Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly? We’ve got you covered.
Holidays on the Hill
Launching Nov. 16, this multi-week activation offers festive art exhibits, seasonal shopping opportunities, themed events, food specials and more throughout Chestnut Hill.
To encourage shopping throughout the activation, the area is also offering a special promotion to all visitors starting Nov. 29. The Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation will allow free parking in its six public lots every Wednesday, all day and night through Christmas (visitors can find a map and more details about the lots online.)
With over 200 retailers, restaurants, and businesses to visit, there are plenty of independently owned and handcrafted items by local artists to peruse through for gifts, plus, restaurants along the Avenue will continue to serve drink specials and savory dining options. Holidays on the Hill will run through Dec. 25, a full schedule can be found online.
Concourse Dance Bar
This popular night-time locale recently underwent a transformation, and there’s a lot to see. The colorful venue known for housing a slide as an entrance to its dance floor and a ball pit next to one of its bars has added fresh elements to create a new option for evening activities and private events in Philadelphia.
The Ice Room (which first debuted in 2021) will continue to be on site. Some fresh features include a room filled with Slinkys, a cocktail lounge on the top floor, and a dollhouse vignette with a black-lit Mushroom Room in the back of it (complete with a six-foot mushroom statue and neon-lit plants.) A vintage photo booth will also be on-site to offer black and white photo strip mementos to take home.
1635, Back Entrance, Market St., concoursedancebar.com
CraftMONTH
Another CraftMonth is here, and in 2024, November is filled with a series of events and exhibitions to help locals tap into their creativity.
Under the theme of ‘Connectivity’, the activation highlights different exhibits across the city’s galleries/museums and other inventive pop-ups. The theme will explore family, community, and how craft connects the public in an increasingly divided world. A full schedule of events to show what’s happening around town is online.
Throughout the month, locals and tourists can also head to 25 regional partners—including The Clay Studio, Da Vinci Art Alliance, The Fabric Workshop + Museum, The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design, Gravers Lane Gallery, InLiquid, Museum for Art in Wood, Pentimenti Gallery and more—to check out their take on this year’s theme.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Those in search of some soulful jazz music this winter have multiple opportunities to indulge at Chris’ Jazz Cafe. Philadelphians can find a stacked line-up of performers at the Center City locale on Nov. 22 and 23 with set times at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. both nights. Admission is $35.
As a release notes, Dinner & Show packages (including the 3-course chef tasting menu), VIP, and General Admission tickets are on sale now for all shows. Ticket prices and arrival times will be included (as Chris’ says, all tickets are premium seating.)
1421 Sansom St., chrisjazzcafe.com
StorySlams from First Person Arts
StorySlams are back this winter in Philly at World Cafe Live. When members of the community come in, they’re asked if they have a true personal story around 5 minutes or less to go along with the theme—people either do, or they go there just to listen. For the 24-25 chilly season, November’s theme is “Online Dating”, December is “Home for the Holidays”, January is “The Morning After”, and February is “ExFiles.”
Throughout the slams, there is always a winner chosen by judges and those winners receive $100 and then go and compete in the “Grand Slam.” Additionally, the entire audience rates each performance, and the storyteller with the highest audience score at the end of the StorySlam season wins a spot at the Grand Slam as well. There, locals will vie for the title of “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia” and free StorySlam admission for life.
3025 Walnut St., firstpersonarts.org
