\u201dUniversal Theme Parks: The Exhibition\u201d at Franklin Institute<\/p>\n
Step inside the creative and innovative world of theme parks through the lens of Universal\u2019s fan-favorite attractions, including \u201cJaws,\u201d \u201cIllumination\u2019s Minions,\u201d \u201cThe Secret Life of Pets\u201d and \u201cSing,\u201d SUPER NINTENDO WORLD\u2122, \u201cJurassic World,\u201d DreamWorks Animation\u2019s \u201cHow to Train Your Dragon,\u201d Universal Monsters, and more. Play your way through eight themed galleries, where 100 original artifacts bring each experience to life. From authentic costumes and iconic props to early concept models, experience the creativity, artistry, and innovation behind Universal\u2019s most epic attractions. Snap a photo, storyboard a ride, design and animate horror masks, cue a live show, and experiment with animation and projection mapping \u2014 all while hearing directly from the creators, animators, and show writers who make it happen. \u201cUniversal Theme Parks: The Exhibition\u201d is a timed-entry exhibit, which allows the museum to manage the number of guests in the exhibit, providing the best possible experience for everyone. Advanced tickets are recommended.<\/p>\n
When:<\/strong> ends Monday, Sept. 7<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.<\/p>\n Twilight Tours<\/p>\n Enjoy a free after-hours walking tour around the national park hosted by Independence Historical Trust. Knowledgeable Twilight Guides lead visitors through iconic landmarks and hidden corners, sharing stories that bring Philadelphia\u2019s history to life. Meeting Point at the Liberty Bell Center viewing window.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> ends Monday, Sept. 7 at 5:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Liberty Bell Center, 101 S. Independence Mall W.<\/p>\n America\u2019s Town Hall: The First Amendment and Artificial Intelligence<\/p>\n Join the National Constitution Center for a special keynote conversation examining the intersection of the First Amendment and artificial intelligence. Technology and constitutional scholar Jonathan Zittrain and Ellen Goodman, Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School, will examine how constitutional values can help guide emerging technologies and what the future of free expression looks like in the digital age. This program is presented in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of First Amendment Day, a new annual celebration at the Center inviting visitors of all ages to explore the five freedoms of the First Amendment through conversation, creativity, history, and hands-on experiences.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 1:15\u20132:15 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.<\/p>\n America\u2019s Town Hall: The First at 250 With Governors Spencer Cox and Josh Shapiro<\/p>\n Join Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) for an honest, lively conversation about the ideas that unite and divide us \u2014 and why how we talk to each other matters more than ever. Set against the backdrop of America\u2019s 250th birthday, this landmark evening brings together two leaders for a candid fireside chat on the First Amendment, free expression, and how we can rekindle values at the heart of our democracy by learning to disagree better. The program will be moderated by The New York Times\u2019 Lulu Garcia-Navarro. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception featuring live music by Artistas y M\u00fasicos Latino Americanos.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 5:30\u20137:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n America\u2019s Town Hall: What the Founders Learned From the Ancients<\/p>\n The National Constitution Center and the University of Pennsylvania Department of Classical Studies present a conversation with renowned Enlightenment scholar and Stanford University professor Caroline Winterer exploring how the American founders drew inspiration not only from classical Greece and Rome, but also from other civilizations in the ancient world, including Carthage, Rome\u2019s great rival. In celebration of America\u2019s 250th anniversary, the conversation will examine how broadly the founders looked to the ancient world for inspiration during the American Revolution and how those ideas helped shape American constitutional democracy. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Following the program, guests at the Center will enjoy exclusive access to America\u2019s Founding, one of the Center\u2019s new permanent galleries, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, Sept. 10 from 5\u20136:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.<\/p>\n Opera Philadelphia opens 2026-2027 season with Philly premiere<\/p>\n Opera Philadelphia\u2019s 2026-2027 Season launches with the Philadelphia premiere of \u201cMitridate, re di Ponto,\u201d an early career triumph for composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who completed the opera when he was just 14 years old. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be able to introduce audiences to a Mozart opera that nobody knows,\u201d says director Emma Griffin, who likens the story to the HBO hit Succession. Her new production stars celebrated tenor Lawrence Brownlee as the titular king, with General Director and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo as his \u201cbad\u201d son Farnace and soprano Meredith Wohlgemuth as the younger son, Sifare. Glittering soprano Lauren Snouffer portrays Aspasia, the woman all three love.