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A guide to fun things to do in Philadelphia this weekend.

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Parker's big bet on Kensington's McPherson Square revamp

Despite recent public safety efforts, the square remains a haven for open-drug use and homelessness.

Public Safety

Work is now underway on the next phase of the renovation of McPherson Square in Kensington.The big picture: The rehab of the notorious public green space — widely known as Needle Park — could become the biggest test of Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/06/drug-treatment-center-philadelphia-holmesburg" target="_self">Cherelle Parker&#x27;s</a> ultimate goal of shutting down <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open-air drug markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="893fc9f1-b9f3-4bb5-9baa-9f4b0375da8e" data-vars-headline="Parker&#x27;s big bet on Kensington&#x27;s McPherson Square revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/29/xylazine-tranq-philadelphia-fentanyl" target="_self">open-air drug markets</a> in the neighborhood.

What to know about LeBron James' preseason debut against the Knicks

Preseason or not, it doesn't matter when the Knicks are in town.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeJawn era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" data-vars-content-id="4d46a984-c985-48e1-92b3-af68782896d5" data-vars-headline="What to know about LeBron James&#x27; preseason debut against the Knicks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" target="_self">LeJawn era</a> officially starts today.Why it matters: Sixers fans will get their first peek at how much LeBron James has left in the tank when he makes his preseason debut, likely logging limited minutes against the defending-champion Knicks.

Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus

Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense political pressure from the Trump administration.

Education

Philadelphia-area universities are largely failing to create a healthy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/08/24/fiu-students-ice-free-speech-aclu-florida" target="_self">free speech</a> climate on campus, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/10/free-speech-collge-student-censorship" target="_self">new national ranking</a>.Why it matters: Students are self-censoring at high rates amid intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/21/trump-higher-ed-shakeup-colleges-fall-semester" target="_self">political pressure</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="34700275-9134-4aba-8249-b818528783ec" data-vars-headline="Philly universities get poor marks for free speech on campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration and efforts by some universities to change policies in response.

Popular D.C. bakery Yellow puts on one-day pop up in Philly

Philly has no shortage of great bakeries or Middle Eastern food, but Yellow lives up to the hype.

Things to Do

One of D.C.&#x27;s hottest bakery-restaurants is popping up in South Philly on Sunday.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yellow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/07/09/yellow-cafe-union-market" data-vars-content-id="db1bc4cd-d5a6-4042-abea-bac9d0fef784" data-vars-headline="Popular D.C. bakery Yellow puts on one-day pop up in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/07/09/yellow-cafe-union-market" target="_self">Yellow</a> — chef Michael Rafidi&#x27;s white-hot, wood-fired cafe — takes over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Machine Shop" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.machineshopphilly.com/__;!!Al82Z4c!2LjthRdDqVl_vGJgOfc1RWUANHM3xJCjoLmZVaEEUZQA92mERWE5WYUORpWlk-rz--Lf5B7EeoQjjAA7shp7vvU9$" data-vars-content-id="db1bc4cd-d5a6-4042-abea-bac9d0fef784" data-vars-headline="Popular D.C. bakery Yellow puts on one-day pop up in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.machineshopphilly.com/__;!!Al82Z4c!2LjthRdDqVl_vGJgOfc1RWUANHM3xJCjoLmZVaEEUZQA92mERWE5WYUORpWlk-rz--Lf5B7EeoQjjAA7shp7vvU9$" target="_blank">Machine Shop</a> in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bok Building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.buildingbok.com/" data-vars-content-id="db1bc4cd-d5a6-4042-abea-bac9d0fef784" data-vars-headline="Popular D.C. bakery Yellow puts on one-day pop up in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.buildingbok.com/" target="_blank">Bok Building</a> for one day, slinging pastries and breads starting at 8am. <ul><li>Pita sandwiches will be sold at 11am until they sell out. </li></ul>

Big summer events bring uptick in earnings for Center City hotels

Airbnb hosts in Philly also welcomed travelers from more than 110 countries during the World Cup.

