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🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
✏️ Philly Quizzo guide
🛍️ Novelty stores guide
🍁 Fall festivals guide
🥊 “Rocky Season” events
🧡 Pumpkin spice latte recs
🍓 Farmers market guide
✊🏾 Black history in Philly guide
🍦 Vegan ice cream guide
🥕 CSA farmshare guide
☕ Philly coffee shop guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
NOTE: This list will be updated throughout the week.
Monday, October 5
Circus at the Library! – (4 p.m.)
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts hosts this hour-long workshop for kid and teens of all abilities. FREE. At the Philadelphia City Institute, 1905 Locust Street.
Lydia Darragh: Irish Quaker, Patriot Spy – (6:30 to 8 p.m.)
An evening of spycraft and women’s history. The evening will begin with a performance of Philadelphia actor-director Megan Bellwoar’s new play about Lydia Darragh. Bellwoar and Darragh biographer Robert Fanelli will then discuss Darragh’s life and impact, followed by audience Q&A. $5 admission. At Carpenter’s Hall.
PES Classics Book Club – (7 to 9 p.m.)
The Philadelphia Ethical Society’s monthly book club is on the first Monday of every month. FREE.
Tuesday, October 6
Exploring Trends: Immigration’s Regional Impact – (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
This in-person event debuts the second edition of an expanded report examining how immigrants shape communities across Pennsylvania. Through new data on entrepreneurship, homeownership, taxes, workforce participation, education and civic life, the report offers the most comprehensive picture yet of immigrants and their impact on the region. FREE with registration. Hosted by The Welcome Center and WHYY.
October Picnic on the Rail Park – (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
BYO dinner, a bit to share if that feels right and get to know the folks that you’re always seeing out on the park and around the neighborhood! It’ll be a relaxed evening where the kids can play, pups can get all the pets, and we just enjoy an evening in the city. Registration is not required, but highly encouraged. At 1300 Noble Street entrance. FREE.
On Practice: Pew Fellows in Conversation – (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Hear from choreographer and artist Jonathan González, filmmaker and multimedia visual artist Sosena Solomon, and visual artist and chef Omar Tate in a conversation at the Barnes Foundation, exploring questions of aesthetic preservation, mythography, and cultural memory. James Claiborne, Fleischner Family Vice President for Engagement at the Barnes, moderates the discussion. FREE with registration.
Wednesday, October 7
Shake Shack Donation Day for WHYY – (10 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Join us for Donation Day at the Sansom Street Shake Shack and support WHYY Media Labs! Mention “Donation Day” at the register, or use promo code “DONATE” on the Shack App, website, or kiosk at checkout. Shake Shack will donate 25% of your total meal purchase to WHYY. Your meal will help support WHYY Media Labs and its work inspiring and empowering the next generation of storytellers and media makers. ONLY VALID at 2000 Sansom Street.
Debtors’ Prison for Kids: The High Cost of Fines and Fees in the Juvenile Justice System – (5 to 7:30 p.m.)
Join WHYY and Juvenile Law Center for an important conversation about the financial penalties placed on children and families—and the growing movement to end them. WHYY’s Cherri Gregg will moderate a conversation between Jessica Feierman, report author and Juvenile Law Center’s Chief Legal Officer and Dequan Jackson, a professional football player who experienced these harmful fees as a child and later advocated for change on the harsh practice of doubly punishing children and families. FREE to attend with registration.
DESIGN OUTSIDE : Who Designs The City? – (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Meet at Platform X, SEPTA Suburban Station Concourse for this talk on architecture and street art, with panelists Inga Saffron, architecture critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Conrad Benner, founder of Streets Department and host of WHYY’s podcast Art Outside. Part of the DesignPhiladelphia Festival.
Share Your Thoughts on DVRPC at the Federal Certification Review Public Meeting – (6 p.m.)
Join DVRPC for its Federal Certification Review public meeting in person at DVRPC’s office or online. Provide comments to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) certification review panel regarding DVRPC and its role as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Greater Philadelphia region. FREE.
Profs & Pints Philadelphia: A Guide to Witches – (6 to 8:30 p.m.)
Get ready for something spellbinding: A look at various depictions of witches as reflections of ideas about female sexuality, independence, agency, and power. Offering up this pre-Halloween treat will be folklorist Linda Lee, who previously gave lectures on dark Christmas folklore and Persephone. From Grimms’ fairy tales and the Baba Yaga to Salem and other cultural depictions, figures from fairy tales and legends remain an iconic part of contemporary Halloween traditions. Feel free to dress witchy if you wish. At the Black Squirrel Club in Fishtown. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Talk starts at 6:30.)
