Deck the Alley 2025
Dec
6
2:00 PM14:00

Deck the Alley 2025

Deck the Alley, the iconic holiday fundraiser, returns to Philadelphia’s most historic street on Saturday, December 6th, 2025. The Elfreth’s Alley Association invites the public to get a glimpse of contemporary life inside 18th and 19th-century houses, tour the Elfreth's Alley Museum, and immerse themselves in seasonal decor and song. Buy your tickets today to support the work of preserving this special place and sharing its history with visitors near and far!

We will be serving hot cider, snacks, and enjoying the music of carolers under decorations and lights. This event is a fundraiser for the Elfreth's Alley Association, which works to preserve the National Historic Landmark of Elfreth's Alley and interpret its history to visitors from near and far.

This event is rain (or snow) or shine!

BUY TICKETS

Your Ticket Also Opens the Door to Deals across Old City

Get ready to experience the magic of the Old City District like never before! With your Deck the Alley ticket, you're not just gaining entry; you're unlocking an exclusive treasure trove of deals at our amazing local spots that you absolutely can't miss! 

On December 6th only, showcase your entrance wristband* or your specially purchased Elfreth’s Alley wine glass to dive into a world of festive offers that will elevate your holiday spirit. Don't miss out on this chance to indulge in the best our community has to offer—it's the perfect way to celebrate the season! 

117 Restaurant and Brewery

(117 Chestnut Street)

1 half-price app and drink

Betsy Ross House

(239 Arch Street)

$2 off a tour ticket

Buena Vista Mexican Restaurant

(123 Chestnut Street)

15% discount on food, and 10% on drinks

Caladrino's Old City Vino

(110 N. 2nd Street)

10% off all bottles to go (take-out) for the day

Campos Philly Cheesesteaks

(214 Market Street)

 10% off any food or alcohol purchased

Christ Church

(20 N. American Street)

$1 off a self-guided tour ticket at Christ Church

Colorful Smoothies & Juice Bar

(303 Market Street)

20% discount

Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar

(10 S 2nd Street)

Access to their 3 for $30 Secret Menu

Kyber Pass Pub

(56 S 2nd Street)

10% discount

Malooga

(134 Chestnut Street)

Free hot drink with the purchase of food.

Mocha Melt Cafe

(124 Market Street)

20% discount

Panorama Restaurant and Wine Bar

(14 n. Front Street)

½ off any wine tasting flight with a purchase of an entree

Positano Coast

(212 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor)

10% food discount

Revolution House

(200 Market Street)

15% discount 

Riverwards

(146 N. Bread Street)

10% off the Elfreths Alley smoothie

Royal Boucherie

(52 S 2nd Street)

10% discount

Spasso Italian Grill

(34 S Front Street)

10% discount

*The entrance wristbands will be given when you check in at Deck the Alley

Your Deck the Alley Ticket also gives you access to free transportation to Elfreth’s Alley

Guests attending Deck the Alley on Saturday, Dec 6, are encouraged to park at Independence AutoPark at the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market Streets). From there, guests can walk half a block down 6th Street to PHLASH stop 14 (Liberty Bell Center), in front of La Colombe at 6th & Market. Guests who show their ticket (paper or digital) to Deck the Alley can ride PHLASH for free that day. They should take the bus from Stop 14 to Stop 17  at the Betsy Ross House. From there, Elreth’s Alley is a short walk up 2nd Street.

View or full transportation guide for parking and other options.

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Fall Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley
Nov
8
11:00 AM11:00

Fall Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley

The Elfreth’s Alley Association invites the public to a Makers Market on Saturday Nov 8th, 2024, from 11am-4pm! During this one-day event, local Philadelphia crafters, artisans, and regional makers will set up shop on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia’s most historic residential street.

Centuries of artisans, craftspeople, and working class folks lived on this street, and this event celebrates that history by inviting present-day artisans and craftspeople to continue their business on the Alley. It is FREE to attend, but we recommend bringing some money to purchase the fantastic items you'll find!

Featured vending includes artwork, plants, candles, jewelry, home goods, and vintage items. You won't want to miss it! 

Interested in being a vendor at our Fall Maker’s Market? Click here to fill out our form!

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The Alley Book Club: BRING OUT YOUR DEAD by J.H. Powell
Oct
25
4:30 PM16:30

The Alley Book Club: BRING OUT YOUR DEAD by J.H. Powell

Residents of Elfreth’s Alley, living in close quarters, were hugely affected by the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic, which killed roughly ten percent of the city’s population in a span of less than four months. J.H. Powell’s definitive account of this fearful and heroic time in Philadelphia offers a rich and deeply fascinating look into the hearts and minds of those who experienced this epidemic - and allows us to think about how our past history illuminates our present. Join local author Josh Hitchens along with special guest historian Dr. Paul Sivitz at 4:30pm in person at Elfreth's Alley Museum. Tickets are $10 and advance purchase is recommended.

