Literary-art Events in Philadelphia

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

Malala Yousafzai with Terry Gross | Lifelong Learning Award

 Tue, 14 Apr at 05:30 pm 150 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19106

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

 Sun, 12 Apr at 02:30 pm Love City Brewing USD 10

Plow United w/ The Ergs!, Chris Gethard, & Crossed Keys at the First Unitarian Church

 Sat, 19 Sep at 06:00 pm First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

Oceanic & Borderline w/ Wall Carpets at PhilaMOCA

 Sat, 25 Apr at 07:30 pm PhilaMOCA

Douglas Stuart celebrates John of John on Wednesday, May 13th at 7pm

 Wed, 13 May at 07:00 pm 412 Pine St USD 34

Sistah Soul Series 2026

 Fri, 01 May at 06:00 pm 121 N Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19106

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

 Fri, 22 May at 01:00 pm Lithuanian Music Hall Association

Ann Patchett celebrates Whistler on Monday, June 8th at 7pm

 Mon, 08 Jun at 07:00 pm 2125 Chestnut St USD 36

ORACLES ‘26 - Christian Spoken Word Showcase

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

Aurelio Voltaire at PhilaMOCA

 Fri, 17 Apr at 08:00 pm PhilaMOCA

Swing Kids w/ Fatboi Sharif, Venus Twins, & Soji at The Rotunda

 Sat, 18 Apr at 07:30 pm The Rotunda

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney celebrates Lake Effect on April 16th at 6pm

 Thu, 16 Apr at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

Lev Fer (2025 ESPY Award Writer, Comedy Cellar)

 Sat, 06 Jun at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 50

Curtis Cook (NETFLIX, Comedy Central)

 Sat, 02 May at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 43

Big Dawgs: Emma Dalenberg & Sunny Laprade LIVE at Next In Line Comedy

 Sat, 26 Sep at 07:30 pm Next In Line Comedy USD 11 to 50

Alex Falcone (Portlandia, The Late Show)

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

Wally Lamb celebrates The River is Waiting on June 3rd at 6pm

 Wed, 03 Jun at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

Lydia Lunch's Murderous Again w/ Tim Dahl + Matt Nelson / Genre is death at RUBA Club

 Sat, 25 Apr at 08:00 pm Ruba Club

Kevin James Thornton: Book Reading Show

 Tue, 28 Apr at 07:00 pm Helium Comedy Club - Philadelphia

The 2026 IAMPHL Student Summit

 Sat, 02 May at 11:00 am Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus - Downs Hall Free

Philly Book Launch: FAT SWIM by Emma Copley Eisenberg

 Thu, 30 Apr at 07:00 pm Philadelphia Ethical Society USD 0 to 34

The Moth StorySLAM - American Dreams at Punch Line Philadelphia

 Tue, 02 Jun at 07:30 pm Punch Line Philadelphia

An Elegant Rebellion: A brunch Celebrating 10 Years of BMH

 Fri, 17 Apr at 11:00 am Fabrika USD 20 to 71

Build-your-own tacos with plant-based proteins

 Sun, 19 Apr at 12:00 pm Mr. Martino's Trattoria USD 34

Jena Malone w/ Wet World at PhilaMOCA

 Wed, 15 Jul at 07:30 pm PhilaMOCA

Uncle Bobbie's X Brian Jones - "Black History is for Everyone" Book Talk

 Thu, 16 Apr at 07:30 pm Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books USD 30

