This week officially marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season! Things to do include NextFab’s Miracle on American Street and Hyatt Centric’s Holiday Night Market in Center City. Franklin Square kicks off its Winter celebrations, while Dilworth Park and Chestnut Hill are already on their holiday swing.
We have book release parties on deck at Bloomsday and Lapstone & Hammer, the start of an anime film festival, and the wrap-up for the Jewish Film and Media Fall Fest. Taste of Fairmount promises the best eats in the neighborhood, and the Dope Shows Fall Classic offers an evening of classic rap and Hip Hop at Temple.
If you’re looking for good causes to support and thinking about the future, Drexel is hosting a day-long conference on Philly arts and culture, and Reading Terminal is the venue for a TED Talk on democracy.
You want sports? Oh cool because a little thing called the Philadelphia Marathon happens this weekend, so be on hand for the race and the health and fitness expo that comes with it. Plus, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative is hosting its annual summit on sports and mental health, and Philadelphia Youth Basketball is holding its annual Next Gen 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
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
Co-Creating a Vision for Philadelphia conference, PYSC Sports and Mental Health Summit, Margaret Eby’s book release party, democracy TED Talk, winter in Franklin Square, Taste of Fairmount are some of the many things to do this week.
CELEBRATE JEWISH FILM AND MEDIA AT FALL FEST! Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media presents the 44th annual Fall Film Fest through November 24. innovative and moving films are screening at six locations from the city to the burbs. Single showings and festival passes are available. $10-$220. Various locations
HELP BUILD THE FUTURE OF PHILADELPHIA CULTURE. On November 19, The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance hosts Cultural Dynamics: Co-Creating a Vision for Philadelphia from 9:30am to 3:30pm at Drexel University. In preparation for the landmark year 2026, the public is invited to join a livestream conversation and community-based meetings between civic leaders, artists, and community members to envision how arts policies can foster social impact and economic prosperity. Free. Virtual event unless by invitation.
CONNECT SPORTS AND MENTAL HEALTH. Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative Hosts the 2024 PYSC Summit: Sports and Mental Health at Lincoln Financial Field on November 19 from 8:30am to 1pm. There are workshops, discussions, and presentations featuring retired NBA All-Star Jameer Nelson, NWSL Champion Sinead Farrelly, Olympian Ariana Ramsey, and broadcaster Chris Therien. $185. 1 Lincoln Financial Way
YOU GOTTA READ THIS BOOK! On November 19 at 6pm, celebrate the release of You Gotta Eat by deputy food editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer Margaret Eby at a party at Bloomsday in Headhouse Square. Spend the evening in conversation with the author, snacks inspired by the book, and drinks. $45-$65. 414 S. 2nd Street
START THAT HOLIDAY SHOPPING. The Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia hosts its Holiday Night Market November 20 from 5:30 to 9pm. Local vendors are on hand with jewelry, ceramics, pet treats, vintage goods, and more, plus there’s an art showcase featuring Jessie Husband, cocktails, and live music. Pay as you go. 1620 Chancellor Street
LET’S TALK ABOUT DEMOCRACY. Join Visit Philadelphia and TED at the Reading Terminal on November 20 from 7 to 10pm for the TED Democracy Fireside Chat: Moving Forward Together, a talk on finding common ground amidst division hosted by Whitney Pennington Rogers, the award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and TED curator, with special guests Julia Dhar, business strategist and champion debater, and Scott Shigeoka, author and curiosity expert. Free. 1136 Arch Street
SEE THE WINTER SPECTACLE IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Winter in Franklin Square debuts November 21 starting at 5pm, and runs nightly through the New Year (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day). Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dancing fountains choreographed to holiday tunes strike up every 30 minutes throughout the evening while you ride the carousel, play mini golf, or warm up with some hot cocoa and/or adult beverages at Ben On the Rocks. Oh and this year, they’ve added street curling. Pay as you go. 200 N. 6th Street
TASTE WHAT’S GOOD IN FAIRMOUNT. On November 21 from 6 to 9pm, the restored Founder’s Hall on the campus of Girard College hosts Taste of Fairmount, celebrating 25 years of the Fairmount CDC with free drinks, sample dishes and beverages from the neighborhood and a chance to vote for your favorites. $90. 2101 S. College Avenue
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Dinos After Dark, Franklin Institute gallery openings, NextFab gift market, anime film fest, Philadelphia Marathon
HANG OUT WITH DINOSAURS AFTER DARK. The Academy of Natural Sciences hosts Dinos After Dark on November 22 from 5 to 8pm. There’s food, drinks, entertainment, and hands-on activities that bring you face-to-face with real scientists. Pay-what-you-wish, recommended donation of $10. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
SEE THE NEWEST FRANKLIN INSTITUTE EXHIBITS. In the next phase of its multi-year transformation and bicentennial celebration, The Franklin Institute is opening its all-new Body Odyssey exhibit and Hamilton Collections Gallery on November 23. Revel in the return of the Giant Heart, and historical artifacts like the Weigel Celestial Globe, Franklin’s Printing Press, and the landmark Baldwin Locomotive. Open 9:30am to 5pm daily. $21-$25. 222 N. 20th Street
SERIOUSLY, START HOLIDAY SHOPPING NOW. You have more local makers to support at NextFab’s Fourth Annual Miracle on American Street Holiday Gift Market on November 23 from 11am to 5pm. More than 80 vendors, food, drinks, music, make your own ornament station and live artisan demonstrations make this a shopping event not to be missed. Pay as you go. 1800 N. American Street
ADULTS ARE ALLOWED TO LOVE CARTOONS TOO. The Philadelphia Film Society handpicked selections for its Lost in Animation Curated Anime film Series featuring director Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue, Paprika, Tokyo Godfather, and Millennium Actress. Dates and showtimes vary from November 23 through December 26. $14. 1412 Chestnut Street
HAVE A MARATHON OF A WEEKEND! The Philadelphia Marathon begins November 24 at 6:55am sharp near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Registration is filled, so put on a coat and cheer the runners on. On November 22 from noon to 9pm and November 23 from 9am to 5pm, the Health & Fitness Expo is open at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with marathon merch, vendors showcasing the newest running apparel, shoes and accessories, product samples, tips on health and fitness whether you’re a seasoned running or just starting out. Free. 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
