World premiere of “Horsegirl & Cowdaddy” by DJ Hills
On the outskirts of a small southern Pennsylvania town, Horsegirl (de la Brisa) shares a quiet life of familiar routines with her reserved but devoted father, Cowdaddy (Smiling). She works at a dollar store, paints horses she has never ridden, and spends her evenings watching television with her dad and imagining the life of the mother who left them years ago. When Horsegirl falls for Bethel (Ni-Ni), an ambitious transmasculine teacher new to town, their relationship awakens new possibilities and sparks a startling physical transformation. Bethel urges Horsegirl to pursue her unrealized potential, but Cowdaddy worries she is becoming someone else’s project. Blending queer romance, family drama, sharp humor, and magic, Horsegirl & Cowdaddy asks who gets to define a meaningful life and whether happiness must always mean leaving something behind.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 22-Oct. 4
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St.
Free Attire and Employment Support at Open Wardrobe
With a mission of eliminating clothing insecurity, The Wardrobe opens its doors at five locations for job seekers and anyone in need of employment support. This season’s Open Wardrobe — the nonprofit organization’s quarterly open event to meet the needs of specific communities — will offer free attire, resume review, LinkedIn support, and free headshots for a great first impression.
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Available at five Wardrobe locations: 413 N 4th St., Philadelphia; 62 W. Marshall Rd. Upper Darby; 345 Scarlett Road, Kennett Square; the Exton Square Mall (2nd floor near Boscov’s); 536 George St., Norristown; and 500 W Germantown Pk., Plymouth Meeting Mall
Celebrating Miriam Singer at Mural City Cellars
Join Mural Arts Philly for the dedication of Miriam Singer’s Berks Street Map, a playful new mural inspired by the streets and architecture of Fishtown. Enjoy music, free food, and wine for purchase. Plus, bring your own blank tees or clothing items from home for a chance to screenprint a design inspired by the mural! A longtime Fishtown resident, Singer collaborated with the Fishtown community to refresh this beloved wall with a whimsical, abstract map of the neighborhood. The third mural at this location — and the first for Mural City Cellars—Berks Street Map marks a new milestone in Mural Arts’ ongoing collaboration with the neighborhood winery.
When: Thursday, Sept. 23 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Mural City Cellars, 1831 Frankford Ave.
Papermaking with the Plants Around Us
Making paper from foraged materials can yield beautiful, interesting, and surprising results. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of hand papermaking, creating sheets from locally grown materials. The session includes a walk around the Morris to observe plants used in papermaking and other paper-related crafts such as surface dyeing. Attendees will go home with a small stack of handmade sheets whose unique character reflects the botanical environment. Led by Emily Tipps of the Book Arts Program at the University of Utah.
When: Friday, Sept. 25 from 12:30–3 p.m.
Where: Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents Collier Plays Coltrane
Isaiah Collier will present his Collier Plays Coltrane program to close the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Coltrane 100 series with a special performance honoring the music and impact of John Coltrane through innovative interpretations and original compositions.
When: Friday, Sept. 25 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
September Twilight in the Gardens
Pack a picnic and grab some friends for an enchanting evening at the Magic Gardens Museum! Experience a live performance by Hamoon, a Persian ensemble that will mesmerize you with their music, and visit our art tables to create botanical watercolor art with artist Erin McGill! Inspired by Isaiah Zagar’s work, participants will make a watercolor mosaic using tape, botanicals, and lace as a resist, layering them into paint to echo the fractured, intricate surfaces found throughout the space. No previous watercolor experience needed! Attendees can also enjoy self-guided tours of our rarely seen mosaicked basement and view our exhibition, “Living Through Death: Works by Ivette Chaires,” in our galleries.
When: Friday, Sept. 25 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens Museum, 1020 South St.
