Literary-art Events in Philadelphia

Check out happening literary-art events all around Philadelphia, PA

Stavros Halkias: The Dreamboat Tour

 Sat, 31 Jan at 07:00 pm Miller Theater

2025-2026 Philadelphia Speakers Series - Doris Kearns Goodwin at Kimmel Center - Marian Anderson Hall

 Mon, 26 Jan at 08:00 pm Kimmel Center - Marian Anderson Hall

Grown-Up Book Fair and Swap-Love City 2nd Session

 Sat, 24 Jan at 02:30 pm Love City Brewing USD 10

Chuck Klosterman celebrates Football on Thursday, January 22nd at 6pm

 Thu, 22 Jan at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 0 to 38

Grown-Up Book Fair and Swap-Love City

 Sat, 24 Jan at 01:00 pm Love City Brewing USD 10

George Saunders celebrates Vigil on January 28th

 Wed, 28 Jan at 07:00 pm 2125 Chestnut St USD 34

Daffo w/ earth 2 tiffany at PhilaMOCA

 Sat, 24 Jan at 07:30 pm PhilaMOCA

Anthony DeVito (Late Show, HBO)

 Sat, 28 Feb at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 50

14th Philadelphia Tango Festival: CONSCIOUS IMPROVISATION IN TANGO (May 22-25, 2026)

 Fri, 22 May at 03:00 pm Lithuanian Music Hall Association

Hayden Johnson (JFL) Doors Open 7PM

 Fri, 23 Jan at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 45

Curtis Cook (NETFLIX, Comedy Central)

 Fri, 27 Mar at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 43

ORACLES ‘26 - Christian Spoken Word Showcase

 Sat, 18 Apr at 05:00 pm Christ Community Church USD 13 to 55

Laugh The Pain Away | 1.24, The Lounge

 Sat, 24 Jan at 07:00 pm 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA

Clay Cane celebrates Burn Down Master's House on February 5th at 6pm

 Thu, 05 Feb at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 34

Love Jones Experience: A Cinematic Celebration of Love

 Sun, 22 Feb at 06:00 pm Secret Location - Near Center City USD 34 to 61

Books & Brunch & Mimosa’s

 Sat, 14 Feb at 11:00 am TBA USD 55 to 162

DTL Poetic Vibez Showcase

 Sat, 28 Feb at 05:00 pm KANVAS Venue USD 0 to 109

All Women & Queer Comedy Show

 Fri, 16 Jan at 07:30 pm Silk City USD 18

HOUSE OF POETS

 Sat, 24 Jan at 07:00 pm Indy Hall Clubhouse at 709 N 2nd St USD 23 to 55

Uncle Bobbie's X Clay Cane: Burn Down Master's House Book Tour

 Wed, 28 Jan at 07:00 pm Greene Street Friends School USD 35

Vance Gilbert

 Sat, 28 Feb at 08:00 pm 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead

 Fri, 16 Jan at 08:00 pm 3544 Indian Queen Ln, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19129

Wharton Asian American Business Conference

 Fri, 20 Mar at 08:15 am The Study at University City USD 66

Book Release Party: M. Hartley

 Sat, 31 Jan at 06:00 pm The Broken Spine USD 0 to 23

'Love & Lyrics' Artistry Showcase

 Fri, 13 Feb at 07:00 pm 5204 Lancaster Ave USD 23

Black Opulence: Valentine’s Day Arts Regale

 Sat, 14 Feb at 07:00 pm Mt Airy Art Garage USD 0 to 66

Ann Packer celebrates Some Bright Nowhere on February 19th at 6pm

 Thu, 19 Feb at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

2025-26 Penn Fine Arts Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Finnegan Shannon

 Thu, 05 Mar at 06:00 pm Institute of Contemporary Art Free

"Monument Lab – Re:Generation": Philadelphia Book Launch

 Sat, 17 Jan at 02:00 pm Parkway Central Library Free

The Poetry Cafe: Live From Philly | 1.23, The Lounge

 Fri, 23 Jan at 07:00 pm 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA

Burns Night at Quig's Pub

 Sun, 25 Jan at 06:00 pm Plays & Players Theatre USD 18

The Head & The Hand Writing Group

 Sun, 25 Jan at 02:00 pm Valerio Coffee Roasters Free

Souletri @ Izlas "Open Mic Experience"