Business

Center City hotels saw a notable spike in revenue during Philly&#x27;s run of splashy summer events. Why it matters: The economic impact that the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/22/phillys-world-cup-report-card" data-vars-content-id="c88a4b0c-fc90-4de9-ad7b-96be9fff3385" data-vars-headline="Big summer events bring uptick in earnings for Center City hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/22/phillys-world-cup-report-card" target="_self">World Cup</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th celebrations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/05/philadelphia-july-4-concert-fireworks-will-smith-meek-mill" data-vars-content-id="c88a4b0c-fc90-4de9-ad7b-96be9fff3385" data-vars-headline="Big summer events bring uptick in earnings for Center City hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/05/philadelphia-july-4-concert-fireworks-will-smith-meek-mill" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th celebrations</a> and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="festivities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/16/philly-flyers-sixers-playoffs-ufc-sports-year" data-vars-content-id="c88a4b0c-fc90-4de9-ad7b-96be9fff3385" data-vars-headline="Big summer events bring uptick in earnings for Center City hotels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/16/philly-flyers-sixers-playoffs-ufc-sports-year" target="_self">festivities</a> had on the city are coming into sharper focus.

By the numbers: Waymo logs big miles in Philadelphia

Also spotted recently in Philly: Waymo's specialized van — Ojai.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s robotaxis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/04/waymo-coming-to-philadelphia-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="01b6e574-21b3-41c1-bea3-8058b01d8aea" data-vars-headline="By the numbers: Waymo logs big miles in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/04/waymo-coming-to-philadelphia-pennsylvania" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s robotaxis</a> have logged more than 150,000 autonomous miles in Philadelphia to date, a company spokesperson tells Axios. Context: The vehicles have been driving autonomously with a trained specialist on board since late 2025 in Philly proper. <ul><li>Besides Waymo&#x27;s signature Jaguar I-Pace EVs, the company recently began testing its specialized van — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ojai" data-vars-click-url="https://waymo.com/blog/2026/05/welcoming-riders-in-the-ojai/" data-vars-content-id="01b6e574-21b3-41c1-bea3-8058b01d8aea" data-vars-headline="By the numbers: Waymo logs big miles in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waymo.com/blog/2026/05/welcoming-riders-in-the-ojai/" target="_blank">Ojai</a> — in the city. </li></ul>

Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania

Anti-data center sentiment is spiking in the Keystone State as well as across the U.S.

Politics

Pennsylvania now has 135 data centers planned across the state, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/pennsylvania#data-center-faq" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/pennsylvania#data-center-faq" target="_blank">new analysis</a>.Why it matters: Anti-data center sentiment is spiking in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Keystone State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/14/data-center-philadelphia-region-campaign-josh-shapiro-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/14/data-center-philadelphia-region-campaign-josh-shapiro-pennsylvania" target="_self">Keystone State</a> as well as across the U.S., turning the projects into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potent political issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" data-vars-content-id="52af0356-f185-4abc-9af5-8980f3ec5e93" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" target="_self">potent political issue</a> ahead of the midterm elections.

Skill games face approaching ban in October across Pennsylvania

The fight over the table-top machines in gas stations and corner stores is at a tipping point after they have gone unregulated and untaxed for years.

Skill games throughout Pennsylvania are facing an effective ban in mid-October — unless state legislators find a solution.Why it matters: The fight over the ubiquitous table-top machines in gas stations and corner stores is at a tipping point after years of the games going unregulated and untaxed.

The freeze is over. The fallout for Pennsylvania's apple farms isn't

Philly-area farms that rely on fall argitourism are having to get creative to offset losses.

The night of the big April freeze, Norm Schultz couldn&#x27;t sleep. He stared at the thermometer at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Linvilla Orchards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.linvilla.com/all-hayrides?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24153490224&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADqkPiMtB3MpdsvnGsWAenh8Eali_&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwn67VBhBnEiwAXUIN1atrXXL-wprS4D4LzOoY24zE8p3jiFJkcGfXX9h7r7N6nieyD-MXUxoC3MwQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="cd6bcfcf-a7ff-40ed-8140-d3554a4a2b40" data-vars-headline="The freeze is over. The fallout for Pennsylvania&#x27;s apple farms isn&#x27;t" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.linvilla.com/all-hayrides?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24153490224&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADqkPiMtB3MpdsvnGsWAenh8Eali_&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwn67VBhBnEiwAXUIN1atrXXL-wprS4D4LzOoY24zE8p3jiFJkcGfXX9h7r7N6nieyD-MXUxoC3MwQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Linvilla Orchards</a>: 24 degrees — and dropping fast.<ul><li>As frost spread on the grounds, the orchard&#x27;s lead farmer thought, &quot;That&#x27;s a lot of hours to go before the temperature goes up.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: Pennsylvania is the nation&#x27;s fourth-largest apple producer. As fall arrives, farmers are reeling from one of the most destructive freezes in generations, which devastated fruit crops and left apples in short supply.

