Available Light – Sept 10-12 at Drexel Armory – by Craig T. Matthew
‘Exceptional Events In Philadelphia During September’
You think the summer was busy, wait until we head into September! We have mapped out 34 fun and entertaining events and attractions in September alone in Philadelphia!
You’ll be able to experience everything from art, to beer tasting, enjoying food festivals, live music, scary surprises and much more! Enjoy our list!
September 2015
1. Spruce Street Harbor Park
Date: September 1 – September 27
Spruce Street Harbor Park will include a floating restaurant, boardwalk, hammocks, tons of colorful LED lights, new planted greenery, more Philadelphia restauranteurs, seating options, and a new family entertainment area! ~ Spruce Street Harbor Park & Summerfest ~
Spruce Street Harbor Park
2. Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
Date: September 1 – September 27
The Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest will feature a full-sized roller skating rink with a high end roller hockey-grade flooring system, a skate rental facility (roller skates AND inline skates), and plenty of food and beverage options. ~ Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest ~
3. The Art of Brick Exhibit
Date: September 1 – October 4
Come explore the largest display of Lego Art at the Franklin Institute. Stop by this afternoon for details to this spectacular attraction. ~ The Art of The Brick Exhibit at the Franklin Institute ~
4. Philadelphia Historical Events & Activities for Adults & Kids
Date: September 1 – October
Explore the many historical activities and events throughout the year in Philadelphia. Many of which are free and are made just for kids, allowing quality family fun time. ~ Philadelphia Historical Activities for Kids & Adults ~
5. Beneath The Surface: Life, Death and Gold in Ancient Panama
Date: September 1 – November 1
Held at the Penn Museum, explore artifacts, gold & much more that came from the banks of the Rio Grande Cocle in Panama. ~ Beneath the Surface: Life, Death, and Gold in Ancient Panama ~
6. Summer Nights
Date: September 2
Penn Museum offers Summer Nights from 5 pm – 8 pm. What a great way to relax & break up your work week. Live cultural music with food & refreshments. $10 gets you into the weekly concert and to explore the museum itself. Tonight, Red Hot Ramblers. ~ Summer Nights at Penn Museum ~
7. Movie Night by Schuylkill Banks
Date: September 3
FREE - Come watch Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure at Paine’s Park Movies. The movie usually begins around dusk, between 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm, but come early for free snacks. ~ Free Movie Nights with Schuylkill Banks ~
8. Fringe Festival
Date: September 3 – September 16
The Fringe Festival, now in its 19th year, allows you to enjoy 17 days of progressive performing and visual arts city-wide throughout Philadelphia neighborhoods! Check out our guide to top shows! ~ Philadelphia Fringe Festival ~
There Held At FringeArts Sept 9-12
9. End of Summer Block Party & Crab Fest
Date: September 5
Held at Tap Room on 19th from 1 pm to 11 pm, enjoy Maryland Blue Claws, Corn, Potatoes, Kielbasa, Burgers and Dogs and yeah, maybe a summer salad. And let’s not forget about good tasting beers! ~ End of Summer Block Party & Crab Fest ~
10. Made in America
Date: September 5 & 6
One of the biggest summer music festivals returns for two days of live music featuring renown DJs, hip-hop artists, pop stars, and even local musicians. Some names worth mentioning for this year include: Beyonce, J. Cole, Bassnectar, Death Cab For Cutie, Santigold, and Cedric Gervais. Gates open both days at noon.
11. Diner en Noir
Date: September 10
Enjoy a pop-up picnic with friends, family and new friends. The location isn’t disclosed until last minute. All net proceeds will go to a local charity in Philadelphia. ~ Diner en Noir ~
12. Movie Night by Schuylkill Banks
Date: September 10
FREE - Come watch Gardians of the Galaxy at Walnut Street Movies. The movie usually begins around dusk, between 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm, but come early for free snacks. ~ Free Movie Nights with Schuylkill Banks ~
13. String Band Music Under The Stars
Date: September 10
FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Trilby String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI - BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
14. South Philly Sausage Fest
Date: September 12
Held in South Philly from noon to 8 pm, enjoy sausage related foods, kids games, beer from 6 brewing companies, and more. ~ South Philly Sausage Fest ~
15. Craft Beer Crawl in Fairmount
Date: September 12
From noon to 6 pm, enjoy craft beer samples & food specials at local bars & restaurants in Fairmount. Such places as London Grill, Urban Saloon, Rembrandt’s, Bridgid’s, Fare, Bishop’s Collar, Alla Spina, St. Stephen’s Green, The Green Room & The Ukrainian League. ~ Craft Beer Crawl in Fairmount ~
16. Liberty Lands Music Fest
Date: September 12
From 4 pm to 10 pm at Liberty Lands in Northern Liberties, enjoy great local music, food, and bottomless souvenir cup! Proceeds from our Bottomless Souvenir Cups go to maintain the Liberty Lands and the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association.~ Liberty Lands Music Fest ~
17. Kennett Square Mushroom Festival
Date: September 12 & 13
The Mushroom Capital of the World puts the fun in fungi with a weekend of culinary events, amusement rides, mushroom farm tours, a street fair, entertainment, an antique car show and more. ~ Kennett Square Mushroom Festival ~
18. Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival
Date: September 13