 Wed, 11 Mar at 05:30 pm Izlas Puertorican Cuisine Free

Writers/Artist Group

 Sat, 17 Jan at 06:00 pm Ambassador Free

Shut Up & Write @ Harriett’s Bookshop

 Sat, 17 Jan at 10:00 am Harriett's Bookshop USD 18

Alex Falcone (Portlandia, The Late Show)

 Fri, 15 May at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 29 to 50

Members Only – Words to Live By: Write Your Own Obituary

 Fri, 30 Jan at 06:30 pm 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19132

Heated Rivalry in the Library

 Sat, 14 Feb at 02:00 pm Parkway Central Library Free

The Community Stage: Our Monthly Open Mic

 Fri, 06 Feb at 07:30 pm 2321 Emerald St Free

Pass The Mic - Open Mic & Cypher Night: Presented by DJ Yung Akh

 Sat, 17 Jan at 06:00 pm KIDD & CO USD 7 to 13

2025-2026 Penn Fine Arts Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Sarah Oppenheimer

 Thu, 05 Feb at 06:00 pm Institute of Contemporary Art Free

Comedy for Maniacs: Future Shock!

 Sat, 24 Jan at 07:00 pm 319 N 11th St USD 6 to 10

Dream Here Now: Joybender, The Karen Smith Experience + Anjoli Santiago, &+

 Fri, 23 Jan at 07:00 pm Space 1026 Free

Injustice Town with Author Rick Tulsky

 Mon, 09 Feb at 06:00 pm Parkway Central Library Free

Philly Reincarnated Open Mic & Poetry Slam

 Sat, 17 Jan at 07:00 pm Creative Praxis USD 0 to 29

A Literary Celebration with Amy Beth Sisson & Friends

 Thu, 19 Feb at 06:00 pm H&H Books Free

Center City - 20th Season continues with Beethoven, Schubert & Fauré

 Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square

Mx Tattooed Mom Pageant 2026

 Fri, 23 Jan at 07:00 pm Tattooed Mom USD 13 to 23

Jeff Dean and Jordan Thewlis Live In Philadelphia (Don't Tell Comedy, CBS)

 Fri, 13 Mar at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 45

Open Mic

 Sun, 25 Jan at 06:00 pm 3721 Midvale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA

Sip + Paint with Flygirrl "The Album Art Edition"

 Sat, 17 Jan at 05:00 pm NoName Gallery USD 66

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

 Sun, 28 Jun at 02:00 pm Two Locals Brewing Free

Sound Falls 'Round Me Like Rain

 Tue, 10 Feb at 05:30 pm Max Kade Center (329A) Free

Hunger: Desire in Six Courses

 Thu, 12 Feb at 06:30 pm Vox Populi USD 162 to 215

Dorothy Roberts Book Celebration - "The Mixed Marriage Project"

 Wed, 18 Feb at 06:30 pm Penn Carey Law, Levy Conference Center Free

Poetry Battle, Open Mic, and Drum & Brunch

 Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm FaceClock Zero Proof Lounge & Gallery Free

PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Rap It Up

 Sun, 01 Feb at 10:00 am 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19130

Celebrate Black Horror with "White Meat" screening at Strangelove's!!!

 Thu, 05 Feb at 07:00 pm Strangelove's USD 5 to 7

Sunn O)))

 Sat, 11 Apr at 08:00 pm Union Transfer

Saami Brothers Qawwali: Annual fundraiser for Twelve Gates Arts

 Sat, 17 Jan at 05:00 pm Christ Church Neighborhood House

Author Q+A and Signing with Jennifer Iacopelli with Betty Corrello

 Wed, 04 Feb at 07:00 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 21

2 Lines Open Mic X Sai

 Fri, 13 Feb at 07:00 pm MaKen Studios North USD 13

The Late(ish) Poetry Show - February Edition

 Fri, 06 Feb at 08:30 pm PhilaMOCA USD 0 to 29

Brian Stelter: Media Analysis at Risk?

