As we say goodbye to football for a while and settle in for the next six weeks of winter, don’t worry about finding things to do, Philly, because there’s plenty.

On our stages this week we have SOJOURNER still running, Rare Accidents at Quintessence Theatre, and Disney’s Beauty and The Beast. The Free Library Foundation Author Series continues with Dorothy Roberts. 

If you’re looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day, make new connections at the Fishtown Queer Social, spend a spicy evening at Franky Bradley’s for some  Dark Side Burlesque, or head to the Galentine’s comedy show, Awkward Sex … and the City. There’s also a circus-themed adult prom, to compliment the Ringling Brothers Circus, which is also in town this week. 

215 Day is also this week — not that Philadelphia needs an excuse to throw itself a party, but there’s a rager at Warehouse on Watts you can go to.

The Museum of the American Revolution is honoring President’s Day with a weekend of activities, The African American Museum in Philadelphia is having a Firstival, and the Franklin Institute is debuting its newest exhibit on Universal Theme Parks.

Brave the cold and count birds for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count and the Chinese New Year’s Eve parade in Chinatown.

Don’t forget to tune in to The Simpsons this week when they visit Philadelphia for the first time in 37 years.

• • • 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

SOJOURNER, Rare Accidents, Fishtown Queer Social, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Free Library Foundation Author Series, Awkward Sex … and the City

SEE THE STORY OF SOJOURNER TRUTH. February 4 through 14 at 7pm, Curio Theatre Company presents SOJOURNER, a one-woman show telling the story of the activist, abolitionist, and author starring Zuhairah McGill.  $10-$25. 4740 Baltimore Avenue

GET OUT THERE AND MEET SOMEONE. On February 10 from 6 to pm, Star|Bolt hosts the Fishtown Queer Social, an inclusive and welcoming opportunity to hang out. Free. Pay as you go food and drink. 1936 N. Front Street

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 February 11 though March 15 with afternoon and evening performances. $25-$65. 7137 Germantown Avenue

BE A GUEST … of the Academy of Music February 11 to February 22 for Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, returning to the stage after 25 years. Performances are scheduled for evenings and afternoons. $33-$219. 240 S. Broad Street

SIT IN ON A DISCUSSION OF LOVE, RACE, AND FAMILY. On February 11 from 7 to 8pm, The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Dorothy Roberts | The Mixed Marriage Project, in conversation with Marcia Chatelain. In her memoir, Roberts tells the story of her parents’ interracial marriage, her father’s never published book, and what she learned from digging deeper. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud sponsor of the Free LIbrary Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street

SPEND GALENTINE’S DAY LAUGHING. Awkward Sex … and the City returns to Punch Line Philly for a special Galentine’s Day February 13 at 7pm. From one-night stands to IBS, this show is a safe place to laugh at what makes us awkward. $27-$39. 33 E. Laurel Street 

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Chinese New Year’s Eve, Dark Side Burlesque, bird counting, Ringling Brothers Circus, The Simpsons, Universal Theme Park exhibit, President’s Day Weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution, circus-themed adult prom, Firstival at the African American Museum, 215 Day rager

FORGET TOUCHING GRASS, IT’S ALL ABOUT COUNTING BIRDS. From February 13 through February 16, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) invites humans from around the world to notice the birds around you, identify them, count them, and submit that data to scientists to better understand and protect birds. When you visit the website, there are detailed instructions, helpful videos to guide you, and links to apps you can use. Get out there, count some birds. Free. Global

GO ON, RUN AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS. Or just see it live February 13 through February 16 when Ringling Brothers Circus comes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. Performances are morning, afternoon, and evening, and feature humans doing amazing feats of acrobatics with dazzling stage effects, and no animals. $20-$146. 3601 S. Broad 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 February 14 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

SPEND PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM. The Museum of the American Revolution has planned a series of hands-on demonstrations, discovery carts, pop-up talks, crafts, and more for Presidents Day Weekend 2026 so you can discover lesser-known stories of our presidents. February 14, 15, and 16, from 10am to 5pm. $14-$25. 101 S. 3rd Street

CELEBRATE THE FIRST ORGANIZED CALL FOR FREEDOM. On February 14 from 11 am to 1pm, the African American Museum in Philadelphia hosts a Firstival to celebrate the first American abolitionist society, launched in Philadelphia in 1775. Hear storytellers recount the society’s origin story. Free, registration is required. 701 Arch Street

IT’S PROM, WITHOUT THE HUMILIATION AND BAD HAIR. Philadelphia School of Circus Art (PSCA) hosts its first-ever Adult Prom on February 14 from 7:30 to 10pm. If you never had a prom — or want a better one — then get into your best dress for a circus-themed evening featuring a live DJ spinning five decades of hits, ambient circus performances, refreshments and cash bar, and more. $36.70. 6452 Greene Street

IT’S 215 LIKE THE AREA CODE. GET IT? 215? FEBRUARY 15? DO YOU GET IT? HUH? It isn’t like we need an excuse, but 215 Day is, as of 2024, Philadelphia’s official excuse to go have fun. There are great themed food and drink specials all over the city, and the live-events hub Do215 is hosting the 215 Day Major Rager at 7pm at Warehouse on Watts. There’s a costume contest, live music, muralists, the works. $10.15-$13.85. 923 N. Watts Street

PUT THAT BOOK DOWN AND GET NAUGHTY IRL. On February 15 at 8pm, Dark Side Burlesque Presents: A Court of Tease & Tassels: A Romantasy Burlesque Tribute. If you’re a frisky fae or bad dragon, come to Franky Bradley’s for the naughtiest book club ever. $17.79-$33.77. 1320 Chancellor Street

WATCH THE SIMPSONS LIKE IT’S 1997. Except it’s 2026, the show has been on for 37 years, and they’re just now getting to Philadelphia? Better late than never, The Simpsons 800th episode, “Irrational Treasure,” airs February 15 at 8pm on Fox. Free with an antenna, or stream it on Disney+/Hulu. On your couch!

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE HORSE. The Lunar New Year is February 17, and Chinatown is going hard on celebrations for the holiday before, during, and after. Come to North 10th Street February 16 at 10pm for the Night Parade running all the way to midnight when the Year of the Horse gallops in. Free. N. 10th Street

ONGOING EVENTS

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

SEE ARLEEN OLSHAN’S ART. The William Way LGBT Community Center presents Arleen Olshan: The Tangle I’ve Gotten Into, an exhibition of Olshan’s drawings, paintings, and photographs from Dead Dykes & Some Gay Men, and Women Loving Women: Works from the 70s and 80s on view through February 21 at iMPeRFeCT Gallery. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday from noon to 5pm. Free, please RSVP. 5539 Germantown Avenue 

SEE A BOLD NEW SHAKESPEARE ADAPTATION. Philadelphia Theatre Company presents  Caesar, Shakespeare’s classic restaged as a contemporary thriller, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre through February 22 with afternoon and evening performances. $30-$70. 480 S. Broad Street

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

EXPLORE A NEW ROUSSEAU EXHIBITION AT THE BARNES. Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets reveals hidden layers in the visionary painter’s work and brings together for the first time the works at The Barnes and the collection from the Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris. Open through February 22, 2026, Thursday through Monday, 11am to 5pm. $5-$30. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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

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)

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

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