Explore all of the best things to do in and around Philadelphia: From upcoming events and art installations to the most picturesque date spots, we share all you need to know to make the most out of your week in Philly.
You can always find our favorite activities of the week at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.
Sound Bath Rest & Reconnect
(Community) Need a calming moment to reconnect with yourself? This sound meditation aims to help you do just that by releasing the tension in your body and regulating your nervous system. The meditation combines singing bowls, gentle instrumentation and guided breath and body awareness to provide you with true rest and relaxation.
⌚️Sept. 30, 7-8p.m., 📍179 W. Berks St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19122, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $22-33
Design Philadelphia Festival
(Community) This annual festival is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and highlights the design excellence and innovation of architects, designers and creative professionals. The festival includes a range of events including tours, programs, and workshops all over the city where you can learn about a wide-range of topics.
⌚️Oct. 1-11, 📍Various locations, 🌐 designphiladelphia.org, 💵 Varies
Reel October
(Movies) This year, the Philadelphia Film Festival is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a two week showcase of films on 35mm. These two weeks will highlight and honor cinemas past, present and future and allows viewers to really enjoy the magic of film.
⌚️Oct. 1-14, 📍1412 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19102, 🌐 filmadelphia.org, 💵 $8-30
Proximity: A Street Photography Exhibition
(Community) This exhibition allows you to step into the photographers point of view, and features work by Public Ledger members Dan Eshleman, Eric DeJesus, Fernanda Gándara, Mekhi Greene, Nazir Wayman, Roshan Basil, and Sammy Rivera. You’ll experience just how close the photographers were to the moments they captured, and the role of community in there surroundings.
⌚️Oct. 2, 6-9p.m., 📍121 N. Colubus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free
Philadelphia Regatta Cup
(Community) More than 30 sailboats will be hitting the Delaware River this weekend for an annual race. Grab a good viewing spot to take it in or grab a ticket to the evening reception at the Independence Seaport Museum to keep the celebration going all day.
⌚️Oct. 3, 10:30a.m. start, 📍Various locations, 🌐 philadelphiacupregatta.com, 💵 $0-60
The PPPA Championship
(Community) Do you think your parallel parking skills are top notch? Come put your park job to the test as you battle it out with other contestants for the championship spot. The highest score walks away with the championship title.
⌚️Oct. 3, 1-4p.m., 📍Headhouse Plaza, S 2nd. St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 philaparallelparking.org, 💵 Free
Roxtoberfest
(Community) It’s time to celebrate fall and Oktoberfest in Roxborough. You’ll enjoy three stages of live entertainment, delicious food and drinks from some of your favorite local spots, family-friendly activities and so much more.
⌚️Oct. 3, 12-6p.m., 📍Ridge Ave. from Lyceum Ave. to Leverington Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19128, 🌐 roxborough.brightrtravel.com, 💵 Free admission
Revolutionary Germantown Festival
(Community) Here’s your chance to travel back in time to 1777 and explore Germantown during the Battle of Germantown. Through living history interpreters and hands-on activities, you’ll get a glimpse at what life was like in the Germantown area during this historic time. This festival is free and open to all.
⌚️Oct. 3, 10a.m. – 4p.m, 📍6402 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa, 19144, 🌐 cliveden.org, 💵 Free
Fleurs de Villes The Gilded Age
(Community) HBO’s hit original series The Gilded Age is being brought to life through vibrant florals at Lynewood Hall. This fresh floral mannequin exhibition transforms one of the country’s most remarkable Gilded Age estates into a celebration of flowers, fashion, history and storytelling.
⌚️Sept. 25-Oct. 4, 📍920 Spring Ave., Elkins Park, Pa, 19027, 🌐 lynnewoodhallpreservation.org, 💵 $30.50
In Community Exhibition Opening
(Art) This group exhibit features work from eleven artists from the Joined Hands Collective. The pieces span watercolor, collage, mixed media, ceramics, fiber and photography. The exhibit explores how individuals, communities and shared environments intersect, showing the many ways we are all connected.
⌚️Sept. 5 – Oct. 10, 📍601 W. Allens Ln., Philadelphia, Pa, 19119, 🌐 allenslane.org, 💵 Free
Workshop of the World Exhibition
(Community) The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition to showcase the region’s historic arts and crafts works, in honor of its 150th anniversary. The exhibit features 250 objects from ceramics and furniture to textiles and stained glass, that tell the story of Philadelphia’s Centennial Exhibition.
⌚️July 5 – October 18, 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa, 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org/, 💵 Free with museum admission
The best events for kids in Philly
“The Addams Family: The Musical”
(Theater) It’s been a few years since sourpuss teenager Wednesday Addams became America’s sweetheart. At the Walnut Street Theatre, this musical send-up follows her latest predicament: She’s fallen in love with a perfectly respectable “normie,” and now their two very different families have to meet. Ages 12 and up.
⌚ Through Nov. 1, times vary, 📍825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 walnutstreettheatre.org, 💵 $28–$130
50th Birthday Weekend
(Community / free) The Please Touch Museum turns a half-century old with two jam-packed days designed for its youngest fans. Expect toddler sing-alongs, storytimes, juggling, music and dancing, art-making, bubble play, a fashion show, and the museum’s traditional end-of-day parade. Reservations recommended. Ages 0–8.
⌚ Oct. 3–4, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., 📍4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 Free
Revolutionary Germantown Festival
(History) Cliveden travels back 249 years to the Battle of Germantown with a rain-or-shine day of living history. Meet historical figures and a blacksmith, tour the 18th-century house for $5, and learn about an unusual exchange between George Washington and British Gen. William Howe involving a lost dog. Ages 5 and up.
⌚ Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍6401 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144, 🌐 cliveden.org, 💵 Free
Tacony Creek Park Music & Arts Fest
(Community / free) Tacony Creek Park’s Big Field fills with reggae, bomba, bluegrass, Mexican folk dancing, arts and crafts, and nature games for this annual fall celebration. Families can also join guided bike rides along the trail and refuel with cider and doughnuts. All ages.
⌚ Oct. 3, 1–5 p.m., 📍East Olney and East Clarkson avenues, Philadelphia, Pa. 19120, 🌐 ttfwatershed.org, 💵 Free
Make Some Noise: Family Festival
(Music / art) The Philadelphia Museum of Art gets loud for a family day celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through music and visual art. Customize castanets, design tiles, hear live music, and explore the connections between what we see and what we hear. Ages 2 and up.
⌚ Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., 📍2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 philamuseum.org, 💵 Free / pay what you wish
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival
(Community) “St. Nic’s” celebrates its South Philly roots with an afternoon-into-evening block party on South Ninth Street. Expect Italian and Philly-made foods, the City Rhythm Orchestra, New York tenors, local DJs, family activities, and, of course, Mummers. All ages.
⌚ Oct. 4, noon–8 p.m., 📍1700 S. Ninth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 🌐 stnicksitalianfestival.com, 💵 Free entry / pay-as-you-go
Parks on Tap
(Community / free) The city’s roaming beer garden is back, offering drinks, oversized games, and plenty of room for kids to run around all summer long. All ages. Visit Parks on Tap’s website to find the location each week.
⌚ Though October 11, Wed.–Fri., 4–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun., noon–10 p.m.; more locations through Oct. 11, 🌐 parksontap.com, 💵 Free entry
