Big names and big celebrations come to Philly this week! Your things to do calendar includes a birthday gala for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (it’s their 249th and a fundraiser for the 250th blowout next year, but let’s be honest: They don’t look a day over 225), SustainPHL’s big awards party, WURD’s Founder’s Day celebration.
The one and only Hillary Clinton comes to the Academy of Music. So does Mike Birbiglia. Those are … very different shows. Confabulation premieres at Arden Theatre. Justin Timberlake rocks Wells Fargo Center.
Take the kids to Boo at the Zoo to get your Halloween started early, spend an evening playing Dungeons & Dragons with drag queens, and then hit up Evil Genius and / or Northern Liberties for good, old-fashioned neighborhood block parties. All of that and more await you, Philly. Enjoy.
Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further head? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY
Cookbooks & Convos at Kampar, Confabulation, Hillary Clinton, Mike Birbiglia, Justin Timberlake, WURD Founder’s Day …
HANG OUT IN CHESTNUT HILL, BUT LIT. The Night of Lights streetscape installation returns for its seventh year on Germantown Avenue, spotlighting architecture and local history from 7 to 9pm until October 9. Free. Germantown Avenue between Willow Grove Avenue and Evergreen Avenue
EAT, TALK, LOVE. For the second year, The Sisterly Love Collective invites cookbooks authors nationwide to partner with local women-owned businesses for the Cookbooks & Convos series from October 8 to October 22. The first event happens October 8 at Kampar with dinner at 5pm and conversation with chef Rose Previte at 7pm. A copy of her cookbook Maydan is included! $100. 611 S. 7th Street
CELEBRATE THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS 249TH BIRTHDAY! Join top brass on October 10 from 6 to 10pm at the Grand Ballroom of the Bellevue Hotel for the Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps “Countdown to the 250th” Gala, where in celebrating the Navy and Marine Corps 249th birthday, we prepare for the huge 250th celebration coming in the fall of 2025. $225-$450. 200 S. Broad Street
ATTEND A WORLD PREMIERE THEATER PRODUCTION. LGBTQIA+ focused Philadelphia-based theater company The Strides Collective presents the world premiere of Confabulation to the Arden Theatre, October 10 through October 20 with performances at 7pm Thursday through Saturday and on 2pm Sunday. $20-$25. 62 N. 2nd Street
SPEND AN EVENING WITH HILLARY CLINTON. On October 10 at 7pm, the Academy of Music presents Hillary Clinton Live. The former first lady, senator and secretary of state will be discussing her newest book, Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, & Liberty, as well as politics, democracy, the threats we face, as well as friendship, aging and marriage. $79.50. 240 S. Broad Street
EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH YÈSHÌ CHINATOWN NIGHT MARKET. No cars — only great food and drink — allowed between 9th and 11th along Race and N. 10th Street between Race and Cherry streets, so dozens vendors from and beyond Chinatown can set up — Sang Kee Noodle House, Bonchon, Miss Saigon — for four hours of culinary exploration on October 10 from 6 to 10pm for the YèShì Chinatown Night Market. Pay as you go
CELEBRATE SUSTAINABILITY IN STYLE. On October 10 from 7 to 10pm, the Academy of Natural Sciences presents SustainPHL, an awards ceremony for local heroes of sustainability. Put on your best cocktail attire for local cuisine and drinks and the live announcement of award winners, who will receive reclaimed wooden trophies. $106-$174.25. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
WALK AMONG FINE CRAFTS. More than 150 artists display fine crafts in Rittenhouse Square, showing and selling photography, furniture, fiber, jewelry, wood, ceramics and blown glass, October 11 and 12 from 10am to 6pm and October 13 from 10am to 5pm. Free entry. 18th and Walnut streets
CELEBRATE WURD’S FOUNDER’S DAY. WURD Radio is hosting its Founder’s Day Gala, a celebration of the life and legacy of Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D on October 11 at 5pm at The Mann. Special guests, food, live music and a dance party will all honor the physician, community leader, philanthropist and founder of WURD Radio. $100-$150. 5201 Parkside Avenue
SEE SOME “BIRBIGLIAN” COMEDY STORYTELLING. Don’t miss comedian, writer, director, and actor Mike Birbiglia: Please Stop the Ride at the Academy of Music on October 11 at 7pm. $49.50. 240 S. Broad Street
ROCK YOUR BODY. That’s right, Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back to the Wells Fargo Center for The Forget Tomorrow World Tour On October 11 at 7pm. $60-$340. 3601 S. Broad Street
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
Dungeons and Dragons (in drag!), OURFest, Boo at the Zoo, A family and pet-friendly block party at Evil Genius, annual charity Turkey Tailgate Party, and the start of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
HONOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. In the runup to the official holiday — Monday — the Museum of the American Revolution (101 S. 3rd Street) hosts outdoor social dancing October 12 through October 14 at 11am, 1 and 3pm and indoor activations (tickets required). Bartram’s Garden and Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac co-host an afternoon of free celebration on October 13 from 1 to 5pm (5400 Lindbergh Boulevard). Monday, October 14 from 11am to 5pm, Penn’s Treaty Park (aka Shackamaxon, 1301 N. Beach Street) has a pay-what-you-wish lineup of music and dance.