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/elfrethsalley/the-alley-book-club-bring-out-your-dead

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Halloween on Elfreth's Alley: Anvil of the World with Jeff Joseph Katz
Oct
19
5:30 PM17:30

Halloween on Elfreth's Alley: Anvil of the World with Jeff Joseph Katz

An original one-person multimedia horror performance about industrialization in nineteenth century Philadelphia.

Accompanied by hand-drawn animation, Jeff Joseph Katz reads from the “newly-discovered” journal of Asa Lawler, a young smith’s apprentice in 1870 Philadelphia who finds himself terrorized by a strange disease — but not his own. And why does he keep finding chips of metal under his pillow? In the tradition of Shirley Jackson and Edward Gorey, Katz weaves an eerie tale of men and their machines.

This world-premiere performance will take place outdoors in our museum garden. Doors will open at 5:00pm, and the show will begin at 5:30pm and will end as the sun sets for maximum creepiness!

Tickets are on a sliding scale by $5 - $15. We highly recommend buying tickets in advance as seating is very limited. Get your tickets here!

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Jeff Joseph Katz is a white queer writer, maker, and film worker based in Philadelphia, PA. He works by any medium necessary to discover the secret passages between thinking and feeling. www.jeffjosephkatz.com

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Halloween on Elfreth's Alley: All Bones Considered with Joe Lex
Oct
19
11:00 AM11:00

Halloween on Elfreth's Alley: All Bones Considered with Joe Lex

On Sunday, October 19th, the Historic District will transform into a spooky destination, inviting everyone to come trick-or-treating in the area from 11:00am-3:00pm. Come visit Elfreth’s Alley to trick or treat at the museum and at other residences on the Alley (costumes are encouraged - our staff will be dressed up too!)

As a special Halloween treat, we are welcoming local author and podcaster Joe Lex to our museum garden where he will be discussing and selling signed copies of his new book All Bones Considered: 52 Laurel Hill Women. Joe Lex retired in 2016 after 45+ years in emergency medicine which he started as a combat medic in Viet Nam and ended as a professor of Emergency Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. When he took a tour of the historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, founded in 1836, he realized that the role of a cemetery docent seemed to suit his personality. After a year or so of giving tours, he decided that both cemeteries, East and West, really needed a podcast to talk about their amazing inhabitants. The result was "All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories", followed a couple of years later by "Biographical Bytes from Bala: Laurel Hill West Stories". Soon he had accumulated hundreds of scripts loaded with biographical and historical information, along with some pretty astounding stories of movers and shakers, artists, authors, and entertainers, scholars and educators, healers and givers, and the inevitable odds and ends - a woman who started her own religion, another who videotaped everything on television for 30 years, a 20 year-old religion instructor who died of a heroin overdose at the start of the 20th century, and a woman whose family thought that her husband had poisoned her for her wealth - and many more!

“People in Philadelphia are dying to get the stories of their lives narrated by Dr. Joe Lex - at least those who ended up becoming one of the “permanent residents” of its two Laurel Hill Cemeteries. Because he not only knows where all the bodies are buried - even better than that, he can make these dry bones speak. In this book, the city’s most jovial cemetery guide and most persistent podcaster shares tales about some of the most consequential women of Philadelphia. He re-animates for us the colorful details of their lives. He knows why they mattered, who they loved, what they struggled for - and most importantly, what they left behind. This book is a fascinating and delightful read for fans of local history.” — Peter Schmitz, author of Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

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First Friday: Remembering hitchBOT
Oct
3
4:30 PM16:30

First Friday: Remembering hitchBOT

Join us on Friday, October 3rd at the Elfreth’s Alley Museum from 4:30 - 7:30 for a special First Friday event commemorating the quirky tale of hitchBOT, the friendly hitchhiking robot whose journey came to an infamous end at the top of the Alley. This unique evening will feature robotics-themed activities, exploring creativity, technology, and the playful spirit of human–robot interaction. The Museum will be open free of charge, with staff and volunteers on hand to share the history of America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street.

