A little creativity goes a long way, especially when you're part of the action.
Whether you're crafting with local artists, sharing stories onstage or stepping into a 1920s whodunit, these Philly-area events offer plenty of opportunities this winter season.
Curio Theatre Company is inviting young Philadelphians and their families to ‘Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience’, an interactive production inspired by an African fable from the Ashanti people of Ghana. Running Nov. 6 to 22 at the West Philadelphia theater company and designed for children ages 3 and up, the production combines live performance with hands-on creative activities, inviting young audiences to help bring the story to life themselves.
4740 Baltimore Ave., curiotheatre.org
With this event, anyone can step up to the mic. MISSION Story Slam is returning for its 15th installment on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Triple Bottom Brewing, inviting locals to swap the usual talking points for real-life tales. This edition’s theme, “Role Model,” challenges storytellers to share a true, five-minute story about someone who influenced, inspired or changed their lives. As the organizers say, participants can expect an evening of laughter, heartfelt moments and unexpected twists as nonprofit leaders, creatives, activists and community changemakers take the stage.
915 Spring Garden St., missionstoryslam.org
Creativity will reign over the city this November — CraftNOW’s annual CraftMONTH series is back. Marking 11 years in 2026, this go-around’s theme is officially dubbed ‘Radical Americana: Throughlines’, exploring how “artistic traditions, materials, ideas, and cultural identities travel across generations to shape the city’s ever-evolving creative landscape.”
3500 Reservoir Dr., craftnowphila.org
Kiddos can let their imaginations run wild at the Please Touch Museum, with a trio of fun-filled experiences for families this month. Members can get a head start on the fun during Members-Only Morning on Nov. 8 with exclusive access from 9 to 11 a.m. Then, on Nov. 14, Mighty Machines Day will put kids in the driver’s seat with bumper cars, pint-sized excavators, a real fire truck, robots from Drexel’s Robotics Team, hands-on STEAM workshops and themed storytimes.
4231 Avenue of the Republic.,pleasetouchmuseum.org
InLiquid is aiming to bring a little weirdness to Philly’s winter art scene with 'Odds in the Absurd', an exhibition that takes its cues from Dada and surrealism to ask the ever-important question: “Is this art?” (And, more importantly, does it have to make sense?)
According to a release, featuring six InLiquid Member artists — Lisa Baird, Alex Bard, Howard Brunner, William Cromar, Jake Dombroski and Kellianne McCarthy — the show embraces chance, experimentation, ready-mades and unconventional ideas of beauty, proving that sometimes the most interesting art happens when you throw out the rulebook.
1400 N American St., inliquid.org
Locals can step back into the roaring ’20s at the country’s oldest seaside resort this winter (Nov. 13 to 15), for an immersive Murder Mystery Weekend with a speakeasy twist. According to a release, set in 1929, “Murder at the Speakeasy” drops guests into the opening night of the Abba Dabba Club, where bootleggers, flappers, rival gangsters and undercover agents collide — and someone winds up dead.
Created in partnership with Murder Café, the four-act interactive experience invites guests to become detectives themselves, gathering clues, questioning suspects and working together to crack the case before Sunday’s grand reveal. The weekend package includes deluxe accommodations, welcome cocktails for two, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a Saturday night dinner. Pricing is available online.
200 Congress Place, caperesorts.com/congress-hall
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