Candis R. McLean
Each weekend, we will post some of the most unique social and cultural places to visit in addition to exciting events in and around the Philly area. We call it Philly Influencer’s Weekend Picks. If you attend any of these places or events, let us know how it went! Tweet us or email us at [email protected].
1. Closing Soon: Hamilton
Where: Forrest Theatre | 1114 Walnut Stree
When: Runs through Sunday, November 17
There was no way to escape the phenomenal acclaim of Hamilton over the past few years. For months, the Forrest Theatre has opened its doors to this amazing spectacle of talent and vocals. Come to this wonderful theater and be amazed for one last time.
For more information, click here
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2. Closing Soon: First Person Arts Festival
Where: Various locations
When: Runs through Saturday, November 16
The First Person Arts Festival ends this weekend. There have been weeks of personal story slams, spoken word performances, comedic showcases, a memoir writing class, and more at this artistic collective. Don’t miss your last chance to see this phenomenal artistic showcase.
For more information, click here
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3. Closing Soon: Blooms & Bamboo at Longwood Gardens
Where: Longwood Gardens |1001 Longwood Rd | Kennett Square, PA
When: Runs through Sunday, November 17
Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry features towering and amazing Ikebana bamboo art arrangements. An Ikebana Sogetsu artisan, Akane Teshigahara, has created amazing swirling and twisting works exclusively for Longwood Gardens. Stop by Longwood Gardens for your last chance to see this masterful and natural showcase
For more information, click here
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4. Closing Soon: The Food Trust Market at Cherry Street Pier
Where: Cherry Street Pier | 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd
When: Runs through Saturday, November 16
The Food Trust’s most popular recurring events: citywide farmers’ markets and Night Market Philadelphia, inspired this recurring Saturday market at Cherry Street Pier. for months, there a heavy rotation of food, drink, and art vendors. The pop-up also includes food trucks and live music.
For more information, click here
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5. Closing Soon: Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Where: Various locations
When: Runs through Sunday, November 17
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival ends its run this Sunday. The festival has included movie screenings, discussions, awards, and more. Don’t miss your chance to see some phenomenal works displaying the Asian experience on the big screen. This Sunday, Chinatown Rising will be screened. The documentary illustrates the Asian American movement in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the mid-1960s to 1980s.
For more information, click here
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6. UniverSoul Circus
Where: Fairmount Park | North 52nd St & Parkside Ave
When: November 14 – December 8
The UniverSoul Circus will be pitching its tents outside of The Mann Center until the beginning of next month. The traveling and energetic circus will have acrobatics, live animals, clowns, and all the animations you can expect from this memorable show. This will be one of the must-see events over the next month.
For more information, click here
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7. Franklin Square Holiday Festival & Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Where: Franklin Square | 200 N. 6th Street
When: Runs through Tuesday, December 31
Each year Franklin Square gets transformed into a magical winter wonderland. The Franklin Square holiday festival includes this illuminating light show. Over 80,000 lights shimmer and glow to the soundtrack of your favorite holiday tunes. Each day, there will be two alternating shows beginning at 4:30 p.m. Every 30 minutes, this free extravaganza will wow you.
For more information, click here
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8. Deck The District Light Show
Where: Fashion District Philadelphia | 901 Market Street
When: Runs through Tuesday, December 31
The Philadelphia Fashion District will be debuting its holiday light show this week as well. Their 45-foot-tall floating tree adorned ornaments and lights will be highlighted by the music of the Philly POPS. Five-minute shows will run every 30 minutes starting at 4 p.m. The Philly POPS will be performing live at the shopping space this Thursday.
For more information, click here
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9. A Very Philly Holiday at One Liberty Observation Deck
Where: One Liberty Observation Deck | 1650 Market St | 57th floor
When: Runs through Monday, December 30
The One Liberty Observation Deck in Center City is getting into the holiday spirit. Through the end of the month, there will be ugly sweater parties, Grinch meet-and-greets, parties, a candy cane hunt, and much more. Check out the towering building’s’ events for all the fun.