Alonzo King LINES Ballet
The Alonzo King LINES Ballet performs in Philadelphia for the very first time with a program that includes Ode to Alice Coltrane, a tribute to the jazz icon. This spiritually charged work spotlights King’s evocative style, the dancers’ impeccable technique and the sonic expansiveness of Coltrane’s masterpieces. The performance also features LEGACY, a meditation on lineage and memory set to an original score by Grammy® Award-winning bassist esperanza spalding. The debut of this trailblazing ensemble promises a transcendent experience, as King’s “ballets have a way of sailing through sensations, of calming the nervous system, of realigning the body and mind” (The New York Times).
When: Friday, Sept. 25-26
Where: Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.
Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days
Please Touch Museum will transform into a meow-gical destination for three days of special programming inspired by the hit Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse. All Museum guests can take part in themed activities, including making Gabby cat ears and miniature rooms, mixing MerCat-inspired bubbly potions, dancing at a DJ Catnip Dance Party, and exploring a Museum-wide scavenger hunt.
When: Friday, Sept. 25-27
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Black Cannabis Week
Philadelphia will become a gathering place for a national conversation about economic justice, workforce development, entrepreneurship, restorative justice and who gets access to opportunity in America’s emerging industries when DACO presents its 2026 Cannabis Opportunities Conference during Black Cannabis Week. Under the theme “Rising in Joy, Rooted in Resilience, Building What’s Next,” the three-day gathering moves beyond a traditional industry conference to examine the real-world issues affecting Philadelphia families and communities: jobs, business ownership, criminal records, education, policy, health, access to capital and generational wealth. Black Cannabis Week was founded to address the disconnect between rapidly developing economic opportunities and communities historically excluded from them. The Philadelphia-based platform brings together policy, economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship, restorative justice, education, wellness and culture under one umbrella.
When: Friday, Sept. 25-27
Where: various locations including DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City, 237 S. Broad St.
E.A.R.T.H. Summit 2026: Creating Your Pathway to Wellness
The Crescent Foundation will bring together community members, health professionals, advocates and families for the E.A.R.T.H. Summit 2026: Creating Your Pathway to Wellness, a three-day experience taking place this weekend. Designed as more than a traditional health conference, the E.A.R.T.H. Summit creates an inclusive space where education, healing, sustainability and community connection intersect. Participants will have opportunities to learn, ask questions, engage with experts and explore practical tools for supporting their physical, emotional and financial well-being. A major focus of the weekend will be sickle cell disease, with Saturday programming addressing topics that directly affect individuals and families, including pain management, understanding lab results, safely strength training while living with sickle cell disease, menstruation and contraception, and life after curative and transformative therapies. Sunday expands the conversation with sessions exploring menopause, navigating school and employment, financial wealth and wills, youth programming and mentorship, mindfulness and fiber arts, pediatric pain management and disease-modifying therapy research.
When: Friday, Sept. 25-27
Where: Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd.
North Philadelphia History Festival
In the second annual North Philadelphia History Festival celebrating Black and Puerto Rican cultural histories, Scribe Video Center will showcase John Coltrane’s lasting North Philadelphia legacy. Centering community archives and the theme of Jazz. Spirit. Stories. History, all programs in the three-day festival are free to the public and will include live performances, film screenings, photo, audio, and video exhibitions, oral history installations, tours and more.
When: Friday, Sept. 25-27
Where: various locations including Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, 1330 Polett Wlk.
6th Annual Be Fruitful Conference + Warrior Walk
In its sixth year, the Be Fruitful Conference + Warrior Walk returns this weekend under the theme “Blooming into Harvest Season.” This year’s gathering takes on added significance as Philadelphia joins communities across the country in commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, creating an opportunity to highlight the people and organizations helping build healthier, stronger and more connected communities. The three-day experience brings together women, men, families, healthcare professionals, therapists, wellness practitioners and community leaders for honest conversations about reproductive health, mental wellness and healing. The conference takes place during PCOS Month, shining a spotlight on one of the most common yet misunderstood reproductive health conditions affecting millions of women. The weekend will also address infertility, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy loss and other reproductive health challenges that too often leave women searching for answers while suffering in silence.