 Wed, 11 Feb at 12:00 pm Annenberg School for Communication, Room 500 Free

Will Keenan's One Man Poe

 Mon, 19 Jan at 07:00 pm Thrillerdelphia USD 15

Passion & Pleasure Cabaret

 Fri, 13 Feb at 07:00 pm 3201 Fox St USD 29 to 45

One Last Thing Before You Go Release Party

 Tue, 10 Feb at 06:30 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 25

Jay Badlani: Live in Philly! (Laughing Skull Festival, TikTok)

 Fri, 10 Jul at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 45

Book signing event with author Nicole Glover

 Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm 8026 Germantown Ave Free

Wanda

Wed, 11 Feb at 07:00 pm 800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148-16ND, United States

2026 PHENND Conference: Democracy at the Crossroads

 Fri, 27 Feb at 08:45 am Founders' Hall USD 45 to 98

Drum Major Instinct with Katherine Young, Glasspack & Negar Soley

 Sat, 28 Feb at 07:30 pm The Perch Music & Arts Community

HERBS & WORDS OPEN MIC SHOW The LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS EDITION

 Sat, 07 Feb at 08:00 pm 3244 N Front St USD 18 to 65

Merlin Holland celebrates After Oscar on April 9th at 6pm

 Thu, 09 Apr at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

The Pinky Promise Poetry Performance and book launch

 Sat, 14 Mar at 01:00 pm 3525 I St USD 0 to 65

Anika Burgess celebrates Flashes of Brilliance on March 19th at 6pm

 Thu, 19 Mar at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

Track Changes: Eshani Surya & Kristina Ten

 Tue, 03 Feb at 07:00 pm Pen & Pencil Club Free

Geoff Bennett celebrates Black Out Loud on Saturday, March 28th at 5pm!

 Sat, 28 Mar at 05:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 39

Harriett’s presents Words & Whiskey Tasting w/ James Ijames

 Fri, 27 Feb at 07:30 pm Harriett's Bookshop USD 50

Tofu: A Culinary History

 Wed, 18 Feb at 06:00 pm Science History Institute Free

"Love Whole and Broken"

 Sat, 14 Feb at 07:00 pm 1034 Pine St USD 20

Lady Parts Screening at The Fallser Club - Women's History Month Kick-off

 Sun, 01 Mar at 05:30 pm The Fallser Club

Harriett’s presents Hoodoo & The Blues w/ Dr. Katrina Hazzard-Donald

 Fri, 20 Feb at 07:30 pm Harriett's Bookshop USD 50

Uncle Bobbie's X Sharon G. Flake - "Hattie Mae Begins Again" Book Signing

 Thu, 22 Jan at 07:00 pm Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books USD 23

Author Event + Signing with M. Hartley, in convo with Caroline Frank

 Tue, 27 Jan at 06:30 pm Cupid’s Bookshop Free

Luke Epplin celebrates Moses and the Doctor on February 10th at 6pm

 Tue, 10 Feb at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 0 to 36

Souletri @ Izlas "Open Mic Experience"

 Wed, 08 Apr at 05:30 pm Izlas Puertorican Cuisine Free

Philadelphia's Lost Jewish Quarter

 Sun, 22 Mar at 02:00 pm Starr Garden Playground USD 13 to 29

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

 Sun, 22 Feb at 02:00 pm Two Locals Brewing Free

Bardolotry: Shakespeare Through the Ages

 Sat, 31 Jan at 03:00 pm 2987 Almond St, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19134

Kiss & Tale (May 2026)

 Sat, 16 May at 11:00 am Yards Brewing Company USD 71 to 98

LCA Presents "Bright Eyed Joy": A Vocal Recital of Black Expression

 Sun, 25 Jan at 04:00 pm The Perch Music & Arts Workshop USD 28 to 39

MARCH 12 - LIVE IN PHILLY - PEDRO GONZALEZ

 Thu, 12 Mar at 07:00 pm The Coop USD 34 to 109

Book Club: Target: Alex Cross

 Wed, 28 Jan at 01:00 pm The Welcome Table Free

Just Right Presents: Grown & Gifted – A Night for Lesbians 35+

 Sat, 14 Mar at 06:00 pm 3525 I St USD 23 to 34

Monthly Book Club at Whitman Library (adults)

 Mon, 26 Jan at 06:00 pm 200 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19148

Not "Just" a Poet

 Wed, 11 Feb at 07:00 pm 3870 Lancaster Ave USD 13

Harriett’s presents Kiss Of Life w/ Sannii Crespina-flores

 Sat, 07 Feb at 09:30 am Harriett's Bookshop USD 22

Eternal Sentinel: Film Screening and Q&A

 Mon, 23 Mar at 12:00 pm Annenberg School for Communication, Room 500 Free

Souletri @ Izlas "Open Mic Experience"

 Wed, 10 Jun at 05:30 pm Izlas Puertorican Cuisine Free