EAT SCRAPPLE AND APPLES. October 12 from 10am to 4pm, dozens of vendors in the Reading Terminal Market serve up innovative and classic seasonal Philly treats — scrapple cheesesteaks, caramel apple crepes, candy apples, scrapple apple pie — and kids crafts and games. Free, pay-as-go. 11th and Filbert streets
COME ON OUT TO CELEBRATE COMING OUT! Phillypride 365 proudly celebrates National Coming Out Day with OURFest National Coming Out Parade and Festival. Festivities kick off with the parade from 5th and Market to Broad and Locust on October 12 from 4 to 6pm, and continue on October 13 from noon to 7pm in the Gayborhood with a huge outdoor festival including a resource fair, family-friendly programming, food trucks, beer gardens and multiple performance stages featuring local artists, entertainers, and community speakers. Free. Various locations in Center City East
YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU WANTED TO SEE DRAG QUEENS PLAY D&D LIVE UNTIL NOW. The hit off-Broadway comedy show Dungeons and Drag Queens Philly: The Flamboyant Fall! is live at PhilaMOCA October 12 from 8 to 9:30pm. Experience a brand-new storytelling adventure with danger, snark and audience participation where whether you succeed or fail at your quest, you will have a great time. $25. 531 N. 12th Street
GET SCARED AT THE ZOO. Weekends from October 12 through October 27, The Philadelphia Zoo celebrates Halloween with the annual Boo at the Zoo extravaganza. Your littlest zoo-goers are invited to three weekends of costumes, fall treats and ghoulish attractions — just be sure to reserve ahead. $20-$25. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
SPEND AN AFTERNOON AT A FAMILY BLOCK PARTY. The Evil Genius Fall Family Fest Block Party is happening October 12 from noon to 6pm. Enjoy craft beer, a food truck, games, a DJ, local vendors and more family- and pet-friendly fun. Pay as you go. 1727 N. Front Street
TAILGATE FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The 9th annual Turkey Day Tailgate, this year benefitting North Light Community Center, happens October 13 from 8am to noon at Lincoln Financial Field in advance of the Eagles-Browns game. The event features food, drinks, and entertainment from local businesses. All guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item in support of North Light Community Center. This event is 21+ unless accompanied by an adult. $20-$68. One Lincoln Financial Field Way
FETE FALL IN NORTHERN LIBERTIES. Liberty Lands Park and N. 3rd Street get their October on with an outdoor market, scavenger hunt, live music and dance and comedy, seasonal beers, Bloody Mary making contest, a football tug-o-war, straw maze and costume contests — all part of Northern Liberties Fall Festival on October 13 from 11am to 5pm. N. 3rd Street between Brown and Wildey streets. Free entry; pay-as-you-go.
ONGOING EVENTS
Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.
EXPLORE THE PUERTO RICAN EXPERIENCE IN PHILLY. Through October 11, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in partnership with Taller Puertorriqueño present Uncovering and Preserving Puerto Rican Stories. Revisiting a 1970s oral history project that documented Puerto Rican migration to Philadelphia, this exhibit explores migration and community, culture and identity, and preservation of memory through an intergenerational lens. HSP is open to the public Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Wednesday from 1 to 7pm. Free. 1300 Locust Street
SEE THE ESSENCE OF PHILLY IN A PHOTOGRAPHY EXBIBIT. Brotherly Lens: A Portrait of Philadelphia takes place at inLiquid from through October 12, presenting a nuanced exploration of the city through the eyes of three distinguished photographers: Eric T. Kunsman, Joseph Labolito, and Ron Tarver. Gallery hours are noon to 6pm. Free. 1400 N. American Street
VOLUNTEER AT THE FARM. Carousel House Farm hosts Farm Philly Weekly Volunteer Days, every Tuesday through October 22. You’ll be planting, weeding, maintaining crops and harvesting for the weekly food distribution. Registration required; make sure you wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! Free. 4300 Avenue of the Republic
EXPLORE TRUE CRIME IN PHILLY. As it turns out, bad things do happen in Philadelphia. Learn all about it on the Philly True Crime BYOB Trolley Tour, running September 26 through October 26, with tours at 7 and 9pm. Guests are treated to live music and chilling stories of Philadelphia’s sordid history. BYOB, 21+ only. $55. Tours depart from Craft Hall 901 N. Delaware Avenue
PLAY MINI GOLF, BUT MAKE IT SPOOKY. Franklin Square’s Philly Mini Golf transforms into Spooky Mini Golf every evening through October 31 from 6 to 9pm with fog, lights, music and surprises. $12-$15. 200 N. 6th Street
SEE A CHILLING PERFORMANCE OF MOVEMENT AND VISUAL ART. Gunnar Montana presents Blackwood: Winterborn at the Latvian Society, now through October 31. Shows begin at 8pm. The sequel to last year’s Blackwood, this production promises the same taste for blood and lore of forbidden love and rebirth from the man-killing coven. $49-$350. 531 N. 7th Street
DO YOGA IN THE PARK. Sunday mornings through November 10, bring a mat to the yard at Lemon Hill Mansion in East Fairmount Park for one-hour, all-level yoga classes with Tula Yoga from 10 to 11am. $10. Lemon Hill Drive
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 LEGOS LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE. Extended through November 17, the world’s largest display of LEGO art is on display at the Franklin Institute. The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of artworks made exclusively in plastic bricks that snap together, including original pieces and re-imagined versions of famous masterpieces, a multimedia exhibition of LEGO-infused photography by Dean Wes, and a 9,000-square-foot brick play space. Museum hours are 9:30am to 5pm daily, with evening hours to 8pm Thursday through Saturday. $20-$43. 222 N. 20th 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
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, October 5 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
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 opens September 13. Museum hours are Thursday through Monday 10am to 5pm. $6-$12. 321 Chestnut Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY
The National Coming Out Day Parade in Philadelphia.
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