Summer’s officially winding down, but that doesn’t mean you have to be cooped up inside just yet. As fall approaches, step outside for some live music, block parties, and autumnal activities to keep you busy.
⏰ Last Chance
Frankie’s Summer Club, an outdoor summer club next to University of the Arts’ Furness Hall, is wrapping up for the season. Become a member for free before you go.
Programming at The Oval on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway ends Sept. 14. Play pickup soccer or mini-golf, make art, or relax in the beer garden.
🎭 Watch Live Performances
Philly Fringe Festival is back with a jam-packed lineup this year. You can’t say you’re bored when there are over 300 performances across the city to attend. The festival runs from Sept. 4 to Sept. 28.
Ensemble Arts is kicking off its 2025/2026 season with a Fall Arts Festival on Sept. 13. See highlight performances at the Kimmel Center from the Philadelphia Orchestra, BalletX, and The Philly Pops.
🌎 Commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. You can check out vendors and live performances at the Feria del Barrio in Fairhill on Sept. 7. The Mexican Independence Day Festival will take place at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink on Sept. 14. And watch the Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Parkway or on your TV on Sept. 28.
🍁 Celebrate the Autumn Equinox
The South Philly Food Co-Op’s Harvest Jawn is taking over Juniper Street on Sept. 21. Shop autumnal goods from local vendors, participate in a pie-eating contest, and jump in the bounce house.
It’s time to head to the pumpkin patch, and you don’t have to travel too far outside the city for the perfect pumpkin to either eat or turn into a jack-o-lantern.
🛍️ Shop at These Local Markets
Philly Aids Thrift is celebrating on Sept. 13 its 20 years of raising funds for HIV and AIDS organizations. There will be craft and vintage vendors to support, along with dunk tanks and fire-eating clowns to keep you entertained.
If you’re already thinking about Halloween, Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Market of the Macabre will be selling all sorts of oddities and quirky wares on Sept. 20.
🌊 Paddle On Philly’s Waterways
It’s not too late to have some fun along the water, with a couple of events on the Delaware River uniting Philly and Camden, NJ.
On Sept. 6, in The Big Paddle: Two Cities, One River, participants will paddle 10 miles from Pine Poynt in Camden to Pleasant Hill Park in Philadelphia. After spending all morning in the water, swing by the next day, Sept. 7, for the Independence Seaport Museum’s Drink the Delaware event. Support local brewers while learning about cleaning up our waterways.
If you’re looking for some friendly competition, the Philadelphia Cup Regatta takes place on Sept. 27 at Penn’s Landing. This is the same day as the Delaware River Festival there and at Wiggins Park in Camden. Hop on the ferry if you want the best of both cities.
🏈 Cheer for Philly Teams at a Game
It’s time to get those Eagles jerseys out of the closet (who am I kidding – you never stopped wearing them). Football season is officially back and we’re kicking things off with a home game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.
While football returns, baseball is wrapping up. As we wait to see if we’re getting another Red October, be sure to attend the last of the Phillies’ home games for the regular season.
The Philadelphia Union is also hoping to make the playoffs this season. The only home game is on Sept. 20; that’s also Phang’s birthday so you have to go.
