Ready or not, go out and celebrate the gift of December. And make sure that you wear your scarf. Here’s a warm offering of Instagrammable activities to kick off the joy of the coming holidays…

From costume exhibits of famous Afrofuturism Hollywood movies to striking up the band at the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade, jump into the joy of the holiday season with these entertaining and enlightening events and programs.

From carousels in the courtyard to the joys of toys, warm up during the close of 2025 with these low-cost or free festivities.

From developing the Langston Hughes in kids to networking in the Diaspora, these low-cost or free events are chock-full of spice and everything nice.

With Veterans Day on the horizon on Thursday, Nov. 6, go out and explore opportunities to salute the military. In addition to honoring our vets, check out other activities, from Grammy-winning jazz to mosaic art with the theme of “freedom.”

From fall festivals in the park to Sunday jazz concerts on the stage, these low-cost or free events will help turn the page on a fading month.

From art exhibits to “skull” scavenger hunts, these low-cost or free events will get your blood pumping in the chill of the season.

Poet William Cullen Bryant called the colorful beauty of autumn “the year’s last, loveliest smile.” From horror films to book chats on the African diaspora, these low-cost or free events will keep you smiling through at least the month.

From events to becoming a Philly “Phambassador” to venturing out to the best trails to walk, run and bike, check out how you can fall in love with the season of leaves by enjoying these (mostly) free festivities.

This week’s column focuses on authors and the power of the written word, as well as America’s upcoming 250th birthday. So, book up your calendar with these mostly free events, as September hands off the baton to its relay partner, the month of October.