Good day Philly! I know this looks bad, but we’re only six weeks into football season. There’s plenty of time to turn this around, and lots of things to do to get your mind off sports (Gritty, you gotta do something, dude).

Innovation Weekend this year includes the annual PHL Gaming Conference and Expo. There’s a book talk at The Barnes for PHILADELPHIA IN COLOR: 1950-1990, the new photography book from Hidden City Philadelphia, and the Free Library Foundation hosts another Author Series Event.

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta returns this week, as does Park After Dark.

Holiday activities include Penn Museum’s Día de los Muertos CultureFest!, Trick-or-Street at Franklin Square, and Halloween on the Hill in Chestnut Hill.

On our stages we have the 8-bit Big Band, Women+ on the Edge of Democracy play reading, the opening of The Melting Pot and The Magicians Table, and of course, Insane Clown Posse at Franklin Music Hall. Whoop whoop!

The documentary W.E.B. Dubois: Rebel with a Cause is being screened with excerpts at Penn with the filmmakers.

The Hoagie Throwdown is returning to Other Half Brewing in Fishtown, while El Festival del Jíbaro offers a day of festivities in Norris Square Park.

And as Rocky Season continues, Reading Terminal proudly hosts its first ever Rocky Meat Market Challenge.

• • • • 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

Free Library Foundation Author Event, Park After Dark, The Melting Pot, Innovation Weekend, The Magicians Table, W.E.B. Dubois: Rebel with a Cause screening and conversation, Insane Clown Posse

COME TO AN AUTHOR EVENT. The Free Library Foundation Author Events Series presents Yiyun Li | Music Against the Night: A Novel, in Conversation with Weike Wang October 20 from 7 to 8pm. Li’s historical novel about two musicians in pursuit of success touches on the demands of art and life in the romantic era. The Philadelphia Citizen is a proud media sponsor of The Free Library Foundation. $5. 1901 Vine Street

HIKE BY MOONLIGHT. Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and astronomer/educator Buddy Muhler for Park after Dark: Moonwalk + Stargazing, a one mile guided moonwalk and telescope observation on October 20 from 6 to 8pm. Be sure to read the know before you go and come prepared! $15. Belmont Mansion Drive & Army Road

SEE THE PLAY THAT GAVE US THE FAMOUS PHRASE. Israel Zangwill’s 1908 play The Melting Pot returns at the Arch Street Meeting House October 21 through November 8 for 7pm, 2pm, and 3pm performances. The once-famous play follows a young Jewish-Russian immigrant whose new life in America collides with his past. 20-38.75. 320 Arch Street 

GET INNOVATING. 1Philadelphia’s annual Innovation Weekend returns October 21 through 24 with events at Fitler Club, CYTOPHL – Phila, and Convene. Turn proximity into momentum with meaningful connections, actionable insights and collective action towards tech equity over the three-day conference. 75-150. Multiple locations.

SPEND AN INTIMATE MAGICAL EVENING WITH COCKTAILS. I know, right? The Magicians Table invites the audience into the world of a fictional (and recently deceased) magician for illusions, live music, drinks, and extraordinary theater. Live at the SEI Innovation Studio in the Kimmel Center October 21 through November 22 for afternoon and evening performances. You must be 18 years or older to attend. 102-2381. 300 South Broad Street

COME TO A DOCUMENTARY EXCERPT SCREENING AND CONVERSATION. On October 22 at 4:30pm, the University of Pennsylvania hosts a screening with Excerpts from W.E.B. Dubois: Rebel with a Cause and Conversation between its Award-Winning Filmmaker Rita Coburn and Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. A reception will follow. Free; registration is required. The Arch Auditorium, 3601 Locust Walk, Room 208

GET DOWN WITH THE CLOWN. Everybody jumps to the juggalo sound, and you can too October 22 at 6pm when Insane Clown Posse brings their live show (and plenty of Faygo) to Franklin Music Hall. $84.30. 421 N. 7th Street

