{"id":311839,"date":"2026-10-22T11:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/311839\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T11:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:38:09","slug":"things-to-do-around-philly-day-of-the-dead-fresh-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/311839\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to do around Philly: Day of the Dead, \u2018Fresh Air\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Delaware
\n\u2018The Wiz\u2019<\/p>\n

Where: The Playhouse on Rodney Square, 1007 Market St., <\/a>Wilmington, Del.
\nWhen: Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
\nHow much: $95 and up<\/a><\/p>\n

Come on, let\u2019s ease on down the road to Wilmington for the Tony Award-winning musical \u201cThe Wiz.\u201d<\/a> The groundbreaking all-Black reimagining of Frank Baum\u2019s \u201cThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz\u201d debuted on Broadway in 1975, winning seven Tony Awards, including best musical. Expect big vocals on the classic songs \u201cHome,\u201d \u201cNo Bad News\u201d and, of course, \u201cEase on Down the Road.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

New Jersey
\n2026 Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival<\/p>\n

Cape May turns into one big jazz club this weekend as the Autumn Exit Zero Jazz Festival<\/a> takes over the shore town. This year\u2019s lineup includes legendary bassist Marcus Miller,<\/a> saxophonist Kenny Garrett,<\/a> Cuban piano great Chucho Vald\u00e9s, <\/a>Panamanian pianist Danilo P\u00e9rez,<\/a> the Eddie Palmieri Experience<\/a> and more. The main stage is at Cape May Convention Hall, but the festival spills into clubs, restaurants and outdoor spaces, complete with New Orleans-style second-line parades and a 22-piece Brazilian drum bloco.\n<\/p>\n

Haddon Township Brews & Boos Crawl-O-Ween<\/p>\n

Where: Multiple locations, Haddon Township, N.J.
\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 p.m. \u2013 10 p.m.
\nHow much: Free, pay as you go<\/p>\n

Nine bars and restaurants offer food and drink specials along a designated route for the holiday crawl,<\/a> including PJ Whelihan\u2019s Pub,<\/a> The Pour House,<\/a> Central Taco & Tequila,<\/a> Treno Pizza Bar<\/a> and Reunion Hall.<\/a> Costumes are encouraged, but not required. There\u2019s no cover or ticket required. A free jitney runs between participating spots and the Westmont PATCO station, so you don\u2019t have to worry about driving.\n<\/p>\n

Special events
\nHalloween and festivals roundup
\n\"AFile: Skeletons big and small adorn city streets around Halloween. (Kimberly Paynter\/WHYY)<\/p>\n

Where: Multiple venues
\nWhen: Through Saturday, Oct. 31
\nHow much: Various prices<\/p>\n

\u2018Fresh Air Live\u2019 \u2013 Terry Gross and Jesse Eisenberg
\n\"DirectorDirector Jesse Eisenberg poses during a photo call for the movie \u201cThe Debut\u201d at the Rome Film Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo\/Andrew Medichini)<\/p>\n

WHYY\u2019s own \u201cFresh Air\u201d<\/a> teams up with the Philadelphia Film Festival for an onstage conversation<\/a> between award-winning host Terry Gross<\/a> and Oscar-nominated writer, director and actor Jesse Eisenberg.<\/a> Eisenberg\u2019s new film, \u201cThe Debut,\u201d<\/a> starring Julianne Moore, is the festival\u2019s closing-night selection. In recent years, Eisenberg has developed a resume behind the camera with films including \u201cWhen You Finish Saving the World\u201d and \u201cA Real Pain,\u201d the latter of which won the award for best original screenplay at the British Academy Film Awards.\n <\/p>\n

Philly Flannel Fest<\/p>\n

Last year, this event <\/a>set a record for the most people gathered in flannel at an event, or so organizers say. Guinness World Records hasn\u2019t weighed in, but we won\u2019t tell them differently. The celebration of all things fall brings together live music and DJs, local food trucks, seasonal bites, wine and cocktails. Come dressed for the occasion in a flannel shirt, jacket or coat as they try to beat last year\u2019s turnout.\n<\/p>\n

Arts and culture
\n\u2018The Great Gatsby\u2019<\/p>\n

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical<\/a> based on F. Scott Fitzgerald\u2019s classic 1925 novel comes to Philadelphia for a three-week run. This production finally brought Gatsby to Broadway, premiering at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2023 before making its Broadway debut in 2024. With a book by Kait Kerrigan, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, this contemporary take on the Gatsby story includes dance, music and Broadway sophistication.\n<\/p>\n

\u2018Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors\u2019<\/p>\n

Writers Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen give Bram Stoker\u2019s classic vampire tale<\/a> the comedic treatment, with just five actors playing all the roles. In this production, Dracula is a charismatic rock star who unexpectedly lands in a small town and has to deal with an array of quirky characters. Thursday\u2019s show is part of the \u2018Thirsty Thursday\u2019 series, so come earlier for preshow beers and snacks.\n<\/p>\n

