Hosted by the Wissahickon Brewing Company, Punchbuggy Brewing Company, and Home Brewed Events, the Made on American Street Festival, which showcased Philly’s bustling craft beer industry, was a sizzling-hot event last May in Olde Kensington.
Photo by Stephen Lyford Photography
FunTimes Magazine: ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, week of September 1, 2025
“My favorite color is September.”– Unknown
Summer whisked in and then out instantly, like a warm breeze. And now in with September, once described as a month “that smells like note paper, pencil shavings, autumn leaves…” And may we add: It smells a lot like great entertainment. From a gospel film to the best trails to explore the local urban outdoors, here are a few free or low-cost events that will make September smell like a fun month.
Have A Voice At Community Meet & Greet Forum
Thursday, September 4, 2025. WHYY Radio and PlanPhilly are bringing it to the community. They are good reporters and know that the key to solid journalism is listening. With that in mind, the public radio station invites you to a community gathering to voice your opinion “in shaping public conversations about urban design, transportation, housing, and public spaces.” The PlanPhilly initiative brings you in-depth, original reporting on Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Tell public radio planners what is important to you. Engage and be heard. Free but pre-register; 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library, 5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway. 215-351-1200 or talkback@whyy.org or https://support.whyy.org/page/87018/event/1 or https://whyy.org/events
Celebrating The Heritage of Trinidad & Tobago
Friday, September 5, 2025. The Trinidad & Tobago Multicultural Alliance (TTMA) and the American Caribbean Cultural Alliance (ACCA) are hosting a vibrant celebration honoring Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural legacy and influential presence in the City of Philadelphia. The dual event will take place in two cities: New Jersey and later in Philadelphia. Celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence and Republic Day. The occasion will pay tribute to distinguished Trinidadian and Tobagonian natives who have made a lasting impact in promoting Caribbean culture and their homeland in the Philadelphia region. Following a flag-raising ceremony, join a meet-and-greet reception led by The Honorable J. Andre Laveau, Consul General of Trinidad and Tobago to New York at Philadelphia City Hall. Free, 10 a.m. EST: The Trinidad and Tobago flag-raising, Camden City Hall, 520 Market St, Camden, NJ. Followed by activities, 3 p.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST, at Philadelphia City Hall, Broad and John F. Kennedy Blvd. https://globalphiladelphia.org/events/celebrating-trinidad-tobago-flag-raising-day-philadelphia-and-camden
Marion Williams
The Legend Continues Through Film
Saturday September 6, 2025. Celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month observed in September. Enjoy a screening of the documentary, The Legendary Marion Williams, and a panel discussion about the life of gospel great Marion Williams, a Florida-born singer who was discovered in Philadelphia in 1946. She toured the U.S., Africa, and the West Indies in sold-out concerts. The soprano, known for her ultra-high range, remained true to her gospel roots even under pressure to flee to the genres of blues and opera music. Williams, who died at age 66 in 1994, influenced popular artists like Little Richard and Aretha Franklin and was considered to be one of the best gospel vocalists ever. Through rare footage, storytelling, and engaging conversation, learn about the genius of Williams, her Philadelphia roots, and her impact on world music and culture. Filmmaker Karen Moore will be the event moderator. The event panelists will be Robin Williams, Executive Producer of The Legendary Marion Williams; Amber Monet, award-winning filmmaker; Milik Kashad, award-winning multidisciplinary artist-educator, and music historian Terra Renee, Executive Producer of The Legendary Marion Williams & Founder & President of African American Women in Cinema. Free but pre-register; 2 p.m. EST to 3:30 EST. Parkway Central Library’s Montgomery Auditorium, 1901 Vine St. Email: erefMus@freelibrary.org, 833-825-5357 or https://freelibrary.org/music
Bringing ‘Peace in the Streets’
Saturday, September 6, 2025. The image above refers to a “sister” event held in Southwest Philly last month, but you get the picture: Hurry over to West Philly for a similar day of music, fun, and community camaraderie at Peace in the Streets: West Philly – Outdoor Concert & Community Day. Enjoy live music, shopping from local vendors, food trucks, dancing, and games. Celebrate peace, the community’s progress against urban violence, and connect with West Philly neighbors. Free but pre-register, noon to 3 p.m. EST. KANVAS, 3870 Lancaster Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com
State Rep. G. Roni Green
Celebrating Community
Saturday, September 6, 2025. Check out the Uplifting the 190th: Community Festival, a vibrant, family-focused celebration hosted by Pennsylvania State Representative G. Roni Green, of the 190th District, which covers parts of West and North Philadelphia. Enjoy an afternoon of community, culture, and connection. Get access to valuable resources and services. Free, noon. Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr. Email: dellmusiccenter@phila.gov, https://thedellmusiccenter.com/event/uplifting-the-190th-community-festival/
Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team. Courtesy of Hero Thrill Show. Photo by Chris Kelley, Philadelphia Fire Department.