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Philly Fringe: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Sep
5
to Sep 21

Philly Fringe: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

  • Elfreth's Alley Museum (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Elfreth’s Alley is excited to partner again with Indecorous Theatre (the talented troupe who brought Much Ado About Nothing to our museum garden last year) for the 2025 Philly Fringe Festival! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare is a big book of a lot of big plays written (allegedly) by some dead bisexual British bloke. Why would you read 37 (or 38?) plays when three living actors (maybe bisexual) can capture the laughter, tears, and romance in a single performance? This performance will be OUTSIDE at the Elfreth's Alley Museum. It's totally just like the Globe Theatre except in the back yard not in London and we won't call you groundlings (unless you ask us nicely). Please dress appropriately. 

Performances will be on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 6:00pm from September 5 through September 21.

Tickets are on sale at the Philly Fringe here.

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The Alley Book Club: THE QUAKER CITY by George Lippard
Aug
31
4:30 PM16:30

The Alley Book Club: THE QUAKER CITY by George Lippard

Inspired by a local true crime in 1843 and published as a Gothic novel in 1845, George Lippard’s The Quaker City or The Monks of Monk Hall is a sensational unveiling of the secret lives of Philadelphia’s elite in the nineteenth century that reads as a deliciously depraved soap opera - but it’s all based on true events that actually happened. This book was the first bestseller in American history, eclipsed seven years later by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s classic Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852. Meet in person at 124-126 Elfreth's Alley at 4:300pm on August 31 for a lively discussion of this extraordinary Philly story led by local author Josh Hitchens!

NOTE: This book can be difficult to find in a good and readable version. We recommend the University of Massachusetts Press edition from 1995, edited by David S. Reynolds. This edition can be found used at online retailers for reasonable prices, or through loan at your local library.

Tickets are $10.00. As seating is limited, purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.

https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/elfrethsalley/the-alley-book-club-the-quaker-city

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First Friday: Oracle Card Readings
Aug
1
4:30 PM16:30

First Friday: Oracle Card Readings

Join us for First Friday at the Elfreth’s Alley Museum! From 4:30pm-7:30pm, our museum will be open with free admission, refreshments will be available, and you can visit our beautiful secret garden to have your oracle cards read by Liz Welsh, founder of Should Is A Big Word! Oracle cards are primarily used for guidance, introspection, and divination. They offer insights into situations, provide inspiration, and help individuals connect with their intuition or higher self. Unlike tarot, which has a structured system, oracle cards offer a more free-flowing approach with diverse imagery and themes. 

This event is FREE to attend!

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Red, White, and Blue To-Do on Elfreth's Alley!
Jul
2
3:00 PM15:00

Red, White, and Blue To-Do on Elfreth's Alley!

On Wednesday, July 2, a vibrant display of celebration, Red, White, & Blue To-Do will bring together museums, historic sites, and local businesses in America’s most historic square mile to honor our nation’s founding. This monumental occasion promises to be a memorable experience for all, featuring the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, festooned decor, concerts, games, extended visitation hours at area historic attractions, restaurant specials, and much more.

The Philadelphia Historic District will come to life with a carefully curated lineup of musical street performances in eight locations on the afternoon of July 2 between 2 and 6 pm.

Elfreth’s Alley will host three musical guests in our back garden. This event is FREE and there will be a cash bar with refreshments available.

Elfreth’s Alley Musical Performances:

Amadou Kouyate

Manding griot

3:15 - 4:00pm, Elfreth’s Alley

Amadou Kouyate is a master musician and oral historian, continuing a 150-generation legacy of Manding Diali from West Africa. Born in Washington, D.C., he performs on the 21-string kora and traditional drums like the djembe and koutiro, blending ancient songs with contemporary jazz and blues influences. His performances have graced stages from The Kennedy Center to Carnegie Hall, and he has collaborated with groups such as Sweet Honey in the Rock and the National Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, Kouyate has served as an artist-in-residence at institutions including the University of Maryland and UMBC, sharing the rich traditions of West African music and storytelling with students and audiences alike.

The Misfortunes

Irish music

4:15 - 5:00pm, Elfreth’s Alley

Hailing from the heart of Philadelphia’s vibrant Irish music scene, The Misfortunes bring the raw energy and rich tradition of Irish folk music to life. This trio—Patrick Carroll (Uilleann pipes, whistles), Steve Stanislaw (banjo, fiddle, vocals), and Tim Buchanan (guitar, mandolin)—first crossed paths at local trad sessions, where their shared love for the tunes naturally evolved into a band.

Patrick and Steve have been playing together for years, weaving intricate melodies and driving rhythms that capture the soul of Irish music. With Tim recently joining the fold, The Misfortunes have found a fresh dynamic, blending tight instrumentation with the spontaneity and storytelling at the heart of the tradition. 