For more information, click here
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10. Photo Pop Philly Winter Wonderland
Where: The Bourse Food Hall | 111 S. Independence Mall East
When: Runs through Sunday, January 5
The Bourse Food Hall is embracing winter with holiday instillations and moe at this pop-up art spectacle. Instagrammers and photo savants, come out to take fun and memorable photos with shimmering holiday-themed backgrounds.
For more information, click here
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11. 30 Americans
Where: Barnes Foundation | 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
When: Runs through Sunday, January 12
The Barnes 30 Americans exhibit is a cultural marvel. The exciting new artistic showcase displays the work of “30 important and influential contemporary African American artists.” Come see these tremendous pieces illustrating the complexities of identity, race, sexuality, class, and more.
For more information, click here
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12. The Gift of the Magi
Where: Walnut Street Theatre | 825 Walnut St
When: Runs through Sunday, December 22
The Gift of the Magi will be playing at the Walnut Street Theatre through the end of December. Broadway World calls this romantic musical comedy “A delightful not–to–be–missed night at the theatre.” This seasonal classic will remind you about the true spirit of giving.
For more information, click here
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13. Good Good Comedy Theatre Weekend
Where: Good Good Comedy Theatre | 215 N. 11th St
When: Runs Through Sunday, November 17
Five Dollar Comedy Week will end this weekend at the Good Good Comedy Theatre. Several hilarious programs and standup performances have been available to you for a wallet-friendly fee. Stop by the popular comedy venue to laugh your weekend away.
For more information, click here
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14. WWE Friday Night Smackdown
Where: Wells Fargo Center | 3601 S. Broad St
When: Friday, November 15 | 7:45 p.m.
WWE Friday Night Smackdown comes to Wells Fargo Center this Friday night. There will be a double main event: Daniel Bryan vs Universal Champion ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns vs King Corbin! SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley, Braun Strowman, Sasha Banks, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura w/Sami Zayn, and several others will be in the building.
For more information, click here
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15. AJR
Where: The Met Philadelphia | 858 N. Broad St
When: Friday, November 15 | 7:30 p.m.
Pop and brother trio AJR will be playing two shows in Philadelphia this week. The last concert is this Friday night at The Met Philadelphia. The “I’m Ready”, “Weak”, “100 Bad Days” and “Burn the House Down” hitmakers will be rocking the crowd all night long.
For more information, click here
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16. Penn Museum’s Opening Weekend
Where: Penn Museum | 3260 South St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Penn Museum’s reveal weekend is finally here! The renowned institution will be showing off its new Africa, Mexico, and Central America Galleries. Come view the 618-seat Harrison Auditorium and renovated Main Entrance. There will be African and Central American dance performances, glyph writing activities, storytelling, and more at this weekend celebration.
For more information, click here
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17. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show
Where: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center | 100 Station Avenue| Oaks, PA
When: Saturday, November 16 & Sunday, November 17
The Kennel Club of Philadelphia and Purina presents the 2019 National Dog Show. The two benched and all-breed dog shows will be front and center this Saturday and Sunday at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Philadelphia has hosted this show of pageantry and skill since 1876.
For more information, click here
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18. Decadent Gourmet Food Tour
Where: Reading Terminal Market | 51 N. 12th St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 10 a.m.
Each Saturday, the Reading Terminal Market hosts Taste of Philadelphia Tours. This Saturday morning, there will be a Decadent Gourmet food tour throughout the historic and culinary hotspot. Come get an in-depth look and taste of many of the vendors who make fantastic dishes each day.
For more information, click here
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19. Tulane vs Temple
Where: Lincoln Financial Field | 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
When: Saturday, November 16 | 12 p.m.
The Temple Owls (6-3) will be taking on the Tulane Green Wave (6-3) this Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. This will be the second-to-last home game of the season for the Owls. The matchup will be hard-fought as they face a tough conference foe.
For more information, click here
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20. Ohio vs Villanova
Where: Wells Fargo Center | 3601 S. Broad St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 12 p.m.
The Villanova Wildcats will be playing their third game of the season this Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The powerhouse program will be taking on Ohio Wildcats. Come see the best wildcats in college basketball surge their season in the right direction with a great evening matchup.
For more information, click here
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21. Islanders vs. Flyers
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Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.
When: Saturday, November 16 | 7 p.m.
