Happy Labor Day Philly! The unofficial end of summer comes with salutes to the workers, barbeques, and lots of things to do.
There are a bunch of great festivals to check out if you’re into the arts, music, and dancing. The 20/20 Photo Festival opens with events citywide, Breakaway Music Festival takes over Chester, Grasstains Psychedelic Stoop Fest is drawing the hippie DIY lovers to Lemon Hill, Root 2 Fruit brings creative wellness to Cira Green, and the international phenomenon Fringe Festival returns to Philadelphia venues for the next three weeks.
If you want to party for a good cause, the annual Bourbon Bash is raising funds for Donor’s Choose. Governor Shapiro and Utah’s Spencer Cox will be at the Kimmel Center to talk about civility and free speech, and the Free Library Foundation Author Series kicks off for the season.
Social Distortion is in town, and Opera Philadelphia premieres a piece written by a 14-year-old Mozart.
If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the weather, this weekend marks the return of the Scenic Schuylkill Century ride, Parks on Tap comes to Borski Park, and The Big Paddle hits the Delaware River.
For something a little different, the Philadelphia Zoo is hosting a car show. And then you have to save room for Manayunk Restaurant Week!
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
The 20/20 Photo Festival, Bourbon Bash, Parks on Tap, Fringe Festival, Social Distortion, The First at 250, Free Library Foundation Author Series, Mitridate, re di Ponto
DRINK BEER IN EAST ON THE WATERFRONT. Parks on Tap comes to Borski Park September 7 through September 13 from 4 to 10pm (noon to 10pm Saturday and Sunday).The roving beer (and cocktail and food) garden provides a great excuse to bring your friends and your kids to happy hour in a natural green space. A portion of all proceeds benefits each park. Free admission. 3150 Orthodox Street
EXPERIENCE THE INTERNATIONAL FRINGE MOVEMENT. The annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival returns September 8 through 27. The FringeArts fest features over 1,000 performances by national, international and Philadelphia-based artists of all disciplines in spaces across the city. More than 40,000 attendees are expected. Visit the festival calendar here. Tickets, venues, and genre of performances vary greatly. $5-$50. Locations citywide
DON’T LET SELF DESTRUCTION GET YOU AGAIN! Social Distortion and special guests Descendents and The Chats are live at The Met September 8 at 7pm. $50-$203+. 858 N. Broad Street
LET’S TALK ABOUT FREE SPEECH AND CIVILITY. Join Governors Josh Shapiro and Spencer Cox (Utah) at the Kimmel Center September 9 at 5:30pm for The First at 250, a conversation on the First Amendment, free expression and how to foster civil dialogue, moderated by Lulu Garcia-Navarro of the New York Times. Presented by the Knight Foundation in partnership with Disagree Better and the National Constitution Center. Free, reservations required. 300 S. Broad Street
COME TO AN ORWELLIAN AUTHOR SERIES EVENT. The Free Library Foundation Author Events Series kicks off September 9 from 7 to 8pm with Jill Lepore | The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State. In Conversation with Tamala Edwards, Lepore lays out our increasing dependence on and strangulation by data. Advance sales for the Montgomery Auditorium are sold out, but you can register for the rush line if interested in purchasing tickets at the door on a first come, first served basis. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of the Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street
HEAR AN OPERA MOZART WROTE WHEN HE WAS 14. Opera Philadelphia presents the Philadelphia premiere of Mitridate, re di Ponto with performances September 9 and 10 at 7pm and September 13 at 2pm at the Academy of Music. Tickets are going fast! $11-$250. 240 S. Broad Street
DRINK BOURBON FOR GOOD! The 10th Annual Bourbon Bash hosted by Bank & Bourbon at Loews Philadelphia Hotel happens September 10 at 6pm. Enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, carving stations, premium wine, beer and spirits, and raffle prizes with all proceeds benefiting Donor’s Choose, which helps purchase school supplies for local classrooms. $90. 1200 Market Street
CELEBRATE THE PHILADELPHIA PHOTO COMMUNITY. The 20/20 Photo Festival returns September 10 through September 19. The festival itinerary includes city-wide exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, photo walks, a book fair, and more. The 20/20 Photo Festival is a volunteer-run. All events are free, but registration is required. Free. Various locations
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Breakaway Music Festival, The Big Paddle, Root 2 Fruit, Grasstains Psychedelic Stoop Fest, Scenic Schuylkill Century ride, Philadelphia Zoo Car Show, Manayunk Restaurant Week