The anatomy of a biopharmaceutical ecosystem

Behind every medical breakthrough in the United States is a high-powered, relentless ecosystem — researchers, workers and communities — driving innovation forward.

Health

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/02izCNtwDAv_cfqATG3Ai_SdrMg=/2026/09/16/1789599755157.jpg&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: PhRMA – Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Behind every medical breakthrough in the United States is a high-powered, relentless ecosystem — researchers, workers and communities — driving innovation forward.<ul><li>It&#x27;s built on intentional policy and anchored by robust local engines. Right now, Pennsylvania is home to one of the most promising in the country, powered by Philadelphia&#x27;s world-class research corridor and stretching across the entire Commonwealth to yield massive returns.</li></ul>

Burlington Stores selects Philadelphia for new headquarters

Philly's gain is New Jersey's loss — the Fortune 500 company has been based in Burlington Township since it opened in 1972.

Burlington Stores is moving its corporate headquarters to West Philadelphia. Why it matters: Philly&#x27;s gain is New Jersey&#x27;s loss — the Fortune 500 company has been based in Burlington Township since it opened in 1972.

Philly nonprofit breaks Guinness World Record

The milestone is another flex for the group's founder, Drexel alum Evan Ehlers.

Philly nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sharing Excess" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sharingexcess.com/about#our-story" data-vars-content-id="1f9b8c57-4c61-478a-8e06-17b948d39c1f" data-vars-headline="Philly nonprofit breaks Guinness World Record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sharingexcess.com/about#our-story" target="_blank">Sharing Excess</a> helped set a new Guinness World Record for donating more than 543,000 pounds of fresh produce during a Canadian food rescue event last weekend.Why it matters: It&#x27;s another flex for the group&#x27;s founder, Drexel alum Evan Ehlers, who started the nonprofit in 2018 to help solve food security in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the nation&#x27;s poorest cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/11/philly-poorest-city-poverty-rate-decline" data-vars-content-id="1f9b8c57-4c61-478a-8e06-17b948d39c1f" data-vars-headline="Philly nonprofit breaks Guinness World Record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/11/philly-poorest-city-poverty-rate-decline" target="_self">one of the nation&#x27;s poorest cities</a>.

Philly's World Cup report card: Record crowds, packed hotels and a few headaches

Take a bow, Philly. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup is over" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/06/fifa-world-cup-philly-matches-fans-travelers-stats" data-vars-content-id="92b44a4a-0ed2-4ec5-83a7-988449b6ea9f" data-vars-headline="Philly&#x27;s World Cup report card: Record crowds, packed hotels and a few headaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/06/fifa-world-cup-philly-matches-fans-travelers-stats" target="_self">World Cup is over</a>. Now comes the hard part: grading ourselves.Why it matters: Philadelphia spent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/26/philly-is-betting-620m-on-250th-celebration" data-vars-content-id="92b44a4a-0ed2-4ec5-83a7-988449b6ea9f" data-vars-headline="Philly&#x27;s World Cup report card: Record crowds, packed hotels and a few headaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/26/philly-is-betting-620m-on-250th-celebration" target="_self">millions</a> preparing for its biggest international sporting event in decades. The question is whether the investment paid off.

A pen maker wants to make a timeless piece out of this Philly landmark

Ryan Jones has made pens out of America's most iconic wood, but he still has his eyes on Independence Hall.

From Mount Vernon to Wrigley Field, Ryan Jones has crafted pieces of American history into fountain pens.<ul><li>His collection includes a Civil War-era oak that once stood outside George Washington&#x27;s estate, a beam from San Diego&#x27;s historic Hotel del Coronado, wood from Churchill Downs, and Wrigley Field seats.</li></ul>Why it matters: There&#x27;s one iconic landmark still on the Kentucky master pen maker&#x27;s bucket list: Independence Hall.

Business 🏦

Big summer events bring uptick in earnings for Center City hotels

By the numbers: Waymo logs big miles in Philadelphia

Mapped: Data center pipeline in Pennsylvania

Skill games face approaching ban in October across Pennsylvania

The freeze is over. The fallout for Pennsylvania's apple farms isn't