Thursday, October 8
Philadelphia Senior Expo Fall 2026
A day filled with resources, information, and fun tailored specifically for our seniors. At Crowne Plaza Philadelphia in King of Prussia. FREE with registration.
2nd Thursday: Exquisite Corpse Art Party! – (5 to 8 p.m.)
Every 2nd Thursday you can visit the reCreate gallery’s latest exhibition, enjoy after-hours shopping, and join us for rotating events. Tonight’s theme: learn about the weird and whimsical collaborative art of making an exquisite corpse. We’ll be drawing and/or collaging our creations, but no experience is needed. Supplies provided; BYO snacks and drinks. FREE; at the Resource Exchange, 1800 North American Street.
Billy Penn at WHYY: Billies Awards 2026 – (5:30 to 8 p.m.)
Come celebrate all things Philly at Billy Penn’s 12th annual Billies Awards! The event honors notable community members and groups working over the past year to make the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love better. Food and refreshments will be served. FREE with RSVP!
Ghost Stories with Grim Philly – (6-7 p.m.)
DiBruno Bros. Plaza hosts this night of storytelling, history and spooky local lore. Pay-as-you-go.
Careoke Club – (6 to 9 p.m.)
Come sing your heart out at Asian Arts Initiative’s seasonal karaoke! Whether you’re ready to command the stage or just want to kick back and cheer on your neighbors, this is a casual, joyful space for connecting with the local community. $10-25 sliding scale admission. Unlimited song requests and free snacks!
2026 YèShì Chinatown Night Market – (6 to 10 p.m.)
An annual open-air, food and entertainment event meant to highlight Chinatown as a commercial hub and community. Head to Race & 10th Street for a night filled with delicious food trucks, local eats, live performances, art & craft stations, a bustling marketplace, and so much more. Pay-as-you-go.
Movies Under the Stars: Hocus Pocus – (7:30 p.m.)
Join the Logan Hotel and Urban Farmer for a free outdoor screening of “Hocus Pocus.” The Sanderson sisters are making their way onto the Logan courtyard for an evening of spooky fun the whole family can enjoy. BYO blanket.
Friday, October 9
Love Market at Love Lab – (Noon to 6 p.m.)
Drop in, tell your story, shop local art, crafts and services. At 932 Market Street.
Neighborhood Jawnts: North Philly Youth Voices & Creative Spaces Tour – (2 p.m.)
This tour will center on youth leadership, creative expression, and those spaces and places that continue to nurture community storytelling and organizing focusing on the young people of North Philadelphia. FREE with registration. Tour starts and ends at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets.
Bookstore & Physical Media Pop Up – (5 p.m. til late)
Inspiration, the old-fashioned way! Meet for a drink and a night of good books and vinyl at Tattooed Mom, hosted by the Analog Lovers Club. FREE.
Bok Open Studios – (5 to 9 p.m.)
A fun night exploring Bok and chatting with all of your favorite artists and makers (plus plenty of snacks in the West Gym!). As always this event is FREE and family-friendly.
BiodiversiTEASE: CaBUGaret – (7 to 9:30 p.m.)
Skype a Scientist & HoneyReno productions presents a night of education, entertainment, & community connections for the love of the planet! Meet local activists and educators, get advice for adding sustainability into your own life, play audience games and raffles, watch burlesque and sideshow performances and more! $23.18 tickets. At 624 South 6th Street.
8th Annual 23rd St. Armory Oktoberfest – (7:30 to 10 p.m.)
Opening night of this annual two-day event. Friday is the most “relaxed” session with fresh set up, and opening ceremonies with the German Clubs! Tickets start at $35.
Saturday, October 10
We Love Teachers 5K – (9 a.m.)
At Pennypack Park. Part of a nationwide movement to celebrate educators through movement, wellness, school spirit, and community. Join teachers, students, families, runners, walkers, schools, alumni, businesses, and community supporters as a team or inidividual. $40 registration.
Neighborhood Jawnts: North Philly Youth Voices & Creative Spaces Tour – (10 a.m. + 2 p.m.)
This tour will center on youth leadership, creative expression, and those spaces and places that continue to nurture community storytelling and organizing focusing on the young people of North Philadelphia. FREE with registration. Tour starts and ends at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets.
Think Like A Journalist workshop – (11 a.m. to Noon)
Love Lab and News Creator Corps hosts this public records workshop. Government documents and data are yours, and they’re going to teach you how to request them. There will be donuts and coffee, too. FREE with RSVP. At 932 Market Street.
