🍃 The best September events in Philly

Prepare for the Colder Weather

I know it's not cold yet, but chilly days always sneak up on me! To fend off the sniffles, try making fire cider, an herbal cold remedy, at this workshop at Penn Medicine. The kids can help you stay warm by making a scarf at this free knitting class, and all beginners are welcome at this six-week quiltmaking series.

Secure Your Local Produce

Get regional fruits and veggies closer to home with Community Supported Agriculture programs. CSA boxes across the state are now open for fall sign-ups, but these sell out fast, so get on it! You can get produce, meats, and dairy from Lancaster Farms. For veggies, flowers, eggs, or cheese, Weavers Way Farm offers CSA box options via its Henry Got Crops partnership.

Find a Festival

I know you probably think of summer when I say "festival," but September is chock-full of back-to-back street, music, and food fests too; it even has a Festival of Festivals.

• Sept. 5: Glizzyfest
• Sept. 10: Uptown Rhythm Festival
• Sept. 12: Philadelphia Honey Festival
• Sept. 12: Root 2 Fruit Festival
• Sept. 14 through 20: CollegeFest
• Sept. 18 through 20: Making Time Music Festival
• Sept. 19: Sazón Latin Food Festival
• Sept. 19: Fall Arts Fest

And that's not even all of them! Keep reading for even more September festivals in Philly.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic heritage and culture are honored across the country with a month-long celebration starting Sept. 15, and Philly is getting the party started early. Kick off the festivities on Sept. 13 with the largest Latino arts and culture festival in the city, Feria del Barrio. And that's just the beginning: Throughout the month, you can also go to the Mexican Independence Day Festival, Brazilian Day, and Concilio’s Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Stick Around for Labor Day

Philly tends to get a bit sleepy over Labor Day weekend, with folks flocking to the Jersey shore for the three-day weekend. If you stick around, celebrate Philly's history as a loud and proud union town with the city's 39th annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade.

Fringe Fest Returns

Every September, the city celebrates artists creating out-of-the-box performances with the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. From Sept. 8 through 27, you'll be able to choose from more than 350 shows happening across the city. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the options, creative producer Siani Colón wrote a guide breaking down this year's festivities by cost, location, and vibes.

Become an Animator

Don't just see art this month, learn to make it! At Stop-Motion Commotion on Sept. 9, local film connoisseurs and animators from the movie club Screwball Screenings will be your guides through an animation workshop at Fireball Printing in East Kensington. For a suggested donation of $10, both experienced and brand-new animators can learn about the lighting techniques, materials, and creative juices that go into producing stop-motion works.

Cheers to Beer

You may be surprised to learn that Oktoberfest isn't just in October. The 16-day German festival starts at the end of September and was originally a celebration of the love of two Bavarian royals. It has evolved into one of the biggest beer festivals in the world. While I won't be catching a flight to Munich, I will be grabbing some pints at South Street Oktoberfest for an eight-hour beer-extravaganza on Sept. 26. The event is free, but if you want indoor seating, a buffet, seven beers, and private bathrooms, Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street is offering just that for $125.

Happy 100th, John Coltrane!

Raise a glass or a sax to the late and great jazz genius, John Coltrane. While he wasn't born here, he made Philly his home for over a decade and grew his musical practice in his Strawberry Mansion house. To celebrate what would've been his 100th birthday on Sept. 23, local jazz presenter Ars Nova Workshop is hosting iconic jazz composer Sun Ra at the Mandell Theater in West Philly. This kicks off a week of events honoring Coltrane and his legacy.

🎧 Still need to fill up that calendar? Listen to today's podcast, where the City Cast Philly team gives our recommendations for major activities, freebies, food, and ways to give back.

• Now through Sept. 2: Bruno Mars at Lincoln Financial Field
• Sept. 3: The Spinners: Sounds of Philadelphia at Dell Music Center
• Sept. 4: Kacey Musgraves at Xfinity Mobile Arena
• Sept. 6: Lily Allen at TD Pavilion at the Mann
• Sept. 8: Social Distortion at The Met Philadelphia
• Sept. 9: DJ Jazzy Jeff at Longwood Gardens
• Sept. 11: Charli XCX with Underscores at Xfinity Mobile Arena
• Sept. 17: Sasha Velour at Kimmel Center's Miller Theater
• Sept. 18: Bikini Kill at Union Transfer
• Sept. 18: Boyz II Men with the Philly Pops at TD Pavilion at the Mann
• Sept. 19: Ed Sheeran at Lincoln Financial Field
• Sept. 21: Suki Waterhouse at The Fillmore Philadelphia
• Sept. 24: Slayyyter at The Fillmore Philadelphia
• Sept. 26: Folk Bitch Trio at Spruce Street Harbor Park
• Sept. 26: Two Door Cinema Club at The Fillmore Philadelphia
• Sept. 29: AC/DC: Power Up Tour 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field