20 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

Squeeze out the last drops of summer with live music, festivals and block parties.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are visiting Philly. Photo from Facebook

The Budweiser Clydesdales are visiting Philly. Photo from Facebook

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

Budweiser Clydesdales @ Manayunk
Those Budweiser horses that make the best TV commercials are coming back to Manayunk to stroll down Main Street (and remind people the Made in America concert, sponsored by Budweiser, is Labor Day weekend). Manayunk.com is holding a raffle to win a professional photo-up with the Clydesdales. If you’re rather snap pics of the horsies in a different neighborhood, they’ll be by the Delaware River waterfront on Saturday and in Center City on Wednesday.

Flightschool @ Foundry at the Fillmore
Philly-based improv rock band Flightschool bring their “funky jammy Philly rock for the soul” to the upstairs venue in the Fillmore.

Smooth Jazz Summer Nights with Peabo Bryson @ Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Peabo Bryson is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter with 20 albums under his belt, but most importantly he sang “A Whole New World” from Aladdin and the eponymous track for Beauty and the Beast. This is the last of the Smooth Jazz Summer Nights series until next year.

Christopher Titus @ Helium Comedy Club
Comedian Christopher Titus, who had his own sitcom, Titus, on Fox in the early 2000s, performs at Helium Friday and Saturday.

Peoti Visions @ Underground Arts
This South Jersey trio calls themselves a “hip-hop/media group,” because they write, produce and perform their songs along with directing their videos. Philly native Aaron Thomas and singer Bianca Ingram, sister of Peoti Visions’ Kyle, are also in the lineup.

Max Major’s Think Again @ Franklin Institute
Mentalist Max Major brings his mind-reading skills back to the Franklin Institute Friday and Saturday, after selling out previous shows. There’s a cash bar.

Direction/Instruction @ Paradigm Gallery
This visiting exhibit was put together by a curator in Amsterdam and features an international group of artists. The opening reception is Friday and the exhibit is up until September 17th.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

Lauryn Hill plays the Mann on Saturday.

Lauryn Hill plays the Mann on Saturday.

Lauryn Hill @ The Mann
Trinidadian soca singer Machel Montano is Ms. Hill’s special guest at the first stop on her MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! tour.

Pangaea: A Folk Opera @ MilkBoy South Street
The new MilkBoy on South Street is giving us a free sneak peek of the Fringe Festival with this folk music opera that will make its official debut next month at the theater fest.

Philadelphia Country Music Festival @ Connie’s Ric Rac
The Wallace Brothers Band host the second annual Philadelphia Country Music Festival, with 18 bands on indoor and outdoor stages. There’s no cover.

En Vivo Latino Music Festival @ Xfinity Live
Elvis Crespo headlines this family-friendly all-day music fest at Xfinity Live.

Filbert Street Flower Market @ Reading Terminal Market
Stop and smell (and buy) the roses at PHS’s pop-up outdoor market, with live music and an “ask the expert” station for your plant-care inquires, including tips on urban gardening.

Aries Spears @ The Trocadero
Comedian Aries Spears, who’s been performing on stage and screen since he was 14, brings his stand-up to the Troc.

Queen Village Block Party @ Bainbridge Street Barrel House
It’s last call for summer block parties. Barrel House is hosting one with food, beer, and music from DJ Humble, Elissa Janelle Velveteen, DJ David Alexander and DJ Ben Arsenal. Bring along school supplies, like a notebook or pencils, to donate to the Backpack Challenge, which collects them for kids in the foster care system.

Summer Rock Fest @ Harrah’s
Rock out on Harrah’s outside patio with this Radio 104.5 music fest. It’s a family-friendly event, with 15 bands, carnival games, face painters, barbecue and giveaways.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28

Blue Cross RiverRink is hosting a Michael Jackson-themed skating party. Photo from Facebook

Blue Cross RiverRink is hosting a Michael Jackson-themed skating party. Photo from Facebook

Michael Jackson Birthday Skate Party @ Blue Cross RiverRink
Skate to Michael Jackson’s hits at this Summerfest party celebrating his birthday. There will be themed activities, a photobooth and an MJ impersonator.

Philly Zine Fest @ The Rotunda
Publishers, artists and writers will be showing off their imaginative self-published magazines at this long-running fest.

Fishtown & Northern Liberties Neighborhood Immersion @ Schmidt’s Commons
Brooklyn Brewery is taking over Fishtown and Northern Liberties as part of Philly Mash, the local iteration of the brewery’s traveling festival. Start at the pop-up bar/shop Timberland Trailhead to get coupons for food, drink and other deals throughout the neighborhood(s). And then…use them? I’m not totally clear what this is but I think it’s just a fun, beer-fueled way to explore the area, and the festival sounds pretty cool overall.

Philadelphia Podcast Festival @ Tattooed Mom
It’s the last day of the fourth annual Philadelphia Podcast Festival, featuring food tastings with Teagan Goes Vegan, celeb gossip and movie talk with Cinemosity, the Philly Geek Awards favorite Black Tribbles and more, recording live at Tattooed Mom.

Hannibal Buress @ Borgata
Comedian Hannibal Buress is really, really funny. You either know him as Ilana’s boyfriend on Broad City or as the guy who called Bill Cosby a rapist during a 2014 stand-up set at the Troc.

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