Football is BACK, BABY! And so is fall festival season, so get your calendars out and start penciling in all the things you have to do.
There’s a music festival for everyone this week with Making Time at Fort Mifflin and XPonential in Camden. We’ve also been blessed with music legends in town: Pat Metheny at Miller Theater, Danny Elfman at The Met, Rufus Wainwright at City Winery, and Boys II Men at The Mann.
For the foodies, this might be the best week of the year: South Philly Sausage Fest, Beats & Streets Food Truck Festival in Market East, Manayunk Restaurant Week, and Harvest Jawn at South Philly Food Co-Op are all on deck.
Open Streets has returned to Center City, Park after Dark is back in Fairmount, Parks on Tap is in Spring Gardens, and We Are The Seeds returns to Cherry Street Pier.
Mural Arts and ODUNDE are celebrating the visual arts with a behind the scenes look at Vámonos Pa’l Monte and the ODUNDE Art Sho. cinéSPEAK is kicking off cinéKIDZ, and the 20/20 Photo Festival is on citywide.
If it’s good times for good causes you’re looking for, Eastern State Penitentiary hosts Voices Beyond the Walls, the Philadelphia Arena Polo Championship is raising funds for Work to Ride, International Peace Day celebrations are happening, and the historical documentary In Pursuit is screening its next installment.
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
20/20 Photo Festival, Manayunk Restaurant Week, Voices Beyond the Walls, Park after Dark, Free Library Foundation Author Series, Rufus Wainwright, Parks on Tap, Danny Elfman, In Pursuit, Vámonos Pa’l Monte, ODUNDE Art Sho, Boys II Men
CELEBRATE THE PHILADELPHIA PHOTO COMMUNITY. The 20/20 Photo Festival returns 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
STUFF YOUR FACE IN MANAYUNK. Manayunk Restaurant Week is happening 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
RECOGNIZE NATIONAL VOTER DAY WITH AN EDUCATION IN JUSTICE. Eastern State Penitentiary continues its Justice 101 series with Voices Beyond the Walls — Justice, Reentry, and Civic Power September 15 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This panel and networking event explores voting with or without a criminal record. Free. 2027 Fairmount Avenue
HIKE BY MOONLIGHT. Join astronomer/educator Buddy Muhler for Park after Dark: Moonwalk + Stargazing, a one-mile guided moonwalk and telescope observation on September 15 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Be sure to read the know before you go and come prepared! $15. Belmont Mansion Drive & Army Road
EXPLORE AN ORAL HISTORY OF WMMR. The Author Events Series presents Erin Riley | The Mighty WMMR, in Conversation with John DeBella at the Parkway Central Library September 15 from 7 to 8pm. Riley, once the station’s Music Director, recounts Philadelphia’s rock history and the station that shaped a city and a generation. Free. 1901 Vine Street
SEE THE MOST VERSATILE CANADIAN MUSICIAN OF THE CENTURY. Rufus Wainwright is live at City Winery September 15 through 17 at 7:30pm. In addition to what is arguably the most best cover ever, the singer and composer will be performing work from his dozen or so albums from the last two decades. 990 Filbert Street
DRINK BEER IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN. Parks on Tap comes to Spring Gardens September 16 through September 20 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. 1832 North Street
SEE DANNY ELFMAN LIVE. Film composer, singer, songwriter, Oingo Boingo, The Simpsons theme song — Danny Elfman has done it all. See him live at The Met September 16 at 8:30pm. $41.75-$217+. 858 N. Broad Street
CATCH A SCREENING OF IN PURSUIT. The Free Library Foundation presents a screening of the documentary In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America, Episode 7: Renewal on September 16 from 6 to 8pm. A conversation about the series with Tayyib Smith and David Brownlee, moderated by Inga Saffron will follow. Free. 1901 Vine Street
GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF MURAL ARTS’ NEXT BIG PROJECT. The team behind “Vámonos Pa’l Monte” join the cohort of local artists and representatives from project partners Taller Puertorriqueño and Norris Square Neighborhood Project September 17 from 5:30 to 7pm at Las Parcelas Garden for VAMOS A HACER: The Communal Co-Creation Journey, a conversation moderated by Marángeli Mejía-Rabell, project curator, director of the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, and co-founder/jefa of AFROTAINO about the collaborative process behind this public art and engagement project. Free. 2248 N. Palethorp Street
COME TO A NIGHT OF WORDS AND CONVERSATION WITH KEVIN POWELL. One of the most celebrated Hip Hop voices in America comes to the Parkway Central Library September 17 from 6 to 7pm for Kevin Powell | A Poem for Evangeline & Other Songs, sharing his 17th book and fourth poetry collection. Free. 1901 Vine Street
SEE ART IN LOVE PARK. The ODUNDE Art Sho returns September 18 from 10am to 4pm. This year’s show also pays tribute to Lois Fernandez, the Festival’s founder who was a lifelong supporter of art. Free. 15th & JFK Boulevard
DO A LITTLE EAST COAST SWING! On September 18 at 8pm, Motown Philly is back again when Boys II Men perform with the Philly Pops at TD Pavillion at the Mann. $49.90-$106.15. 5201 Parkside Avenue
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Harvest Jawn, cinéKIDZ, Making Time, XPonential Music Festival, Philadelphia Arena Polo Championship, Sausage Fest, Peace Day, Pat Metheny, Beats & Streets Food Truck Festival, We Are The Seeds, Open Streets.