Firstival celebrating the First Peoples of the United States – (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Honor the nation’s first inhabitants and celebrate the vibrant cultures and enduring traditions of Indigenous communities rooted in Philadelphia. Discover the Penn Museum’s new Native North America Gallery, shaped in collaboration with Indigenous curators. At the Penn Museum. FREE to attend.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration @ Penn Museum – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Honor the nation’s first inhabitants and celebrate the vibrant cultures and enduring traditions of Indigenous communities rooted in Philadelphia. Explore Indigenous art, history, and contemporary perspectives through free programming for all ages, including artist presentations, film, hands-on activities, and more. Includes access to the new Native North America Gallery. FREE with registration.
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours: West of Broad Street – (Noon to 6 p.m.)
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), a program of The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, is the largest tour of artist studios and creative workspaces in the region. Explore West of Broad from October 10-11, and East of Broad on October 17-18. FREE.
Design Philadelphia 2026: Community Printmaking Workshop – (1 to 4 p.m.)
In celebration of the 2026 DesignPhiladelphia Festival, Brandywine Workshop and Archives you are invited to experience design and printmaking through exhibitions, a behind-the-scenes tour of our print workshop, and hands-on printmaking.
Alexis Nutini will lead a woodcut printmaking workshop, inviting guests to print directly onto their own clothing or textile using a custom woodblock. Workshop supples and tote bags will be provided to print onto, but BYO cotton item from home to personalize.
Justine K. Ditto will lead a monotype printmaking workshop, guiding participants through the process of creating an original, one-of-a-kind work on paper. Workshop supplies will be provided. No experience necessary. Refreshments will be served. Pay-What-You-Can + $15 each workshop.
ON OUR TERMS: Black Women Reimagining Success Without Burnout – (1 to 4 p.m.)
Real conversations, real resources, and real connections, plus local vendors and refreshments. A space created by and for Black women. Includes brunch-inspired menu, mimosas and bellinis, wellness elixirs, coaching and healing giveaways, a burnout stage assessment, toolkits and more. $33.85 tickets.
Jane Austen, Author in Dialog – (2 p.m.)
At Parkway Central Library. “Jane Austen was not a lone genius, toiling to perfection away from the rest of the world. She was an engaged reader as well as writer, and her works show the influence of other writers whose work she loved. This lecture introduces some of the women writers profiled in Jane Austen’s Bookshelf, with special emphasis on the ways in which their books may have shaped or otherwise influenced Jane Austen. Some of them are well known, such as Frances Burney. Others are less so–and deserve more, like Charlotte Smith.” No registration needed.
Fright at the Museum! – (2 to 5 p.m.)
Fall crafts + spooky stories at Historic St. George’s at 235 N. 4th Street. Paint a pumpkin, decorate a candle tin, snack on treats and enjoy live organ music paired with eerie historical stories. Fun for all ages. $5 per person.
It’s Always Punny In Philadelphia – (4 p.m.)
At Helium Comedy Club. The first, best, and only pun competition. In this special 10th edition tournament of champions, see winners and finalists from their first nine shows compete for groans and glory. Come throw your hat in the ring, too… or just watch! In PUNDITS, watch champions deliver pun-filled standup routines on a topic of their choice, then vote for your favorites. In PUNDEMONIUM, sign up at the show to go head-to-head on a topic pulled from a hat, thinking of puns on the spot. Last one standing wins. $13.99 tickets.
8 Seconds Rodeo – (3 p.m. doors open for community festivities, then show at 7 p.m.)
Following its sold-out East Coast debut last year, 8 Seconds Rodeo returns to Philly and Temple’s Liacouras Center. Features the top Black rodeo athletes from across the country, competing in Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, and Mutton Bustin’ events for $60,000 in prize money. Doors open at 3pm for the ‘Git Down’ – enjoy community vendors, music, line dancing, roping lessons, and more before the rodeo officially begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $132.70.
Wine Garden Comedy Show Night – (6 to 9 p.m.)
Laugh, sip, and unwind at The Wine Garden at 5019 Baltimore Avenue. Enjoy live stand-up comedy, wine, specialty cocktails, food, and great vibes. FREE admission, food available for purchase, $25 for unlimited frosé.
Philly Story Fest – Living room gathering – (7 p.m.)
Story Fest extends its magic into the living room, hosting a series of small storytelling gatherings this Fall in homes across Philadelphia. Sign up online for the first event! Meet new people who love stories. FREE.
8th Annual 23rd St. Armory Oktoberfest – (1 to 5 p.m., then 7:30 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday always sells out and is wildly popular with the out of town/day drinking crowd. Saturday night is the closing session, typically a raucous closeout before the big cleanup. Tickets start at $40.
