We hope everyone came through that weekend weather without any damage or other ill effects. For the upcoming week and weekend, there will be plenty of things to do to make up for whatever we missed.

In our theaters we are getting a visit from Brian Henson’s Puppet Up tour, the premiere of Witch at Quintessence Theater, the Philadelphia Film Society’s REEL OCTOBER, and a very special screening of the Talking Heads award-winning concert film Stop Making Sense hosted by Jerry Harrison. 

If you want to hit our parks and squares this week we have Parks on Tap in South Philly, Spooky Mini Golf in Franklin Square, Cityside Pumpkin Patch at Liberty Point, and PAWS Mutt Strut at the Navy Yard.

Neighborhood festivals this week include Tioga Unity Day, Chestnut Hill Night of Lights, Roxtoberfest, ,St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival, and Out & About in Manayunk.

If it’s niche cultural events you want check out the annual DesignPhiladelphia Festival and Collective Futures.

Kicking off fall holiday festivities we have Harvest with the Hippos at Adventure Aquarium,  Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary,  and Boo at the Zoo.

Finally, if you’re interested in raising money for Action Wellness, Black-Tie GayBINGO! returns this week.

• • • • Things to do this week
      • Things to do this weekend
      • Ongoing things to do

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

Brian Henson’s Puppet Up, Witch, REEL OCTOBER, Parks on Tap, Spooky Mini Golf, Stop Making Sense, DesignPhiladelphia Festival, Cityside Pumpkin Patch

CALLING ALL GROWN UP MUPPET LOVERS. I know, I know, phrasing. You don’t want to miss Brian Henson’s Puppet Up at the Miller Theater September 29 at 7pm featuring world-class puppeteers and comedians from The Jim Henson Company in an improvisational stage show. $64.96-$98.64. 250 S. Broad Street

CONSIDER HOW MUCH YOUR SOUL IS WORTH. Jen Silverman’s Witch comes to Quintessence Theater for evening and matinee performances September 30 to October 25. Everything in little Edmonton village changes when a charming devil comes to town. $30-$65. 7137 Germantown Avenue

MARK TWO PHILLY CINEMA MILESTONES. Celebrate both the 35th anniversary of the Philadelphia Film Festival and the 25th anniversary of the Philadelphia Film Society September 30 through October 11 with REEL OCTOBER, two weeks of curated 35mm screenings. $12-$20. 1412 Chestnut Street

DRINK BEER IN A SOUTH PHILLY. Parks on Tap comes to Stephen Girard Park September 30 through October 4 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. 6415 Musgrave Street

DON’T SETTLE FOR REGULAR OLD MINI GOLF. PLAY SPOOKY MINI GOLF! Franklin Square’s putt-putt course transforms for the season into Spooky Mini Golf October 1 through November 1 from 10am to 10pm with strobes, animated props, and fog for variable day time and nighttime levels of spookiness, a month-long costume contest, and The Boo-zy Bar. $12-$15. 200 N. 6th Street  

ATTEND AN AUTHOR SERIES EVENT ON MOVING THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES. The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Elizabeth Alexander | Signals Across Vast Distances: Essays and Tales, in conversation with Farah Jasmine Griffin October 1 from 7 to 8pm  at the Parkway Central Library. In this deeply personal book, Dr. Alexander meditates on how words and values can sustain and inspire us. $5. 1901 Vine Street

SEE AN ACTUAL TALKING HEAD HOST THE TALKING HEADS. On October 1 at 8pm, commemorate the 40th anniversary of the award-winning concert documentary Stop Making Sense with a screening at The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville hosted by Jerry Harrison. $42-$63. 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville

ATTEND THE OLDEST DESIGN FESTIVAL IN THE NATION. The annual The DesignPhiladelphia Festival takes place October 1 through October 11 at event spaces, galleries, studios, and community centers citywide offering over 100 exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, tours, talks, and more on everything from landscaping to fashion and graphics to furniture design. Some events are ticketed and/or require pre-registration. Free-$200.  Various locations

CATCH THE GREAT PUMPKIN! Cityside Pumpkin Patch returns to Liberty Point October 1 through November 1 from noon to 10pm Thursday through Sunday and 5 to 10pm Wednesdays. Bring the family to pick out the perfect locally-sourced pumpkin amidst spooky decor, scarecrow archery, carnival games, Halloween treats, and a SMASHING ZONE! $13.90-$22.50.  211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Collective Futures, Harvest with the Hippos, Chestnut Hill Night of Lights, Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, PAWS Mutt Strut, Tioga Unity Day, Boo at the Zoo, Black-Tie GayBINGO!, Out & About in Manayunk, Roxtoberfest, St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival,

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GRASSROOTS ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION. From October 2 through November 15, Philadelphia’s network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-based initiatives hosts Collective Futures, a collaboratively organized project bringing together more than 40 independent spaces and organizations across the city through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public programs citywide. The launch party takes place October 1 at 6:30pm at StarBolt. Many events are free; locations citywide. 