When: Friday, Sept. 25-26
Where: Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue, 4200 City Ave.
Where: Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd.
Evil Genius Oktoberfest
Evil Genius is back with a new twist on its ever popular Oktoberfest celebration, including moving it to the Evil Genius Beer Garden with an all new layout and format. EDM infused Oompah music, DJ, best dressed contest, stein holding contest, German food and German style beers, and more in the Evil Genius Beer Garden.
When: Saturday, September 26 from 12-5 p.m.
Where: Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 N. Front St.
Philly AIDS Thrift 21st Anniversary Block Party
Philly AIDS Thrift brings back their beloved block party and fall festival with a full day of no-charge, family and fido friendly fun! Philly AIDS Thrift 21st Anniversary Block Party invites the community to join in a day of music, live performances, food trucks, pie-eating contest, artists and makers, local vendors, games and other festivities. Look for Peabody Award-winning radio host and producer at WXPN, DJ Robert Drake, who will be emcee and spinning tunes all day for everyone dancing in the streets. Other live entertainment includes Philly Elmo & PME Drumline, Killeé and UgLi. Celebrities for the annual dunk tank this year include Phila Lorn (James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner of Mawn and Sao in South Philadelphia), Jen Zavala (Chef and Owner of South Philly’s Juana Tamale), Stef Jolles (Co-Owner of Crash Bang Boom), Eric Schuman (WXPN host and the voice behind “Indie Rock Hit Parade) and Adam Proctor (Philly AIDS Thrift’s longtime manager). This celebration highlights how Philly AIDS Thrift turns secondhand treasures into vital funding for local HIV/AIDS service organizations. It also serves as the official kick-off for Halloween season, which is the busiest time of year with tons of costumes, accessories, decorations and more.
When: Saturday, Sept. 25 from 12-6 p.m.
Where: 700 blocks of south. 5th Street and east Passyunk Avenue
South Street Fall Fest
South Street’s annual tradition to close out the summer returns. The South Street Fall Fest 2026 will span eight blocks between Front Street and 8th Street. Now an anticipated close to festival season, the free, community-rooted event will showcase the corridor’s independent businesses and local makers through a series of block-by-block activations, each with its own unique theme. In addition to the block themes, the festival will feature live music, food and drink specials, immersive art installations, and local craft vendors throughout the corridor. The festival is free and open to the public.
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 from 12-7 p.m.
Where: South Street between Front and 8th streets
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts 60th Anniversary Celebration
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts (PCC) will celebrate its diamond anniversary on Saturday, marking six decades since the organization was incorporated in 1966. The evening is designed as both a celebration of PCC’s extraordinary history and a statement about its future—connecting the legacy of Philadelphia’s Black musicians with the artists, students, audiences and communities the Clef serves today. It will be hosted by Senator Vincent Hughes and will feature a distinguished awards program recognizing the individuals whose leadership and artistry have shaped — and continue to shape — the Clef’s enduring impact. The celebration also highlights “Soundscapes for Tomorrow,” the Clef ‘s major artist residency and new-work initiative made possible with support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The initiative provides artists with opportunities to develop work while connecting their creative practice with audiences, students and the broader community.
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad St.
West Philadelphia Community Yard Sale
Guests are invited to spend the day hunting for bargains and treasures in West Philly! More than 60 households, many in Cedar Park where the idea began, have already indicated interest in being on a map of community-wide simultaneous yard sales. Yard sale start and end times, payment options, and rain plans are at the discretion of each seller. Bring your own bags, small bills and change recommended.
Where: West Philadelphia community
Fall for the Arts Festival
For more than a century, art has had a home in Chestnut Hill, from its historic institutions and theaters to galleries and creative businesses lining Germantown Avenue. On Sunday, that longstanding artistic tradition will be on full display as the 42nd annual Fall for the Arts Festival returns, bringing more than 300 artists and vendors to the heart of the neighborhood for one of its largest celebrations. The Fall for the Arts festival transforms Germantown Avenue into an open-air arts destination featuring paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, and handcrafted pieces by artists from across the region. The free, family-friendly event also features live music and entertainment, artist demonstrations, interactive workshops, and opportunities to explore the galleries, shops, restaurants, and businesses that make Chestnut Hill a year-round destination.
