Photo by Philip Adler and licensed under Creative Commons BY SA 2.0. Link.

Compiled by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Fall is jam packed with things to do in Philadelphia.

The autumn season is filled with festivals, concerts, exhibitions and more in the City of Brotherly Love.

There’s altogether too much to do. So here are a few reasons why you have no excuse for being bored in Philadelphia in September, October and part of November (for our purposes we’re calling the end of fall Thanksgiving… after that it just feels too much like winter).

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Center City Restaurant Week

Check out some of the best restaurants in the city during this week of dining deals, which runs Sept. 10-19. You can enjoy three courses for $35 for dinner or three courses for $20 for lunch. Check out centercityphila.org for a full list of participating restaurants and their menus.

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"Hello Blackout" by New Paradise Laboratories is part of the 2017 Philadelphia Fringe Festival by Fringe Arts. ( Photo provided by Fringe Arts )

Philadelphia Fringe Festival

The Fringe Festival is already going on, and primarily runs until Sept. 24 (although there are a few shows in October). There are more than 180 shows to go to, ranging from magic performances to theatrical plays to art installations to dance productions. Learn more about the Fringe Festival at fringearts.com.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Philadelphia Assembled

The Philadelphia Museum of Art's latest exhibit has taken over the Perelman Building (2525 Pennsylvania Ave., Fairmount). The exhibit is a mix of activism and art, centered around exploring issues that affect various communities in Philadelphia, from sovereignty to sanctuary, mass incarceration to gentrification. It runs until Dec. 10, 2017 and admission into the Perelman Building is pay what you wish throughout the exhibition's run. For more information visit phlassembled.net.

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Philadelphia's first Opera Festival is 12 days of happiness for opera lovers. Starting Sept. 14, there will be seven different performances, including three world premieres, in six different venues. Tickets range from $20 to $250. For more information visit operaphila.org.

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Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

Rittenhouse Square gets a makeover for this weekend-long festival Sept. 15-17. More than 140 artists from across the country will showcase their work, which includes sculpture, watercolor, mixed media and printmaking. The art show is free to peruse. For more information visit rittenhousesquareart.com.

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South Street Oktoberfest

Let the Oom-pah music be the soundtrack of Sept. 16 as Oktoberfest takes over the 700 block of South St. starting at noon. There will be folk dances, a liter lift competition, live music and 10 German beers on draft. You can also enjoy a plethora of German food. Those who wish to splurge can grab a VIP ticket ($115), which includes a Bavarian buffet from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., six tokens for beer and Brauhaus Schmitz swag (including a litermug). More information at brauhausschmitz.com.

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The Pancakes and Booze Art Show

Mark Sept. 16 in your calendars. Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St., North Philadelphia) will be filled with more than 80 artists, DJs and body painting… not to mention a free pancake bar for this show. Tickets are $10 at the door. The show begins at 8 p.m. For more information visit pancakesandbooze.com.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Philly Free Week

Always wanted to explore the Magic Gardens (1020 South St., Bella Vista)? You can for free from Sept. 17 to Sept. 22 -- provided you're a Philadelphia resident. The gardens will be waiving their standard $10 fee for residents of the City of Brotherly Love (simply bring a driver's license, Philly school ID or a piece of mail to prove your residency). Visit phillymagicgardens.org for more information.

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Promotional flyer for Philly Fashion Week.

Philadelphia Fashion Week

Unleash your inner fashionista at Philadelphia Fashion Week, which kicks off Sept. 18 and runs until Sept. 23. There are five different shows and a style gala, so come prepared to see all the great pieces Philly designers have to offer. Most of the activities are going on at The Tents at Dilworth Park. Visit phillyfashionweek.org for more information.

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This video of Terror Behind the Walls is from 2016.

Terror Behind the Walls

The fright fest begins on Sept. 22. Terror Behind the Walls takes place in Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Ave.), a decaying prison in Fairmount. It's one of the most famous haunted attractions in the country and includes two different experience options - one where the actors can touch you and one where they cannot. If you opt for the interactive scare, be warned -- you may be separated from your group and sent down hidden passageways. Tickets to the attraction range from $19-$45 based on when you choose to go. For more information visit easternstate.org.

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Video of Work Drugs' "Magic in the Night."