GET IN SOME VALUABLE HIPPO TIME. Adventure Aquarium hosts Harvest with the Hippos, a 21+ night of unique aquatic pumpkin sculptures and drinks alongside Genny and Button on October 2 from 5 to 9pm. $44.99 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 

TOUR CHESTNUT HILL UNDER THE LIGHTS. From October 2 to October 5, spend the evenings shopping, eating, and visiting galleries on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill during the Night of Lights. Colorful lighting highlights the historic architecture and Archival images and stories are projected through storefront windows. Opening night festivities include the “Flip the Switch” ceremony, live music, interactive activities, and more, kicking everything off October 2 from 6:30 to 9pm at 8708 Germantown Avenue. Free. Germantown Avenue from Willow Grove Avenue to W. Chestnut Hill Avenue

GO TO SCARY JAIL. Philly’s landmark prison transforms annually into “a Halloween festival of epic proportions” complete with Al Capone’s Speakeasy, eerie flashlight hospital tour, and frightening performances. Check out Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, open October 2 through November 7. $49-$149. Parking and shuttle: $22 ($30 on site so buy online!) 2027 Fairmount Avenue 

GET THOSE PAWS MOVING. The 20th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut to raise money for Philadelphia’s homeless pets is happening October 3 from 11am to 2pm (rain date October 4) at The Navy Yard. A scenic walk, dog and human activities, beer garden by Dock Street Brewery, food trucks, live music, contests, prizes, and much more await you and your furry friends. Register as an individual, join a team, or start a team. $25-$350+. 4747 S. Broad Street

JOIN TIOGA UNITED FOR THEIR 30TH BIRTHDAY. This year, Tioga Unity Day celebrates Tioga United’s 30th anniversary with a block party, live music, a parade, and community service awards October 3 from 1 to 6pm. Free. 2000 W. Tioga Street

GET SCARED AT THE ZOO. Boo at the Zoo returns for the season with trick-or-treating, spooky train rides, costume parades, and more scary stuff starting October 3 through November 1 for select dates, 9:30am to 5pm. $24-$37. 3400 W. Girard Avenue 

PLAY BINGO FORMAL, FESTIVE, OR FABULOUS! Action Wellness marks its 40th year combating HIV in Greater Philadelphia with Black-Tie GayBINGO! on October 3 at 6:30pm at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel Regency Ballroom. $200-$3,500. 1200 Market Street

BE OUT AND ABOUT IN MANAYUNK. LITERALLY. In honor of National Coming Out Day in October, Out & About in MNYK will host LGBTQ+ artists, performers, organizations, and entertainment throughout the neighborhood October 3 from 11am to 4pm. Plus, you have two opportunities to catch the Rocky Horror Picture Show with Transylvanian Nipple Productions as the Shadow Cast at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center in the evening. Pay as you go. Rocky Horror starts at $23.18. Locations vary including Gay Street, Main Street, Lyceum Avenue, Canalside Manayunk, and more.

RAISE A PINT AT ROXTOBERFEST. The 14th Annual Roxtoberfest Fall Street Festival and Car Show features food trucks, craft brews, live music, German-themed entertainment, a car show, and kids’ activities. October 4, noon to 6pm. Free. Ridge Avenue between Lyceum & Leverington avenues 

CELEBRATE ALL THINGS ITALIAN IN SOUTH PHILLY. The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival returns October 4 starting at noon to the 1700 block of South 9th Street with Italian food, singers and performers, and fun in the spirit of the Italian immigrants who made the neighborhood what it is. Pay as you go. 1700 S. 9th Street

ONGOING EVENTS

Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.

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 WORLD PREMIERE PLAY. The Wilma Theater and New York-based theater Soho Rep present the world premiere of Horsegirl & Cowdaddy, open through October 4. Playwright and screenwriter DJ Hills tells the story of a 30-something trans woman navigating love and self-determination in rural Pennsylvania. $42-$89. 265 S. 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

STROLL THE STREETS OF CENTER CITY. Open Streets: West Walnut returns for the fall on Sundays through October 25 from 10am to 5pm. In addition to shopping and eating, Center City District provides free entertainment with buskers, strolling performers, dance groups, a family-friendly zone, games and activities for kids, and more. Pay as you go. Walnut Street between Broad and 19th streets and S. 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut streets

SEE A BOB DYLAN MUSICAL. An American story of resilience in uncertain times adapts songs by Bob Dylan in Girl from the North Country, open at the Arden theater through October 25. $42-$72. 40 N. 2nd Street

THINK SAW WAS HILARIOUS? THIS MUSICAL IS FOR YOU! Now through October, SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw is live at the Walnut Street Theater through October 25 for afternoon and evening performances. $35-$177. 825 Walnut 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