Check out the many Manayunk restaurants, some Philadelphia’s top food trucks, art vendors, live music, restaurant tours and plenty of shopping along Main Street Manayunk. Just make sure to bring your appetite. ~ Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival ~
19. Green Fest Philly
Date: September 13
Hosted by the Clean Air Council from 10 am to 4 pm at Headhouse Square, attendees will have a chance to learn more about the importance of living a healthy life through eating choices, greener methods, and more. Visitors will have a chance to shop for goods provided by local merchants. ~ Philly Green Fest ~
20. Mexican Independence Day
Date: September 13
From 1 pm to 7 pm at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, this festival is the biggest event celebrating the Independence of Mexico in the Delaware Valley, with approximately 11,000 attendees. Enjoy food, music, dancing and much more. ~ Mexican Independence Day ~
21. 104.5 Block Party
Date: September 13
From 1 pm to 11 pm at Festival Pier, enjoy a musical line-up that will rock your world for 10 hours. ~ 104.5 Block Party ~
22. Battle of the Burger
Date: September 14
Sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine at the 23rd Street Armory from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, enjoy burgers battling to be #1 from the top 20 restaurants. ~ Battle of the Burger ~
23. Manayunk Restaurant Week
Date: September 14 – September 25
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 ~
24. Mt. Airy Street Fare Festival
Date: September 17
Sip, Savor, Stroll Street Food at the Mt. Airy Street Fare Festival! Come explore the many local restaurants along Germantown Avenue and enjoy top-notch gourmet bites, craft-brewed beer, wine and delicious cocktails from over 50 of the region’s best Philly food trucks and restaurants. ~ Mt. Airy Street Fare Festival ~
Mt. Airy Street Fare courtesy of Mt Airy
25. Festival
Date: September 17
Festival’s food event returns for its 6th year, providing us with the top culinary dishes from our local chefs and restaurants. From 7 pm to 10 pm your taste buds will try samples from Audrey Claire, Parc, La Peg Brasserie, and more. This annual fund-raiser benefits FringeArts. ~ Festival ~
26. String Band Music Under The Stars
Date: September 17
FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Aqua String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI - BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
27. PHS Harvest Fest
Date: September 18 – 20
Celebrate the season with a series of fun new events taking place in the very popular PHS Pop Up Gardens at either the South Street or East Passyunk Gardens. Enjoy music, crafts, games and garden displays in two beautiful outdoor spaces. Each garden has a full schedule of activities and entertainment. ~ PHS Harvest Fest ~
28. Terror Behind The Walls
Date: September 18 – November 3
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 ~
Gargoyle from Eastern State Penitentiary
29. Walnut2Walnut Row & Barbecue
Date: September 19
Whether you’re an experienced rower or just looking for a fun and active way to explore Philadelphia’s waters, the Independence Seaport Museum’s Walnut2Walnut Row has you covered. Go solo in a kayak or get a crew together for this human-powered, 15-mile race between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. The race wraps up at the Seaport Museum with a barbecue, which will be serving up complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers for racers. Plus, proceeds from the event will benefit ecology education and on-the-water learning opportunities for underprivileged Philadelphia students.
30. Brazilian Day
Date: September 20
From 1 pm to 7 pm at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, enjoy an abundant variety of authentic traditional foods and merchandise, and performers that will light up the stage with the contagious rhythms and dances of Brazil. ~ Brazilian Day Philadelphia ~
31. Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys
Date: September 20
Held at Lincoln Financial Field at 4:25 pm, watch an excellent second week match up! Usually you can tailgate with One Crazy Fan prior to any Eagles home game, but they have sold out capacity until mid October. We highly recommend them and go Philadelphia Eagles!
32. World Meeting of Families & Pope Francis’ Visit to Philadelphia
Date: September 22 – September 27
Tens of thousands of people from around the globe will converge on Philadelphia for the eighth annual World Meeting of Families. Throughout the week, 100 speakers will lead panel discussions and workshops at the Pennsylvania Convention Center focused on the theme “Love is our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” Pope Francis will make his first visit to the United States (and the first visit to Philadelphia by any pope since Pope John Paul II in 1979) to say a public mass during the event. ~ World Meeting of Families ~ Pope Visit Playbook ~
33. Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll
Date: September 24
Save your $1 bills for the popular Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll in West Philadelphia. Dozens of businesses along the Avenue set up shop on the sidewalk for an evening of $1 deals that include tasty bites, pet toys, giveaways, local beer and much more. ~ Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll ~
34. String Band Music Under The Stars
Date: September 17
FREE concert starts at 8 pm. – Join the Mummers for an outdoor string band performance at the Mummers Museum! Tonight, Durning String Band. Refreshments are served at 7:30 pm; soft pretzels, hot dogs and soda. FYI - BYO lawn chairs! ~ Mummers in Philadelphia Summer Series ~
If you know of an event that we missed, please e-mail us at MyPhillyAlive@MyPhillyAlive.com