\u2018The Magicians Table\u2019<\/p>\n

This immersive experience<\/a> makes its Philadelphia debut after a run in London, England. It centers on the fictional world of magician and showman Dieter Roterburg, whose friends gather to celebrate him after his death. Illusions will be performed in a speakeasy-style atmosphere with live music and cocktails. It\u2019s part theater, part magic show and part high-end date night. Just don\u2019t expect to figure out how they\u2019re doing it.\n<\/p>\n

\u2018Suddenly Last Summer\u2019<\/p>\n

Where: Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.\u00a0<\/a>
\nWhen: Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
\nHow much: $11 \u2013 $250<\/a><\/p>\n

Tennessee Williams gets an operatic makeover in the Philadelphia premiere of this theater production\/opera<\/a>. In the original story, Catherine witnesses the horrific death of her cousin, and his mother will do anything to keep her from revealing how it happened. MacArthur Fellow and New Orleans native Courtney Bryan<\/a> turned Williams\u2019 1958 one-act play into her first opera, with a twist. Mikaela Bennett<\/a> plays Catherine, the only principal character who sings, while the people trying to silence her speak.\n<\/p>\n

Germantown Art & Sound<\/p>\n

Where: Our House Culture Center, 6830 Germantown Ave.<\/a>
\nWhen: Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. \u2013 10 p.m.
\nHow much: Free with RSVP<\/p>\n

Now in its seventh year, the interactive community art show<\/a> gives featured artists a chance to talk about \u2014 and hopefully sell \u2014 directly to an audience of art lovers. This edition spotlights Ama<\/a>, Issa Crawley,<\/a> Billy G. Harvey<\/a>, Chris Green<\/a> and more, working across visual art, photography and mixed media. Philly DJ and producer Reezey <\/a>handles the soundtrack. The event is BYOB with complimentary wine and a food truck.\n<\/p>\n

Ballets Jazz Montr\u00e9al: Dance Me \u2013 The Music of Leonard Cohen<\/p>\n

Choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa,<\/a> Andonis Foniadakis<\/a> and Ihsan Rustem <\/a>use contemporary dance and visuals to explore themes of love, heartbreak and mortality <\/a>in Cohen\u2019s work. \u201cHallelujah,\u201d \u201cSuzanne\u201d and other Cohen standards are part of the mix. Philly audiences loved \u201cDance Me\u201d when it came through in 2019; now it\u2019s back for the production\u2019s final tour. A free Saturday a.m. masterclass is open to intermediate-to-advanced dancers who are interested in learning from the troupe.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Taste of the Philippines<\/p>\n

The free festival<\/a> is the season finale of the PECO Multicultural Series. It brings together Filipino food, traditional music and dance, cultural performances, and a marketplace featuring Filipino vendors and artisans. Food is a big part of the experience, with favorites like adobo, sinigang, lumpia and lechon. It\u2019s a chance to eat, shop and get a better feel for the Filipino American community and its culture.\n<\/p>\n

CultureFest! D\u00eda de los Muertos<\/p>\n

Presented by the Mexican Cultural Center, the annual event<\/a> honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with commemorative altars \u2014 or ofrendas \u2014 live music and dance, art-making, an artisan market and an altar competition. A huge traditional ofrenda welcomes spirits back the party with flowers, food, photos and other offerings.\n<\/p>\n

Gran Fiesta de los Muertos<\/p>\n

Where: Gateway Plaza at FDR Park, 3601 Broad St.<\/a>
\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. \u2013 8 p.m.
\nHow much: Free, pay as you go<\/p>\n

Mexican-born, Philadelphia-based artist Cesar Viveros <\/a>creates a special installation drawing on the Aztec ceremonies, altars and other Indigenous influences that inform his work for the free celebration.<\/a> Like the one at Penn Museum, the event includes traditional music, food from FDR Park\u2019s Latino Market and handcrafted goods from Mercado de Latinas vendors.\n<\/p>\n

Yokai Family Weekend and Flea Market<\/p>\n

In Japanese folklore, yokai <\/a>are supernatural creatures and spirits that can be mischievous, mysterious or downright spooky. Shofuso explores that tradition with a family-friendly weekend <\/a>featuring a scavenger hunt for objects that inspired yokai myths, spooky origami crafts and kamishibai, the traditional Japanese form of storytelling using illustrated cards. Proceeds from the Yokai Flea Market, stocked with donated Japanese clothing, books, toys and other finds, support the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia.\n<\/p>\n

Sports
\nPhiladelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
\n\"PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia 76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe, left, talks with forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II)<\/p>\n

LeBron James is here to save Philadelphia\u2019s woeful sports scene, and we\u2019re here for it. James starts his record 24th season<\/a> as a Philadelphia 76er alongside Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid in what already looks like a lock for the playoffs, at least we hope. The Sixers open against James\u2019s old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and their stars Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. In Bron we trust. If you can\u2019t make it tonight, there\u2019s a three-game homestand through Sunday.\n<\/p>\n

