Top Weekend Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Terror Behind The Walls At Eastern State Penitentiary, Debut Of City Winery, Oktoberfests, Opening Of The Fashion District and More!

‘Last Weekend Of Summer In Philadelphia!’

The weekend kicks off with the end of Fringe Festival, opening weekend of Terror Behind the Walls, Fall Fest at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Center City District restaurant week, Debut of City Winery, Opening of the Fashion District, CandyTopia, Franklin Square Fountain Show, Festival O19, Parks on Tap, Hamilton at the Forrest Theatre, Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens and more. 

During the weekend enjoy the Fringe Festival, Franklin Square Fountain Show, Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party, Terror Behind the Walls, Oktoberfest at Brauhaus Schmitz, South Philly SausageFest, Smithsonian Museum Day, Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall, Center City District restaurant week, Festival O19, Pinups & Pints at Philadelphia Brewing Company, Hamilton at the Forrest Theatre, Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens, FREE tours of Yards Brewing Co, farmers’ markets, free yoga and much more.

During the week enjoy Quizzo at Plough and the Stars, Center City District restaurant week, Festival O19, Parks On Tap, FEASTIVAL, Franklin Square Fountain Show, Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens, Pay-What-You-Wish and much more.

In upcoming weeks get ready for Cigars on the River on the Battleship New Jersey, Night Market, Dinos After Dark, 4th Fridays in Headhouse District, First Friday, First Sunday and much more.

What event or activity this, weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below. Tip: If you haven’t done so in recent months or years, visit the many wonderful museums in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Museums

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our Facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of ~ September 20 – 26 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”. Also, check back daily for updates!