Dolphin and LaPrelle

Appalachian Ballads and Songs

5:15 - 6:00pm, Elfreth’s Alley

Elizabeth LaPrelle and Brian Dolphin are a married duo who share a love of bright vocal harmonies, eerie traditional songs, and heartfelt originals. Elizabeth is a world-renowned ballad singer and scholar from rural Virginia and Brian is a songwriter, producer, and ethnomusicologist who has studied folk music all over the world.

To learn more about Red, White, & Blue To-Do events and other musical performances, visit https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/red-white-blue-to-do-philadelphia-pa.

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Elfreth's Alley Day 2025
Jun
7
1:00 PM13:00

Elfreth's Alley Day 2025

Join us on June 7, 2025 for our annual summer open house, where residents of Elfreth's Alley open their opens to the public to show how 21st century life happens in 18th century homes! All proceeds benefit the non-profit Elfreths Alley Association to preserve the Alley and Museum.

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Spring Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley
May
3
11:00 AM11:00

Spring Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley

The Elfreth’s Alley Association invites the public to a Makers Market on Saturday May 3rd, 2025, from 11am-4pm! During this one-day event, local Philadelphia crafters, artisans, and regional makers will set up shop on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia’s most historic residential street.

Centuries of artisans, craftspeople, and working class folks lived on this street, and this event celebrates that history by inviting present-day artisans and craftspeople to continue their business on the Alley. It is FREE to attend, but we recommend bringing some money to purchase the fantastic items you'll find!

Featured vending includes artwork, plants, candles, jewelry, home goods, and vintage items. You won't want to miss it! 

Interested in being a vendor? Applications are open until April 11, 2025. Submit your request here!

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May First Friday: Make Your Own Zine!
May
2
5:00 PM17:00

May First Friday: Make Your Own Zine!

Join us on First Friday to get inspired to write down what matters to you. You'll learn to make your own 16-page zine from a single sheet of paper. You can use your mini-book to record your thoughts, write poetry, draw pictures, write a letter, make a recipe book, share your knowledge, or otherwise describe the realities of life around you.

Zines provide a low-barrier way for anyone to participate in writing the story of our lives.

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The Alley Book Club: The Diary of Elizabeth Drinker (Abridged Edition)
Apr
26
4:30 PM16:30

The Alley Book Club: The Diary of Elizabeth Drinker (Abridged Edition)

Join local author and historian Josh Hitchens for The Alley Book Club, meeting every two months to read and discuss works that shine a light on Philadelphia history. On April 27, we will be featuring The Diary of Elizabeth Drinker. Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker was a Quaker woman who lived near Elfreth's Alley and kept a detailed diary from 1758-1807. It is one of the most complete records of a woman's life in 18th century Philadelphia history.

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First Friday: Poetry on the Alley
Apr
4
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday: Poetry on the Alley

Celebrate National Poetry Month with us at Elfreth’s Alley’s very first First Friday event of the year. Poetry on the Alley is the perfect way to kick off the season and enjoy an unforgettable evening in one of Philadelphia's most historic spots. On April 4th, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, join us at the Elfreth’s Alley Museum for a fun, creative, and vibrant evening in the heart of Old City as we bring poetry to life.

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Museum Opening for 2025 Season
Apr
4
12:00 PM12:00

Museum Opening for 2025 Season

We’re excited to welcome you to the 2025 season at Elfreth’s Alley! The museum will open on Friday, April 4th, 2025 and remain open through the end of November. Join us every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Noon - 4pm to tour the museum house. Admission for adults is just $3.00 and goes toward conservation of the Alley.

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Fall Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley
Nov
2
11:00 AM11:00

Fall Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley

The Elfreth’s Alley Association invites the public to a Makers Market on Saturday Nov 2nd, 2024, from 11am-4pm! During this one-day event, local Philadelphia crafters, artisans, and regional makers will set up shop on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia’s most historic residential street.

Centuries of artisans, craftspeople, and working class folks lived on this street, and this event celebrates that history by inviting present-day artisans and craftspeople to continue their business on the Alley. It is FREE to attend, but we recommend bringing some money to purchase the fantastic items you'll find!

Featured vending includes artwork, plants, candles, jewelry, home goods, and vintage items. You won't want to miss it! 

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First Friday: Seafarers on Elfreth's Alley
Oct
4
5:30 PM17:30

First Friday: Seafarers on Elfreth's Alley

This summer, we’re finding new ways to participate with Old City Philadelphia’s First Fridays programming! Each month, one of our Board members is setting a theme, speakers, events, snacks, and the museum will be open for free!