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, Sept. 9-10 at 7 p.m. & Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n BALLETX presents \u201cThe Four Seasons Reimagined\u201d<\/p>\n Join BALLETX as they feature the return of \u201cThe Four Seasons Reimagined\u201d \u2013 an epic love letter to Mother Nature that invites audiences into a living, breathing world shaped by sound, movement, light, and design. Composer and electronic music innovator Dan Deacon creates and performs a bold original score live on stage, igniting an immersive landscape where the seasons pulse with urgency and wonder. Four visionary choreographers, Morgann Runacre-Temple (Summer), Penny Saunders (Fall), Jamar Roberts (Winter), and Trey McIntyre (Spring), each bring a distinct season to life, revealing nature as the driving force at the heart of the story: fragile, fierce, and magnificently alive.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, Sept. 10-12<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> The Topper Theatre, Villanova University, 800 E. Lancaster Ave.<\/p>\n \u201dDECLARATION\u201d<\/p>\n After decades in public life, Joe Torsella is stepping onto the stage in an entirely new role. The former Pennsylvania State Treasurer, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia, and founding president and CEO of the National Constitution Center has written, produced, and stars in \u201cDECLARATION,\u201d a powerful, semi-autobiographical one-man play that will receive its world premiere in eight performances during the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. \u201cDECLARATION\u201d follows a former public official whose career has ended, leaving him to confront a question familiar to anyone who has ever defined themselves by a title or profession: Who are we when the job is over? As he searches for answers and his voice, he turns to the Declaration of Independence\u2014not as a museum piece or political slogan, but as a living text that continues to challenge each generation. As Philadelphia stands at the center of the nation\u2019s 250th birthday, \u201cDECLARATION\u201d offers audiences an intimate, entertaining, and timely theatrical experience that bridges public history and private life, asking what America\u2019s founding promises demand of us still.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Thursday, Sept. 10\u201320<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.<\/p>\n Friday Night at PMA: Jazz Edition<\/p>\n Celebrate the cultural significance of jazz and the 100th anniversary of saxophonist, composer, and bandleader John Coltrane\u2019s birth. Enjoy a night of live music from Yolanda Wisher & The Afroeaters, artmaking that takes inspiration from the improvisational nature of jazz, gallery talks highlighting the influence of jazz on the visual arts in the exhibition A Nation of Artists, and explore local organizations at our community tabling. Yolanda Wisher & The Afroeaters is a Philadelphia-based jazz collective led by wordsmith and rhapsodist Yolanda Wisher. Blending jazz, soul, and spoken word, the group creates rhythm-driven performances rooted in Black history, liberation, and joy. Their debut album Doublehanded Suite (2022) and forthcoming release nature gurl (2026) extend this vision into recorded form. Anchored by deep grooves and layered percussion, Wisher\u2019s poetic vocals move fluidly between song and verse. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Friday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.<\/p>\n Artist-Led Birding Workshop<\/p>\n Glen Foerd, Philadelphia\u2019s public park and nonprofit cultural site along the Delaware River, will host a special birding program with interdisciplinary artist Yannick Lowery and Philadelphia wildlife photographer and bird enthusiast Troy Bynum. The free workshop welcomes people from traditionally marginalized identities to experience and enjoy nature through birding. No experience is necessary. Participants will learn to identify local bird species using binoculars and field guides provided during the program. The program is part of Lowery\u2019s ongoing project as Glen Foerd\u2019s Artist in Residence. His work reimagines Glen Foerd as a site of leisure instead of labor by highlighting the experiences of workers throughout the site\u2019s history. Through programs like this, Lowery invites the public into his research.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 from 12-2 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave.<\/p>\n 3rd Annual Spring Garden Sunflower Festival<\/p>\n On Saturday, the Spring Garden Civic Association and 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. will host the 3rd Annual Spring Garden Sunflower Festival, transforming the 1700\u20131900 blocks of Fairmount Avenue into a celebration of the neighborhood\u2019s small businesses, artists, and institutions. Now in its third year, the festival has grown bigger each time, and this year is shaping up to be the biggest yet. The free, family-friendly event features 50+ vendors, artists, and service providers spotlighting the local business corridor; live music and DJ sets presented by Records Forever; a community salsa lesson with Siempre Salsa Philly at 4 p.m.; and a Kids\u2019 Zone, beer garden with lawn games, and food trucks.