Informational Posts For Things To Do Year Round or Seasonal

• Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelpha Museums ~   
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of September ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for September 2019 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~  
• City Winery Philadelphia ~ Now Open ~ Thanks to Founder & CEO Michael Dorf and his team, they have brought you a venue that offers excellent tasting wine, food and music, all in one place. For those music lovers, you’ll enjoy great shows in either their loft, that holds approximately 150 people or their main room, which holds approximately 350 people, to listen to some of the best performers around the country! The shows will begin September 27. Tickets for many shows are going quickly, so get them now! Get Tickets! ~ City Winery Philadelphia ~
• CandyTopia ~ Now Open ~ Located at 901 Market Street. Candytopia is an outrageously interactive candy wonderland that transports guests to an imaginative confectionery world with a one-of-a-kind full sensory experiences—you can expect larger-than-life installations inspired by pure, sugary bliss throughout Candytopia’s dozen unique rooms, along with candy samples and lots of fun surprises. ~ CandyTopia ~
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ September 20 – 21 & 27 – 28; October 4 – 31; November 1 -3 & 8 – 9 ~ Held at Eastern State Penitentiary at 2027 Fairmount Avenue. Rated as one of the top 10 haunted attractions in the country, here is your chance to see how brave you are! Guests can walk through six haunted attractions with different themes all set within the halls of the abandoned prison. Beware of creepy zombies, deranged nurses and spooky ghouls around every corner. ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~
• Parks On Tap at Pretzel Park  ~ September 20 – 22 ~ Pretzel Park is located in the heart of Manayunk at the corner of Cresson, Cotton and Silverwood Streets.  ~ Map ~ ~ Parks On Tap ~
• FringeFestival ~ September 20 – 22 ~ Enjoy 18 days of progressive performing and visual arts city-wide throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods! Check out our guide to top shows! ~ FringeFestival ~ 
• Free Fringe Philly ~ September 20 – 22 ~ Free Fringe Philly makes art accessible to all by helping to promote free performing-arts shows going on over the course of the same three weeks as the Fringe Festival. ~ Free Fringe Philly ~ 
• Fall Fest at Spruce Street Harbor Park ~ September 20 – 22 ~ FREE activities. Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park at 301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy live music, salsa lessons, a vendor market, make-and-take activities, kid-friendly fun and for those 21 & over, enjoy 18 varieties of seasonal craft beer at the Delaware River waterfront attraction.  ~ Fall Fest at Spruce Street Harbor Park ~
• Center City Restaurant Week ~ September 20 – 27 ~ Enjoy 3 course meals for lunch or dinner set at prix fixe prices.  ~ Center City Restaurant Week ~ 
• Festival O19 ~ September 20 – 29 ~ Held at various locations throughout Philadelphia to include the Academy of Music at 240 S. Broad Street. Opera Philadelphia’s festival returns for a third year with company and world premieres of sung comedy, myth, tragedy and satire. Performances this year include collaborations with the Fringe Festival, late-night cabarets, a recital series and four core works — The Love for Three Oranges, Semele, Denis & Katya and Let Me Die. ~ Festival O19 ~
• Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens ~ September 20 – 29 ~ Held at Longwood Gardens at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square. Enjoy more than 1,000 jets that create an impressive display made up of vibrant colors and exciting movements of water. ~ Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens ~ 
• Franklin Square Fountain Show  ~ September 20 – 30 ~ FREE – Held every Thursday thru Sunday in August at Franklin Square at 200 N. 6th Street. Enjoy a newly renovated fountain with light shows every 30 minutes from noon to 2 pm and then 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm! ~ Franklin Square Fountain Show ~
• Creatures of Habitat at the Philadelphia Zoo ~ September 20 – 30 ~ Held at the Philadelphia Zoo at 3400 W. Girard Avenue. Visitors will get to explore 12 amazing life-size LEGO® brick vignettes situated throughout the Zoo. This gazillion piece journey shares the issues animals are facing around the world and spotlights the heroes working to save them. Each life-sized LEGO® brick scene is intricately fashioned from thousands of LEGO® bricks and is on exhibit only at Philadelphia Zoo. Creatures of Habitat highlights the zoo community’s role in protecting wildlife. ~ Opening: Creatures of Habitat at the Philadelphia Zoo ~ 
• Scarecrows In The Village At Peddler’s Village ~ September 20 – October 27 ~ FREE – Held at Peddler’s Village at 2400 Street Road, New Hope. Visitors can roam around and explore one hundred handmade scarecrows created by local residents and organizations for a seven-week scarecrow showcase and competition.  Also enjoy the Scarecrow Festival: September 14-15.  This weekend event features scarecrow-making workshops, pumpkin painting, live entertainment and more kid-friendly activities. ~ Scarecrows In The Village At Peddler’s Village ~
• Hamilton at the Forrest Theatre ~ September 20 – November 17 (select dates) ~ Held at The Forrest Theatre at 1114 Walnut Street. Hello Philadelphia! Welcome Hamilton! Lin-Manuel Miranda’s record-breaking Broadway show about the Founding Fathers features a historic story line set to a modern-day score of hip-hop, blues, R&B and jazz. Prices start at $129. Fans can enter a lottery daily for the chance to win $10 tickets. ~ Hamilton at the Forrest Theatre ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ September 20 – 26 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of September ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for September 2019 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~  
• Philly Free Week at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens ~ September 20 ~ FREE – Held at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street.  Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens wants to “thank you” for their support in this community! Visitors will enjoy free admission to its outdoor sculpture garden, current exhibition Translations, daily gallery talks and interactive activities for five whole days! Sunday’s kick-off event features music from Bridgeset Sound and a Mummers-themed craft activity. ~ Philly Free Week at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens ~
• Friday Nights Art ~ September 20 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Dawn Landes – Full of vivid storytelling, classic country themes, and eternal questions, the songwriting of this Nashville artist is as fresh as it is timeless. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 
• Filter Square farmers’ Market ~ September 21 ~ From 9 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 23rd and Pine Streets. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~
