Summer flew by didn’t it! Now it’s back to work or school and getting refocused. There are still a lot of things to do around the city now that summer is calming down and fall is approaching. From fall festivals to immersive experiences, below is a list of 16 spectacular activities and things to do around the city this month!
One of September’s most dazzling ticketed events is coming to Philly: after wowing more than a million people across the world, LUMINISCENCE is finally arriving in Philadelphia with a special series of shows inside the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. This one-of-a-kind experience brings together Philly’s history, incredible visuals, and music to showcase the cathedral in a way most people have never seen it before. With America 250 approaching, it’s a chance to experience a different side of Philadelphia that many people didn’t even know exists.
The world-renowned Candlelight concerts in Philadelphia are back this September with a wide-ranging lineup and their signature sea of flickering candles. Enjoy a multi-sensory experience at some of Philadelphia’s top locations. This month series includes:
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Michael Jackson
- Candlelight: 90s Unplugged
- Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
- Candlelight: Tribute to Queens and The Beatles
- Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston on strings
- Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip Hop Favorites
🕯️ Where: get your tickets here
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend 2026 with concerts, parades, festivals, and family fun across Greater Philadelphia. Labor Day Weekend 2026 runs across Greater Philadelphia from September 4 to 7, featuring concerts, cultural festivals, sporting events, family attractions, parades, and outdoor dining spread across the city and surrounding counties.
Enjoy free wine and a hidden historic garden while building your own bouquet. For a charming First Friday pick, head to Elfreth’s Alley Museum for a gathering on September 4 featuring free wine, light snacks, local music, and a build-your-own flower bar (flower bar proceeds support preservation). The museum garden will be open from 4:30–7:30 p.m. for the event.
Step into the world of HBO’s The Gilded Age at Lynnewood Hall, where Fleurs de Villes is bringing the show’s iconic characters and fashion to life through stunning fresh floral mannequins. Running September 25 through October 4, the immersive experience also includes live floral demonstrations and a rare chance to explore the historic estate as it opens to the public for the first time in more than 80 years.
Shop 60+ local makers at Dilworth Park this Labor Day Weekend. For a festive way to kick off September in Center City, a new open-air market takes over Dilworth Park from Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026, featuring 60+ makers selling handmade goods, food, art, and more. Admission is free; Friday–Saturday 12:00–20:00 and Sunday 12:00–18:00 (rain or shine).
Step inside a restaurant cloaked in mystery and unlock the full potential of your senses with the Dining in the Dark experience in Philadelphia. Taking place at a lively spot in Philly, this one-of-a-kind event includes far more than questionable eyewear.
At The Twisted Tail, you will spend the evening distinguishing between flavors, focusing on sounds and smells, and debunking the age-old adage of “we eat with our eyes”. Dining in the Dark is an exclusive, 90-minute culinary experience and places are limited. Don’t miss out on the chance to taste the eclectic gastronomic offerings at The Twisted Tail in an entirely new way!
Celebrate 154 years of German food, beer, music and the festival’s enormous three‑story fruit column. For a Labor Day weekend highlight, the Cannstatter Volksfest returns to Northeast Philadelphia for its 154th year, running from September 5 through September 7, with German and American beers, traditional German dishes, live music, rides, vendors and the iconic three-story fruit column.
A sexy, splatter-filled love letter to a horror phenomenon — not for the faint of heart. If you like your September plans a little twisted, this raunchy, campy musical parody of the SAW films delivers sharp wit, practical effects, and an unexpected love story at Walnut Street Theatre — opening September 4, 2026.
The 4th Annual Philly Black Wine Festival powered by Kabila Events returns on Saturday, September 12th, from 6:30pm to 11:30pm. Following last year’s sold-out festival, the highly-anticipated event returns to Girard College for a night of wine, fashion, and culture. Explore over 20+ Black and minority owned businesses, featuring wine tastings, product samples, live music, art showcases, fashion, entertainment, food and drink vendors, and interactive experiences. This year’s festival theme is “From Bourbon Street to Broad Street” – A celebration of New Orleans, with fly and fashionable dress strongly recommended in your best Nola inspired flair. Tickets start at just $44.52, plus optional wine pairing add-ons with professional Sommeliers. For tickets, visit here.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and visit this European-inspired village just under two hours from Philadelphia. Stoudtburg Village is referred to the “hidden gem of Lancaster County” due to its stunning beauty, German architecture, and boutique shops. It’s worth the drive for a memorable trip that will be quaint and picturesque. Read more about it here.
Sample dozens of Manayunk restaurants with prix‑fixe meals starting at $15. If you’re planning a September food crawl, Manayunk Restaurant Week returns September 14–20, 2026, bringing more than 20 Main Street restaurants together with prix fixe lunch and dinner menus priced from $15 to $45 per person (tax and gratuity not included).
Celebrate 21 years of Philly AIDS Thrift with music, vendors, a celebrity dunk tank, and the 6th Annual Pie-Eating Contest — all free to attend. For a lively late-September outing, head to Philly AIDS Thrift’s free, family- and dog-friendly block party on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00–18:00 along S. 5th Street and E. Passyunk Avenue (between Bainbridge and Monroe) in South Philadelphia. Expect live music, a celebrity dunk tank, the 6th Annual Pie-Eating Contest, 30+ vendors, and food trucks.
Bend your imagination and play tricks on your mind as you discover some of the coolest immersive experiences Philadelphia has a to offer. From alien otherworlds, to optical illusions at its finest, you surely won’t get bored during these excursions. Check out our list of immersive experiences on offer right now in Philly!
Browse 150+ vendors of vintage finds and antiques at the Fairmount Flea Market — free to attend! If you love scoring one-of-a-kind finds, the Fairmount Flea Market returns on Saturday, Sept. 12 with more than 150 vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles and household treasures around 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue near Eastern State Penitentiary. Admission is free and the market runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spice up your date night routine with one of these unique and flirty date night ideas. From candle-making to pottery-making to a date night in a bookstore, there’s always something new to try! Whether you are trying to impress a new crush or keep things fun and fresh in a longer relationship, you’ll be sure to impress your significant other with these options!
Ride a 1920s-style speakeasy on a vintage parlor car with cocktails and small bites. For a September outing with serious Gatsby energy, book the New Hope Railroad’s 90-minute Speakeasy Train round-trip from New Hope to Lahaska. You’ll travel in a 1920s-style parlor car featuring original mahogany woodwork and period lighting, plus cocktails and canapés. Tickets are $145 per person with an optional $5 Flex Ticket Assurance add-on.
Experience the world’s longest haunted attraction — 10 terrifying houses in one sprawling park. If you’re up for a September scare outside Philly, Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe, NY returns for 2026 with 10 interconnected haunted attractions (including new Gargoyle Den). Tickets start at $44.98, and the nearest event opens September 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
If you’re ready to kick off fall season with a quick day trip, head just 40 minutes from Philadelphia to Ott’s Exotic Plants—home to a can’t-miss autumn tradition: a climbable 40-foot mountain made of 6,000-10,000 vibrant mums. Take in the stunning views from the top, then wander through the magical greenhouse packed with exotic plants, plus a koi pond and a waterfall. With free admission and parking, Ott’s is an easy pick for photo ops, pumpkin picking, and enchanting fall vibes—especially during peak bloom in mid-to-late October.