It’s a wonderful way to find new places and become an Old City regular. Come on by!

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Philly Fringe Festival on Elfreth's Alley: Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
Sep
6
to Sep 22

Philly Fringe Festival on Elfreth's Alley: Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

Join us in the Elfreth’s Alley Museum garden for nine performances of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, presented by the Indecorous Theatre as part of the 2024 Philly Fringe Festival.

Performance Dates:

September 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

Performance Times:

6:00pm - 8:00pm

William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing: the originator of Enemies-To-Lovers. A story of old friends, misunderstandings, snarky banter, and complicated love.

Ticket Price: $20 (30% supports Elfreth’s Alley Association’s preservation efforts).

BUY TICKETS
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Elfreth's Alley Day 2024
Jun
1
1:00 PM13:00

Elfreth's Alley Day 2024

Join us on June 1, 2024 for our annual summer open house, where residents of Elfreth's Alley open their opens to the public to show how 21st century life happens in 18th century homes! All proceeds benefit the non-profit Elfreths Alley Association to preserve the Alley and Museum.

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First Friday - May 3, 2024
May
3
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday - May 3, 2024

Join us for a free event to celebrate First Friday in Old City and experience Historic Preservation first hand! Participate in our Preservation Scavenger Hunt, learn more about how the Museum houses and the Alley were preserved, and meet the new Elfreth’s Alley staff and board members.

All are welcome, admission is free, museum and gift shop are open.

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Deck the Alley 2023
Dec
9
2:00 PM14:00

Deck the Alley 2023

Our popular holiday open house fundraiser returns! Don't miss this unique opportunity to start the holiday season by seeing inside the homes of Elfreth's Alley while the sounds and smells of the holiday surround you.

Whether you've visited us for Deck the Alley or Fete Day before, or you were one of the 2,000+ people to stroll down for our Makers Market (wow!) we're so excited to celebrate with you! And this year we are excited to welcome back our Elfreth's Alley Holiday Elves - they will be peaking out of windows, around doors, and making their appearance throughout the Alley - come see how many you can find

Come visit us on December 9th, from 2-6pm. Feel free to contact us with any questions! This is a rain or shine (or even snow!) event.

BUY TICKETS HERE

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Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley
Nov
4
11:00 AM11:00

Makers Market at Elfreth's Alley

The Elfreth’s Alley Association invites the public to a Makers Market on Nov 4th, 2023, from 11am-4pm! During this one-day event, local Philadelphia crafters, artisans, and regional makers will set up shop on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia’s most historic residential street.

Centuries of artisans, craftspeople, and working class folks lived on this street, and this event celebrates that history by inviting present-day artisans and craftspeople to continue their business on the Alley. It is FREE to attend, but we recommend bringing some money to purchase the fantastic items you'll find!

Featured vending includes artwork, plants, candles, jewelry, home goods, and vintage items. You won't want to miss it! 

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First Friday at Elfreth's Alley: Historic Astronomy & the Night Sky
Oct
6
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday at Elfreth's Alley: Historic Astronomy & the Night Sky

This summer, we’re finding new ways to participate with Old City Philadelphia’s First Fridays programming! Each month, one of our Board members is setting a theme, speakers, events, snacks, and the museum will be open for free!

It’s a wonderful way to find new places and become an Old City regular. Come on by!

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First Friday at Elfreth's Alley
Sep
1
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday at Elfreth's Alley

This summer, we’re finding new ways to participate with Old City Philadelphia’s First Fridays programming! Each month, one of our Board members is setting a theme, speakers, events, snacks, and the museum will be open for free!

It’s a wonderful way to find new places and become an Old City regular. Come on by!

View Event →
First Friday at Elfreth's Alley
Aug
4
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday at Elfreth's Alley

This summer, we’re finding new ways to participate with Old City Philadelphia’s First Fridays programming! Each month, one of our Board members is setting a theme, speakers, events, snacks, and the museum will be open for free!

It’s a wonderful way to find new places and become an Old City regular. Come on by!

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First Friday at Elfreth's Alley - Featuring an Historic Building Scavenger Hunt
Jul
7
5:00 PM17:00

First Friday at Elfreth's Alley - Featuring an Historic Building Scavenger Hunt

This summer, we’re finding new ways to participate with Old City Philadelphia’s First Fridays programming! Each month, one of our Board members is setting a theme, speakers, events, snacks, and the museum will be open for free!

It’s a wonderful way to find new places and become an Old City regular. Come on by!

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