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 from 12-8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 1700\u20131900 blocks of Fairmount Avenue<\/p>\n 4th Annual Philly Black Wine & Spirits Fest<\/p>\n As summer makes its final toast, one of Philadelphia\u2019s most anticipated cultural experiences is uncorking something unforgettable. On Saturday, the 4th Annual Philly Black Wine & Spirits Fest returns to Girard College, inviting thousands to sip, savor and vibe at a vibrant celebration of a multicultural experience, spotlighting premium wine and spirits, music, art and community. Presented by Kabila Events, this year\u2019s theme, \u201cFrom Bourbon Street to Broad Street,\u201d transforms Philadelphia into a luxurious New Orleans-inspired celebration where Mardi Gras energy meets elevated style. Guests are encouraged to embrace the festive spirit by wearing purple, green and gold accented with black or cream for an unforgettable day of culture, connection and celebration. Throughout the afternoon, attendees will enjoy unlimited wine and spirits tastings featuring diverse brands and local favorites, live DJs and performances, immersive art experiences, interactive photo installations, flavorful food vendors and a curated marketplace showcasing local businesses.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave.<\/p>\n Germantown Avenue Food Truck Festival<\/p>\n To kick-off the post-Labor Day street festival season, the Germantown Avenue Food Truck Festival returns for its second edition. The event will once again offer a spectacular day of food, music, art, culture and community with the theme \u201cFlavor, Fitness & Festivities \u2014 A Celebration of Food, Culture & Healthy Living.\u201d While the food and beverage component is pay-as-you go, this otherwise free festival presented by The Achievement Foundation, the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is packed with family-friendly activities for all ages. This year\u2019s lineup is full of familiar and emerging favorites on the local food truck scene. Whether you\u2019re in the mood for soul food, seafood, sweet treats, tacos, halal or vegan fare, the Germantown Avenue Food Truck Festival will have all the food you could want to eat, and more.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 from 1-6 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 5400 block of Germantown Avenue<\/p>\n Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia Celebrates 20 Years of Live Harness Racing<\/p>\n Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia will celebrate 20 years of live harness racing with a special anniversary event on Saturday, recognizing two decades of racing and entertainment in the Delaware Valley. For the past 20 years, live harness racing has been an integral part of the Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia experience, bringing racing fans, horsemen and women, and the local community together at the Chester waterfront. As one of the region\u2019s premier destinations for live harness racing, Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia offers guests a distinctive opportunity to experience the excitement and tradition of the sport in the Greater Philadelphia area. Adding to the significance of the anniversary is the return of the Colonial Trot to Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia for the first time since 2012. First contested at Philadelphia\u2019s Liberty Bell Park in 1968, the Colonial has a storied history in the Delaware Valley and has featured some of harness racing\u2019s most notable 3-year-old trotters. The celebration will feature Saturday night racing with a 6:00 p.m. post time and the return of the Colonial Trot. Guests can also enjoy a live DJ on the Patio, an outdoor beer garden, fan participation activities and replays of memorable races from the past 20 years.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Harrah\u2019s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack, 777 Harrah\u2019s Blvd., Chester, PA 19013<\/p>\n Lil Duval comes to Philly<\/p>\n Comedian, actor and recording artist Lil Duval will bring his signature blend of observational humor and infectious personality to Rivers Casino Philadelphia\u2019s Event Center. Known for his laid-back style and sharp comedic perspective, Lil Duval rose to prominence through appearances on MTV\u2019s \u201cGuy Code\u201d and \u201cHip Hop Squares,\u201d along with numerous stand-up specials, television appearances and a massive social media following. His relatable takes on everyday life, relationships and culture have made him one of the country\u2019s most recognizable comedians. Beyond stand-up, Lil Duval has built a successful music career with Billboard-charting hits, including \u201cSmile (Living My Best Life),\u201d featuring Snoop Dogg and Ball Greezy; \u201cPull Up,\u201d featuring Ty Dolla $ign; and \u201cBlack Men Don\u2019t Cheat,\u201d featuring Charlamagne Tha God.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N. Delaware Ave.<\/p>\n Back to the Basics Comedy Show<\/p>\n Get ready for a night of nonstop laughs as The Colonial Theatre welcomes Back to the Basics Comedy Show. Headlining the evening is John Moses, the Toronto-born comedian known for his dark, brutally honest storytelling and fearless, equal-opportunity comedy. Joining him are Philadelphia favorite Hannah Trav, whose smart, witty style blends personal stories with sharp observations, and Shane Daniels, a West Chester comic known for his relatable, high-energy performances. The evening will be hosted by the always-entertaining Ms. Darkchild, whose infectious energy and crowd work keep audiences laughing from start to finish.