Your calendar isn’t lying to you. August is almost over, the kids are going back to school and you’re realizing just how much you may have missed out on this summer.
Don’t panic. It’ll still be hot long into September, and we’re here to hook you up with plenty of things to do to tie up those loose ends and leave you feeling like you had a fulfilling season.
Although summer is ending, there’s never a shortage of events to catch throughout the year in this bustling city. Here’s just a few of the things going on throughout the middle of September that we recommend you check out:
1. SENSORiUM Music & Arts Festival
At this festival, you’ll be feeling vibrations, hearing colors and tripping on life. Experience a journey through larger-than-life visual art exhibits, exhilarating performances from over 20 musicians and plenty of food to sustain you throughout this wild ride. Bring your summer to an end with a day full of stimulation and possibly sweltering heat. | August 24. 12 pm. $45. Ukie Club, 847 N. Franklin St. theticketingco.com
2. Made In America Festival
The hottest rap artists in the world always headline this blowout music festival. How lucky are we to have it all happen right here in our city? Cardi B and Travis Scott are topping the bill this year with over 40 supporting artists, including Lizzo and Lil Uzi Vert. It’s not like Jay-Z needs any more money, but it’s worth spending the dough on this essential Philly summer event. Might as well go all out towards the end of the season. | Aug. 31-Sept. 1. 12 pm. $175. Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. madeinamericafest.com
3. The Great Wiener Race
Witness a fierce race of wiener dogs at this fundraising event for the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. Place your bets, drink some brews and chow down on some hot dogs while watching some little hot dogs race their butts off. The profits from food and drinks will go directly to PAWS, who will also be on site with adoptable pups ready to go home with you. Anybody with a beating heart wouldn’t dare miss this adorable event. | Sept. 4. 5 pm. Free. Pretzel Park, 4300 Silverwood St. facebook.com
4. Market of the Macabre
Stock up on all things spooky at this oddities market. Your head will do a 360 as you feast your eyes upon the hundreds of unique items offered by creative vendors. Be sure to bring some cash to get in, and to get all the items you never thought you needed. Set in a 183-year-old Victorian cemetery, it’s only appropriate that Victorian and Steampunk styles of dress be encouraged for this event. Throw it back to the days when people didn’t have pools and music festivals to cool off during the summer. | Sept. 7, 12-5 p.m. $5. thelaurelhillcemetery.org/events/market_of_the_macabre
5. Feria del Barrio
This blowout celebration of Latino culture in North Philly will happen this summer for the 35th year in a row. It all goes down at the historical Centro de Oro (Golden Center), a hub of Latino family-owned businesses and arts and cultural organizations. Hang out on a sunny day full of dancing, music, art, food and all things essential for celebrating this vibrant community. This event will give you a chance to cling on to the last of those luminous summer days spent outside with your neighbors and loved ones. | Sept. 8. 12 pm. Free. Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N. 5th St. feria.tallerpr.org
6. The 22 Tour
On average, 22 soldiers commit suicide every day. Raise awareness for this glaring and depressing statistic by, oddly enough, laughing your ass off. Stop Soldier Suicide is a veteran-founded nonprofit that has partnered with this 22-show comedy tour. All the comedians performing here are veterans or actively serving in the military. Grab a drink, sit back and support our troops that have something hilarious to get off their chests. Honor 9/11 and all those involved in it in a way more uplifting than usual. | Sept. 11. 8 pm. $22. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com
7. Outlaw Music Festival
Nothing says summer more than a little country twang. Willie Nelson is presenting this festival full of down-home artists that are bringing their best performances for a chill outdoor show. A little bluegrass, some folk and a whole lot of acoustic guitar always make everything seem alright. Move through the final days of summer with a cold beer in your hand and warm tunes in your ears. | Sept. 13. 4 pm. $35-$225. The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave. manncenter.org
Don’t cry because summer is almost over — smile because you now know what to do for the rest of the season.
TWITTER: @ALEXBNAGY
