September 20, 2023
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Krishna Fest celebrates the traditional Indian chariot festival of Ratha Yatra.
This Saturday, Sept. 23 marks the official start of the fall season. And while you could spend your first fall weekend drinking pumpkin spice lattes or getting lost in a corn maze outside city limits, you could also check out one of many autumnal activities in Philly.
Street fests are still going strong, including a brat-forward celebration in South Philly, a Feastivale in Fishtown and a traditional Indian chariot festival. WXPN's signature music fest is also slated to return to Wiggins Park in Camden, but make sure to check each event's social media before you head out. The weather forecast has recently led to some events being postponed or canceled (see below for more info).
If you still need something to do, don't forget about the blood drives in the city this weekend — every drop helps the American Red Cross's national blood shortage.
Now in its 10th year, the Fishtown Fall Feastivale returns on Saturday for an urban carnival along Frankford Avenue. A hub at Thompson Street and Frankford promises all of your favorite fair games — including whack-a-mole, ring toss and a dunk tank — and a booth full of prizes. Lots of local food, drink and retail vendors will line the streets between 12-8 p.m., as bands rotate between three different stages.
Across town in Newbold, the pork links will flow at the South Philly Sausage Fest. The Saturday afternoon (from noon to 7 p.m.) meat-and-greet will also feature local breweries, craft artists and bands including the talented teens at the Paul Green Rock Academy. You can even bring your dog, as long as Rufus is on a leash.
The XPoNential Music Festival marks its 30th year at Wiggins Park this weekend. Two dozen bands and solo acts will play the stage between Friday and Sunday, including headliners Old Crow Medicine Show and Tegan and Sara. Single-day and three-day passes are still available, starting at $75.
Mt. Airy will host a version of the traditional Ratha Yatra, a chariot festival that's been celebrated in India for centuries. The festivities begin at noon on Saturday at the Radha Krishna temple at 41 W. Allens Lane, where free vegetarian food, yoga and a bazaar await.
The first day of autumn means fall beer fests can officially begin, and Taps Under the Towers is a great place to start. The event, originally scheduled to take place on Saturday between 1-5 p.m. at Roxborough Pocket Park, has been postponed to Oct. 21. On that Saturday, 23 local breweries will pour unlimited samples and Green Meadow Farm will provide a whole roast pig. A portion of the $60 ticket sales will benefit Friends of the Wissahickon, which helps conserve Wissahickon Valley Park.
On Saturday, polo players were set to mount their horses for a full day of competition. The Philadelphia Polo Classic, which launched last year to sold-out success, has unfortunately been canceled due to "unforeseen weather conditions," organizers announced on Thursday. They plan to bring back the fundraiser event, which benefits Work to Ride, in 2024.
This story has been updated with new information on the Philadelphia Polo Classic, Taps Under the Towers and Krishna Fest.
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