CATCH A MUSIC FEST ON THE WATERFRONT. The XPonential Music Festival returns September 18 through 20 to the Camden Waterfront with two dozen artists including Dawes, Daniel Villarreal, Portugal.The Man, and more. Single day and 3-day passes available, kids passes are just $15. $111-$309. Wiggins Waterfront Park, 2 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ
MAKE TIME FOR TRANSCENDENCE. September 18 through 20, experience three magical days of futuristic musical transcendence with the Making Time Festival at Fort Mifflin. Dozens of artists start jamming at 1pm every day and end at 11pm Sunday. Expect food and drink and some intense visuals, so pace yourself. Single day passes for Friday and Sunday are still available. $125-$160. 6400 Hog Island Road
CHECK OUT EQUESTRIAN SPORTS FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The new Chamounix Equestrian Center in Fairmount Parks hosts The II Annual Philadelphia Arena Polo Championship September 19 from 11am to 5pm. Every ticket purchased benefits nonprofit Work to Ride and their mission to provide Philadelphia’s youth with life-changing opportunities through horsemanship, equine sports, and education. $36.70. 98 Chamounix Drive
COME TO SOUTH PHILLY SAUSAGE FEST! On September 19 from noon to 7pm, the 10th annual South Philly Sausage Festival brings food, local beers, live music, craft artists and flea marketers for a family friendly afternoon. Purchase discounted drink tickets to benefit Newbold CDC’s Public Space Beautification program. Pay as you go. W. Passyunk Avenue &Broad Street
PRACTICE PEACE. Peace Day Philly has been promoting peace for 15 years in events centered around the International Day of Peace each September 21. On September 19 from 1 to 5pm, head to the Shambala Center in Center City for a Harvest of Peace contemplative practice, community potluck and fellowship. On September 20 from 10 to 11:45am, head back for community discussion and a walk to the Schuylkill to meditate. Free. 2030 Sansom Street, 3rd floor
PRACTICE PEACE WITH THE CITIZEN. On September 20 from 11am to 1:30pm, The Citizen’s own Roxanne Patel Shepelavy speaks at the Philadelphia Ethical Society about ways Philadephians can create peace through civic action and doing good. Free. Registration requested. 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square
TAKE THE LAST TRAIN HOME. Legendary jazz guitarist Pat Metheny brings his new ensemble Side-Eye III+ to the Miller Theater September 19 at 8pm in support of their new album. $75.88-$105.02. 250 S. Broad Street
STUFF YOUR FACE AT EAST MARKET. Come to Jefferson Plaza for the 2nd Annual Bites, Beats & Streets Food Truck Festival September 19 from 11am to 2pm. Bring your appetite for live music, local vendors, and of course, the food truck fare, on which you can cast your vote for your favorite. Pay as you go. Chestnut and 12th Streets
CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS ARTS AND CULTURE. The 7th annual We Are the Seeds: Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival + Pow Wow happens September 19 through 20 at Cherry Street Pier. Come for the live performances, painting, a panel discussion, and an indigenous arts and goods marketplace, stay for the food, dance and storytelling. Events begin at noon and run through 6pm on Saturday and from 11am to 6pm Sunday. Free. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
KICK OFF MONTHLY MOVIE EXPERIENCES FOR KIDS. cinéSPEAK celebrates the inaugural cinéKIDZ Season Kick-Off September 19 from noon to 3:30pm outside Cobbs Creek Library. Children ages 3 to 10 and their caregivers are invited to an afternoon of film, hands-on art activities, live music, and conversations designed just for young audiences. Monthly events will follow! Free, donations accepted. 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway
STROLL THE STREETS OF CENTER CITY. Open Streets: West Walnut returns for the fall on Sundays from September 13 to 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
ENJOY A FALL FEST. South Philly Food Co-Op’s third annual Harvest Jawn takes place September 20 from noon to 4pm on Juniper Street between Snyder & Mckean, featuring food trucks, live music, a craft fair, bouncy house, and much more. Free. 2031 S. Juniper Street
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
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
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