When: Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 8000-8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue
”Under the Lights” screening
The community is invited to a special screening of the award-winning film “Under the Lights,” an inspiring and thought-provoking story that shines a powerful and authentic light on epilepsy, representation, acceptance, and the universal desire to belong. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Miles Levin, who lives with epilepsy, “Under the Lights” tells the story of Sam, a 17-year-old who desperately wants to feel like a “normal” kid. Determined to attend his prom, Sam knowingly puts himself at risk of having a seizure triggered by the flashing lights. Epilepsy affects 1 in 26 people, yet people living with epilepsy have historically been stigmatized, misunderstood, and largely absent from authentic representation in film and popular culture. “Under the Lights” challenges that history by bringing an authentic epilepsy experience to the screen and opening the door to greater understanding and meaningful conversation.
When: Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Landmark Ritz V, 214 Walnut St.
An Evening with John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell is the Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen who gave us the cult classic Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Most recently, Mitchell appeared in Broadway’s Oh, Mary!, hailed by The New York Times as “one of the best comedies in years.” Now, he performs in Philadelphia for the first time in an evening of songs and stories from his extraordinary career spanning off-Broadway, Broadway and beyond. This performance is a one-night-only chance for an intimate encounter with one of alt-culture’s boldest and most original voices.
When: Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.
”This Should Never Be A Musical: An Improvised Reality Show”
1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s all-comedy theatre company, launches its 30th anniversary season with a world premiere production that will change every night–literally. A part of the Phoebe and Otto Premiere Series as sponsored by the Wyncote Foundation, “This Should Never Be A Musical: An Improvised Reality Show,” co-created and directed by Jennifer Childs and Mary Carpenter, will play at the Arden Theatre Company’s Arcadia Stage for a strictly limited engagement. Part “American Idol,” part “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” part “Waiting for Guffman” and 100% 1812, this is a brand new musical adventure unlike anything audiences have experienced. Each night, the audience will provide the worst musical titles they can think of, and the actors will improvise songs and scenes from each one with reality tv-style challenges. The audience will vote on which musicals move forward in the competition and the winning musical will be selected at the top of the second act followed by a 30-minute version of that musical, complete with choreography and costumes.
When: ends Sunday, Sept. 27
Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.
”Girl from the North Country”
Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company opens its 2026/27 Mainstage Season with the acclaimed “Girl from the North Country.” The musical, written by Conor McPherson, uses reimagined songs by Bob Dylan to create a moving American story of resilience in uncertain times. In a run-down boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota, strangers cross paths — experiencing love, loss, and everything in between. Amongst the dust and deep in the throes of the Great Depression, these wayward travelers fill the guesthouse with music, hope, and soul.
When: Sunday, Sept. 27-Oct. 25
Where: Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St.
”Garden Railway: Revolutionary Philly”
Just in time to mark America’s 250th, Morris Arboretum & Gardens brings America’s past and present vividly to life through three interconnected exhibitions. Garden Railway: Revolutionary Philly invites visitors of all ages to take a miniature journey through eighteenth-century Philadelphia. Bustling model trains wind along more than a third of a mile of track, passing handcrafted replicas of iconic landmarks such as Independence Hall, and scenes modeled after events like the Battle of Germantown. Running in conjunction with the Garden Railway, the self-guided exhibition Plants from the Colonial Era highlights the trees, herbs, and flowers that fed, healed, sheltered, and inspired colonial Philadelphians.
