If you took a look outside this morning and returned to bed…no judgement here, friends. But there are plenty of things to do in the coming week, so grab that shovel and dig out ASAP!
The Bella Vista and Queen Village restaurant week is still on, and Manayunk’s is just getting underway. Save room for the dueling beer festivals (Beerfest and Bier Fest) and remember to take SEPTA or call a rideshare when you’re done.
The Philly Pride Visitor Center holds its grand opening this week, while William Way LGBT Community Center celebrates 50 years with its annual Indigo Ball fundraiser. The Wardrobe’s Open Wardrobe event this week is for LGBTQ+ folks in need of clothing and resources.
On stage this week we welcome The Blue Man Group on their world tour and Brass Against. Philly Sketch Fest is throwing a comedy double header.
The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Namwali Serpell, and the Academy of Natural Sciences hosts another Dinos After Dark.
And last but not least, this weekend marks the return of the annual PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and fundraiser.
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
Philly Sketch Fest, Dinos After Dark, Bella Village Restaurant Week, Blue Man Group, Open Wardrobe LGBTQ+, Philly Pride Visitor Center, Brass Against, Free Library Foundation Author Series, Philly Sketch Fest double-header
STUFF YOUR FACE IN BELLA VISTA AND QUEEN VILLAGE. The two neighborhoods are united for the 2nd annual Bella Village Restaurant Week, featuring $25, $40, and $60 prix fixe menus from the finest independent restaurants in the neighborhoods through March 1. Various locations
DON’T BE BLUE, SEE BLUE. The Blue Man Group is bringing their Bluevolution World Tour to the Miller Theater February 24 through March 1 for evening and afternoon performances. $47-$142. 250 S. Broad Street
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND NEED SOME THREADS? The Wardrobe is offering Free Attire forLGBTQ+ community members at its next Open Wardrobe event February 25 from 11am to 5pm. Participants receive free clothing along with additional community resources from five locations in Exton, Kennett Square, Norristown, Philly, and Upper Darby. Registration is required. Free. Various locations
BE FIRST TO SEE THE NEW PHILLY PRIDE VISITOR CENTER. On February 25 at 1pm, The Philadelphia Visitor Center and Visit Philadelphia, in partnership with Visit PA and the Philadelphia Gay News host the grand opening of the new LGBTQ+-Dedicated Philly Pride Visitor Center, with special guests Governor Josh Shapiro, PA’s Secretary of Tourism Anne Ryan, members of City Council, and more. Free. 12th & Locust streets
COME TO AN AUTHOR EVENT CELEBRATING ANOTHER GREAT AUTHOR. On February 25 at 7pm, The Free Library Foundation Author Events Series presents Namwali Serpell | On Morrison, in Conversation with Angela Flournoy. Serpell draws on her experience as both an award-winning writer and professor who teaches a course on Morrison to illuminate her life and work. $5. 1901 Vine Street
WHAT BETTER TIME THAN NOW? Brass band and heavy metal fusion power Brass Against, whose What Better Time Than Now tour featuring special guests NoShows is coming to Underground Arts February 26 at 8pm (doors open at 7). $34.41. 1200 Callowhill Street
HANG OUT WITH DINOSAURS AFTER DARK. The Academy of Natural Sciences is hosting Dinos After Dark, a pay-what-you-wish family-friendly museum event February 27 from 5 to 8pm. The Dino Drafts Beer Garden, Lula’s Empanadas and Nini B’ Sample Desserts will be on hand. Suggested donation $10. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
COME TO A COMEDY DOUBLE-HEADER. Philly Sketch Fest presents not one but two ensemble sketch comedy performances February 27 at the Plays and Players Theater Skinner Studio. Motel Party and Special Guests begins at 7:30pm, and if you buy that ticket you also get to see Theme Park: Awards Season at 9pm. You can opt for just the late show, if you want. Regardless of which show(s) you see, be sure to support Quig’s next door. $7-$17. 1714 Delancey Place
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Manayunk Restaurant Week, Indigo Ball, Beerfest, Bier Fest, Philadelphia Flower Show
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! DIG INTO THE ORIGINS OF AMERICAN GARDENING. The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and fundraiser returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center with Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, featuring the world’s best floral, garden, and landscape designers. Open daily February 28 through March 7 from 10am to 8pm; March 8 until 6pm. $20-$54 (flex, late entry, and full event passes also available). 1101 Arch Street
ATTEND BEER FEST. Philly Beer Fest comes to the 23rd Street Armory February 28 from noon to 9pm with pourings, eats, and live music. Two sessions, one day, early access tickets available! $38-$63. 22 S. 23rd Street
ATTEND BIER FEST. Trust: It’s different from the one above. The 13th annual Philly Bier Fest happens February 28 from 2 to 5:30pm at the German Society of Pennsylvania, full of German beers, food, live music, and much more. $61-$117. 611 Spring Garden Street
CELEBRATE WILLIAM WAY’S 50TH! William Way LGBT Community Center celebrates 50 years with its annual fundraising gala Indigo Ball February 28 from 5:30 to 9:30pm at Arts Ballroom. Enjoy a cocktail hour, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a 3-course seated dinner, live entertainment and dancing. All proceeds benefit William Way’s mission. $268.61. 1324 Locust Street
STUFF YOUR FACE IN MANAYUNK. Manayunk Restaurant Week is happening March 2 through March 8. 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.
