Fun things to do in Philly this weekend

Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? We’ve got you covered. 

Lunar New Year Brunch at Buddakan

The festivities for the Year of the Rabbit are not quite over yet. This Sunday, Feb. 5, Buddakan will be open earlier than usual for one day only to offer a special brunch service. The event will feature live performances by the Penn Lions (Pennsylvania’s premier traditional Chinese lion dance troupe), at noon, 1 and 2 p.m., and specials will be served. 

Menu items will include Yusheng (king salmon, radish, cucumber and plum vinaigrette) for abundance, Mandarin chicken dumplings with szechuan pickles for strength, a whole Peking duck with a mu shu pancake, cucumber and scallions for togetherness, and much more. 

For parties of 4 or more, the “Chinese New Year Specials” will be priced at $75 per person. For parties less than 4, diners are encouraged to order a la carte off the tasting menu, as well as enjoy additional cold plates, hot plates, entrees, noodles, rice, select brunch plates (such as Pandan waffles and a Dungeness crab benedict), plus house sake, wine, cocktails and more, a release states. 

325 Chestnut St., buddakan.com

Black History Month Civic Heroes Trolley Tour 

In the month of February, Mural Arts will host two special trolley tours for BHM, one of which takes place this weekend. A professional guide will take visitors through a route that showcases murals that represent iconic Black figures, civic heroes, and insightful social justice issues and the experience will cover information about the artists, as well as stories behind each work of art. 

Tours depart from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), at the Lenfest Plaza Paint Torch Sculpture, and the first event will take place this Saturday. Feb. 5, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $38 per person for adults, and $28 per person for anyone 12 and under. Advanced reservation is required. 

28 N. Broad Street, muralarts.org

Cantina La Martina’s La Tamalada

This Sunday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cantina La Martina will be hosting a tamale competition where 10 local Latino street vendors will sell their own tamales to be judged by industry professionals, Chefs Eli Kulp and Jennifer Zavala.

Recognitions will be given to the top street vendor participants, and a portion of sales from brunch and dinner service that day will be donated to Conwell Middle School in Kensington, a release states. Admission to the event is free, but guests are encouraged to bring cash to buy tamales from the street vendors, who keep 100% of their sales. In addition to the tamales, specialty drinks made just for La Tamalada will be available for purchase throughout the event.

2800 D Street, cantinalamartinapa.com

Concerts at the College

This musical series comes from the Philadelphia Orchestra, and those interested can catch a show for themselves this weekend at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, aka home of the Mütter Museum. The performance, led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will take place in the grand Beaux-arts Mitchell Hall, located directly above the museum’s displays. 

The evening’s repertoire will include compositions by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Johannes Brahms, and an hour-long reception with the musicians will follow the concert with complimentary beer, wine, and light food from Catering By Design. Tickets come out to be $75 (members and fellows get 20% off), and the concert begins at 7 p.m.

19 S. 22nd Street, collegeofphysicians.org

Northern Liberties Restaurant Week 

From now until Feb. 5, Philadelphians can dine at over two dozen spots offering lunches at $10 and $15, plus specialty-priced three-course dinners for $15, $25 and $40. 

Returning favorites include Añejo Philly, Pera Turkish Cuisine, Cantina Dos Segundos, Figo Ristorante, Apricot Stone, Urban Village, Bagels and Co., El Camino, Standard Tap and more. There are also a few new stops added to the 2023 event with Nourish Cafe (which is brand new for the area), Hikari Sushi, Las Cazuelas, The Winston, The Shake Seafood and D’Oliva EVOO Pizza and Grill making the list. 

Cuisines for the 2023 Northern Liberties Restaurant Week include Vietnamese, Armenian, Italian, American, Chinese, Thai, Mexican and much more. A full list of participating spots offering everything from pizzas to salads to sushi to skewers and everything in between is available online. 

explorenorthernliberties.org