Happy fall! Both meteorologists and astronomers agree that September marks the beginning of the fall season. Whether or not Philly's weather will chill out is TBD.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
Hispanic heritage and culture are honored across the country with a month-long celebration starting Sept. 15, and Philly is getting the party started early. Kick off the festivities on Sept. 13 with the largest Latino arts and culture festival in the city, Feria del Barrio. And that's just the beginning: Throughout the month, you can also go to the Mexican Independence Day Festival, Brazilian Day, and Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Stick Around for Labor Day
Philly tends to get a bit sleepy over Labor Day weekend, with folks flocking to the Jersey shore for the three-day weekend. If you stick around, celebrate Philly's history as a loud and proud union town with the city's 39th annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade.
Fringe Fest Returns
Every September, the city celebrates artists creating out-of-the-box performances with the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. From Sept. 8 through 27, you'll be able to choose from more than 350 shows happening across the city. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the options, creative producer Siani Colón wrote a guide breaking down this year's festivities by cost, location, and vibes.
Become an Animator
Don't just see art this month, learn to make it! At Stop-Motion Commotion on Sept. 9, local film connoisseurs and animators from the movie club Screwball Screenings will be your guides through an animation workshop at Fireball Printing in East Kensington. For a suggested donation of $10, both experienced and brand-new animators can learn about the lighting techniques, materials, and creative juices that go into producing stop-motion works.
Cheers to Beer
You may be surprised to learn that Oktoberfest isn't just in October. The 16-day German festival starts at the end of September and was originally a celebration of the love of two Bavarian royals. It has evolved into one of the biggest beer festivals in the world. While I won't be catching a flight to Munich, I will be grabbing some pints at South Street Oktoberfest for an eight-hour beer-extravaganza on Sept. 26. The event is free, but if you want indoor seating, a buffet, seven beers, and private bathrooms, Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street is offering just that for $125.
Happy 100th, John Coltrane!
Raise a glass or a sax to the late and great jazz genius, John Coltrane. While he wasn't born here, he made Philly his home for over a decade and grew his musical practice in his Strawberry Mansion house. To celebrate what would've been his 100th birthday on Sept. 23, local jazz presenter Ars Nova Workshop is hosting iconic jazz composer Sun Ra at the Mandell Theater in West Philly. This kicks off a week of events honoring Coltrane and his legacy.