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St. Phoenixville, PA 19460<\/p>\n Kennett Square Mushroom Festival<\/p>\n Held each September in the heart of Chester County, the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival celebrates the region\u2019s title as the Mushroom Capital of the World with a lively, family-friendly weekend that draws visitors from across the country. Centered in the charming downtown of Kennett Square, the festival features culinary demonstrations, a bustling street fair, live music, and more than 200 vendors showcasing everything from gourmet mushroom dishes to local art and specialty foods. Visitors can sample creative takes on the area\u2019s signature crop, learn about mushroom farming and sustainability, and enjoy activities for all ages, including kids\u2019 events and a popular mushroom cook-off. Blending small-town charm with a one-of-a-kind agricultural heritage, the festival offers a flavorful and distinctly local experience just outside Philadelphia.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12-13<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> 320 E. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348<\/p>\n Rod Wave comes to Philly<\/p>\n This year, trend-setting and chart-topping multiplatinum artist, rapper, singer, storyteller, visionary, and entrepreneur Rod Wave will embark on his biggest headline jaunt yet, the Don\u2019t Look Down Tour, canvasing the continent and visiting arenas coast-to-coast. Renowned for his powerhouse performances, he has quietly emerged as one of the biggest ticket-sellers in the culture, leading the pack for the touring industry. Following a momentous 2025, Rod has rolled into 2026 as hot as ever. At the moment, he consistently averages over 82.3 million weekly streams. Moreover, he closed out last year as \u201cthe third most-streamed artist in the U.S. on Audiomack and in the Top 15 of overall on-demand audio artists.\u201d Not to mention, he sold out every date of his arena headline tour, \u201cThe Redemption Experience.\u201d Not to mention, he garnered a nomination at the 2026 GRAMMY\u00ae Awards in the category of \u201cBest Song Written for Visual Video\u201d for \u201cSinners.\u201d Of course, it stands out as the title track and lead single from the 2x-time 83rd Golden Globe Award-winning, Ryan Coogler epic box office smash \u201cSinners.\u201d<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12 & 14 at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n Historic Germantown 250th Stamp Rally<\/p>\n This fall, Historic Germantown is challenging Philadelphians to put their knowledge of local history to the test while discovering some of the remarkable people who helped shape Germantown, Philadelphia, and beyond. The free Historic Germantown 250th Stamp Rally will turn Northwest Philadelphia into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt, inviting visitors to explore 23 historic and cultural sites, collect stamps, and uncover the identities of trailblazers connected to Germantown\u2019s past and present. For this Stamp Rally, Historic Germantown isn\u2019t revealing the names of its featured figures. Instead, visitors will follow clues at each stop and scan QR codes to uncover individuals ranging from artists and abolitionists to educators, activists, and innovators. The experience is part of Historic Germantown\u2019s year-long celebration of America\u2019s 250th anniversary and offers a fun, interactive way for families and history lovers to discover the people behind the neighborhood\u2019s history. The Stamp Rally runs through November 14, with prizes available along the way. Visitors who collect six or more stamps and\/or scavenger hunt answers can earn a set of Trailblazer Trading Cards featuring 18 influential figures, with additional prizes for reaching 14 and 20 stops. The experience concludes with a Stamp Rally Wrap Party on November 14 at the Historic Germantown Visitor Center, featuring refreshments, prizes, and grand-prize raffle drawings.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Saturday, Sept. 12-Nov. 14<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> various locations across Northwest Philadelphia<\/p>\n Open Streets: West Walnut<\/p>\n Since launching in September 2024, Open Streets: West Walnut has become a signature Center City experience, welcoming an average of more than 10,500 visitors each Sunday. The pedestrian-only streets serve as an extension of public space, with room for expanded al fresco dining and sidewalk retail. Businesses along the route may offer special promotions, in-store entertainment, or exclusive experiences. Food and beverages will be available exclusively from restaurants located along the route. Throughout the season, guests can enjoy live music and family-friendly experiences, and relax at in-street seating pods. The Fulton Fun Zone, located at the corner of 18th and Chestnut, will feature rotating programming including live broadcasts of Philadelphia Eagles games, mini golf, and seasonal activities.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Sunday, Sept. 13-Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Along Walnut and 18th streets<\/p>\n Mexican Independence Day Festival<\/p>\n This fun-filled annual festival, hosted by the Mexican Cultural Center and part of the PECO Multicultural Series, features traditional dances from different regions of Mexico, live Mariachi music, local artisans, authentic Mexican food, family activities and a special \u201cEl Grito\u201d ceremony led by the Consul of Mexico in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Sunday, Sept. 13 from 2-8 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n \u201dPaths to Independence, 1765-1787\u201d at HSP<\/p>\n In 1763, most American colonists proudly saw themselves as members of the British Empire. Yet by 1776, many were ready to break from Britain and condemn King George III as a \u2018Royal Brute.