The best things to do in Philadelphia this week

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.

(Community) Whether you’re a beginner or a vet, this workshop is for you. Come learn how to use a sewing machine, and bring a new project to life. After you learn the machine basics, you’ll make your own tote bag ready to carry supplies for your next project.

⌚️Sept. 22, 6-9p.m., 📍523 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $66

(Community) Everyone else might be fanning out over pumpkin but this event is all about the beef. Six chefs from around the city will compete for bragging rights on the best hotdog in town. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

⌚️Sept. 25, 6p.m., 📍52 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 $34

(Community) It’s officially fall and there’s no better way to kick off the season than with an evening of cider and beer. Stop by the Mütter Museum for an evening of great music, snacks and drinks in their garden celebrating all things apple.

⌚️Sept. 26, 5:30-8p.m., 📍19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19103, 🌐 muttermuseum.org, 💵 $30

(Community) This block party has something for everyone. Stop by uCity for delicious local bites, music, games, and activities for kids. On-site activations will include 10 minute chair massages and a sound bath experience.

⌚️Sept. 26, 2-8p.m., 📍37th & Cuthbert St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 ucitysquare.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Preparing to hunker down with your cozy, crafty hobbies as the weather gets cooler? Get your supply stash in order at this community swap. Trade your pre-loved or unused supplies with other art lover’s stashes and chat with fellow art lovers to inspire your next creations.

⌚️Sept. 27, 12-5p.m., 📍523 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 eventbrite.com, 💵 Free

(Community) Mt. Airy’s favorite arts festival is back for its 3rd year. Discover art and local artists through art-making stations, performances, and a local vendor market. Plus there will be delicious food and ice cream from local food trucks, games and live music throughout the day.

⌚️Sept. 27, 11a.m. - 4p.m., 📍601 W. Allens Ln., Philadelphia, Pa, 19119, 🌐 allenslane.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Celebrate the start of fall on South Street with an epic block party. There will be blocks and blocks of music, food and drinks, a skate park pop up, a fantasy renaissance fair and so much more.

⌚️Sept. 27, 12-8p.m., 📍South St., from 8th St. to Front St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19147, 🌐 southstreet.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) Golden Hour at Bok Bar just got a little more glamourous. Brittany Lynn and her Drag Mafia have been performing in Philadelphia for over 20 years, serving up the best shows. Don’t miss out on iconic celebrity impersonations and a show you won’t forget, with a great nighttime view of the city.

⌚️Sept. 28, 2-5p.m.,📍800 Mifflin St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19148, 🌐 ticketleap.events 💵 $32-93

(Community) This month-long celebration puts hundreds of performances, including everything from theater to dance and film, on center stage throughout the city. With more than 300 events to explore, experiences and workshops, there is truly something for everyone.

⌚️Sept. 4-28, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) ‘Tis the season for outdoor eating, all summer long in Media. Grab an alfresco table at one of over two dozen participating restaurants, and enjoy a meal in the fresh air with the street closed to traffic.

⌚️May - September 24, 📍State St., between Jackson St., and Orange St., Media, Pa, 19063, 🌐 visitmediapa.com, 💵 Pay-as-you-go

(Community) A visit to Longwood Gardens is a must on your spring and summer bucket lists. All spring and summer, the fountains in the gardens come to live, with some jets blasting as high as 175 feet. Whether you stroll through during the daytime, or catch an illuminated night time performance, you’re bound to have a great time.

⌚️ May 9 - September 28, 📍1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Sq., Pa, 19348, 🌐 longwoodgardens.org, 💵 $8-35

Philly’s late September lineup mixes blockbuster performances, cultural parades, riverside fun, and even a light-up dance troupe. Whether your family’s into wizardry, boats, or box-building theater, there’s something new to check out this week.

(Music / film) At Marian Anderson Hall, Justin Freer conducts while the second movie in the Harry Potter series plays on the big screen — complete with Kenneth Branagh’s pompous Gilderoy Lockhart and that very big Basilisk. It’s a little high culture, a lot of Hogwarts. Ages 6 and up.

⌚Sept. 26, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27–28, 2 p.m., 📍300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $65–$167

(Dance) At the Miller Theater, this “America’s Got Talent” sensation performs in the dark, their bodies lit by LED-wired suits that make them look like moving neon art. Expect fast-paced choreography and glowing spectacle. Ages 4 and up.

⌚Sept. 26, 7 p.m., 📍250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 ensembleartsphilly.org, 💵 $36–$79

(Community / free) Penn’s Landing and Camden’s Wiggins Park team up for this family-friendly festival highlighting the river that unites and divides the states. Take a RiverLink Ferry ride, see bird shows and sailboat races, and learn about the local estuary. All ages.

⌚Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 📍211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, and 2 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J. 08103, 🌐 delawareriverfest.org, 💵 Free

(Community / free) The Benjamin Franklin Parkway transforms for one of Philly’s most vibrant annual parades, with 1,500 marchers, live music, and floats celebrating Puerto Rican culture. Centro de Oro energy, right in Center City. All ages.

⌚Sept. 28, noon–6 p.m., 📍2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 elconcilio.net, 💵 Free

(Theater) At the Louis Bluver Theatre, this Fringe Festival performance takes the universal joy of playing with a big cardboard box and elevates it into whimsical, physical theater. With no dialogue, it’s perfect even for very young kids. All ages.

⌚Sept. 28, noon, 📍302 S. Hicks St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 phillyfringe.org, 💵 $25

(Educational / multiday) The Please Touch Museum debuts its latest bilingual (Spanish and English) visiting exhibition, focused on brain development through play. Kids can test a light-up tilt table, dance in a mini studio, or dive into creative storytelling games, while parents learn about early childhood growth. Visit Saturday for a superhero theme. Ages 0–4.

⌚Sept. 20–Jan. 4, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays, 📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 💵 $24, $2 ACCESS cardholder

(Seasonal / multiday) At Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, it’s pumpkins and apples galore, plus sunflowers, zinnias, and a Sesame Street–themed corn maze. Families can also enjoy bonfires, light shows, and weekend live music, with extra thrills from after-dark haunts. Ages 1 and up.

⌚Sept. 12–Oct. 30, hours vary, 📍931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, Pa. 19067, 🌐 shadybrookfarm.com, 💵 $20–$40, free under 2

(Community / free) Each Sunday through Oct. 12, the blocks around and east of Rittenhouse Square close to cars and open to people. Expect games, street performers, and food vendors as Walnut and Locust Streets transform into a lively pedestrian zone. All ages.

⌚Sundays, Sept. 7–Oct. 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 📍Walnut and Locust Sts. between 15th and 19th, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 centercityphila.org, 💵 Free

(Outdoors / multiday) Hellerick’s Farm in Doylestown blooms with 25 varieties of sunflowers, plus pick-your-own raspberries and blackberries. Admission also includes farm activities like a silo climbing wall, goat petting, mini golf, and more. Kids 36 inches and under are free. All ages.

⌚Sept. 2–Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., 📍5500 Easton Rd., Doylestown, Pa. 18902, 🌐 hellericksfarm.com, 💵 $16–$20