $29-$259. 240 S. Broad Street
SEE A PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT’S LATEST WORK. The Arden Theatre presents Intimate Apparel, based on the life of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s great-grandmother, an African American seamstress at the turn of the 20th century on the Lower East Side. Now through December 8 with evening and afternoon performances. $38-$68. 40 N. 2nd Street
VIEW A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION. Wherever There is Light features photography by four formerly incarcerated artists sharing their experiences in the U.S. penal system. The exhibition runs through December 21. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1400 N. American Street, Suite #103
ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO THE ADRIENNE THEATER. You must purchase tickets to see SideQuest Theater’s Fellowship! The Musical, a comedic musical parody of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings adaptation. Recommended for those 13 and older, the show runs from to December 22, with performances Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. $40. 2030 Sansom Street
EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLAY. The Clay Studio’s yearlong, 50th anniversary celebration concludes with the opening of The Future of Clay, an exhibition of multiple artists showcasing the future of ceramics art, running through December 31. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street
EXPERIENCE SOUL SHOTS PORTRAIT PROJECT. The fourth edition of this amazing original art exhibition that memorializes victims of gun violence in Philadelphia opens at Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill through December 2024 (open Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to noon). Read more about the project here. Free. 8855 Germantown Avenue
CELEBRATE FREE SPEECH. This month the National Liberty Museum kicks off a yearlong initiative, The Year of Free Speech, with the first of three exhibitions exploring freedom of speech as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of our society. Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility is open now. Thursday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. $6-$12. 321 Chestnut Street
CATCH MICKALENE THOMAS ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR. The iconic creator of large-scale tableaux of Black women in glamorous repose shows more than 50 of her stunning works at the Barnes. Mickalene Thomas: All About Love is the artist’s first international tour, a show New York wishes it had, through January 12, 2025. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
THINK ABOUT FAMILY IN A NEW WAY AT A NEW ART EXHIBITION. The Museum for Art in Wood hosts Mark Sfirri: La Famiglia through February 26, 2025. This new solo exhibition of new and never-before-seen work by the artist and woodturner “presents a way of thinking about the definition of family and its meanings through different lenses.” Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
