Weekend Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ Terror Behind The Walls, Oktoberfests, Restaurant Weeks, Spruce Street Harbor Park and More!

Philadelphia Skyline From South St Bridge

‘Festivals In Philly’

The weekend kicks off with Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary, the Fringe Festival, Philly Vegan Restaurant Week, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Parks On Tap, Manayunk Restaurant Week, the continuation of Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation, & the Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey exhibit, Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences, the Parkway 100 Celebration and more.

During the weekend enjoy Oktoberfest at Brauhaus Schmitz, Taste of the Market at Reading Terminal Market, PHL Oktoberfest in Fishtown, Smithsonian Museum Day, Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party, Fringe Festival, Manayunk Restaurant Week, Center City District Restaurant Week, FREE tours of Yards Brewing Co, farmers’ markets, free yoga and much more.

During the week enjoy Parks On Tap, Manayunk Restaurant Week, the continuation of the Design in Revolution: A 1960’s Odyssey exhibit, Pay-What-You-Wish and much more.

In upcoming weeks get ready for FEASTIVAL, First Friday, 4th Fridays in Headhouse District 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 21 – 27 ~

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 ~ 
• Philly Vegan Restaurant Week ~ September 21 – 22 ~ Enjoy 30 + restaurants around Philadelphia will offer a prix fixe vegan menu consisting of dishes that best represent that establishment. A portion of the proceeds from the week will be donated to the Peace Advocacy Network, a Philadelphia-based organization that supports people in their journey toward a peaceful, vegan lifestyle.  ~ Philly Vegan Restaurant Week ~
• Parks On Tap at Pretzel Park ~ September 21 – 23 ~ Pretzel Park ~ Pretzel Park is located in the heart of Manayunk at the corner of Cresson, Cotton and Silverwood Streets. ~ Map ~ ~ Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~
• Fringe Festival ~ September 21 – 23 ~ The Fringe Festival, now in its 22nd year, spans from September 6 to 23, allowing you to enjoy 17 days of progressive performing and visual arts city-wide throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods! Check out our guide to top shows! ~ Fringe Festival ~
• Manayunk Restaurant Week ~ September 21 – 28 ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week offers various types of food selections such as Seafood, Steak, American, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and more. Many local restaurants will be participating, allowing you to indulge in special three course meals offered at $15, $25, and $35 price ranges. (Does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol). Check it out!  ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week ~
• Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ September 21 – 30 ~ Held at Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. Enjoy the beer garden and the relaxing waterfront hangout. There will be a weekend-long festival full of musical performances, hands-on activities and tasty food and drink options. ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & UNIVESTival ~ 
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ September 21 – November 10 ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary is the nation’s premier haunted attraction in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. Better than any scary hayride or haunted mansion. Check it out. Contest! Read about our ticket giveaway (ends Sept 25)  ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~
• Parkway 100 Celebration ~ September 21 to Nov 16 ~ The Ben Franklin Parkway is turning 100 and Philadelphia is set to mark this milestone with a year of special events, promotions, and family-friendly experiences through November 18, 2018. ~ Parkway 100 Celebration ~
• Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~ September 21 – December 31 ~ Held at the National Constitution Center.  The exhibition focuses on Alexander Hamilton and the challenging relationships and friendships he had with some of our country’s history makers such as James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Aaron Burr. ~ Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation ~
• Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ September 21, 2018 – January 21, 2019 ~ Come face-to-feet with nearly 20 massive, colorful, moving bugs! From a fluttering oversized monarch butterfly and a fluffy tri-colored bumblebee to a gigantic Madagascar hissing cockroach and a blood-sucking bed bug, these towering animatronics tell a rarely seen story of the behaviors and intricacies of extreme bugs. Get a bug’s-eye view of the world, explore critter calls, dig for ancient arthropods, and play an Xtreme bug facts game. ~ Xtreme Bugs At The Academy of Natural Sciences ~ 
• Taste of the Market ~ September 22 – 23 ~ Held at the Reading Terminal Market both days.  Eat away at the Taste of the Market! This event will feature *FREE* cooking demonstrations and shopping tours with some of the city’s culinary leaders! Click the link for details!   ~ Taste of the Market ~
• Center City District Restaurant Week ~ September 23 – October 5 ~ Center City District Restaurant Week is here again. Come out and get discounted prices at your favorite participating restaurants, enjoying delicious foods both during lunch and dinner. ~ Center City District Restaurant Week ~

