25 Things to Do for Labor Day Weekend in Philadelphia
Join the crowds at Made in America on Saturday and Sunday. Photo from Facebook/Made in America
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory @ Venice Island in Manayunk
Pay tribute to Gene Wilder by watching one of his most beloved performances on the big screen at Venice Island Performing Arts Recreation Center.
Creed @ Clark Park
Watch Rocky Balboa train Apollo Creed’s son and hear Tessa Thompson explain “jawn” during movie night at Clark Park.
Henny Palooza @ The Trocadero
Henny Palooza, a touring party with live music and an awful lot of Hennessy, comes to the Troc on Friday.
First Friday @ Old City
There are too many First Friday gallery openings to list them all here, so just head to Old City and wander through the thrown-open doors. Rick Buttari’s exhibit at F.A.N. Gallery looks especially enticing, as does Eli VanderBerg’s Landmarks at Philadelphia Independents.
Bits and Bites of History @ Elfreth’s Alley
Before you hit up the Old City art galleries, stop by the Elfreth’s Alley House Museum No. 124 for a tour and a Labor Day-themed local history lesson from George Boudreau, author of Independence: A Guide to Historic Philadelphia.
Gary Clark Jr. @ Borgata
Blues musician Gary Clark Jr. makes an Atlantic City stop on his tour in support of The Story of Sonny Boy Slim. He also plays at the Made in American Festival on the Ben Franklin Parkway on Sunday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0dnSMsLx2I
Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival @ Salem County Fairgrounds
It’s year 45 for this bluegrass music festival near Woodstown, New Jersey, which runs through Sunday. Advance sales are closed but you can still get tickets at the gate, and camping is free if you buy a weekend ticket. The lineup includes Steep Canyon Rangers, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, The Boxcars and many more.
First Friday: The Power of Three @ The Barnes
Listen to live jazz music from Steve Wilson, Paul Bollenback and Harvie S while you sip cocktails and check out the Barnes’ renowned collection.
That Which Cannot Be @ Vox Populi
Seven artists, from Philly and Sydney, Australia, are participating in this multimedia group show at Vox Populi. It opens Friday and runs through October 23rd.
Shawn Kilroy @ DiPinto Guitars
Musician Shawn Kilroy will be playing along with “Slo Mo” Brenner on lap steel guitar and John Cuningham on electric piano, with drinks from Philadelphia Brewing Company and food from Bitars.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Made in America Festival @ Ben Franklin Parkway
Rihanna and Coldplay headline the fifth Made in America Festival, taking over the Ben Franklin Parkway on Saturday and Sunday with a long lineup of musicians playing rock, indie, hip-hop, EDM and more on multiple stages. Set times are here.
Music Jam @ FDR Park
Avoiding the crowds (and high ticket prices) at Made in America? Head to FDR Park for a free two-day music festival, hosted by the Philadelphia Songwriters Project and the roving summer beer garden Parks on Tap. Ross Bellenoit, Angela Burns, Ginger Coyle and more play Saturday; on Sunday come back to hear De Tierra Caliente, Andrea Nardello and Pixel8ter.
Labor Day Volksfest @ Cannstatter Club
This is the 144th Cannstatter Volksfest, so they must be doing something right. It’s a German festival — a version of Oktoberfest — with music, dancing, beer, food, and rides for the kids in the Cannstatter Club beer garden in Northeast Philly. If you can’t make it Saturday, the party continues on Sunday and Monday.
Soldier On @ World Café Live
Philly-based folk rockers Soldier On play upstairs at World Café Live.
Yoga @ The Logan
Balance out those Labor Day barbecues with The Logan hotel’s new outdoor yoga class, held in the courtyard. It’s for both hotel guests and locals — the idea is to get locals loving the location, so they recommend it to visitors.
Sit & Spin Records and NCDC Block Party @ Sit & Spin
Close out summer with a South Philly block party hosted by Sit & Spin and the Newbold Community Development Corporation, complete with bands, beer and food, including vegan and veggie options.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
King Britt Presents Sylk130 @ TLA
DJ/producer King Britt comes home to Philly for a reunion of funk-soul collective Sylk130, including George “Spanky” McCurdy, who went on to become Lady Gaga’s drummer, and “very special surprise guests.”
Salsa Sunday in the Park @ Ed Kelly Amphitheater in Pennypack Park
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by salsa dancing in Pennypack Park at this afternoon event hosted by Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez.
Beer-B-Q @ The Navy Yard
Lo Spiedo is throwing an afternoon party with all-you-can-eat barbecue for $25 (or you can pay as you go), plus craft brews, lawn games and live music from Modern Colour.
Dave Attell @ Helium Comedy Club
Comedian Dave Attell, who you know from his Comedy Central series Insomniac with Dave Attell or one of his many other TV and movie appearances, is at Helium all weekend.
All White Affair With a Splash of Color @ Positano Coast
Need a reason to don your Diner en Blanc ensemble again? Social Lyte Eventz (yes, that is how they spell it) is hosting the seventh annual All White Affair party; attendees must wear white, but with a splash of color.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Spirit of Philadelphia Cruise @ Penn’s Landing
Spend Labor Day on the water, with a Skyline Lunch Cruise aboard Spirit of Philadelphia. There’s music, food, booze and sweeping views.
Labor Day Crab Fest and BBQ @ Taproom on 19th
Head to Taproom on 19th in South Philly for live music, activities for the kids including a waterslide and a mini-pool, and plenty of food: Maryland Blue Claw crabs (and Maryland beers for pairing), plus brisket, ribs and pulled pork.
Blink 182 @ Atlantic City Beach
Rockers Blink 182 headline this Radio 104.5 concert on the beach, with A Day To Remember, All Time Low and The Front Bottoms supporting.
Summerfest @ Blue Cross RiverRink
It’s the last day for Summerfest at the RiverRink, so get yourself down to the Delaware River waterfront to skate it out for the last time (until ice-skating season and Winterfest. But that’s not for months!).
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