ENJOY A BASKETBALL TOUREY FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Monday, November 18 is the deadline for you and five of your friends to register for the Philadelphia Youth Basketball’s Fourth Annual Next Gen 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament happening November 24 from noon to 4pm at the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center. Spectator tickets include the games, Mario Kart Tournament, raffles, and a knockout competition. $10-$150. 4250 Wissahickon Avenue
ATTEND THIS HISTORIC HIP-HOP PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK RELEASE EVENT. Philly-born photographer Cones is celebrating the release of his first hardcover photography collection of images from the past decade in Hip Hop, Happy To Be Here, with a panel discussion on November 23 from 6 to 10pm at Lapstone & Hammer with Cones and his friend/owner-of-All Caps Studio Saeed. Free. 1106 Chestnut Street
ADOPT A CAT! The Cat Collaborative and PURR are holding a Home for the Holidays Adoption Event on November 24 from 1 to 3pm outside Filter Club’s Ballroom. Meet adoptable kittens, eat some snacks, and enjoy some giveaways. Follow this link for pre-approval to adopt! Free. 24 S. 24th Street
DON’T MISS A DOPE SHOW. On November 24, Temple’s Liacouras Center hosts the Dope Shows Fall Classic featuring performances by Jeezy, Lil Kim, Fabulous, The Lox, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Young Gunz, and Dej Loaf. Doors open at 5; music at 6pm. $65-$160. 1776 N. Broad Street
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
GIVE YOUR INPUT ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND RELOCATIONS. The average school building in the School District of Philadelphia is 73 years old. SDP requires your input on school closings, construction, and relocation. Through November 23, the District holds meetings both in-person and virtually to get the public’s input. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Locations are listed on the registration form and include both morning and evening meetings. Free. Locations citywide
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
EXPERIENCE WHAT EVERYONE NOT LIKE YOU EXPERIENCES. Through November 23, Hook&Loop, an artist collective led by disabled, sick, neurodivergent, and MAD Philadelphians, run the residency Undue Burden, a digital and printed community archive celebrating and documenting the experiences of people with disabilities. Suggested donation $15. 5212 Market Street
DON’T MISS HAMILTON! The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Hamilton runs until November 23. Evening and afternoon performances are available. $29-$259. 240 S. Broad Street
SEE A PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT’S LATEST WORK. The Arden Theatre presents Intimate Apparel, based on the life of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s great-grandmother, an African American seamstress at the turn of the 20th century on the Lower East Side. Now through December 8 with evening and afternoon performances. $38-$68. 40 N. 2nd Street
VIEW A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON THE IMPACT OF MASS INCARCERATION. Wherever There is Light features photography by four formerly incarcerated artists sharing their experiences in the U.S. penal system. The exhibition runs through December 21. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm. Free. 1400 N. American Street, Suite #103
ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY WALK INTO THE ADRIENNE THEATER. You must purchase tickets to see SideQuest Theater’s Fellowship! The Musical, a comedic musical parody of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings adaptation. Recommended for those 13 and older, the show runs from to December 22, with performances Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. $40. 2030 Sansom Street
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN CHESTNUT HILL. Through December 25 Holidays on the Hill brings lights, hot chocolate, shopping, music and festivities to Chestnut Hill. Homes and businesses will be decked out, free parking specials are available, and local businesses offer unique gifts. Also, Santa will totally be there. Various locations around Germantown Avenue
CELEBRATE THE WINTER AT DILWORTH PARK. It’s that time of year already! The ice skating rink, Wintergarden and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market open for the season at Dilworth Park. Holiday shopping is Friday and Saturday from noon to 9pm and Sundays through Thursdays from noon to 8pm. The rink is open 7 days a week with special events scheduled throughout the season. Advanced tickets are recommended! Free-$19. 1 S. 15th Street
EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLAY. The Clay Studio’s yearlong, 50th anniversary celebration concludes with the opening of The Future of Clay, an exhibition of multiple artists showcasing the future of ceramics art, running through December 31. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 11am to 5:30pm and until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street
EXPERIENCE SOUL SHOTS PORTRAIT PROJECT. The fourth edition of this amazing original art exhibition that memorializes victims of gun violence in Philadelphia opens at Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill through December 2024 (open Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to noon). Read more about the project here. Free. 8855 Germantown Avenue
CELEBRATE FREE SPEECH. This month the National Liberty Museum kicks off a yearlong initiative, The Year of Free Speech, with the first of three exhibitions exploring freedom of speech as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of our society. Free Speech: Our Right, Our Responsibility is open now. Thursday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. $6-$12. 321 Chestnut Street
CATCH MICKALENE THOMAS ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR. The iconic creator of large-scale tableaux of Black women in glamorous repose shows more than 50 of her stunning works at the Barnes. Mickalene Thomas: All About Love is the artist’s first international tour, a show New York wishes it had, through January 12, 2025. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
THINK ABOUT FAMILY IN A NEW WAY AT A NEW ART EXHIBITION. The Museum for Art in Wood hosts Mark Sfirri: La Famiglia through February 26, 2025. This new solo exhibition of new and never-before-seen work by the artist and woodturner “presents a way of thinking about the definition of family and its meanings through different lenses.” Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5pm. Free. 141 N. 3rd Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia