So...What Is There To Do Around Here?: Seasonal Events

Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, September 28, 2025
The popular summertime pop-up festival at Spruce Street Harbor Park (SSHP) on the Delaware River features a boardwalk with concessions and plenty of spaces to chill — in waterside Adirondack chairs, in flat-bottomed net lounges above the river or in cozy hammocks in the meadow.

Kennett Square, PA
Through Sunday, September 28, 2025
Each spring, summer and fall, Longwood Gardens’ glorious fountains jet to life across its Kennett Square campus during the attraction’s annual Festival of Fountains.
Daytime performances include the daily Main Fountain Garden show with its 1,719 jets soaring as high as 175 feet — also viewable from the Conservatory Overlook, part of the new Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience — and the 110-year-old Open Air Theatre’s 750 jets in changing patterns spinning and dancing to music. Nighttime brings the dazzling displays of the spectacular Illuminated Fountain Performances.

Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 2-7 p.m.
¡Viva México! Taking place at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, this free Mexican Independence Day Festival is a fun-filled annual event featuring traditional Mexican artisan crafts, authentic music and dance, kids’ activities, food trucks and more.
Traditionally, the highlight of the day is the Grito de Independencia ceremony from the Consul of Mexico in Philadelphia, commemorating the beginning of the Mexican Independence movement.

Montgomery County, PA
September 16-21, 2025
Over 20 locations in Montgomery County — like Elmwood Park Zoo, Human Robot Brewery and more — celebrate the living legacy of jazz, hosting performers all weekend during the fourth annual Montco Jazz Fest.
With more than 30 different events taking place throughout the week, music lovers can expect artist collaborations, tribute concerts, and showcases of styles from big band to jazz funk.

Philadelphia, PA
September 19-21, 2025
The fall edition of this twice-a-year event — the oldest outdoor fine arts show in the country — brings paintings, glassware, sketches and more to Rittenhouse Square for an outdoor gallery featuring work by over 100 talented artists and crafters.
Stay tuned to the event’s official website for upcoming details about featured artists.

Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, September 28, 2025 | Noon-6 p.m.
¡Wepa! Thousands of spectators line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for this annual parade and celebration of Latino culture.
More than 1,500 marchers make their way down the Parkway each year, featuring traditional Latino music, poetry, dance performances, floats and more.

Chadds Ford, PA
September 28, 2025 - March 1, 2026
Contemporary artist Jerell Gibbs pays tribute to Black culture and community through his paintbrush. Intimately taking viewers inside the beautiful, everyday moments that shape the lives of his subjects, his paintings celebrate Black families, Black friendship and Black joy.
This new exhibition — the artist’s first one-person museum show — features 34 large-scale works drawn from both museum and private collections across the country, displayed alongside real-life family photographs that Gibbs looked to for inspiration.

September 6-November 2
This gourd gala typically features a slew of ticketed activities like daytime and nighttime hayrides, corn and (slightly harder) haybale mazes, apple blaster target shooting, pick-your-own crops, fishing and more. Details are still developing for 2025, so keep an eye out for more information

September 8-October 26
One of Bucks County’s favorite autumnal happenings, Scarecrows in the Village at Peddler’s Village is back for its 46th season with more than 150 creative and colorful locally handmade scarecrows, ranging from silly to spooky (September 8 to October 26, 2025). Don’t miss the free display’s apex, the annual Scarecrow Festival (September 13 & 14, 2025).

September 12-October 30
Known for its drive-thru holiday light display, Shady Brook Farm gets into spooky season, too, with this festival, featuring corn mazes, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, live music and more.

Through Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Officially running from September 15 to October 15, 2025, Hispanic Heritage Month offers a slew of citywide events highlighting Philly’s diverse Hispanic and Latino community, including:
Latin American Book Fair at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: The Latin American Book Fair is back for its seventh edition, connecting authors, illustrators, writers, designers and book lovers with an afternoon of free programming. Hosted in collaboration with the Mexican Cultural Center, this year’s event features 30 authors, organizations and community readers, plus cultural performances, live music, dancing and food (Saturday, October 4, 2025).
Family Festival: Things That Go at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s “Things That Go” Latinx Heritage Month family festival is the place to be loud and have fun, with hands-on art, music and crafts for kids. Highlights include a bilingual music experience, a make-your-own passport activity, and plenty of singing and dancing. This event is free with Pay-What-You-Wish admission; tickets are not required (Sunday, October 5, 2025).
Musical Performances at the Esperanza Arts Center: Esperanza Arts Center’s calendar is especially packed this month. Highlights include Josean Ortiz’s Afro-Latino play Tite Curet Alonso: Lyrics and Poetry (October 5, 2025) and singer Marcelle McGuirk’s Sonidos Latinos concert featuring vocal music by Latina composers (Friday, October 10, 2025).
Salsa Sunday at Bok Bar: Head to Bok Bar for an afternoon of classic salsa and bachata led by guest instructors from Estilo Dance Studio. Dance lessons are from 3 p.m. to about 4 p.m., then the dance floor opens up to all with tunes from DJ V Spice and DJ Big George till 8 p.m. It’s all free to attend, and beginners are welcome (Sunday, October 12, 2025).
Dine Latino Restaurant Week: The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce celebrates Latino-owned and operated restaurants and food trucks across the region with a special week-long promotion of one complimentary appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two dinner entrées, plus select limited-time menus (October 12-18, 2025). The week-long campaign culminates with a Chef’s Tasting led by the chef and founder of El Merkury, Sofia De Leon on October 30, 2025.

Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, October 26, 2025 (Saturdays & Sundays)
It’s the season’s final month to enjoy “one of the best food markets in the United States” (per Food & Wine) as the seasonal Southeast Asian Market wraps up at FDR Park.
The massive culinary treasure includes over 70 vendors offering traditional dishes, street food, native produce, plants, jewelry, apparel and more, set up in the (appropriately) southeast corner of the park. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy your food fresh along with your take-home haul. Note: Some vendors are cash-only and there’s no ATM on site.

Philadelphia, PA
October 1-12, 2025
Produced by the Center for Architecture and Design and celebrating its 21st year, DesignPhiladelphia is a multi-day fest highlighting the brilliance and creativity of Philadelphia’s design community — from the youngest designers to the most seasoned — with a host of events and installations.
Check out the official website for more information about panels, parties, hands-on family-friendly activities and other event announcements.

Philadelphia, PA
October 4-5, 2025
Back by popular demand after a sold-out run this spring, one of the nation’s biggest outdoor Asian food festivals returns to Dilworth Park when Panda Fest spends the weekend outside of City Hall.
Enjoy experiential activities, tastings and market fairs that showcase the beauty and richness of Asian culture and cuisine with over 35 food vendors offering more than 80 entree options.
No pandas were harmed in the making of this festival (lol), but attendees can check out a giant panda inflatable, panda-related merch and receive two free gifts: a custom Philly panda pin and an inflatable panda headband.

Philadelphia, PA
October 9-16 & November 7-11, 2025
The U.S. Armed Forces kick off America’s 2026 Semiquincentennial in late 2025 with The Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration, honoring the 250th birthdays of both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The celebration will feature a historic gathering of ships at Penn’s Landing, events and a veterans’ reunion on Independence Mall, a large concert, an air show featuring the Blue Angels and more, plus exhibits at museums like the American Swedish Historical Museum, Independence Seaport Museum and aboard Battleship New Jersey.

Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The 130-year-old Reading Terminal Market public food hall celebrates the intersection of a Philly favorite food and a beloved fall staple at the second annual Scrapple & Apple Festival, held inside the 1.7-acre Center City landmark.
Attendees at the free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go feast enjoy small bites, entrees and sweet treats — crafted by the market’s merchants — themed around the flavors of scrapple, apples … or both! The family-friendly event also features live entertainment and fun kids’ crafts.

Philadelphia, PA
Monday, October 13, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Long before European settlers renamed it, Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River was an important site to the local Lenni-Lenape called Shackamaxon, a centuries-old gathering place for sachems from Indigenous tribes to meet for council. As such, the site is the fitting epicenter for the annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly celebration.
Indigenous communities from across the nation gather at Shackamaxon to mark five-plus centuries of First Nations history at this pay-what-you-wish festival (suggested donations are $12 for adults and $5 for kids and elders). The inspiring event typically features cultural performances, speakers, workshops, vendors, food and more.

Philadelphia, PA
October 16-26, 2025
Lights, camera … action! Each year, the Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) travels to festivals around the globe in search of innovative new films. For the event’s 34th season, curators returned with over 100 features, shorts and documentaries to screen during the 11-day Philadelphia Film Festival.
Held at each of the PFS’ three theaters, the fest also features star-studded red carpet moments, inspiring Q&A sessions and more. Stay tuned to the PFF website for the 2025 schedule.

Philadelphia, PA
October 18, 2025 - January 3, 2027
”When in the course of human events …” The centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming, The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of one of America’s founding documents over the 250 years since its adoption in 1776.
Utilizing artworks, documents and artifacts, the exhibition explores the Declaration’s complex legacy and its role in inspiring more than 100 independence movements across the world.

Philadelphia, PA
October 19, 2025 - January 11, 2026
With 18 pieces by Henri Rousseau in its galleries, the Barnes Foundation is home to the world’s largest collection of works by the artist.
Explore Rousseau’s genius in this new exhibition — a collaboration between the Benjamin Franklin Parkway museum and the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris — bringing together paintings from the Barnes’ permanent collection and pieces from around the world.

Philadelphia, PA
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The 2025 PECO Multicultural Series season comes to a close in October with the 11th annual Taste of the Philippines festival at the Delaware River waterfront’s Cherry Street Pier.
Join attendees from all backgrounds in celebrating Filipino-American History Month at the largest festival highlighting Filipino heritage and culture in the region, with showcases from artists performing traditional dance and music, a bustling marketplace, and lots and lots of authentic Filipino cuisine, including adobo, sinigang, lumpia, lechon and more.