\u2019 Paths to Independence explores how this remarkable shift happened in just over a decade. The exhibit showcases rare documents from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania\u2014including letters, pamphlets, broadsides, prints, and early drafts of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Tracing the complex path to American independence, these documents reveal the ideas of well\u2011known leaders such as Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Wilson, as well as the everyday Philadelphians whose experiences shaped the struggle for independence.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Friday, Sept. 18<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.<\/p>\n \u201dThis Should Never Be A Musical: An Improvised Reality Show\u201d<\/p>\n 1812 Productions, Philadelphia\u2019s all-comedy theatre company, launches its 30th anniversary season with a world premiere production that will change every night\u2013literally. A part of the Phoebe and Otto Premiere Series as sponsored by the Wyncote Foundation, \u201cThis Should Never Be A Musical: An Improvised Reality Show,\u201d co-created and directed by Jennifer Childs and Mary Carpenter, will play at the Arden Theatre Company\u2019s Arcadia Stage for a strictly limited engagement. Part \u201cAmerican Idol,\u201d part \u201cWhose Line Is It Anyway,\u201d part \u201cWaiting for Guffman\u201d and 100% 1812, this is a brand new musical adventure unlike anything audiences have experienced. Each night, the audience will provide the worst musical titles they can think of, and the actors will improvise songs and scenes from each one with reality tv-style challenges. The audience will vote on which musicals move forward in the competition and the winning musical will be selected at the top of the second act followed by a 30-minute version of that musical, complete with choreography and costumes.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Sept. 27<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.<\/p>\n \u201dGarden Railway: Revolutionary Philly\u201d<\/p>\n Just in time to mark America\u2019s 250th, Morris Arboretum & Gardens brings America\u2019s past and present vividly to life through three interconnected exhibitions. Garden Railway: Revolutionary Philly invites visitors of all ages to take a miniature journey through eighteenth-century Philadelphia. Bustling model trains wind along more than a third of a mile of track, passing handcrafted replicas of iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, and scenes modeled after events like the Battle of Germantown. Running in conjunction with the Garden Railway, the self-guided exhibition Plants from the Colonial Era highlights the trees, herbs, and flowers that fed, healed, sheltered, and inspired colonial Philadelphians.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Wednesday, Sept. 30<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.<\/p>\n Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest<\/p>\n The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation welcomes the return of Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest for its 2026 Season. While Summerfest returns for the season with its signature roller skating in partnership with Independence Blue Cross, DRWC is expanding its wellness programming across its Waterfront parks, offering more opportunities for visitors to stay active through accessible outdoor experiences, including Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga at Race Street Pier presented by Independence Blue Cross, Tai Chi at Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Fishing with Friends at Pier 68 in partnership with Riverways. The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink has long shaped the Philadelphia Delaware River Waterfront as the go-to destination for seasonal traditions and outdoor recreation. This Summer 2026, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink will transform into Summerfest \u2013 offering Philadelphia\u2019s ONLY outdoor roller-skating rink \u2013 to create the ultimate family-friendly summer hangout. Against the backdrop of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Summerfest will continue to prioritize accessibility with free entry and flexible, pay-as-you-go options that invite visitors to create their own experience<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n CityPickle at Dilworth Park<\/p>\n CityPickle is returning to Philadelphia, presented by Visit Delaware, at Dilworth Park City Hall in partnership with the Center City District for another seasonal pop-up of outdoor pickleball. Thanks to our 2026 partner, Visit Delaware, players can reserve professional-grade courts. Whether stepping onto the court for the first time or a seasoned pro, players of every skill level are invited to experience pickleball in one of Philadelphia\u2019s most iconic spaces. Standard court reservations can be made one week in advance through the CityPickle app. Advanced court bookings are currently available, allowing guests to reserve both courts. This option is ideal for event planning, including parties, a gathering with friends and family, a networking event, or corporate team building.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Oct. 18; weekdays from 12-7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.