When: through Wednesday, Sept. 30
Where: Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation welcomes the return of Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest for its 2026 Season. While Summerfest returns for the season with its signature roller skating in partnership with Independence Blue Cross, DRWC is expanding its wellness programming across its Waterfront parks, offering more opportunities for visitors to stay active through accessible outdoor experiences, including Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga at Race Street Pier presented by Independence Blue Cross, Tai Chi at Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Fishing with Friends at Pier 68 in partnership with Riverways. The Independence Blue Cross RiverRink has long shaped the Philadelphia Delaware River Waterfront as the go-to destination for seasonal traditions and outdoor recreation. This Summer 2026, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink will transform into Summerfest – offering Philadelphia’s ONLY outdoor roller-skating rink – to create the ultimate family-friendly summer hangout. Against the backdrop of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Summerfest will continue to prioritize accessibility with free entry and flexible, pay-as-you-go options that invite visitors to create their own experience
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
CityPickle at Dilworth Park
CityPickle is returning to Philadelphia, presented by Visit Delaware, at Dilworth Park City Hall in partnership with the Center City District for another seasonal pop-up of outdoor pickleball. Thanks to our 2026 partner, Visit Delaware, players can reserve professional-grade courts. Whether stepping onto the court for the first time or a seasoned pro, players of every skill level are invited to experience pickleball in one of Philadelphia’s most iconic spaces. Standard court reservations can be made one week in advance through the CityPickle app. Advanced court bookings are currently available, allowing guests to reserve both courts. This option is ideal for event planning, including parties, a gathering with friends and family, a networking event, or corporate team building.
When: through Sunday, Oct. 18; weekdays from 12-7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St.
The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition
The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia 2027 Screenwriting Competition, which is presented by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, is open to all screenwriters, world-wide, who submit a feature length screenplay or an original TV pilot length screenplay that can be shot in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. Whether you’re an experienced writer or fresh talent, we want to celebrate voices in storytelling while highlighting the opportunity and potential of Philadelphia locations by focusing on scripts that can be brought to life locally. And showcase the city and surrounding region as a viable and compelling setting for film and television. Your screenplay has the opportunity to carry forward a legacy of creative excellence, supported by the resources and partnerships of our city’s film office community. All genres accepted. Writers do not need to be from Philadelphia, and scripts do not need to be explicitly set in Philadelphia. They must simply be feasible to shoot in the Philadelphia region. This year, the competition features over $20,000 in cash prizes, alongside direct industry exposure and detailed feedback opportunities for participating writers.
When: deadline is Monday, Oct. 19
Open Streets: West Walnut
Since launching in September 2024, Open Streets: West Walnut has become a signature Center City experience, welcoming an average of more than 10,500 visitors each Sunday. The pedestrian-only streets serve as an extension of public space, with room for expanded al fresco dining and sidewalk retail. Businesses along the route may offer special promotions, in-store entertainment, or exclusive experiences. Food and beverages will be available exclusively from restaurants located along the route. Throughout the season, guests can enjoy live music and family-friendly experiences, and relax at in-street seating pods. The Fulton Fun Zone, located at the corner of 18th and Chestnut, will feature rotating programming including live broadcasts of Philadelphia Eagles games, mini golf, and seasonal activities.
When: Sundays through Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Along Walnut and 18th streets
”Living Through Death” by Ivette Chaires
Ivette Chaires, the 2024 Julia Zagar Residency for Women Artists recipient, is a multidisciplinary artist deeply influenced by her surroundings. She uses sculpture, printmaking, and photography to explore traditional themes in Mexican Folk Art. Living in Puebla, Mexico, Chaires draws inspiration from local traditions such as Día de Muertos, which led her to specialize in cartonería, a traditional Mexican craft of creating papier-mâché sculptures, figures, and decorative objects by layering paper and glue over a framework and painting or embellishing them. For the past 15 years, she has focused on traditional cartonería, creating calaveras and teaching workshops, blending craftsmanship with cultural storytelling. In “Living Through Death,” Chaires merges contemporary imagery with traditional techniques and patterns.
