14 Things To Do In Philly This Weekend: Diwali Dance Party, Reading Terminal Harvest Fest, A Spooky Barnes Tour, Food Truck Fiesta, And More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Wall Ball at Electric Factory
If you love the city’s Mural Arts Program, get to its charity gala. Thursday, May 21st, 6 pm to 10 pm, Electric Factory, $25-$1,500, 421 North 7th Street.
Harry Potter Festival
The Harry Potter Festival is here, and we're so excited it's like we received a Hogwarts acceptance letter. Chestnut Hill may as well be Diagon Alley this weekend: the 'hood will be overflowing with witchcraft and wizardry, with activities for even the most skeptical Muggles. The full festival schedule includes Quidditch tournaments, Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, Sorting Hat demonstrations, fortune tellers, musicians, food, drink, and retail promotions, and much more. Be there or be Voldemort. Friday, October 17th-Saturday, October 18th, various times and locations.
FirstGlance Film Festival
FirstGlance Film Festival, the indie film fest now in its 17th year, kicks off this evening. Screenings take place all weekend, with many local filmmakers featured in this year's lineup. For a full schedule of screenings, click here. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday, October 17th-Sunday, October 19th, various times, The Franklin Institute's Franklin Theater, 222 North 20th Street.
Diwali Dance Party at Tashan
From Foobooz: Tashan is hosting a Diwali Dance Party on Friday, October 17th from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Beyond the music by DJ VK, beyond the dancing (because oh yes, there will be dancing), the Bollywood-style New Year’s party will include an extensive dinner buffet with a variety of delicious Indian dishes. More details here.
Szenasy, Design Advocate
From Property: For today, we suggest closing your DesignPhilly experience by going to Szenasy, Design Advocate. The event will be held at the Center for Architecture and will consist of a discussion with sustainable-design advocate Susan S. Szenasy, Center for Architecture director Hilary Jay, and architect and writer Joseph G. Brin. If you have Szenasy’s latest book, Szenasy, Design Advocate, be sure to have it on hand: a book signing will follow. More details here.
All Hallow's Eve Festival
Venture outside the city for some classic fall festing this Saturday, with pumpkin painting, apple cider, and gorgeous foliage included. Pennypacker Mills will host the free, family-friendly All Hallow's Eve Festival, with crafts, hayrides, fall eats and treats, corn shucking, and more Saturday, October 18th, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA.
ARTnude Philly
ARTnude Philly, an annual art show that benefits the "Patient Special Needs Fund" at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, will host its Opening Party this Saturday. Guests can peruse work by leading contemporary artists (40% of art sales are donated directly to the Abramson Center!) while enjoying a lineup of live music and performances throughout the evening. To learn more about ARTnude Philly's initiative, click here. Tickets can be purchased online. Saturday, October 18th, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., $20, James Oliver Gallery, 723 Chestnut Street.
Mercer County's Fall Food Truck Fiesta
From Foobooz: Mercer County's Fall Food Truck Fiesta is happening Saturday, October 18th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food trucks, including Cow and the Curd, KAMI, The Taco Truck, and Oink and Moo will all be at the event happening at the Festival Grounds of West Windsor Park. Hopewell Valley wine and beers will be on tap, and there will be plenty of children's activities as well. Live music as well as DJ performances will also be happening. More details here.
OktoberFestivus
Head to Franklin Square this Saturday evening for OktoberFestivus, otherwise known as an excuse to eat and drink while pretending to admire the falling leaves. The Square will be filled with delicious fare from local food trucks, plus seasonal brews to sip while you mingle in the beer garden. Cheers to autumn in Philly! Saturday, October 18th, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Franklin Square, 6th and Race Streets.
Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival
As if Reading Terminal Market isn't a destination (and official Great Public Space) every weekend, this Saturday marks its annual fall fest. Filbert Street between 11th and 12th Streets will be closed to make way for an urban farm with a pumpkin patch and hayrides. Molly Malloy's will host an outdoor beer garden for the grown up crowd and indoor vendors will make their way outdoors with autumnal treats. The festival is free to boot. Saturday, October 18th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets. — Aubrey Nagle
Philly Mart on Venice Island
The recently opened Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center launches The Philly Mart this weekend, a free, curated outdoor artisan and vintage market. Browse the sales, featuring works from the creative community selected carefully by two local artists, and enjoy the new facility. This is the first event for The Philly Mart, which plans to make this a monthly shopping extravaganza from April to June and from September to December of each year. Saturday, October 18th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, 1 Rector Street, Manayunk, PA. — Aubrey Nagle
Farm and Fisherman Tavern Beer and Sausage Fest
From Foobooz: Since it’s an Eagles bye-week and your Sunday afternoon is probably free, Farm and Fisherman Tavern’s Beer and Sausage Fest may be just what you’re looking for. The Tavern, in Cherry Hill is hosting the big event this Sunday, October 19th from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.: Beer and Pig. The event will include a cocktail hour with passed pig h’orderves before the four-course meal. More details here.
Bloody Mary Festival
From Foobooz: On Sunday, October 19th, The Bloody Mary Libation Party will be hosting their first Bloody Mary Festival at Howl at the Moon from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The Libation Party will be gathering the 10 – 12 purveyors (bars and restaurants) that make the best Bloody Marys in Philly. Restaurants and bars supplying the beloved brunch cocktails include Ela, Nodding Head Brewery, Bar Ferdinand and more. More details here.
