FunTimers, as the calendar strolls into the golden months of 2023, let’s dive right into the fall fun with this cornucopia of free or low-cost entertaining events and activities in the Philadelphia area. Enjoy, but please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the onset of new COVID variants.

Swoon over art at noon 

Thursday, September 21, 2023. Art Break at AAMP: The Warmth of Future Suns is a chance to see great art on your lunch break. Check out the nuances of the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s main exhibition; take part in discussions with staff and guest speakers. Morgan Lloyd, Program Coordinator, and Lead Gallery Guide, will lead this informal talk examining how AAMP’s Rising Sun Artists “connect to contemporary conversations on Afrofuturism” to answer the question: “Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy? Just think: When you return to work, you will be so art-smart. Included with General Admission tickets ($14), free for the museum’s members; $5 for Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art members, noon to 1 p.m. EST., (Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St., 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.

Closing in on the gender wealth gap

Friday, September 22, 2023. For WOMEN’S WAY, it’s all about closing the gender wealth gap. Its latest think tank, The 2nd Annual Gender Wealth Summit, explores equitable solutions to narrow the gender wealth gap. Advocates, program partners, leading thinkers, researchers, policymakers, and the general public will convene to review the recent Gender Wealth Index research project, created to identify and address key drivers of gender wealth inequity in Greater Philadelphia. Presentations and dialogue will focus on the reasons causing gender wealth disparities and ways to close the gender wealth gap. Register in advance; admission is based on a sliding scale system, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. The quorum at the University City Science Center, 3675 Market St. participates in interactive workshops and discussions featuring Alicia Atkinson, Consultant; Faith Bartley, Why Not Prosper; Dr. Kendrick B. Davis, USC’s Center for Race, and Equity; Taina Estremera, WOMEN'S WAY Board Member, and Kelly Sheard, Director of the Gender Wealth Institute. [email protected], 215-985-3322 or womensway.org.

Get artsy this fall

Saturday, September 23, 2023. Is money tight after a summer of hefty activities? Worry not. Mark your calendar with the Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest. Enjoy a bunch of free live performances featuring a concert from the Philadelphia Orchestra. Check out fun events, giveaways, and some ticket deals to shows. Check out these festival-style performances from The Philadelphia Orchestra! concert requires a separate registration; $25 and $35 ticket deals to 25 shows. The festival showcases more than 50 arts organizations from the Philadelphia area. Free, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by the free general admission Philadelphia Orchestra concert at 3:30 p.m.. Concert tickets are required for entry into the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall. Ticket holders will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning about 45 minutes before show time. Concert entry is not guaranteed; arrive early. The Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org. 

 Let’s La Bomba on the Parkway

Sunday, September 24, 2023. Most everyone loves a parade! So, get ready to salsa down the Parkway at Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Day Parade. Celebrate Latino Culture at its stellar best. Indulge in traditional authentic music, poetry, and dance performed by youth groups, community organizations, and popular entertainment. The Puerto Rican Day Parade typically attracts 1,500 marchers, a crowd of more than 5,000, and 96,000 viewers locally on 6ABC (6abc.com). The oldest Latino non-profit in Philly, Concilio, is the organizer. Free, noon to 3 p.m. EST. Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. 16th to 23rd streets, ending at Eakins Oval. 215-627-3100, allevents.in or http://www.elconcilio.net.

'JobFest’ can work for you…

Tuesday, September 26 & Thursday, October 5, 2023. This is for the college graduates: Campus Philly aims to attract and keep college students in Greater Philadelphia. Its mission has a big-picture approach: Students attend higher institutions here and, after graduating, decide to stay, live, work, raise families, replenish the workforce with their highly-educated talents, and contribute to the overall lifeblood of the economy. Campus Philly’s JobFest, a career and networking fair, can forward those goals. On September 26th, take part in a virtual job fair on the Brazen platform, and then in person at a networking event of panel discussions and interviews on October 5th, hosted by Campus Philly and the University City Science Center. Employers will meet with entry-level career job-seekers from more than 30 colleges and universities and also with recent grads. Campus Philly is dedicated to assisting diverse college students and recent grads in Greater Philadelphia by attracting and retaining them (more than half stay here after graduating), as part of a “brain gain” effort. Free, Sept. 26th: online event, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST; Oct.5th, in-person event, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Venture Café Philadelphia, 3675 Market St. E-mail: [email protected]; 215-988-1707 or campusphilly.org.

Local artisans at the fall market

Through Sunday, October 1, 2023. Check out 20 vendors showcasing fine artwork, photography, jewelry, accessories, skincare products, glassware, and farm market food at the Made in Philadelphia Fall Market. Free entry, Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. City Hall/ Dilworth Plaza (west side), Broad Street, and John F. Kennedy Blvd. madeinphila.com.