When: through Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
”Ron Tarver: The Long Ride Home, Black Cowboys in America” at Print Center
The Print Center is proud to present Ron Tarver: The Long Ride Home, Black Cowboys in America, an exhibition that reveals the depth, breadth, beauty and visual poetry of Black cowboys throughout America. Until recently, popular culture had not recognized the vital Black contribution to our national stories of “The American West.” The Long Ride Home offers a contemporary counter-narrative to the traditional whitewashed myths. Tarver’s insightful photographs of Black Western heritage affirm a thriving culture of Black-owned ranches, rodeos, parades, inner-city cowboys and retired cowhands, from rural ranches to big city riding clubs — many in Philadelphia.
When: through Saturday, Nov. 14
Where: The Print Center, 1614 Latimer St.
Historic Germantown 250th Stamp Rally
This fall, Historic Germantown is challenging Philadelphians to put their knowledge of local history to the test while discovering some of the remarkable people who helped shape Germantown, Philadelphia, and beyond. The free Historic Germantown 250th Stamp Rally will turn Northwest Philadelphia into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt, inviting visitors to explore 23 historic and cultural sites, collect stamps, and uncover the identities of trailblazers connected to Germantown’s past and present. For this Stamp Rally, Historic Germantown isn’t revealing the names of its featured figures. Instead, visitors will follow clues at each stop and scan QR codes to uncover individuals ranging from artists and abolitionists to educators, activists, and innovators. The experience is part of Historic Germantown’s year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and offers a fun, interactive way for families and history lovers to discover the people behind the neighborhood’s history. The Stamp Rally runs through November 14, with prizes available along the way. Visitors who collect six or more stamps and/or scavenger hunt answers can earn a set of Trailblazer Trading Cards featuring 18 influential figures, with additional prizes for reaching 14 and 20 stops. The experience concludes with a Stamp Rally Wrap Party on November 14 at the Historic Germantown Visitor Center, featuring refreshments, prizes, and grand-prize raffle drawings.
When: through Saturday, Nov. 14
Where: various locations across Northwest Philadelphia
”Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga” at Penn Museum
Spotlighting century-old watercolor paintings by Egyptian artist Ahmed Yousef, Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga will go on view at the Penn Museum. Last exhibited in Cairo during the 1920s, the watercolor paintings have been carefully preserved in the Penn Museum’s Archives for more than 100 years. They have never been on display in the United States. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors reveals the often underappreciated, but critical function of art in archaeology. The 1,500 sq. ft. exhibition highlights elaborately decorated tomb chapels during the New Kingdom (approximately 1550 BCE-1070 BCE), a “golden age” that marked the height of Egypt’s power and wealth. Many affluent officials built their tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga — a key part of the larger Theban Necropolis. Their tomb paintings show scenes from everyday life and imagery depicting the journey to the netherworld — illuminating how much the ancient Egyptians valued family bonds, honoring their ancestors, and continuing one’s identity into the next life. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors will close in November — just ahead of the grand opening for the Penn Museum’s “Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife” on Dec. 12.
When: through November 2026
Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
”At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic” at Arthur Ross
The Arthur Ross Gallery’s fall exhibition, “At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic,” asks visitors to consider the role of visual culture in creating collective conceptions of Philadelphia and its residents, including America’s first international celebrity Benjamin Franklin, in the decades just before and after the nation’s founding. The 41 works on view — including paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture — portray notable figures alongside depictions of daily life in Philadelphia. In addition to historical pictures and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, the exhibition will include images of the era made to celebrate important national anniversaries, such as the marking of America’s 150th in 1926, through to the present moment, inviting exploration of Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation and its first capital.
When: through Sunday, Dec. 13
Where: Arthur Ross Gallery, 220 S. 34th St.
”A Nation of Artists” at PMA, PAFA
With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (the country’s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history. The two institutions team up with avid art collector (and Phillies’ managing partner) John Middleton and his wife and partner Leigh for this blockbuster exhibition titled “A Nation of Artists.” Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents. “A Nation of Artists” debuts as a cultural milestone celebrating the nation’s creative and artistic legacy at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
When: through Monday, July 5, 2027
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 5, 2027
Where: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St.
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