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

PHL Gaming Expo, Trick-or-Street at Franklin Square, CultureFest!, The 8-bit Big Band, El Festival del Jíbaro, Rocky Meat Market Challenge, Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, Halloween on the Hill, Hoagie Throwdown, PHILADELPHIA IN COLOR: 1950-1990 book talk, Women+ on the Edge of Democracy Play Reading

GET GAMING! The third annual PHL Gaming conference and expo takes place October 24 from 10am to 4pm at CYTOPHL, featuring panels, game showcases, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences for gamers, educators, students, and industry professionals alike. Have fun, network, and maybe even plan your career in game design. Free, registration required. 2929 Arch Street Suite 250

TRICK-OR-TREAT IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. On October 24 from 11am to 1pm, come to Franklin Square for the annual Trick-or-Street trail. Advanced tickets are recommended, group reservations not available. Free for kids 10 and under. 200 N 6th Street

CELEBRATE THE DAY OF THE DEAD AT THE PENN MUSEUM. Penn Museum’s CultureFest! Presents Día de los Muertos, a full day festival happening October 24 from 10am to 4pm featuring dance and music performances, an artisan market, altar competition, and an enormous traditional ofrenda (altar) installation. 14-23. 3260 South Street

WHAT IF YOUR FAVORITE VIDEO GAME THEMES, BUT CONTEMPORARY SYMPHONIC JAZZ? Experience it live October 24 at 8pm when multi-GRAMMY Award-winning The 8-bit Big Band performs at the Miller Theater. 141.40-69. 250 S. Broad Street

CELEBRATE PUERTO RICAN AND LATINO CULTURE. On October 24 from 1 to 7pm Xiente hosts El Festival del Jíbaro, a free outdoor celebration at Norris Square Park of the Puerto Rican and Latino cultural legacy of North Philadelphia. Enjoy live music, dancing, food, vendors, and family-friendly activities. Free. 2100 N. Howard Street

TEST YOUR MEAT PUNCHING SKILLS. To commemorate Rocky Season, Reading Terminal Market hosts its first-ever Meat Market Challenge October 11 from 11am to 4pm. Come to Filbert Street ready to strike a pose with a frozen beef cut. Also, Rocky-lookalike contest. Come on, you gotta do this. Free. Filbert Street at Reading Terminal Market.

ATTEND THE BIGGEST FALL RACING EVENT IN ROWING. Since 1970, the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta has drawn the highest-caliber crews to one of the most challenging courses in the country. Now in its 56th year, the race returns October 24 and 25 to Kelly Drive from the Twin Bridges to Boathouse Row. Free. Kelly Drive.

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN CHESTNUT HILL. Chestnut Hill’s annual Halloween on the Hill happens October 24 through October 31 as the neighborhood transforms with spooky décor, a tail-wagging pet parade, scarecrow walk, straw maze, ghost tours, and Trick or Treating from 1 to 3pm. Free. Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike 

ATTEND THE HOAGIE THROWDOWN. The team behind the Delicious City Philly podcast hosts their 2nd Hoagie Throwdown October 25 from noon to 4pm at Other Half Brewing in Fishtown. Sample your way through over 20 competitors, watch some live pro wrestling, and check out the Iron Chef-style hoagie making competition. $63.75 (kids 12 and under $38.75). 1002 Canal Street

CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF PHILADELPHIA IN COLOR: 1950-1990. Hidden City Philadelphia’s newly released photography collection chronicling the evolution of Philly in the 20th century gets the book talk treatment at The Barnes October 25 from 1to 2pm. Free; registration required. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

EXPERIENCE WOMEN ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY. Over 30 new plays by acclaimed women+ playwrights will be read or performed for free across the country. Carpenters Hall and Theater Exile welcome the Women+ on the Edge of Democracy Play Reading tour to Philly October 26 from 6:30 to 8pm. An audience discussion will follow the readings. Free, registration required. 320 Chestnut Street

ONGOING EVENTS

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

STROLL THE STREETS OF CENTER CITY. Open Streets: West Walnut returns for the fall on Sundays through October 25 from 10am to 5pm. In addition to shopping and eating, Center City District provides free entertainment with buskers, strolling performers, dance groups, a family-friendly zone, games and activities for kids, and more. Pay as you go. Walnut Street between Broad and 19th streets and S. 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut streets.