GO TO CHESTER FOR AN EPIC EDM FEST. Breakaway Music Festival comes to the Festival Grounds at Subaru Park September 11 and 12 from 4pm to midnight with a lineup that includes 2LOT, Avello, Tiësto, Marshmello, and dozens more. Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, be safe, have fun. Oh, and take SEPTA instead of driving. The Wilmington/Newark Line gets you there. $59 – $1200+. 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester
JOIN THE TWO CITIES, ONE RIVER CHALLENGE. The 2nd Annual Big Paddle highlights the importance of equitable access to clean, healthy waterways in both Philadelphia and Camden while inviting everyone to get on the water and explore September 12 from 9:30am to 3pm The paddlin’ starts at Pyne Point Park and ends at Pleasant Hill Park. $0-$75. 1037 N. 6th Street, Camden, New Jersey
GET WELL AND ARTISTIC. The one-day creative wellness festival Root 2 Fruit returns September 12 from noon to 6pm at Cira Green with meditation, yoga, art, dance, and live performances for all ages. Pay what you wish. 129 S. 30th Street
ATTEND A DIY CREATIVE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. Grasstains Psychedelic Stoop Fest comes to Lemon Hill Park September 12 from noon to 7pm. Enjoy a day of live bands, over 80 art vendors, food trucks, and interactive workshops. Pay as you go. 1 Lemon Hill Drive
GET ON YOUR BIKES AND RIDE! The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia’s annual Scenic Schuylkill Century takes off September 13 with start times at 7 and 9am, rain or shine. This one-day recreational bike ride offers routes from 21 to 101 miles through Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Chester counties. $44-$60. Start and finish at AIM Academy, 1200 River Road, Conshohocken
COME TO THE ZOO FOR A CAR SHOW. The first-ever Philadelphia Zoo Car Show Presented by Pep Boys happens September 13 from 9:30am to 5pm. Classic and high-end cars will be on display through the zoo plus over 100 show vehicles in the Giraffe Parking Lot and family-friendly activities. The show is included in regular zoo admission. $24-$37. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
STUFF YOUR FACE IN MANAYUNK. Manayunk Restaurant Week is happening September 14 through September 20. Enjoy three-course prix-fixe meals priced from $15 to $45 per person from more than 20 neighborhood restaurants. $15-$45. Various locations
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
NEED AN ALTERNATIVE TO SIPS? Fishtown TAPS takes place every Tuesday from 5 to 7pm through September 29, offering a select list of $5 beers, $6 wines, and $7 cocktails, along with appetizer specials to neighborhood favorites across Fishtown. Pay as you go. Various locations throughout Fishtown
DONATE TO HELP THE JUSTICE IMPACTED. Now through October 1, CEO Philly is calling for donations for its upcoming holiday event to support the justice impacted. They’re looking for new packaged hygiene items, socks, pants, and t-shirts, and gloves, blankets and scarves for both men and women. Contact Regnarian Jenkins, Senior Community Intervention Specialist, at his email Rjenkins@ceoworks.org or call his direct line 445-238-3379 for more information on what and how to donate. 245 North Broad Street
SEE A MOVIE IN THE PARK. More than 20 Philly parks will host Park Friends Movie Nights this summer and fall through October 16. Bring a blanket, snacks, and arrive before dusk. Check with your local Park Friends Group for updates and schedule changes. Free. Various locations
SEE ART THAT REMINDS US WE ARE STILL CONFINED TO A SINGLE PLANET. No Other Place to Go puts the psychological weight of climate change on display through the lenses of five artists. On view at InLiquid Gallery through October 17; gallery hours are noon to 6pm Wednesday through Saturday. Free. 1400 N American Street
VIEW SELECTIONS OF JESSIE KRIMES’S WORK. Mural Arts Philadelphia and The Fabric Workshop and Museum present Jesse Krimes: Elegy Quilts, on view through November 1. Museum hours are noon to 6pm Wednesday through Friday and noon to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free, donations suggested. 1214 Arch Street
FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour returns for the 2026 season through the fall tours at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are treated to fun, mind-bending magic relevant to the historic and off-beat Old City locations on the tour. Philly Magic tours also partners with local charities on passes and group outings for fundraisers and free tours for deserving school classes. $32.40. Tours meet behind the Bourse near 4th and Ranstead streets
EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street
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 FOOD JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHWEST PHILLY. Stuff your face with Jamaican, West African, and Southern African American cuisines while walking it off on Woodland Avenue during your Africatown Food Tour, scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 10:30am and 1:30pm. $56. 5741 Woodland Avenue
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
Root 2 Fruit Festival