Things to Do in Philly

Philadelphia in November is a city of quick costume changes: one weekend still feels like fall, the next has a holiday market and a giant parade balloon making its way down the Parkway. If you are visiting this month, mix one date-specific event with a little Old City wandering and an evening that gives you the stories behind the bricks. Here are seven ways to make the month feel like Philly, with the dates that matter.

1. Start with Old City stories and a well-timed crawl

Put Philly Crawling’s Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl on the calendar early, especially if your trip falls on a busy weekend. It is an adults-only guided outing through Old City, with four bars, a few blocks of walking and the city’s hidden, hilarious colonial and Revolutionary history between stops. The public tour runs daily at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes. Guests must be 21 or older with valid ID. Drinks are available to purchase, but the guide’s stories are the main event and buying a drink is optional. Meet at 203 Market Street, at Market and North 2nd streets. Check the schedule and book with Philly Crawling.

2. Cheer on the city’s Veterans Parade

The 12th annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026. The organizers describe it as a community celebration honoring veterans, and this year it joins the city’s wider America 250 calendar. Check the parade’s official page for route, timing and festival details as they are posted. Arrive early enough to find a comfortable viewing spot, and expect the surrounding blocks to feel lively.

3. Make room for the Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Fall Fest

From November 12 through 21, the Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Fall Fest brings films and cultural programming to venues around town, including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. It is a good option for visitors who like a city evening with a little conversation afterward. The lineup and venue schedule can change, so browse the festival’s official program before buying tickets or building dinner plans around a screening.

4. Browse the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market opens November 13 at Dilworth Park and runs through January 1, 2027. Admission is free, and the open-air market features local artisans, gifts, food and warm drinks. It is an easy downtown stop for a handcrafted souvenir or a snack between Center City plans. Visit the market’s website for current hours and vendor details; bring a layer because the market is outdoors.

5. Catch Philadelphia Marathon Weekend

Race weekend takes over parts of the city November 20–22. The half marathon and 8K are Saturday, November 21; the TIAA Philadelphia Marathon and Kids’ Run follow Sunday, November 22. The official marathon page lists the Sunday race start at 7:00 a.m. and the start/finish near 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Spectators can use the official race site and app to follow runners and check route details. Give the Parkway and Center City road closures some thought when planning a cross-town trip.

6. Welcome the holiday markets

Christmas Village returns to LOVE Park and City Hall from November 21 through December 27, with its preview weekend on November 21–22. Expect wooden vendor stalls, seasonal food and a distinctly European-market feel in the middle of downtown. The official market website posts opening hours and activity details. The nearby Made in Philadelphia Market is another stop if your gift list leans toward local makers.

7. Watch Thanksgiving morning along the Parkway

The 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled for Thursday, November 26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The event listing describes the familiar Parkway route, with floats, marching bands, performers and Santa bringing the month to its big holiday crescendo. Check 6abc and the City of Philadelphia’s event notices closer to the date for access, viewing and road-closure updates. Then give yourself enough time to get where you are going. Parade mornings have a way of turning a short walk into a small expedition.

Let the month breathe

There is plenty on the November calendar, but you do not need to treat it like a scavenger hunt. Pick a date-specific event, leave an afternoon open for a museum or a long lunch, and choose one evening that feels unmistakably local. Old City makes a natural anchor: it puts major historic sites, restaurants and the Philly Crawling meeting point within a compact area. If you are ready to hear the city’s rowdier stories, reserve a spot on the Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl. November will supply the parade balloons; Philly Crawling can supply the colonial gossip.