Everything Fun You Can Do in Philadelphia This Weekend

Party at the museum
Check out some art by moonlight
Get into the seasonal spirit
See a new movie
Dive into new reading material
Listen to ghost stories by the light of the (almost) full moon
Fill up on apple-y treats
Treat yourself to Polish dumplings
Fire up the grills

This weekend is an hour shorter than the rest thanks to Daylight Saving Time. To make up for lost time, have double the fun. Lace up your skates for the opening weekend of the ice rink at City Hall, find the latest zinester at the Philly Zine Fest, and help crown the city’s best burger at the return of Burger Brawl. Are you ready to weekend, Philly?

Party at the museum

Friday, November 4

The Barnes Foundation

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but it’s the start of a new month. As such, the Barnes is ushering in November with a First Friday soiree in partnership with Asian Arts Initiative. Hosted by Anne Ishii, the executive director of Asian Arts Initiative, the entertainment includes bandoneonist, pianist, and accordionist Shinjoo Cho with tango guitarists Alejo de los Reyes and Jason Klinke and bassist Ben Blazer. Plus, take a gander at the recently-opened exhibit Modigliani Up Close.

Cost: $10-28

Check out some art by moonlight

Friday, November 4

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

Fridays this fall, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens will stay open late for an illuminated experience. Take your buds or a date to the mosaic garden to see the space in the splendor of colorful lights and the moonlight. Admission gets you access to both the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Cost: $10-20

Get into the seasonal spirit

Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6

Dilworth Park

‘Tis the season! Dilworth Park’s winter festivities open for the cold months this weekend, including the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink for 90-minute ice skating windows. Cozy up in the ski chalet-inspired cabin for beer, cocktails, and fire pits or wander through the Wintergarden, full of topiaries and twinkling lights (and vendors selling mulled wine).

Cost: $5-8 ice skating, $10 skate rental, pay-as-you-go food and drink

See a new movie

Saturday, November 5

Asian Arts Initiative

On the heels of the Philadelphia Film Festival is the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, a presentation of Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic film. The hybrid festival begins this weekend with a screening of Korean drama Aporia, the story of a man who flees Syria only to be separated from his family in South Korea, on Saturday, and a number of virtual Q&As with filmmakers all weekend long.

Cost: $15-50 film screening, free Q&As

Dive into new reading material

Saturday, November 5

Mitten Hall

The annual celebration of DIY publishing, Philly Zine Fest, will return to the physical realm to celebrate 20 years since the inaugural event this weekend. Dozens of tablers will have their small-press publications and chapbooks full of poetry, comics, nonfiction, and more. Discover a new-to-you indie creator—like Ren, Vivien Wise, and Dreamygutss—and add a new piece of art to your collection.

Cost: Free

Listen to ghost stories by the light of the (almost) full moon

Saturday, November 5

Historic RittenhouseTown

Keep the Halloween spirit going with a party in a historic 18th-century community. Historic RittenhouseTown gets spooky with an evening of speakeasies, ghost stories, and tarot readings. The menu includes bevs from local cideries, Sly Fox craft beer, and mulled wine from Mural City Cellars, plus food from Hearth & Fire and Mom Mom’s Polish Food Cart. Take a flashlight tour of the former industrial community and see if you spot any ghosts. In case of bad weather, the event will go on Sunday, November 6.

Cost: $60

Fill up on apple-y treats

Saturday, November 5 – Sunday, November 6

Peddler’s Village

A beloved event, Peddler’s Village Apple Festival is the ultimate fall event in Bucks County. The 47th annual affair features live music, kids entertainment, magic show, stilt walker, food trucks, a food tent, ax throwing, and plenty of fresh apples, apple fritters, and apple cider. Bring your rain jackets if needed, the fest is on rain or shine.

Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Treat yourself to Polish dumplings

Saturday, November 5 – Sunday, November 6

St. Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Cathedral

If you want your weekend food fest to be a little doughier than apples, this pierogi festival should fill you up. Over the course of two days, the lawn at NoLibs’ St. Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Cathedral will transform into the ultimate feeding zone where you can score homemade pierogi (in traditional potato cheese, cherry, cheesesteak, pulled pork, and kapusta, a braised sauerkraut), halupki (stuffed cabbage), kielbasa, halushki (egg noodles), pelmeni (meat dumplings), blini (Russian pancakes), soups, and more. Plus, beer and live music. Eat up!

Cost: Pay-as-you-go

Fire up the grills

Sunday, November 6

Xfinity Live!

Back for the first time since 2019, Burger Brawl, the burger competition that supports Philly schools, will bring more meaty delights to South Philly. More than 60 restaurants and chefs will vie for the titles of People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice, with your votes helping to crown the former. Try as many sliders as your heart (and belly) desire from the likes of Fette Sau, Village Whiskey, Tin Can Bar, Bud & Marilyn’s, Pizza Jawn, and cast your vote for your favorite.

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Allie Volpe is a writer based in Philadelphia. She hasn’t slept in days. Follow her on Twitter: @allieevolpe.