<\/p>\n The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition<\/p>\n The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia 2027 Screenwriting Competition, which is presented by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, is open to all screenwriters, world-wide, who submit a feature length screenplay or an original TV pilot length screenplay that can be shot in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. Whether you\u2019re an experienced writer or fresh talent, we want to celebrate voices in storytelling while highlighting the opportunity and potential of Philadelphia locations by focusing on scripts that can be brought to life locally. And showcase the city and surrounding region as a viable and compelling setting for film and television. Your screenplay has the opportunity to carry forward a legacy of creative excellence, supported by the resources and partnerships of our city\u2019s film office community. All genres accepted. Writers do not need to be from Philadelphia, and scripts do not need to be explicitly set in Philadelphia. They must simply be feasible to shoot in the Philadelphia region. This year, the competition features over $20,000 in cash prizes, alongside direct industry exposure and detailed feedback opportunities for participating writers.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> deadline is Monday, Oct. 19<\/p>\n \u201dLiving Through Death\u201d by Ivette Chaires<\/p>\n Ivette Chaires, the 2024 Julia Zagar Residency for Women Artists recipient, is a multidisciplinary artist deeply influenced by her surroundings. She uses sculpture, printmaking, and photography to explore traditional themes in Mexican Folk Art. Living in Puebla, Mexico, Chaires draws inspiration from local traditions such as D\u00eda de Muertos, which led her to specialize in cartoner\u00eda, a traditional Mexican craft of creating papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 sculptures, figures, and decorative objects by layering paper and glue over a framework and painting or embellishing them. For the past 15 years, she has focused on traditional cartoner\u00eda, creating calaveras and teaching workshops, blending craftsmanship with cultural storytelling. In \u201cLiving Through Death,\u201d Chaires merges contemporary imagery with traditional techniques and patterns.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Nov. 8<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.<\/p>\n \u201dAncient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga\u201d at Penn Museum<\/p>\n Spotlighting century-old watercolor paintings by Egyptian artist Ahmed Yousef, Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga will go on view at the Penn Museum. Last exhibited in Cairo during the 1920s, the watercolor paintings have been carefully preserved in the Penn Museum\u2019s Archives for more than 100 years. They have never been on display in the United States. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors reveals the often underappreciated, but critical function of art in archaeology. The 1,500 sq. ft. exhibition highlights elaborately decorated tomb chapels during the New Kingdom (approximately 1550 BCE-1070 BCE), a \u201cgolden age\u201d that marked the height of Egypt\u2019s power and wealth. Many affluent officials built their tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga \u2014 a key part of the larger Theban Necropolis. Their tomb paintings show scenes from everyday life and imagery depicting the journey to the netherworld \u2014 illuminating how much the ancient Egyptians valued family bonds, honoring their ancestors, and continuing one\u2019s identity into the next life. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors will close in November \u2014 just ahead of the grand opening for the Penn Museum\u2019s \u201cEgypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife\u201d on Dec. 12.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through November 2026<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Penn Museum, 3260 South St.<\/p>\n \u201dAt Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic\u201d at Arthur Ross<\/p>\n The Arthur Ross Gallery\u2019s fall exhibition, \u201cAt Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic,\u201d asks visitors to consider the role of visual culture in creating collective conceptions of Philadelphia and its residents, including America\u2019s first international celebrity Benjamin Franklin, in the decades just before and after the nation\u2019s founding. The 41 works on view \u2014 including paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture \u2014 portray notable figures alongside depictions of daily life in Philadelphia. In addition to historical pictures and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, the exhibition will include images of the era made to celebrate important national anniversaries, such as the marking of America\u2019s 150th in 1926, through to the present moment, inviting exploration of Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation and its first capital.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Sunday, Dec. 13<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Arthur Ross Gallery, 220 S. 34th St.<\/p>\n \u201dA Nation of Artists\u201d at PMA, PAFA<\/p>\n With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (the country\u2019s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history. The two institutions team up with avid art collector (and Phillies\u2019 managing partner) John Middleton and his wife and partner Leigh for this blockbuster exhibition titled \u201cA Nation of Artists.\u201d Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art\u2019s biggest names \u2014 including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale \u2014 exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents. \u201cA Nation of Artists\u201d debuts as a cultural milestone celebrating the nation\u2019s creative and artistic legacy at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> through Monday, July 5, 2027<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.<\/p>\n