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH AN ART EXHIBITION. Through February 27, Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia is showcasing Soft Light, a group art exhibition showcasing works by four Black women artists, curated by Philadelphia-based curator and visual artist Chelsey Luster. Free. 1620 Chancellor Street
SPEND WINTER IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Not the whole thing, silly. Through February 28, Winter in Franklin Square features the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO showing every 30 minutes (weather permitting), Frosty’s Fireside Lodge, seasonal drinks and eats, and more. Pay as you go. 200 N. 6th Street
DECIDE WHERE THE STORY BEGINS. InterAct Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Phaedra Michelle Scott’s PLANTATION BLACK, a story of Black and white descendants who must determine the rightful heirs of a plantation. Six actors play characters across the timeline of both the Civil War and present-day, and each night the play begins at a different point in the story chosen by raffle. Open through March 1 with performances at 2 and 7pm. $20-$40. 302 S. Hicks Street
CELEBRATE THE SEASON ON THE WATERFRONT. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest runs through March 1 with ice skating, games, rides, food and drink, The Lodge Bar, and more. Pay as you go. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard
RING IN THE YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE. Chinatown is celebrating the Chinese New Year with a festival that runs through March 7. Check out the full schedule of events while you’re eating some dumplings.
SEE A BOLD ADAPTATION OF TIMELESS SATIRE. The Kammerspiel announces the world premiere of a new adaptation of Molière’s Tartuffe, a classic satire about hypocrisy and zealotry reimagined with a contemporary bite. Opening February 20 at the Performance Garage and running Friday through Sunday through March 8 at 2 and 7pm. $17.85-$28.52. 1515 Brandywine Street
ENJOY WINTER FUN IN DILWORTH PARK. Winter in Dilworth Park returns through March 14 with activities and attractions taking advantage of the cold and cozy season, including The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin, the Wintergarden, and coming soon, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Free/pay as you go. 1 S. 15th St (West Side of City Hall)
CATCH A SUCCESSION-ESQUE SHAKESPEARE ADAPTATION. Quintessence Theatre presents Rare Accidents: The Escapades of Prince Hal & Falstaff, an abridgement of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Pt I and II. Open though March 15 with afternoon and evening performances. $25-$65. 7137 Germantown Avenue
SEE A PLAY ABOUT MORE THAN JUST GENTRIFICATION. Arden Theatre presents Good Bones, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames, a story about community, change, love, and cities. Its run is now extended through March 22 with 2pm and 7pm performances. $37-$70. 40 N. 2nd Street
ATTEND A NEW EXHIBIT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE. Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1800s is on view at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania through April 24. Free. 1300 Locust Street
SEE THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A UNIQUE EXHIBIT. The Franklin Institute’s new Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition explores theme parks through the lens of Universal’s greatest attractions like Jaws, NINTENDO WORLD, Jurassic World, and more. Opening through September 7, museum hours are 9:30am to 5pm daily with added evenings Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8pm. $23-$65. 222 N. 20th 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
PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. Photo by Becca Mathias.