Food and drink
\nPhiladelphia Street Food Festival<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re one of those people who like food, but aren\u2019t too precious about it \u2014 more of a food lover than foodie \u2014 this one\u2019s for you. More than 30 food trucks and restaurants<\/a> will serve everything from cheesesteaks to cheese fries to burgers, tacos and more for $5 or less. You can sample Philly faves, international dishes, sweets and all kinds of food from trucks, takeout spots and street carts. Beyond the eats, there are live bands and DJs, a Philly drumline, breakdancing, a slam-dunk showcase, kids\u2019 activities, and an art walk.\n<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Chocolate & Coffee Festival<\/p>\n

Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave.<\/a>, Oaks, Pa.
\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.
\nHow much: $11.99 and up<\/a><\/p>\n

Coffee and chocolate go together real bad, as the kids say. At this cacao and caffeine fest,<\/a> more than 150 chocolatiers, coffee roasters, food makers and artisans will showcase their proficiency with one or the other. And there\u2019s an educational aspect: you can step inside a mobile coffee-roasting trailer to see and smell beans transform during a live roasting session. Talks, including a look at chocolate\u2019s role in American history, are also happening, plus live music and family activities.\n<\/p>\n

Meat Market Challenge<\/p>\n

Where: Reading Terminal, 1136 Arch St.<\/a>
\nWhen: Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.
\nHow much: Free, pay as you go<\/p>\n

Philly is celebrating the 50th anniversary<\/a> of \u201cRocky\u201d by letting fans recreate one of the movie\u2019s most famous scenes: throwing punches at a hanging side of beef. The first-ever Meat Market Challenge <\/a>is part of the citywide Rocky Season festivities. There are also a Rocky look-alike contest with a $200 Market gift card for the winner, a DJ spinning music from the nine movies, including the three \u201cCreed\u201d films, and Rocky-inspired retail specials.\n<\/p>\n

Philly Coffee Tour: Pumpkin Spice Edition<\/p>\n

Philly boasts plenty of alcohol-fueled neighborhood crawls, so this coffee-themed one<\/a> is a nice departure. This Fishtown tour stops at four neighborhood coffee shops for two tastings at each. Along the way, guides share some of the history behind Philly\u2019s coffee scene and how coffee goes from bean to roast to your morning cup. Despite the pumpkin spice theme, the tastings include other seasonal flavors.\n<\/p>\n

Music
\nLakecia Benjamin<\/p>\n

The New York native combines jazz, R&B and soul with the energy of a rock show. She\u2019s worked with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys to Robert Glasper and Missy Elliott, while her own music has earned her six Grammy nominations. Her latest album, \u201cWe Dream,\u201d <\/a>came out in June with an impressive list of collaborators including Philly\u2019s own Bilal, Terence Blanchard, Hiromi, Chris Potter and Tarriona \u201cTank\u201d Ball. She\u2019s at the Kimmel Center <\/a>tonight.\n<\/p>\n

Broadway \u00e0 la Nero<\/p>\n

Grammy-winning pianist, conductor and Philly Pops founder Peter Nero<\/a> gets his just due with a musical celebration of his work and life. \u201cBroadway \u00e0 la Nero\u201d<\/a> revisits his Broadway medleys with the full orchestra, led by new music director Christopher Dragon,<\/a> alongside pianist Charlie Albright,<\/a> the Philly Pops Chorus and Philadelphia native Hugh Panaro,<\/a> who played the Phantom in \u201cThe Phantom of the Opera\u201d on Broadway more than 2,000 times.\n<\/p>\n

Arc\u00e1ngel: La 8va Maravilla World Tour
\n\"ArcangelArcangel performs at 2025 Suenos Music Festival on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski\/Invision\/AP)<\/p>\n

Before there was Bad Bunny, there was Puerto Rican reggaetonero artist Arc\u00e1ngel. He\u2019s commemorating two decades as an artist with a world tour built around his latest album, \u201cLa 8va Maravilla.\u201d<\/a> Released earlier this year, it includes collaborations with Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee and Grupo Firme. His latest record takes its name from his nickname, La Maravilla, and was inspired by his travels to the world\u2019s seven wonders. The tour makes a Philadelphia stop<\/a> as part of its U.S. run.\n<\/p>\n

Bruce Cockburn<\/p>\n

For more than half a century, the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist has traveled extensively, including to Guatemala, Mali, Mozambique and Nepal, turning folk, rock, jazz and worldbeat into songs about love and spirituality, war, politics and social justice. Along the way, he\u2019s earned 12 Juno Awards, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and named an officer of the Order of Canada. He pulls into suburban Philly<\/a> on Sunday night.\n<\/p>\n

The rest<\/p>\n

RIP World Cafe Live: The independent music venue, which hosted artists from multiple genres and was once known for its great food, is permanently closing its doors<\/a>. Here\u2019s the story behind what happened.<\/a>\n <\/p>\n