Philadelphia loves turning food into an event. Restaurant Week season is officially here, and over the next few months, neighborhoods across the city are serving up prix-fixe menus that make trying new spots way more affordable and way more tempting.

Snow days were fun when you were a kid, but once you’re an adult? Possibily even better. Sure, there’s no school cancellation joy. But, if you plan it right, a snow day night out with warmth and places that feel intentional when the city is moving slower than usual, can put you right back in that headspace.

January doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up on outdoor plans. It just means you have to be a little smarter about them. Philadelphia winters are unpredictable, but the city has mastered the art of the winter patio: heaters blasting and rooftops covered just enough to block the wind, leaving you with an experience that’s comfortable enough to not spend the whole night counting down until you can go back inside.

Dry January doesn’t have to mean opting out. Sometimes, it just means opting in differently.

For the first time ever, the city is hosting a Dry January Bar Crawl on Saturday, January 17th and Sunday, January 18th, turning an otherwise sleepy winter weekend into a choose-your-own, sober-ish adventure across some of the city’s best bars, breweries, and restaurants.

Sunday scaries don’t always look like panic. Sometimes they look like staring at your phone at 6:14 PM, knowing you don’t want to stay in, but absolutely do not want to go out either. You want people, maybe a drink. You want to feel like the weekend didn’t just vanish. You also want to be home at a reasonable hour, preferably with minimal regret.

Winter does something weird to social plans. No one wants to fully commit to a loud, packed night out, but staying home again somehow feels worse. You want to go somewhere, just not somewhere that requires shouting or standing the whole time.

Enter the third place bar.

You said you were doing Dry January. What you didn’t say was that you were staying home every weekend or suddenly becoming the kind of person who drinks tea at 8 PM and calls it a night.

This blog is for the people who are mostly committed. The ones who want to cut back without cutting off their social life. The ones who still want to go out, hear music and feel like the night went somewhere, even if they wake up the next morning without a headache.

New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s exactly what makes it great. Some people want bottle service and a packed dance floor. Others are hunting for a perfectly mixed cocktail and a DJ that knows what they’re doing. Philadelphia delivers on all of it, but you just need to know where to look.

Last-minute New Year’s Eve Philadelphia plans? These NYE Philly parties still have tickets, featuring open bars, DJs, and South Street celebrations.

Philadelphia comes alive for St. Patrick’s Day, and on March 14th, 2026, all roads lead to the Erin Express St. Patrick’s Day Philly Bar Crawl. As the list of bars expands year after year, Erin Express remains the go-to celebration for thousands of partygoers looking for the ultimate St. Paddy’s Day experience.

East Passyunk at night has a way of pulling you in before you even realize it. The mix of bars tucked into the rowhome streets and the people drifting from spot to spot all sets the tone for a night that feels both familiar and full of possibility. That’s exactly why this crawl works so well.

Jingle Jawn at Libertee Grounds is a holiday pop-up that instantly pulls you into the season. The entire 12,000-square-foot space gets transformed into a frozen fairytale of twinkling lights, over-the-top decor, themed cocktails, and a cheery atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night.

There’s a new kid on Frankford Ave, and it’s not another brewery, cocktail den, or boutique vintage shop. It’s somehow all of those things at once. Secondhand Ranch opened its doors this week, and Fishtown wasted no time wandering in to figure out what this place actually is.

Spoiler: it’s very cool.

While you’re looking for an easy holiday event to add to your December lineup, East Market’s Carols & Cocktails Holiday Series is a solid pick. It’s festive, but in a way that feels joyful, not overwhelming, and it’s the perfect December activity to spend with friends or flying solo.

To us, there’s something about the first week of December that makes “Friendmas” feel officially in season. Calendars are filling up and suddenly everyone is scrambling to schedule that one night where your friend group pretends to exchange gifts.

For a good Friendmas, the location matters. You need somewhere cozy enough to linger, yet festive enough to feel intentional.

If you’re trying to pull off a date night that feels a little extra magical, Philadelphia is begging you to do it right now. The whole city is lit up, from the restaurants feeling like warm hideaway to the theaters completely decked out. It’s the perfect time to plan a night that looks incredibly thoughtful without actually being a ton of work.

There’s something about Philadelphia in December that just feels magical. The city swaps its usual hustle for twinkly lights, glowing skylines, and festive corners that feel like they were designed specifically for your camera roll. Here’s the roundup of spots delivering maximum holiday magic:

The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade runs down Ben Franklin Parkway, loops past the museums and hotels, and gives you plenty of smart places to watch, sip, warm up, or sneak in a parade day brunch. Here’s where to spend your Thanksgiving morning:

If there’s one snack that really captures Philadelphia’s personality, it’s the humble soft pretzel. Warm mustard, a sprinkle of salt, maybe a cheese dip if you’re feeling fancy… it’s a love language.

Pretzels and beer are food-based soulmates with deep roots in German tradition, but Philadelphia has taken that classic combo and made it its own. Here’s where to enjoy some of the city’s best pairing moments.

As the holiday season begins to sparkle across Philadelphia, Walnut Garden has transformed into a glowing winter dreamland. Walnut Wonderland, the pop-up holiday experience at 1708 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square, officially opened recently and it’s already becoming the city’s coziest destination for festive fun.