Sunday, October 11
Hispanic Heritage Festival – (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Head to Mercado Latino at FDR Park for live bands, food, family activities, and more! FREE.
Rocky Tour – (10 a.m.)
A special tour series taking fans through the neighborhoods, landmarks, and streets made famous by the Rocky films. Guided tours are 2.5 hours depart from the base of the Art Museum Steps. Stops and sights include the Rocky Steps and Rocky Statue, Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mighty Mick’s Gym, and the Italian Market. Dive into the city’s real boxing legacy, including heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and the fighters and gyms that helped build Philadelphia’s reputation as a fighting city. $49 tickets.
Neighborhood Jawnts: North Philly Youth Voices & Creative Spaces Tour – (10 a.m. + 2 p.m.)
This tour will center on youth leadership, creative expression, and those spaces and places that continue to nurture community storytelling and organizing focusing on the young people of North Philadelphia. FREE with registration. Tour starts and ends at the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets.
Open Streets: West Walnut – (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Open Streets once again converts Center City streets into car-free thruways across an eight-block span for its fall run. From Broad to 19th streets, and along 18th Street from Chestnut to Locust streets. 8 Sundays through October. FREE.
Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts – (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
One of Chestnut Hill’s signature celebrations bringing together local artists, makers, and art lovers from across the region for a day filled with creativity, culture, and community.
Stroll down Germantown Avenue and explore a curated mix of artists showcasing their work. Plus live music, interactive demos and activities for all ages. Rescheduled from 9/27! Pay-as-you-go.
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours: West of Broad Street – (Noon to 6 p.m.)
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), a program of The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, is the largest tour of artist studios and creative workspaces in the region. Explore West of Broad from October 10-11, and East of Broad on October 17-18. FREE.
Print Fair – (Noon to 6 p.m.)
To close PRINT TIME AFTER TIME, join this print fair featuring 20+ collectively run print projects and presses. Snacks, bar, disco all day at Icebox Project Space. Masks required from 12-2 p.m. to support COVID-cautious fair-goers! FREE.
OURFEST: Out for Good – Sway Block Party – (Noon to 7 p.m.)
Music, live performances, and a celebration of OUR community. In Philly’s Gayborhood.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival – (Noon to 8 p.m.)
Rescheduled from last weekend. South Philly’s St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival is an homage to the city’s Italian immigrant roots. Music and great Italian eats like pizza and cannoli will be in abundance. This year’s procession of saints starts at 1700 South 9th street right in front of St. Nicholas Church.
Family Art Day at PAFA – (1 to 3 p.m.)
Bring the whole family for a fun, creative afternoon at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Family Art Day is a completely free, all-ages event designed to get everyone making art together. Explore the Museum, try out new materials, and take home your very own creation. FREE with registration.
“Starry Halloween” Sip N’ Paint at Tapster Philly (21+) – (1 to 3 p.m.)
Sip on your favorite drinks and paint a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. A combo of fun, art, and Halloween vibes. $39.19 tickets.
Philly Klezmer Concert for Ukraine’s Children of War – (3 p.m.)
Join this joyful, life-affirming program of klezmer and Ukrainian music — while helping bring food, safety, counseling, hope, and comfort to Ukraine’s children of war. $36 tickets include a post-concert reception. Free for refugees, recent immigrants and anyone for whom cost is an obstacle. At KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Avenue.
Theatre Exile Open House – (3 to 6 pm.)
Get a FREE sneak peek behind the scenes at the theater, meet the team for an upcoming production, take a backstage tour, find out about space rentals, snack on free popcorn and pizza and more!
Through October
DesignPhiladelphia Festival – (Through Oct. 11)
DesignPhiladelphia Festival is known for showcasing design, from architects to interior decorators and more. The nearly two week fest will be at multiple locations, and includes 100+ workshops, exhibitions, tours and talks. Learn about wide-ranging topics, including architecture, urban planning, landscape, graphic, multimedia, product, furniture design, fashion, and more.
A People’s Exposition!
Join us for a citywide exhibit and engagement series to take a critical and honest look at key issues shaping Philadelphia today, to envision a more just and equitable future for our city, and to act on solutions that address our greatest challenges. At the Kensington Engagement Center.
Into November
Dia de los Muertos tribute to Isaiah Zagar
“Viviendo a través de la Muerte” will remain on view at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens through the Day of the Dead, Nov. 1, before closing on Nov. 8.
Roach Show – (5 to 8 p.m.)
Featuring roach-inspired roach-sized art by 30 local Philly artists, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, fiber art and bolo ties! At STITCH AND DESTROY, 523 S 4th Street. The exhibit ends November 1.
