If you’re looking for the perfect weekend plans, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Philly this weekend. This is your cue to explore, celebrate, and make the most out of the city.
Experience LUMINISCENCE: An Immersive Celebration of Light, Music and Story
After wowing more than a million people across the world, LUMINISCENCE is finally coming to 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.
Taste creative scrapple-and-apple bites at Reading Terminal Market on October 17 — admission is free. If your weekend plans revolve around eating well, don’t miss the Scrapple & Apple Festival returning to Reading Terminal Market on Saturday, October 17. This indoor food celebration runs 10:00–17:00 with free admission, with vendors offering creative scrapple-and-apple dishes and apple tastings.
Bathhouse Philadelphia opens September 25 with day passes from just $29. If you’re looking to build a little relaxation into your weekend plans, New York-based Bathhouse is opening a 36,000-square-foot location at The Bellevue (200 S. Broad Street) on September 25, 2026, featuring thermal pools, saunas, a steam room, outdoor terrace (opening early 2027) and bodywork services. Day passes start at $29 and the club will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
If you’re looking for a classic fall outing to add to your Philly weekend plans, October is the optimal time of year to go pumpkin-picking at local pumpkin patch. Fun for the whole family, visiting a pumpkin patch is a great way to bond and get outdoors while enjoying all the staples of harvest fun. We’ve rounded up a list of local pumpkins patches to check out this fall for the perfect pepo.
Step into the Forbidden Forest this October — spells, creatures and Butterbeer await under the trees. If you’re up for a magical after-dark adventure just outside Philly, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience returns to Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) State Park in Westchester from October 16, 2026 to January 3, 2027, offering an illuminated woodland trail filled with magical creatures, interactive spell moments, themed food and exclusive merch. Tickets start from $28.90 for children and $35.90 for adults; join the waitlist for pre-sale access.
If you’re looking to add a brand-new spot to your weekend lineup, Pomelo Rooftop Terrace, a new rooftop bar and restaurant atop The Brandywine (a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel) in Radnor, is officially open! Enjoy botanical cocktails, seasonal shareable plates, indoor/outdoor seating, and fire pits.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable after-dark plan this weekend, 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.
James Beard-winning bartenders bring agave cocktails and handmade Mexican dishes to East Kensington. For a fresh addition to your weekend lineup, check out Mixteca, the agave-focused bar and restaurant from Jeff Bell and Victor Lopez, now open in East Kensington. The menu highlights handmade corn tortillas, large-format dishes, and a cocktail-forward beverage program with eight margarita variations and Philly-exclusive drinks.
Ride a 1920s-style speakeasy on a vintage parlor car with cocktails and small bites. For a weekend escape just outside Philly, the New Hope Railroad runs a 90-minute Speakeasy Train round-trip from New Hope to Lahaska featuring a 1920s-style parlor car with original mahogany woodwork, period lighting, 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 weekend-adjacent 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.
Taste Amá’s signature chips-and-salsas course featuring six regional salsas. If you’re craving standout Mexican food this weekend, head to Amá on the Fishtown-Kensington border in Philadelphia — it was included in the New York Times’ national list of 41 greatest Mexican restaurants. Chef Frankie Ramirez’s seasonal menu, which opened in May 2025 at 101 W. Oxford St., highlights regional Mexican dishes and signature shared courses like the chips-and-salsas with six salsas.
A $25 million, state-of-the-art habitat bringing guests nearly nose-to-nose with vulnerable bears. If you’re looking for a fresh, family-friendly stop this weekend, Philadelphia Zoo has opened the $25 million Francis J. Carey Bear Country, a state-of-the-art habitat that expands space for Andean and sloth bears and adds immersive viewing areas, heated pools, climbing structures, and a new Zoo360 trail. The exhibit is open daily and is included with regular zoo admission and memberships.
An intimate, design-forward cocktail bar serving playful, elevated drinks and thoughtful bar food. For a polished night out in Society Hill, Known Associates is an intimate cocktail destination from Chef Christopher Kearse and the PS & Daughters design team, offering inventive cocktails and elevated bar food in a European café–inspired setting. The menu features creative cocktails like Bittered in Bond and zero-waste TNT alongside standout dishes such as Pommes Frites and the Burger Au Poivre.
If you’re looking for an easygoing way to soak up summer vibes during your Philadelphia weekend, head to Spruce Street Harbor Park—open now for the season and a much anticipated summer staple. Relax in a hammock, enjoy the river breeze, play games, eat delicious food, sip some spirits, and make memories with your family. It doesn’t get any better than this! You can learn more about hammock rentals an ore by visiting their website. We will meet your there!
Where: 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd
Looking for a fun twist on your usual weekend plans? 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!
If you’re looking for something unforgettable to add to your weekend lineup, 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 their finest, you surely won’t get bored during these excursions. Check out our list of immersive experiences on offer right now in Philly!
For a low-key weekend stop that still feels special, head to the Wagner Free Institute of Science, a wonderfully old-school museum packed with dinosaurs, fossils, minerals, and other natural-history treasures. The Wagner offers free admission and a glimpse into Philadelphia’s scientific history.
If you’re looking for a calm, outdoorsy break from the weekend buzz, explore America’s oldest surviving botanical garden at Bartram’s Garden while enjoying riverfront trails, gardens, and sweeping views. It’s a surprisingly peaceful escape within city limits.
Take your weekend picnic to the sky at Cira Green, an elevated public park above University City. This green space offers some seriously good views of the Philadelphia skyline.
You don’t have to buy anything to enjoy a stroll through one of America’s most beloved public markets. This weekend, browse the colorful stalls, watch vendors at work, and soak up the energy of Reading Terminal Market—an iconic Center City institution.
Mix something a little lighter into your weekend plans by following the science-backed map to Philly’s happiest places. Dr. Eric Zillmer from Drexel University reveals the happiest places in Philadelphia, identified through a study of 243 psychology students. The top spots include Rittenhouse Square, the Philadelphia Zoo, and hidden gems like the rooftop Cira Green and the quirky cat park. Zillmer emphasizes that happiness comes from safety, social connection, and beauty, with local favorites such as Mango Mango Dessert adding to the joy. This map showcases how Philadelphians thrive on connection and belonging in their city!