DEAD LOVER in Stink-O-Vision - Philly Premiere at PhilaMOCA

 Thu, 23 Apr at 07:30 pm PhilaMOCA

COAST 2 FLIGHT JAM

 Sat, 18 Apr at 09:00 pm Two Locals Brewing USD 13

TBD presents CLIPPINGS 2026: a new play festival

 Thu, 23 Apr at 07:00 pm Walnut St. Theatre Independence Studio on 3 USD 0 to 55

Poetry, Blerds & Jams

 Sat, 12 Sep at 12:00 pm Braid Mill USD 75 to 150

An Evening with Steve Wynn in a living room in Philadelphia PA

 Tue, 05 May at 07:00 pm A Living Room in Philadelphia PA 19121 USD 29 to 109

Melissa Auf der Maur celebrates Even the Good Girls Will Cry on May 7 @ 6pm

 Thu, 07 May at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 38

Daniel Kehlmann celebrates The Director on Tuesday, May 19th at 6pm

 Tue, 19 May at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

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

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

Isaac Fitzgerald celebrates American Rambler on Friday, May 15th at 7pm

 Fri, 15 May at 07:00 pm 412 Pine St USD 38

Peni Candra Rini with Shahzad Ismaily & Andy McGraw

 Sun, 26 Apr at 07:30 pm The Perch Music & Arts Community

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

 Sun, 17 May at 02:00 pm Two Locals Brewing Free

Brooke Averick celebrates PHOEBE BERMAN’S GONNA LOSE IT on May 27th at 7pm

 Wed, 27 May at 07:00 pm 2125 Chestnut St USD 34

How to Fall in Love with Poetry with Edward Hirsch on April 14th at 6pm

 Tue, 14 Apr at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

HELLRAISER PART 3 HELL ON EARTH SCREENING

 Fri, 10 Apr at 08:00 pm Monster Vegan Free

Love Notes Special Edition: Memoirs of a Gaysian

 Fri, 12 Jun at 08:00 pm Society Hill Dance Academy USD 39 to 50

A DEEPLY ROOTED TROLLEY TOUR BY HARRIETTS BOOKSHOP

 Sat, 21 Mar at 11:00 am Harriett's Bookshop USD 73

Uncle Bobbie's X Ericka Hart: Nasty Work Book Tour

 Tue, 14 Apr at 07:30 pm Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts USD 13 to 36

Poetry Competition Dinner Party

 Sun, 26 Apr at 05:00 pm FaceClock Zero Proof Lounge & Gallery USD 2

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

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

Hotter, Wetter, Weirder: Climate Change in Philadelphia w/ Mike Weilbacher

 Wed, 22 Apr at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

The Community Stage: Our Monthly Open Mic

 Fri, 01 May at 07:30 pm 2321 Emerald St Free

Black Dance Legacy Mural Design Unveiling

 Tue, 21 Apr at 05:45 pm Parkway Central Library Free

2026 Philadelphia Writing Workshop

 Sat, 25 Apr at 09:00 am LeBow College of Business - Drexel University

Set in Stoned Comedy Showcase ACT II × HIGH Vibes Open Mic

 Fri, 17 Apr at 07:00 pm Private Location USD 23 to 39

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

 Sun, 23 Aug at 02:00 pm Two Locals Brewing Free

Souletri Sunday's "Open Mic Experience"

 Sun, 26 Jul at 02:00 pm Two Locals Brewing Free

Roots to Routes: A Book Talk with Romina Garber

 Mon, 20 Apr at 12:00 pm University of Pennsylvania Free

David Szalay celebrates Flesh on April 23rd at 6pm

 Thu, 23 Apr at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia Free

Where Conversation Meets Culture With Dr. Kemi Doll

 Tue, 12 May at 06:00 pm Honeysuckle Restaurant USD 162

Bruce Feiler celebrates A Time to Gather on May 28th at 6pm

 Thu, 28 May at 06:00 pm Barnes & Noble - Philadelphia USD 0 to 36

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

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

Mojo Bags & Medicine Wheels: A Bus Trip & Farm Experience

 Sat, 11 Apr at 10:00 am Harriett's Bookshop USD 50

May First Saturday Open House: Go Birds!

 Sat, 02 May at 12:00 pm Wagner Free Institute of Science Free

H&H Books Presents: Jordan Ritter Conn & Joseph Earl Thomas / AMERICAN MEN

 Sat, 25 Apr at 07:00 pm The Head & The Hand Books USD 0 to 18

King of Gluttony Release Party

 Tue, 28 Apr at 05:00 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 29

1774 And All That: Paths To Independence

 Thu, 07 May at 06:30 pm Historical Society of Pennsylvania USD 11 to 21

Molefi Kete Asante: Unapologetically African (Film Preview)

 Fri, 10 Apr at 06:00 pm Temple University - The Reel Cinema Free

UX & Tech Happy Hour Celebration: UX Skills for Business Strategy

 Wed, 15 Apr at 04:00 pm 50 N Independence Mall E Free

Giving Yourself Permission: An Evening with Dr. George James (Temple Univ)

 Tue, 21 Apr at 06:00 pm Mazur Hall Free

The Leap Lab: Think Differently. Decide Boldly.

