💌 Love Philly? So do we. Let’s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today.
🏙️ 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.
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!
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.
Friday, October 9
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, October 11
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.
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.