Get Pepped Up For Hero Thrill Show Rally
Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Enjoy cool performances on hot wheels at the Hero Thrill Show Pep Rally, a sneak preview of the September 20th carnival-style Thrill Show fundraising extravaganza. Center City will be roaring with the sounds of motorcycles and dazzling daredevil maneuvers of the Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team. Joining the elite motorcycle unit will be Mounted police horses, K-9 Unit, bicycles, and fire engines donning a 40-foot American Flag. The Philadelphia Police and Fire departments will give you a snapshot of the Hero Thrill Show that has entertained the wide-eyed masses for 70 years. What other event gives you a sample taste before you buy? And it’s all for a great cause: Supporting the post-high school educations of the families of Philadelphia-area police and fire personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. Free, noon to 12:45 p.m. EST. Market Street, between 18th and 19th streets. For tickets to the September 20th Hero Thrill Show ($15 individuals; $35 for families up to five members) in the parking lot of the Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St., in South Philadelphia: 215-275-3000 or http://www.herothrllshow.org/
Biking along Bartram’s Mile in Southwest Philly.
Photo courtesy of bartramsgarden.org
Places To Jog & Walk…
What better way to jump into fall than to explore some of Philadelphia’s 166 miles of open-space pathways, hiking trails, and bike routes? Commune with the autumn beauty of nature without leaving the city. Check out these free can’t-miss wooded parks, trails, and riverside routes, as recommended by the region’s tourism marketing agency, Visit Philadelphia:
Bartram’s Mile – Part of the Schuylkill River Trail, Bartram’s Mile starts at 56th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard winds through scenic Bartram’s Garden, stretching north to the Grays Ferry Bridge. Take a break in the garden, a free public park and National Historic Landmark known for many things like its botanical garden, an 18th-century estate, a reclaimed meadow, natural tidal wetlands, a public dock for fishing and boating, and many historic trees. Free walking groups called “We Walk PHL” are offered on Thursdays, from 5 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST.
Benjamin Franklin Pedestrian Walkway – Stroll on the pedestrian way along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which spans less than two miles across the Delaware River, from Philadelphia to New Jersey. Start at 5th and Race streets; take the pedestrian walkway across the bridge and back for a three-mile workout. Enjoy the splendor of the Philly skyline. Once back in Philadelphia, saunter over to the nearby Race Street Pier, which offers stunning river and bridge views.
Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park – Known by locals as Forbidden Drive (because cars were banned from traveling there in the 1920s), the fairly flat Wissahickon Valley Park gravel trail follows the Wissahickon Creek for 5.5 miles, from Lincoln Drive to Germantown Avenue.
Penn Park – Stretching from Walnut Street to South Street along the Schuylkill River, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Park at 3000 Walnut St. offers an array of 24 acres of recreational and athletic fields, pedestrian paths, and open spaces. Surrounding the turf fields, pick-up soccer games, a tennis center, and other designated sporting areas are four running and walking paths that create track-like routes. Trek over to the Cira Green rooftop park for soaring skyline views.
The Centennial 5k Route – The Centennial 5K Route is a paved route that rolls through grassy parkland in Fairmount Park, ideal for joggers looking for a 5K loop, or families on a short bike ride. The trail begins behind the Please Touch Museum, leading to the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center before looping around the Centennial District, where the 1876 Centennial Exposition – the largest event in Philly history – was held to mark America’s 100th birthday. http://visitphilly.com/