 Fri, 22 May at 09:00 am Fitler Club USD 199

Outreach and Vegan Food Giveaway at April 2026 Flea Market

Sat, 11 Apr at 08:00 am Clark Park

DTL Poetic Vibez Showcase

 Sat, 30 May at 05:00 pm KANVAS Venue USD 0 to 109

The Community Stage: Our Monthly Open Mic

 Fri, 05 Jun at 07:30 pm 2321 Emerald St Free

Kiss & Tale (May 2026)

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

Rebel Reader's Society

 Tue, 14 Apr at 06:00 pm Harriett's Bookshop Free

Healing Verse Germantown Public Art Launch Celebration

 Sat, 11 Apr at 02:00 pm Friends Free Library Free

Author Event: Revive Me by J.L. Seegars at Cupid's Bookshop

 Fri, 17 Apr at 06:30 pm Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center USD 23 to 29

Ancestral Wisdom for A Weary World

 Sat, 25 Apr at 12:00 pm Cherry Street Pier Free

Fungi as Food, Medicine and More (Spring Course)

 Tue, 07 Apr at 06:00 pm Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Free

Track Changes: Raena Shirali & Candice Wuehle

 Tue, 28 Apr at 07:00 pm Pen & Pencil Club Free

Project Moshen presents: Remnants – What Remains After Love

 Sat, 02 May at 07:00 pm Performance Garage USD 45 to 50

Open Mic & Poetry Reading by Skyla Rimple - Where We Begin Again

 Sun, 12 Apr at 07:00 pm Vox Populi Free

Textpocalypse Now: AI and the New Political Economy of Writing

 Fri, 17 Apr at 04:00 pm Fisher Bennett Hall Room 135 Free

The Legacy Author Circle—Founding Edition

 Sat, 30 May at 08:30 am Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square CAD 597

cj speaks presents Spoken Word of Philly at The Movement with host poet cj

 Sun, 19 Apr at 03:00 pm The Movement Free

Jordan McDonald Panel

 Thu, 09 Apr at 06:00 pm 1525 N American St #105 Free

Red Carpet Short Film Premiere: What Are You Doing With Your Life?

 Sun, 26 Apr at 03:00 pm 1755 N 13th St USD 29

Show and Tell

 Sun, 26 Apr at 05:00 pm Bourbon & Branch Free

Author Event: Bloodsinger by Juliette Cross

 Thu, 16 Apr at 07:00 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 39

AUDITIONS - Summer One-Act Bonanza 2026

Sat, 18 Apr at 10:00 am 3544 Indian Queen Ln, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19129

Book Club: Remarkably Bright Creatures

 Wed, 29 Apr at 01:00 pm The Welcome Table Free

Book talk and signing

 Wed, 20 May at 06:00 pm Free Library of Philadelphia

Powerful Voices Open Mic Show - Live Music, Comedy, Poetry+ More!

 Thu, 14 May at 08:00 pm Philadelphia Free

Pitching Your Cookbook: A Chat with Lit Agent Sally Ekus at Binding Agents!

 Sat, 11 Apr at 06:00 pm Binding Agents Cook/Book Shop Free

Black Girl Magis Book Launch

 Wed, 22 Apr at 06:00 pm Saint Joseph's University - Hawk Hill Campus Free

Author Event: The Auction by Sadie Kincaid

 Tue, 21 Apr at 06:30 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 39

Reading is Freedom Festival

 Sat, 25 Apr at 12:00 pm Historic Fair Hill Free

Collage Poetry Hang with Casey Britton

 Sat, 25 Apr at 11:00 am Time & Peace Café and Gallery Free

MovieJawn & Philly Free Library present THE 5,000 FINGERS OF DR. T

 Tue, 28 Apr at 05:30 pm Parkway Central Library Free

Jali Nights

 Fri, 10 Apr at 06:00 pm KANVAS Venue USD 13

Art for Resistance: Lessons from the No Arena Movement

 Thu, 23 Apr at 05:00 pm Asian Arts Initiative Free

Behind Her Eyes

 Sun, 12 Apr at 02:00 pm Vox Populi Free

OptiBreech Workshop, Thomas Jefferson University, East Falls, PA

 Sun, 19 Apr at 08:00 am Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus GBP 0 to 268

Author Event: Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen

 Mon, 27 Apr at 06:30 pm Cupid’s Bookshop USD 23