SEE A POWERFUL MEMORY PLAY ABOUT WHAT FREEDOM REALLY LOOKS LIKE FOR WOMEN. Liberation, set in small-town Ohio in the early 1970s, follows a group of women gathering together at a consciousness-raising meeting and asks, What does freedom really look like? Who gets to claim it? And what do we inherit from the generations who came before us? Open at the Suzanne Roberts Theater through October 25 with afternoon and evening performances. $32-$72. 480 S. Broad Street

CONSIDER HOW MUCH YOUR SOUL IS WORTH. Jen Silverman’s Witch comes to Quintessence Theater for evening and matinee performances through October 25. Everything in little Edmonton village changes when a charming devil comes to town. $30-$65. 7137 Germantown Avenue

SEE A BOB DYLAN MUSICAL. An American story of resilience in uncertain times adapts songs by Bob Dylan in Girl from the North Country, open at the Arden theater through October 25. $42-$72. 40 N. 2nd Street

THINK SAW WAS HILARIOUS? THIS MUSICAL IS FOR YOU! Now through October, SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw is live at the Walnut Street Theater through October 25 for afternoon and evening performances. $35-$177. 825 Walnut Street

GET YOUR BUZZ TOURING PHILLY’S HAUNTED PAST. Now through October 31, book a trip on Spirits of Philadelphia: A BYOB Trolley Tour Through Philly’s Haunted Past. Bring your friends and some drinks for a two-hour ghost hunting experience rooted in Philly’s supernatural history and haunted places. Tours meet at 7pm. $45+. 239 Arch Street

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 through 31, with tours at 6:30 and 8:30pm. Guests are treated to live music and chilling stories of Philadelphia’s sordid history. BYOB, 21+ only. $55. Tours depart from 239 Arch Street

CATCH THE GREAT PUMPKIN! Cityside Pumpkin Patch returns to Liberty Point through November 1 from noon to 10pm Thursday through Sunday and 5 to 10pm Wednesdays. Bring the family to pick out the perfect locally-sourced pumpkin amidst spooky decor, scarecrow archery, carnival games, Halloween treats, and a SMASHING ZONE! $13.90-$22.50.  211 S. Columbus Boulevard

DON’T SETTLE FOR REGULAR OLD MINI GOLF. PLAY SPOOKY MINI GOLF! Franklin Square’s putt-putt course transforms for the season into Spooky Mini Golf  through November 1 from 10am to 10pm with strobes, animated props, and fog for variable day time and nighttime levels of spookiness, a month-long costume contest, and The Boo-zy Bar. $12-$15. 200 N. 6th Street  

GO TO SCARY JAIL. Philly’s landmark prison transforms annually into “a Halloween festival of epic proportions” complete with Al Capone’s Speakeasy, eerie flashlight hospital tour, and frightening performances. Check out Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, open through November 7. $49-$149. Parking and shuttle: $22 ($30 on site so buy online!) 2027 Fairmount Avenue

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GRASSROOTS ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION. Through November 15, Philadelphia’s network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-based initiatives hosts Collective Futures, a collaboratively organized project bringing together more than 40 independent spaces and organizations across the city through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public programs citywide. Many events are free; locations citywide. 

FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour returns for the 2026 season through the fall tours at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are treated to fun, mind-bending magic relevant to the historic and off-beat Old City locations on the tour. Philly Magic tours also partners with local charities on passes and group outings for fundraisers and free tours for deserving school classes. $32.40. Tours meet behind the Bourse near 4th and Ranstead streets

EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street

COME TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLAY STUDIO’S BELOVED EXHIBITION. The Clay Studio celebrates the opening of 20th annual Small Favors, an exhibition of unique art in four-inch cubes, with a reception The exhibit runs through January 3, 2027. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American 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