• Liberty Lands Market ~ September 21 ~ From 9 am until 3 pm at 926 N. American St in Northern Liberties. One can find everything from fresh organic produce to hand crafted wears and lotions. Hand made soaps, Ice Creams, sauces, organic teas and coffees and more. Part of the market, you will find animal rescues with adoptables & pet products. ~ Liberty Lands Market ~ 
• Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ September 21 ~ From 9 am to 3 pm from 18th & Walnut Streets, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, fresh seafood, fresh bread and much more! ~ Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market ~ 
• Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~ September 21 ~ From 10 am to 2 pm, The Food Trust holds an outdoor market at 43rd St and Baltimore Ave. Enjoy fresh vegetables & food from favorite local farmers and producers. ~ Clark Park Farmers’ Market ~     
• Smithsonian Museum Day ~ September 21 ~ FREE with a ticket (must register) – Held at 11 + museums throughout the Philadelphia Region! Such museums include the African American Museum, Penn Museum, PAFA, Independence Seaport Museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences and many more.  ~ Smithsonian Museum Day ~ 
• South Philly SausageFest ~ September 21 ~ FREE to attend – pay-as-you-go. From 11 am – 7 pm at Broad Street and West Passyunk Avenue. Guests will be able to enjoy sausages, sausage sandwiches, beer, live music and more! ~ South Philly SausageFest ~ 
• ManaFest in Manayunk ~ September 21 ~ FREE to attend – pay-as-you-go. From 11 am – 11 pm on Main Street from Shurs Lane to Green Lane in Manayunk, PA. Enjoy all things autumn during its MANAfest community festival. Guests can enjoy pumpkin carving, face painting, live music, food vendors and shopping specials. ~ ManaFest in Manayunk ~
• Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party ~ September 21 ~ FREE – Noon – 6 pm at Philly AIDS Thrift at 710 S. 5th Street. Enjoy tunes by WXPN’s DJ Robert Drake, while guests enjoy a carnival-like atmosphere featuring a moon bounce, games, food trucks, a pie-eating contest and the day’s main attraction, the Celebrity Dunk Tank.  ~ Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party ~
• Oktoberfest With Brauhaus Schmitz ~ September 21 ~ From noon – 8 pm on South Street in front of Brauhaus Schmitz at 718 South Street.  Guests can enjoy German food, German beer, German music and much more! ~ Oktoberfest With Brauhaus Schmitz ~
• Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall ~ September 21 ~ From noon – 10 pm at Frankford Hall at 1210 Frankford Avenue.  Enjoy food specials, German BEER, The Polka Brothers, and more. Down the street on Shackamaxon Avenue, they will offer more family-friendly activities, including: A children’s rock band, The Laura and Joe Show, Pony rides & Hands-on activities. ~ Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall ~ 
• Oktoberfest at XFinity Live ~ September 21 ~ 1100 Pattison Avenue – From 2-6 pm, the 8th Annual Oktoberfest at XFinity Live will be an all-day event that will feature 250+ beers to sample in a custom stein for you, beer gardens, food trucks, live music, games and more. ~ For ticket info, click on Oktoberfest at XFinity Live. 
• Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ September 21 & 22 ~ FREE – Saturday & Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm at Yards Brewery, enjoy a wonderful tour of the brewery! All tour-goers must be 21+ unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Bus tours, private tours and guided tastings are offered by appointment only. Please contact events@yardsbrewing.com for booking information. ~ Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ 
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ September 21 & 25 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 115-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ 
• Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ September 22 ~ Established in 2007, this market is located in the historic Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Featuring more than 40 vendors, Headhouse is one of The Food Trust’s largest farmers markets. ~ Headhouse Farmers’ Market ~ 
• Pinups & Pints at Philadelphia Brewing Company ~ September 22 ~ Noon – 4 pm at the Philadelphia Brewing Company at 2440 Frankford Ave. Join Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc. , The PA Liberty Belles – Pinup Club and Greasers Social Club PA/NJ for a Classic Car Show and Pinup Contest! Enjoy great beer, live music from April Mae and the Junebugs, raffles, and more! ~ Pinups & Pints at Philadelphia Brewing Company ~
• Irish Sessions ~ September 22 ~ FREE – Every Sunday from 5 pm – 9 pm (tonight 4 pm – 8 pm because of the Eagles Sunday Night game) at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Enjoy musicians playing Irish music while enjoying drinks and or your dinner. 
• Center City Restaurant Week ~ September 22 – 27 ~ Enjoy 3 course meals for lunch or dinner set at prix fixe prices.  ~ Center City Restaurant Week ~
• Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ September 23 ~ Starting at 9 pm enjoy Quizzo at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Big Money!! Win $100! ~ Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ 
• Pay-What-You-Wish ~ September 25 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~ 
• Parks On Tap at Strawberry Mansion Bridge  ~ September 25 – 29 ~ The Strawberry Mansion Bridge is a steel arch bridge across the Schuylkill River near the Historic Strawberry Mansion. Located at Ford Drive and Strawberry Mansion Drive, the bridge serves as a link between East and West Fairmount Park, used by pedestrians, vehicles, horses, and bicycles. ~ Map ~~ Parks On Tap ~ 
• The Rail Park Opening ~ Now Open ~ This awesome new public space is FREE to the public.  This space allows visitors to enjoy seating, public art, greenery and elevated city views! The area stretches from Broad and Noble streets, jumps up to the Reading Viaduct overhead and ends above the 1100 block of Callowhill Street. ~ The Rail Park Opening ~
• Franklin Square ~ Open Now 2019 ~ Enjoy mini-golf, a carousel, food and drink options and an outdoor space for kids or to simply hang out at Franklin Square. ~ Franklin Square ~
• Dilworth Park ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy seating areas for relaxation, food & live music. ~ Dilworth Park ~
• Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~ Now Open ~ Enjoy this 2,000 foot new extension bridging the South Street Bridge & the Locust Street bike trail. ~ Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk  ~
• “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ Now Open ~ A permanent exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Travel through a two-story tall neural network climbing structure with dynamic lighting and sound effects that are triggered by your footsteps. Kids can act as a Doctor by scanning the brain with an MRI machine, explore your brain, challenge your brain & much more.   ~ “Your Brain” at Franklin Institute ~ 
• Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~ Now Open ~ Stop over at Penn Museum in University City and learn about contemporary issues in Native America. Uncover the rich history and identity of the Native American people through 200 plus objects on display & much more. ~ Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~
• The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~

Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

• The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
• Museum of the American Revolution – The Museum of the American Revolution tells the full story of the American Revolution and explores its ongoing legacy, showcasing a vast collection. There are over 3,000 artifacts that have been collected to include General George Washington’s marquee and much more. The museum anchors the eastern end of Independence National Historical Park. ~ Museum of the American Revolution ~
• Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
• Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell ~
• Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall ~
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
• Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House ~
• Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
• National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
• Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia ~ September 27 & beyond

• Friday Nights Art ~ September 27 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Dawn Landes – Full of vivid storytelling, classic country themes, and eternal questions, the songwriting of this Nashville artist is as fresh as it is timeless. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~ 
• Dinos After Dark ~ September 27 ~ Pay-What-You-Wish (suggested donation $10)  From 4 pm – 8 pm at The Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin parkway. On the fourth Friday evening of every month this fall, the Academy of Natural Sciences is offering pay-what-you-wish admission, family activities, and an indoor beer garden in our famous Dinosaur Hall. ~ Dinos After Dark ~ 
• 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ September 27 ~ Starting at 5 pm in the South Street Headhouse District, Experience the creativity and energy of the fabulous Fourth Street and South Street business communities with an evening of extended hours, art, music, food and shopping along Historic Fabric Row (and beyond). ~ 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ 
• Cigars on the River on the Battleship New Jersey ~ September 28 ~ 5 pm – 10 pm. Calling all cigar lovers! Enjoy premium cigars on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey while overlooking the Delaware River and the Philadelphia skyline! ~ Cigars on the River on the Battleship New Jersey ~ 
• Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~ September 30 ~ Starting at 9 pm enjoy quizzo at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Big Money!! Win $100! ~ Quizzo at The Plough & the Stars ~
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of October ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for October 2019 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~  
• First Friday in Old City~ October 4 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~ 
• First Friday in Manayunk ~ October 4 ~ Starts at 5 pm. Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ 
• First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ October 6 ~ FREE – On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Barnes Foundation will enjoy free admission, family entertainment and informative seminars from 10 am to 6 pm. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation beginning at 9 am. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays. ~ First Sunday’s at Barnes Foundation ~ 
• Pay As You Wish ~ October 6 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 1st Sunday of the month from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~ 
• 2nd Saturday at Historic Germantown Sites ~ October 12 ~ From noon to 4 pm every 2nd Saturday until October. Held at various locations including Johnson House Historic Site at 6306 Germantown Avenue. Visitors can explore 18 total Historic Germantown sites and pay-what-you-wish admission. Enjoy special activities, refreshments and extended hours at sites like Awbury Arboretum and Johnson House. ~ 2nd Saturday at Historic Germantown Sites ~  

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out. If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of September 20 – 22

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 80°  |  Low 58°
Saturday  |  Mostly Sunny  |  High 86°  |  Low 64°
Sunday  |  Mostly Sunny  |  High 89°  |  Low 70°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Stephen Lyford for MyPhillyAlive

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