Going to college in Philly, we're so often bombarded—on social media and IRL—with seemingly endless options for how to spend our free time. So I’m delighted to announce that Street has done the hard part for you: We’ve rounded up what we think are the can’t–miss events for the month in one convenient place. If I’ve done my job right, there’ll be something in here for every one of our readers, no matter what you like to do with your weekends.
—Walden Green, Print Editor
All Month: Halloween Nights @ Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary must've not heard the end of it when they canceled 'Terror Behind the Walls' last year. Because now they’ve returned with not one, not two, but five haunted houses to officially scare the shit out of you this go–round. Tickets from $34 (cheaper in groups), 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., closed on Mondays, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.
Mondays in October: Open Mic Night @ Punch Line Philly
Last year’s Under the Button comedy night left me traumatized … and hungry for more. I want my stand–up with a bunch of talent and a big ol’ heaping of cringe, and there’s no better place to find both than open mic night. White men of the world, this is your time! 21+, two drink minimum, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7, Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.
Oct. 2: Maude Latour @ The Foundry
Listening to a Maude Latour song is like having a chat with your best friend who’s also way cooler than you, and you’re a little afraid she could ruin your life if you crossed her. She’ll be bringing her city girl charm and immaculately rocked low–rise jeans to The Fillmore’s club–within–a–club. $23, 8 p.m., The Foundry, 1100 Canal St.
Oct. 4: The Moth StorySLAM: Grown @ World Cafe Live
This is required reading for anyone who watched Girls and built their personality on of it, who spent sleepless nights poring over that PowerPoint trying to figure out if Jack Antonoff actually cheated on Lena Dunham with Lorde. If not, you can always check out The Moth StorySLAM anyway—all adventurous women do. $17.50, doors at 6 p.m., stories at 7:30, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.
Oct. 7 + 21: The Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Landmark’s Ritz Five
It’ll be a science fiction, double feature kinda night when the best theater in the city screens this kinky, kooky, camp classic. This production will take “a different set of jaws” to a whole new level with a shadow cast performing along to the original movie. That's a whole extra set of jaws! $15, 10 p.m., Ritz Five, 214 Walnut St.
Oct. 7 + 8: Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest @ The Armory
Enjoyment mileage for an Oktoberfest celebration is going to vary significantly based on what kind of person you are (beer person or non–beer person). But what we can all agree on are the aesthetics of Oktoberfest: polka music, milkmaid braids, and plenty of bratwursts. It's all about putting the hoe in lederhosen. 21+, $25, 23rd St. Armory, 22 S. 23rd St.
Oct. 9: Old City Fest
Apparently most Philly neighborhoods were dead set on scheduling their annual fall festivals for Oct. 1. Luckily, Old City gave us enough time to give everyone a heads up. Go out to eat, drink, be merry, and best of all, partake in assorted seasonal activities. Free, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., N. 3rd and Arch streets.
Oct. 9: NexGen Music Festival @ W.O.W. Philly
The most fun part of this event, hosted by The Impossible Group, is that it’s extremely hard to tell what it is from the webpage. It definitely involves DJ sets, “giving back to the community,” and one extremely ugly poster design. As for the rest, you’ll just have to fuck around and find out. 21+, $16, doors at 8:30 p.m., show at 9, Warehouse on Watts, 923 N. Watts St.
Oct. 10–15: Philly Music Fest
For anyone who’s been meaning to dive headfirst into the Philly music scene, this is your best opportunity. Six days, 21 bands, six venues; you’ll be as well–versed and pretentious as a WXPN intern. Oh wait, that’s me, isn’t it? Anyway, go see Mannequin Pussy. Day tickets from $20 to $39, various locations.
Oct. 11: Sudan Archives @ World Cafe Live Music Hall
Over at the Stroffice, one of our favorite albums from 2022 has been Sudan Archives’ Natural Brown Prom Queen. It’s flirty, sexy, and experimental, and you can expect Brittany Parks to bring all of that energy to the stage. Our editor–in–chief Emily and I will definitely be in the crowd. $20, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8, Music Hall at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.
Oct. 15: Philadelphia Street Food Festival @ Xfinity Live!
In a month full of festivals, one festival more. This new celebration of all things served out of a truck/on a stick/in a paper container feels so Philly it’s kind of crazy somebody didn’t think of it already. Catch me on the mechanical bull re–enacting Lady Gaga’s 2013 SXSW performance (read: throwing up). $10, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave.
Oct. 16: Opening of Modigliani Up Close @ Barnes Foundation
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani’s women are just straight up stunning. Face: correct. Neck: correct. Body: correct. The things I would do to look like these ladies—but looking at them isn’t half bad either. $5 for students, Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Oct. 20: Opening of Matisse in the 1930s @ Philadelphia Museum of Art
Two of my friends are planning to take edibles and go to this, and frankly you’d be hard pressed to find a better artist to check out high than Matisse. Pro tip: The PMA does pay-what-you-want nights on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. $30, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Oct. 23: Philly Burger Brawl @ Xfinity Live!
This ain’t your middle school’s fight in the parking lot. The competitors are some of Philadelphia’s most illustrious restaurants, and their weapon of choice is a patty between two buns. Maybe if we’re lucky some actual hands will be thrown over the results. $50, 12 p.m., Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave.
