Need a pre-Super Bowl Sunday distraction? Bundle up in your Birds gear and enjoy Valentine’s Day-inspired events and Black History Month programming in Philly. Here’s your list of civic-minded and fun things to do in Philadelphia this weekend.
Round up your friends for a drag show with a side of brunch; get spooked at a haunted house, or drink beer with puppies. Make it a Philly weekend to remember!
Before the weekend begins …
DECONSTRUCT RACISM TO RECONSTRUCT JUDAISM. February 9 at 8pm, the Weitzman hosts a livestream as part of their Black History Month event series and its focus on intersectionality. A group of Black Jewish American community leaders made a pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama in 2022, stopping at key sites on the Civil Rights Trail. Adam McKinney leads the discussion with these community leaders on trauma within a Jewish and Black context, racism and healing. Free. Register to attend via Zoom.
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY
CATCH THE DEBUT OF BLACK FOUNDERS. Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia, opens February 11 and stays open through November 26 at the Museum of the American Revolution. The exhibit introduces visitors to Revolutionary War sailor James Forten and his descendents, Black Philadelphia changemakers and abolitionists. Tickets $21 adults, $19 seniors, $13 ages 6-17, $2 ACCESS cardholder, free ages 5 and under. 101 S. 3rd Street
EAT (AND DRINK) UP AT VALENTINE’S SLAY DRAG BRUNCH. No plans for Valentine’s Day weekend? Brunch at Triple Bottom Brewing for $20 ($5 of which goes toward GALEI, a nonprofit providing services for QTBIPOC) and see drag performers including Tara Belle, Daisy Mae Rollin, Miss Thing, Misfit, and Avery Goodname. February 11, starting at 11:30am. 915 Spring Garden Street
CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICANS LEADING THE WAY IN PHILLY. The Franklin Institute presents an afternoon of celebration on February 11 from noon to 4pm in honor of Black History Month. Local organizers — The Dox Thrash House Project, Kulu Mele African Drum & Dance Ensemble, Farmer Jawn, Positive Movement — will host workshops on their areas of expertise. Free with general admission: $25 adult, $21 ages 3–11, $2 ACCESS cardholder. 222 N. 20th Street
DON’T MISS THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN’S BOOK FAIR. Dozens of bestselling, award-winning Black authors and illustrators gather February 11, from 1 to 4pm at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the huge, 31st annual, always amazing African American Children’s Book Ffair. Teachers and families come to explore and buy all kinds of books, from preschool to young adult, and participate in games, story time, giveaways. Free to attend. 1101 Arch Street
EXPERIENCE A VALENTINE’S … HAUNTED HOUSE? Lincoln Mill Haunted House in Manayunk, set up in a 19th-century textile mill, hosts a one-night-only Valentine’s Day-theme haunted tour, telling the dark tale of Viktor’s Valentine on February 11. Timed tour slots from 6:30 to 10pm. Tickets are $25 for one person and $45 for pairs. 4100 Main Street
GO TO A REAL, LIVE PUPPY BOWL — AT A BREWERY! Not to be outdone by their Saturday drag brunch, Triple Bottom Brewing hosts an in-person puppy meet-and-greet to benefit Morris Animal Refuge. It’s the perfect pre-Super Bowl stress reliever on February 12 from 2 to 5pm. While you’re there, have a craft beer. Ten percent of beer sales go toward Morris. 915 Spring Garden Street
🚎 RIDE THE SISTERHOOD SIT-IN TROLLEY. Saturday afternoons, through March 25, Jeannine Cook, owner of Harriett’s and Ida’s bookshops, hosts a Rebel Rides trolley tour — beginning on Rosa Parks’ birthday — of Black women-owned businesses such as Harriett’s, French Toast Bites at Cherry Street Pier, Ceramic Concepts, Bookers, Modest Transitions and Nyambi Naturals Urban Beauty. Along the way: games, gifts, sisterhood. Tickets are $40. 258 E. Girard Avenue.
❄️ WINTER OUTDOOR FUN
⛸️ ICE SKATE THE RIVERINK. The Delaware River Waterfront welcomes back ice skaters (and cabin sitters) through March 5. Views can’t be beat. Entry is free; $5 to skate (free for Independence Blue Cross subscribers), $12 to rent skates. 101 S. Columbus Boulevard.
⛸️ ICE SKATE AT CITY HALL AND WANDER A WINTERGARDEN: City Hall’s evergreen garden of topiaries and lights that twinkle occupies the south side of Dilworth Park through March 26. On Dilworth Park’s other side, the Rothman Ice Skating Rink stays open through February 26 — and offers free admission Monday and Tuesday evenings through February 21. The garden is free to enter. Made In Philly market open through January 1, 2023. Skating is $8 per adult, $5 per child age 10 & under; $10 to rent skates, reservations recommended. 1 S. 15th Street.
🥌 TRY STREET CURLING. That winter sport that looks more like sweeping than a sport come to Franklin Square, sans ice, through February 24. Two rinks accommodate 30-minutes sessions for up to 8 players per rink of two. $40 per session. 601 Race Street.
BE A GOOD CITIZEN ALL YEAR LONG