Dancin’ Fountains: Dilworth Park on Philadelphia City Hall’s west side (1 S.15th St.) is alive with arts, fitness, food, and a fountain that changes into an ice skating rink come winter. The park is open daily, 6 a.m. EST to 1 a.m. EST. Email: info@centercityphila.org, 215-440-5500, or centercityphila.org
What to do with your free time in fall is always a challenge. That’s mostly because September is stuffed with so many fun entertainment options. Here are few offerings — some of them are low-cost, while others are free.
71st Annual Hero Thrill Show: Philadelphia Police Highway Motorcycle Patrol Drill Team.
A Show Of Support For Families of Fallen Police & Firefighters
Saturday, September 19, 2026. There’ll be a whole lot of cool rubber burning and hot wheels churning at the 71st Annual Hero Thrill Show, a day of fun, tribute and tradition. Enjoy boardwalk-inspired food, fire truck rides, daredevil, police motorcycle stunts, K-9 unit dogs on rescue attacks, fire-rescue exercises 40-foot in the air, and more. The event kicks off with a grand entrance featuring a motorcade of police, fire and Hero Thrill Show vehicles, as well as formal speeches by City of Philadelphia dignitaries.
The carnival-style fundraiser supports the college education of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty. There have been about 650 police and fire personnel, including those in communities of color, who perished on duty, since the 1800s, since official city records were first kept. Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Counter Terrorism Operations, Marine Unit, Firearms instructors, Police Academy and. Families of the fallen heroes will be on hand. Buy tickets online or at the event: $15 for individuals; $35 for families up to five people; noon (kickoff ceremony) to 4 p.m. EST. Parking is free and ticket-holders will get free food and beverages courtesy of Rapid Relief Team Philadelphia. Xfinity Mobile ARENA Parking Lot, 3601 S. Broad St. 215-275-3000 or eventbrite.com or www.herothrillshow.org.
A Look At ‘Black Freedom Movements: Then and Now’
Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2026. Check out the 2026 Colored Convention Conference commemorating the birth of the Colored Conventions Movement that was initiated at historic Mother Bethel in 1830. The event will be a study of the enduring legacy of Black freedom movements in the 19th century until now. Scholars, educators, artists, students, faith leaders, community members, and the public will convene for three days of conversation, education, cultural programming, and community engagement sharply focusing on Black history and the pursuit of freedom and justice today. The event is hosted by Mother Bethel AME Church, the Colored Conventions Project, the Center for Black Digital Research (#DigBlk) at Penn State University, and the Black Print/Black Bib Initiative at the University of Delaware. Pre-register, a donation, starting at $25 per person, is suggested. (Flexible contribution-based registration options are available.) The conference starts on Friday at 4 p.m. EST. & ends 4 p.m. Sunday. Mother Bethel AME Church, 419 S. 16th St. Email: motherbethelnews@gmail.com, 215-923-8660 or https://motherbethel.org/colored-convention/
Boyz II Men Sing As One
Friday, September 18, 2026. Boyz II Men is always a real treat when the group plays in its hometown in Philly. Catch the Boyz live with the Philly Pops conducted by Anthony Parnther. Boyz II Men brings back old-school ballads and harmonies such as “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “One Sweet Day,” and “Motownphilly,” landing them four Grammy Awards. Boyz II Men’s resume includes nine American Music Awards, nine Soul Train Awards, three Billboard Music Awards and a MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
Over a 30-year-plus career, the trio of Wanya and Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman has emerged as the best-selling R&B group in history, selling 64 million albums. They continue to tour worldwide, and have not missed a musical note. Tickets: $45 to $59 per person for lawn and general admission seating; 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m. EST.) Highmark Mann /TD Pavilion, 52nd St. and Parkside Ave. Email: info@highmarkmann.org, 215-546-7900 or highmarkmann.org
Africatown One Diaspora Gala Is All About Fashion & Fun
Saturday, September 19, 2026. Step into a magical evening of heritage, and culture at the Africatown One Diaspora Gala. Hosted by Africatown, Atelier Africa and PACDC, the party brings together global leadership, and visionaries in culture and fashion for a Black Tie celebration at the historic Penn Museum. Enjoy live music performances and special presentations highlighting transformative community impact. Dress in your finest formal cultural attire and couture.
The event will cap off a week of cultural activations, panel discussions, and civic programming. The gala’s theme is “One Community. Many Cultures. Limitless Impact.“ Black Tie and Formal Cultural Attire: Tickets start at $95 per person’; 6 p.m. EST to 10: p.m. EST. Penn Museum, 3260 South St. https://www.africatownonediasporagala.com/ or https://www.africatownonediasporagala.com/#Pricing
Foodies will love the ‘2nd Annual Bites, Beats & Streets Food Truck Festival.’
East Market Hosts Food Truck Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2026. Foodies and families: It will be worth your time to visit the 2nd Annual Bites, Beats & Streets Food Truck Festival. The community event in Center City will bring out the best vendors, live music, and artisan crafters in Philly. From smoothies, ice cream, seafood and more, vote for the best food truck. Free admission; 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. Jefferson Plaza, 1115 Chestnut St. (12th & Clover sts.) www.eastmarket.com
Listening party to capture music that John Coltrane recorded while living in North Philly. Photo courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.
Listen Up: A Tribute Of LOVE To Coltrane
Monday, September 21 to Friday, September 25, 2026. Vibe out to A Love Park Supreme, a weeklong outdoor listening party observing Philadelphian John Coltrane’s 100th birthday at Philadelphia’s LOVE Park. The listening party will be a two-hour showcase of Coltrane’s recordings from when he lived in North Philly. The live concerts include an evening all-star tribute on September 23, from 4 p.m. EST to 7:30 p.m. EST, featuring a live performance by noted saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, bassist Alex Claffy, and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. A Love Park Supreme is part of the ongoing Philadelphia’s Coltrane100 Philly celebration.
if you can’t make it to Love Park, tune in to celebrate Coltrane’s iconic music all week, streaming worldwide at wrti.org and on the WRTI app. At 9 p.m. EST, listen to a broadcast of Steve Rowland’s award-winning five-part documentary Tell Me How Long Trane’s Been Gone narrated by the late poet Michael S. Harper. Listen to WRTI public radio’s curated Coltrane-themed broadcasts in the park. Visit educational Coltrane displays. Pose at the John Coltrane Photo Wall. Check out WRTI’s fun, interactive meet-and-greet booth. Grab cool giveaways and music swag courtesy of Verve Records. Test your Coltrane knowledge with the “Trane Tracks Game.” The LOVE Park concerts and radio station tributes are free. Free, starts at noon September 21 until 2 p.m. EST, September 25. LOVE Park, 16th St. and John F. Kennedy Blvd. wrti.org
WHAT JUST HAPPENDED: Recent Events Around Town
The 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic rolled around the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Tu Huynh.
It Was The Return Of A Classic
One of Philly’s grandest sports traditions returned after a10-year hiatus on August 30th. We’re referring fondly to the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic, 14.4 grueling miles along the Ben Franklin Parkway, Fairmount Park, Lemon Hill, and up that dreaded Manayunk Wall, which has defeated many cyclists. It has been announced that the event will return next year for more miles of athletics and fun.
