A weekend full of live music, comedy, festivals and festivities is a typical example of a weekend in Philadelphia.
This weekend, however, is your classic September weekend, with Oktoberfest events in Philly and along the Jersey Shore, Irish weekend celebrations, and a craft beer festival. The City of Brotherly Love will also host musical icons like ELO, Pusha-T, JT, KUR, and more.
Read about all these events and more as we cover what’s happening in the Philadelphia area from Friday through Sunday.
Savannah Bananas at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park will be sold out again, but this time not for the Phillies to PlayoffsThe Savannah Bananas are taking over South Philly for their 2024 Banana Ball World Tour.
On Saturday, The Bananas will take on their Georgia rivals, the Savannah Party Animals, at 7 p.m. in front of 45,000 fans. According to the Bananas, this will be the largest crowd in Banana Ball history.
Guests will enter through the Left Field Gate at the corner of Citizens Bank Way and Phillies Drive. Merchandise, food, beverages and various entertainment will be available. Guests are not permitted to bring opaque bags.
Often referred to as the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, the Bananas offer one of the most entertaining experiences in the game. Players dance, occasionally kick stilts, conduct post-game interviews in restrooms, and much more. Here’s a look at what fans can expect from “Banana ball”.
Although the match is sold out, the Bananas are offering a livestream option starting at 7pm
Electric Light Orchestra at the Wells Fargo Center
When the weather feels this good, you can count on Mr. Blue Sky being in town in more ways than one. Jeff Lynne’s ELO is in town for back-to-back shows at the Wells Fargo Center for The Over And Out Tour 2024. ELO will be joined by Rooney both nights, with the show starting at 8pm.
Tickets to see these groundbreaking musicians in South Philly on Friday start at $54.40.
16th Annual South Street Oktoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Philadelphia on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., hosted by Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street. This lively festival is free to attend, with a pay-as-you-go system for food, drinks, and other activities.
Enjoy German traditions, beers, delicious food and live entertainment.
The festival offers a VIP experience with tickets starting at $125.
BET Vote Fest Featuring Pusha-T, JT, KUR & More at The Met
As the race for the White House heats up, more organizations are doing what they can to get people registered to vote. This Friday, BET Vote Fest comes to The Met Philadelphia.
This fast-paced rally features an all-star cast of artists including Pusha-T, JT of the City Girls and Philly’s own, KURDoors open at 5pm and the show starts at 6pm. Tickets were free through Ticketmaster, but the event is already sold out.
Leslie Jones with Lenny Marcus at the Miller Theater
Stand-up comedian, SNL legend, and actress Leslie Jones is in town this weekend and is bringing a friend along.
Ensemble Arts Philly presents Leslie Jones: LIVE with special guest Lenny Marcus on Saturday at the Miller Theater at 250 South Broad Street in Center City beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost between $39 and $75.
According to the Ensemble’s website, Jones has been nominated three times for a Primetime Emmy Award as well as a Writer’s Guild Award and an NAACP Award for her work on “Saturday Night Live.”
Marcus, also a stand-up comedian, has been in the New York comedy scene for more than 20 years and has collaborated with Jones on numerous projects, according to his website.
One of their collaborative projects is “The fckry with Leslie Jones and Lenny Marcus”, in which both comedians expose “the fckry” on all kinds of topics.
Glassboro Craft Beer Festival
A craft beer festival with over 80 options to choose from in South Jersey? We don’t mind! The Glassboro Craft Beer Festival kicks off Saturday at the Glassboro Town Square for a plethora of beer connoisseurs.
During the annual festival, visitors can sample over 80 craft beers from more than 50 brands and breweries, while playing games and enjoying live music.
Tickets for this 21+ event start at $60. For non-drinking festival-goers, tickets start at $10. The festival runs from 1pm to 5pm, with VIP access beginning at 12pm.
Irish weekend in Wildwood
A weekend of Irish spirit and culture kicks off Friday and will leave you feeling happy. Irish Weekend in Wildwood offers a variety of family-friendly events including:
Wildwood Muscle Car Show
Cruise to the Wildwood Boardwalk Kustom Hot Rod & Muscle Car Show this weekend. Whether you’re a typical greaser or just looking for a relaxing weekend on the coast, this car show is for you. Featuring classic cars, hot rods, and rides as awesome as Greased Lightning, the show is on Friday and Saturday. Cars are free to view from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Visitors can also go inside the Wildwoods Convention Center, with a $5 admission fee for more cars and vendors. Don’t miss a weekend straight out of Bobby Rydell’s song “Wildwood Days.”
Oktoberfest in Wildwood
Looking for an excuse to break out your favorite lederhosen? Then head over to Morey’s Pier in Wildwood for their annual Oktoberfest celebration. Filled with lively Germanic music, food, and beer, bands perform on the Coca-Cola stage all weekend long. To add to the festive atmosphere, musicians strut around in traditional German costumes and perform songs all over the pier. Tickets start at $92. Oktoberfest runs from Friday to Sunday.
Other Irish weekend celebrations in the Wildwoods include the annual Irish Fall Festival along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood, the Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration, and the South Jersey Estate Liquidators Public Auction.
Jeep Invasion and Ocean City Half Marathon
Picture this: it’s the summer of ’24, down at the coast, showing off your Jeep Wrangler glistening in the sun on the boardwalk. The next morning you’re running along the beach, your hair blowing in the wind. It’s the American Dream, and it’s all happening this weekend in Ocean City.
First up, the annual Fall New Jersey Jeep Invasion kicks off Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier. With about 400 Jeeps cruising the boardwalk, lined up from 5th Street to 14th Street. From 12:30 to 5 p.m., these massive vehicles will be on display, hoping to win one of several awards for the best Jeep in the area. The Jeep Invasion also helps raise money for local charities.
Then lace up your running shoes on Sunday for the OCNJ Half Marathon, 10-Miler and 5K. Race day starts early at 8:30 a.m. with the Half Marathon and 10-Mile races, followed by the 5K at 8:40 a.m. Online registration for these races has closed, but in-person registration is available Friday (4-6 p.m.) and Saturday (12-6 p.m.) at the Ocean City Aquatic & Fitness Center. Same-day registration is only available for the 5K, which begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier. Half Marathon tickets are $80, the 10-Mile race is $60 and the 5K is $30-35.
The route takes runners along the iconic boardwalk, downtown and neighborhoods, with stunning ocean views and a true taste of Ocean City. Spectators are encouraged to come along the route to cheer them on.
City Center Restaurant Week
It’s foodies’ last chance to score a delicious deal during Center City District Restaurant Week! Philadelphians have until Saturday to experience the City of Brotherly Love’s vibrant culinary scene with discount menus in more than 100 restaurants.
Options for a three-course prix fixe dinner are available for as little as $40 or $60. Looking for something a little smaller? Diners can also try a two-course lunch for just $20. *Chefs Kisses*
Check out the full list of restaurants participating in Center City Fall 2024 Restaurant Week. Bon appetit!
