Happy Saint Patrick’s Day (week), Philadelphia! Of course, that’s not the only thing to do this week; the city has plenty in store for the last gasps of winter and the first hints of spring.
If you love history and music, there’s a lecture on Philly’s colonial music history; if you love history and medicine, there’s a new exhibit at the Mütter on Covid and public health, and if you love history and crime, you can hop on the Philly Mob Tour Trolley.
It’s a big week for dance enthusiasts with the premiere of Tango After Dark at the Miller Theater and American Street Dancer at the Zellerbach. Never learned to dance? Good news: Painted Bride is hosting a community dance workshop in West Philly.
If a party this weekend is more your speed, Northern Liberties bars and restaurants are holding their second annual Espresso Martini Crawl, Franky Bradley’s is hosting Dr. Who Burlesque, and Fishtown celebrates beer and pork with Stouts and Snouts.
The parade, of course, is Sunday. Happy St. Paddy’s!
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
Mob Trolley Tour, Argentinian Tango, student art exhibit, musical history lecture.
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
SEE A WORLD-CLASS TANGO PREMIERE IN PHILLY. On March 12 at 7pm, a cast of world-class dancers led by international tango superstars and World Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi perform authentic Argentinian Tango in Tango After Dark at the Miller Theater. $39-$59. 250 S. Broad Street
COME TO THE OPENING RECEPTION OF 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 March 13 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. The opening reception will be held March 13 from 5 to 9pm. Free, registration required. 310 Master Street
GET A HISTORICAL LESSON ON PHILLY’S MUSIC PAST. On March 13 from 7 to 8pm, Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation presents A New Art With Us: Music in Colonial Philadelphia, a lecture by Philadelphia archivist and historian Jack McCarthy on Philadelphia’s colonial-era music scene and two important musical events at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church soon after its completion in 1700. This lecture will take place inside the church sanctuary, followed by a reception in nearby Riverside Hall. $10. 916 S. Swanson Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Hip Hop dance icon performance, espresso martini crawl, dance lessons, volunteer at Philadelphia High School for Girls, public health museum exhibit, St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
SEE THE PREMIERE OF DANCE MASTERWORK. March 14 and 15, Penn Live Arts artist-in-residence and Hip-Hop dance icon Rennie Harris Puremovement debuts a commissioned work, American Street Dancer, honoring the impact of street dance on the arts world. Performances at 2pm and 8pm at the Zellerbach Theater. $47-$69. 3680 Walnut Street
CHUG SOME ESPRESSO MARTINIS. OK, but be responsible about this. On March 15 from 11am to 4pm, the 2nd annual Northern Liberties Espresso Martini Crawl features over a dozen locations offering their finest takes on the beloved espresso martini or $12 or less. Pay as you go. Various locations
LEARN TO DANCE. Painted Bride hosts a community dance workshop Memory Dance Floor – Steps and Stories March 15 and 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
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME TO CLEAN UP A SCHOOL. Global Citizen is calling for volunteers to come to Philadelphia High School for Girls March 15 from 9am to 1pm for Girls’ High School Remix: Spring Cleaning. Dispose of old books and random furniture, clean up the home-ec rooms, clean up some of the grounds and make the space shine. Free, registration is required. 1400 W. Olney Avenue
SEE THE NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MÜTTER. Opening March 15 and running 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
DRINK BEER, EAT PORK. On March 15 from 11am until they run out of food and drink, more than 20 Fishtown businesses will be celebrating dark beer and the juiciest of meats with Stouts and Snouts. Pay as you go. Various locations
GO TO THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. Philadelphia’s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade happens March 16 at 11am. The parade leaves from 16th Street and JFK Boulevard and ends in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval. You can also watch live on CBS3 Philadelphia affiliate Philly 57 from noon to 3pm. Free
SEE A BURLESQUE TRIBUTE TO DR. WHO. On March 16 at 7pm Dark Side Burlesque presents Tease of the Time Lords: A Burlesque Tribute to Doctor Who live at Franky Bradley’s. Like British sci-fi? Enjoy beautiful people in various states of dress? This is the show for you. $15-$30. 1320 Chancellor Street
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
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
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
RUN FOR JUDGE OF ELECTIONS — OR INSPECTOR. February 18 through March 11 is the time to run one of the world’s smallest campaigns to score your two-day-a-year paid job, working the primary (May 20) and the general election (November 4) City of Philadelphia. You have three weeks to get a handful (a small handful) of signatures in order to run for these two-day-a-year paid positions. Here’s how.
EXPERIENCE TRUE GRIT PHILLY STYLE. From February 26 through March 15, Theater Exile presents the return of Philly GRIT, a new season of Philadelphia-based artists sharing provocative, unfiltered stories of resilience, humor and humanity. $30 per showing, packages available. 1340 S. 13th Street
SEE THE BALLET! (NO, NOT THE BEAR IN THE LITTLE CAR!) The Philadelphia Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake at the Academy of Music March 6 through March 16. Evening and afternoon performances available. $10-$202. 240 S. Broad Street
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 2pm 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
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. Starting March 6 and continuing 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
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY