Your hunt for things to do in Philly this week and weekend includes a heck of a lot of movie screenings — both al fresco and virtual — and the return of Devil’s Den’s popular Sour Fest.
You could also swing by board game café Thirsty Dice on Thursday night for a night of bingo hosted by drag queens, or catch the last weekend of the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square in Old City.
Your choices don’t stop at events, though. Make this the weekend when you check out that local brewery or distillery you’ve always wanted to visit. Have dinner outdoors somewhere on a lush patio or in a garden. And check our list of ongoing summer attractions to see what kind of shenanigans are happening at places like Spruce Street Harbor Park, Cherry Street Pier and the Oval XP.
THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND

VIRTUAL FILM SCREENING: Riled up about the recent abortion ruling? Meet the Philadelphia Commission for Women and the Philadelphia chapter of NOW online Wednesday night for a virtual screening and conversation around the documentary Birthright: A War Story. Organizers say the film “exposes the truth of how American women are being jailed, physically violated and even put at risk of dying as states, courts and religious doctrine try to govern whether, when and how women will bear children.” Wednesday, August 10, 6 to 7:30pm. Online (register here), free.

PHILLY POPS @ DILWORTH PARK: A free public concert at Dilworth Park on Thursday night gives you a preview of The Philly POPS’ upcoming season. Powerhouse vocalist Paula Holloway (she’s sung with Patti LaBelle, y’all) will join the POPS’ Little BIG Band to share tunes from upcoming shows, such as “Get Up, Stand Up: An Encyclopedia of Soul,” and “Ella & Louis Sing Porgy & Bess.” Thursday, August 11, 6 to 7pm. 1 S. 15th Street, free.
QUICK HITS 👋
- Samuel’s, a new all-day dining concept by Michael Schulson opens Wednesday, August 10
- Anssumane Silla is hosting an African drumming, dancing and singing class in Clark Park on Sunday, August 14, at 3pm
DRAG BINGO @ THIRSTY DICE: Fairmount board game café Thirsty Dice welcomes four glamazons — including Philly’s undoubtable “it” queen of the moment, Brittany Lynn — into the house on Thursday night for an evening of drag bingo. Players will have the chance to score some prizes (gift cards, board games, T-shirts) during four rounds of bingo, and be delighted by performances from the queens between each game. Food and cocktails will also be available. Thursday, August 11, 6 to 10pm. 1642 Fairmount Avenue, $35.

OUTDOOR MOVIES @ DILWORTH PARK: Pictures in the Park — a weekly event series that brings new and classic films to a giant screen in the shadow of City Hall — is now in the midst of its summer schedule. This week, look out for Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Aug. 12), then return any Friday night this month for Jungle Cruise (Aug. 19) and the Will Smith-starring King Richard (Aug. 26). 8:15pm. 1 S. 15th Street, free.

SOUR FEST @ DEVIL’S DEN: The annual South Philly-based Sour Fest isn’t so much a street festival or block party, but a whole week when sour beer aficionados can stop by to taste eight expertly curated, hard-to-find, local sours on draft. Selections include Brewery Ommegang’s brand new Dream Patch, which was brewed with a summer-approved concoction of cherries, raspberries and blueberries; an oud bruin called Liefmans Goudenband; and a blood orange gose from Neshaminy Creek. August 13 to 19. 1148 South 11th Street, pay as you go.

MOVIES ON THE BLOCK: Philadelphia Film Society’s roving summer movie fest brings flicks and entertainment to two more neighborhoods this summer. This week, look out for screenings of Fantastic Mr. Fox in South Philly (August 13), and Waterloo Playground in West Kensington (August 19). Times and location vary, free to attend.
LAST CHANCE — CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL: The glowing Franklin Square summer festival with dozens of lanterns shaped like pandas, samurais, bamboo forests, swimming whales and an impossible-to-miss 200-foot-long dragon closes for the year this Sunday. Check out the display, then stick around for dinner and drinks in the Dragon Garden, which serves beer and fast-casual Asian fare. Nightly through August 14, 6 to 11pm. 200 N. 6th Street, $12 to $20.
GREAT ONGOING THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY RIGHT NOW

DELAWARE WATERFRONT ATTRACTIONS: Spruce Street Harbor Park and its neighboring Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest are open for the season with ferris wheels, floating beer barges, carnival games, roller skating, hammocks in neon-lit trees, cute little lodges you can rent with friends. It’s just too much excitement for one person to handle. Good thing it’ll be around for our enjoyment all summer long. S. Columbus Boulevard
THE OVAL XP: The Oval XP — formerly known as Eakins Oval or just The Oval — is back on the Parkway with a massive, MilkBoy Philly-manned beer garden and a slew of events planned each week, such movie nights and lots of family-friendly activities. New additions include a massive new summer stage that will host live music throughout summer. You’ll also find a 108-feet tall ferris wheel (the world’s largest!) and a carousel. Every Wednesday to Sunday through August 21. 24th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, pay as you go.
KAYAK THE DELAWARE: The Independence Seaport Museum launched its summer 2022 kayak excursions on the Delaware River, happening on select weekends through October 22. There are several different tours you can sign up for — including one for beginners, and ones that explore different sections of the river, such as Graffiti Pier and Petty’s Island. Paddle Penn’s Landing, which lets you paddle around the river in swan- and other animal-shaped watercraft.
Header photo shows a Movies In the Park night at Dilworth Park | Photo by Marisa Fischetti