Date Specific Events & Activities ~ September 21 – 27 ~

• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of September ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for September 2018 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~ 
• Friday Nights Art ~ September 21 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Alita Moses – ​This award-winning vocalist entertains with alluring jazz arrangements ranging from George Gershwin to Esperanza Spalding. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~Friday Nights Art ~ 
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ September 21 – November 10 ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary is the nation’s premier haunted attraction in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. Better than any scary hayride or haunted mansion. Check it out. Contest! Read about our ticket giveaway (ends Sept 25)  ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~
• Filter Square Farmers’ Market ~ September 22 ~ 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 22 ~ 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 22 ~ 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 22 ~ 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 22 ~ Museum Hours ~ FREE (ticket required) ~ Enjoy many museums in the Philadelphia region taking part in this year’s event! Those include The African American Museum in Philadelphia, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Penn Museum and many more. ~ Smithsonian Museum Day ~ 
• Taste of the Market ~ September 22 ~ Held at the Reading Terminal Market both days.  Eat away at the Taste of the Market! This event will feature *FREE* cooking demonstrations and shopping tours with some of the city’s culinary leaders! Click the link for details!  ~ Taste of the Market ~
• Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party ~ September 22 ~ FREE – Held outside of Philly AIDS Thrift at 710 S. 5th Street. Enjoy the 13th Anniversary block party in Queen Village. There will be live music by DJ Robert Drake and The Cheddar Boys; a celebrity dunk tank with Stefanie Jolles and MacKenzie Moltov; family-fun activities like a moonbounce and face painting; carnival games; food-truck fare and tons more. ~ Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party ~
• Oktoberfest at Brauhaus Schmitz ~ September 22 ~ Noon – 8 pm. Held outside of Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street. Enjoy 10 different kinds of German beers, excellent German food, live Oompah music, face painting, the Liter lift competition, Schnapski, German folk dancing, and much more.  ~ Oktoberfest at Brauhaus Schmitz ~
• PHL Oktoberfest in Fishtown ~ September 22 ~ From noon to 10 pm. Held at Frankford Avenue between Girard Avenue and Thompson Street. Enjoy German beer, food & German music at several establishments in the area and along the streets. Live performances from the GTV Almrausch dancers and others and for families, there’s an area for kid-friendly entertainment, face-painting, balloon-twisters and pony rides. ~ PHL Oktoberfest in Fishtown ~
• Yards Brewing Co Tours ~ September 22 & 23 ~ FREE – Saturdays & 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 22 & 26 ~ 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 23 ~ 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 ~  
• Taste of the Market ~ September 23 ~ From 10 am to 3 pm. Held at the Reading Terminal Market both days.  Eat away at the Taste of the Market! This event will feature *FREE* cooking demonstrations and shopping tours with some of the city’s culinary leaders! Click the link for details!  ~ Taste of the Market ~
• Parks On Tap at Pretzel Park ~ September 23 ~ Pretzel Park ~ Pretzel Park is located in the heart of Manayunk at the corner of Cresson, Cotton and Silverwood Streets. ~ Map ~ ~ Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~
• Irish Sessions ~ September 23 ~ FREE – Every Sunday from 5 pm – 9 pm at the Plough & the Stars in Old City! Enjoy musicians playing Iriic while enjoying drinks and or your dinner. 
• Fringe Festival ~ September  23 ~ The Fringe Festival, now in its 22nd year, spans from September 6 to 23, allowing you to enjoy 17 days of progressive performing and visual arts city-wide throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods! Check out our guide to top shows! ~ Fringe Festival ~ 
• Manayunk Restaurant Week ~ September 24 – 28 ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week offers various types of food selections such as Seafood, Steak, American, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and more. Many local restaurants will be participating, allowing you to indulge in special three course meals offered at $15, $25, and $35 price ranges. (Does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol). Check it out! ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week ~
• Old City Farmers Market ~ September 26 ~ From 2 pm – 7 pm every Wednesday at Christ Church between 2nd & 3rd Sts until November. Purchase fruits, vegetables, ice cream, bread, dog treats and more. ~ Old City Farmers Market ~
• Pay-What-You-Wish ~ September 26 ~ 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 ~ 
• Mt. Airy Supper Sessions On The Avenue ~ September 26 ~ Calling all foodies! From 5 pm – 10 pm, here is your chance to check out Germantown Avenue’s great food-and-drink scene! Ten restaurants will serve up their delicious eats on Germantown Avenue every other Wednesday night until November 10. Be sure to stick around for live music, kids activities and more. ~ Mt. Airy Supper Sessions On The Avenue ~ 
• Parks On Tap at Strawberry Mansion ~ September 26 – 30 ~ 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 is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks ending September 30. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ September 27 – November 10 ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary is the nation’s premier haunted attraction in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. Better than any scary hayride or haunted mansion. Check it out. ~ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~
• 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 ~ Now Open 2018 ~ 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 ~

Philly Beer Gardens

• Morgan’s Pier ~ It might still not feel like spring just yet, but the fun outdoor bar, Morgan’s Pier, is now open for business. Enjoy food, drinks, live music and more. ~ Morgan’s Pier ~

• PHS Pop-Up Garden ~ Relax while enjoying food & beer at two different locations! South Street, 1438 South Street and University City Square, 36th & Filbert streets. ~ PHS Pop-Up Garden ~

• Parks On Tap ~  Parks on Tap is a program that brings a traveling beer garden from park to park for 23 weeks. Get out there and explore many of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks while enjoy beer, food and good company! ~ Parks On Tap ~

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 28  & beyond

• Friday Nights Art ~ September 28 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. ~ Final Fridays: LMAO – Stand-up and improv comics take over the galleries, and absurdist soul outfit Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket tear it up on the dance floor. Some programs present language and content that may not be suitable for children. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in  the Great Stair Hall. ~ Friday Nights Art ~  
• Manayunk Restaurant Week ~ September 28 ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week offers various types of food selections such as Seafood, Steak, American, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and more. Many local restaurants will be participating, allowing you to indulge in special three course meals offered at $15, $25, and $35 price ranges. (Does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol). Check it out! ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week ~
• 4th Friday in Headhouse District ~ September 28 ~ 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 ~ 
• Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of October ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for October 2018 or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~ 
• First Friday’s in Old City~ October 5 ~ 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’s in Manayunk ~ October 5 ~ 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 7 ~ 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 7 ~ 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 ~ 
• Mt. Airy Supper Sessions On The Avenue ~ October 10 ~ Calling all foodies! From 5 pm – 10 pm, here is your chance to check out Germantown Avenue’s great food-and-drink scene! Ten restaurants will serve up their delicious eats on Germantown Avenue every other Wednesday night until November 10. Be sure to stick around for live music, kids activities and more. ~ Mt. Airy Supper Sessions On The Avenue ~

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 21 – 23

Friday  |  Cloudy  |  High 77°  |  Low 66°
Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 74°  |  Low 60°
Sunday  |  60% AM Showers  |  High 68°  |  Low 57°

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 Philly Free Streets for MyPhillyAlive

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