Continuing the local sports Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers will be hitting the ice at the Wells Fargo Center this Saturday afternoon to take on the New York Islanders. The Islanders and Flyers are almost neck-and-neck in the Metropolitan Divison. The Flyers will need all the cheers and screams they can get for this battle.
For more information, click here
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22. All That Jazz Arts Festival
Where: Philly Art Collective | 253 N. 3rd St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Philly Art Collective will be hosting the All That Jazz Art Festival this Saturday evening. This exhibit will feature paintings, drawings, and collages from local artists. To give to the community, the first 1000 tickets will be free. There will be free drinks flowing throughout the night and music. Come find a jazz-themed piece to take home.
For more information, click here
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23. Skizzy Mars
Where: TLA | 334 South St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 8 p.m.
Harlem rapper and producer Skizzy Mars will be playing at the Theatre of Living Arts this Saturday night. The NY native released his second studio album in July titled Free Skizzy Mars. The “American Dream” and “Bayside” hip hop fans will surely put on a good show.
For more information, click here
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24. The 1975
Where: BB&T Pavillion | 1 Harbour Blvd | Camden, NJ
When: Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17 | 7:30 p.m.
The 1975 will be performing at the BB&T Pavillion this Saturday and Sunday. The UK rockers are gearing up for the release of their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form in early 2020. Come out for a night of unbelievable alt-rock glory.
For more information, click here
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25. Sara Bareilles
Where: The Met Philadelphia | 858 N. Broad St
When: Saturday, November 16 | 8 p.m.
Grammy and Tonny nominee, Sara Bareilles, will be performing at The Met Philadelphia this weekend. Saturday’s show is sold out however, there are some verified resale tickets available. The Met added a second show on Monday, November 18 due to popular demand. The talented singer-songwriter will wow you with her amazing lyrics and vocals. Soulful singer Emily King will be the opening act on both nights.
For more information, click here
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26. Mural Arts Tours
Where: Various locations
When: Various tours
Philadelphia has been called the “mural capital of the world.” With new stunning pieces unfolding in almost every corner, you may want the opportunity to hear the story behind the concepts and artists themselves. Mural Arts provides fun vehicle tours, city walking tours, train, segway, bike, and private group tours to enhance your experience and to gain in-depth knowledge about these phenomenal murals blossoming throughout the city. Over 45 new artworks have been added along tour routes. This is a great season to discover the wonder that the mural in the city has to offer.
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27. Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild at The AAMP
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia | 701 Arch St
When: Sunday, November 17 | 3 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Come to The African American Museum in Philadelphia this Sunday for Race is the Place is the Space w/ Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild. Gottschild has picked will be spotlighting the work of several female others and her own texts, The Black Dancing Body. There will be live music during this immersive cultural experience.
For more information, click here
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28. The FreshmanTour Pop Up & Concert: Doordash, Cup Noodles, Visible, Fuse TV
Where: Howard Gittis Student Center| 1755 North 13th St
When: Sunday, November 17 | 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The FreshmanTour Pop Up & Concert: Doordash, Cup Noodles, Visible, Fuse TV will be taking over Temple University and the city this Sunday. This unique free pop-up concert features free food, entry, swag bags, and more. Zaena and Jason Maek will be performing and one lucky student ticket holder will get their tuition paid by the acts.
For more information, click here
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29. Patriots vs Eagles
Where: Lincoln Financial Field | 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
When: Sunday, November 17 | 4:30 p.m.
The Super Bowl 52 rematch we’ve all been waiting for is here. Tom Brady and the Patriots will be taking on Carson Wentz and the Eagles this Sunday afternoon. The Linc will be rocking for this evening matchup. Don’t miss your chance to see JJ Arcega-Whiteside’s third catch of the year!
For more information, click here
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30. Sting
Where: The Met Philadelphia | 858 N. Broad St
When: Sunday, November 17 | 8 p.m.
Similar to Sara Bareilles’s show, rock legend Sting has sold out The Met. There are verified resale tickets available for his show as well. The six-time Grammy-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will be playing his catalog of hits all night long. You don’t want to miss out on seeing this icon live.
For more information, click here
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Map of Events
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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