Philly Music and Arts Fest

Celebrate the Philadelphia music scene at this festival at World Cafe Live. Area bands will be performing at the venues two stages Sept. 22 and 23. Bands performing include Strand of Oaks, Work Drugs, West Philly Orchestra, Pine Barrons and New Sound Brass. The festival is about more than celebration Philly music though, it's also shines a light on Philadelphia food and craft beer scene. Expect to find brews by several Philly-area breweries on site, including 2SP, Flying Fish, Saint Benjamin and Wissahickon. Tickets for the festival range from $30 for a single day pass to $65 for both. More information at worldcafelive.com.

One of the performers, Strand of Oaks, also played at this year's XPN Fest. Here are photos from the festival.

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Mid-Autumn Festival

Philadelphia's Chinatown celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept. 23, a little earlier than the holiday (which is Oct.4). Starting at 12:45 p.m. there will be carnival games, crafts, mooncake-eating contests, music, dances and kung fu demonstrations. At 6 p.m. there will be a dragon dance, lantern parade and lion dance throughout Chinatown. For more information visit facebook.com/AsianAmericansUnited.

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Zwanze Day 2017

One of the rarest beers in the world will be on tap at a Philly bar for one day only. And, if we're honest, it'll only be on tap for a few hours (or maybe minutes). On Sept. 23, Monks Cafe (264 S. 16th St., Center City) will be participating in Cantillon Zwanze Day which is a celebration of Brasserie Cantillon's one-off lambic beer, the Zwanze. This year the lambic will be tea-infused. The Zwanze will be tapped at 3 p.m., but festivities begin at noon. Just note that it is cash only. For more information visit monkscafe.com.

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File photo by Tracie Van Auken

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are back in town starting Sept. 24 when they face the New York Giants at 1 p.m. They're back at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. against the Cardinals, and then on Oct. 23 at 8:30 p.m. against the Redskins, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. against the 49ers and Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. against the Broncos. For more information visit philadelphiaeagles.com.

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CiderFest at the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park

Enjoy the fall weather, tour historic homes and indulge in boozy cider at this event on Sept. 30 from noon until 4 p.m. Participating cideries that are offering up samples include Wyndridge Farm, Kuran Cider, Ploughman Farm Cider land Haymaker Meadery. Your ticket gets you transport from house to house, cider samples and self-guided tours of the historic home which include Woodford Mansion, Strawberry Mansion and Laurel Hill Mansion. There will also be live music and food trucks on-site. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 day-of. For more information visit fairmountpark.ticketleap.com/ciderfest.

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Image courtesy of the Franklin Institute.

Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor

Franklin Institute's newest exhibit opens Sept. 30 and runs until March 4, 2018. The Terracotta Warriors are thousands of years old. This exhibit utilizes augmented reality and multimedia displays to give visitors an in-depth look at these ancient figures and what they looked like when they were first created. This will be the only east coast stop for the exhibition too. Tickets for the exhibition are $35 for adults and $30 for children and include admission to the Franklin Institute (222 N. 20th St., Center City) Purchase tickets and learn more at fi.edu.

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Design Philadelphia

Celebrate the artistic community of Philadelphia in this festival. Running Oct. 4 to Oct. 14, it honors architects, designers and creatives with workshops, fashion shows, panels, book signings, studio tours, classes and other celebrations. More information at designphiladelphia.org.

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Photo by J. Griffin for VISIT PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia Orchestra

After a summer away, the Philadelphia Orchestra is back at the Center City's Kimmel Center (300 S. Broad St.) for another season. The group kicks off the 2017-2018 season with the Opening Night Concert and Gala on Oct. 5. They'll perform Beethoven's "First Movement from Piano Concerto No. 1" and two selections by Bernstein. Prior to that, though, you can hear the orchestra as they perform the soundtrack to "Amadeus," actually accompanying the film Sept. 21-23. Other fall performances include "West Side Story in Concert" (Oct. 12-15), "Deneve Conducts Mahler" (Oct. 19-21), "The Music of John Williams" (Oct. 28) and "Marsalis and The Planets" (Nov. 2-4). For a complete look at the season and to purchase tickets visit philorch.org.

Psst. pro tip: if you're between the ages of 21 and 40 you can join the orchestra's Young Friends program for free and score discounted tickets. You'll also get invites to exclusive parties and other events. More info about that at philorch.org/young-friends

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Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival

Cheer on the racers as they try to make it down the Schuylkill in record time aboard their dragon boats on Oct. 7 starting at 8 a.m. Dragon boat racing is a team sport, with up to 20 paddlers, steersperson and drummer on the boat and paddle in a way that originated in ancient China. It's magical to see. There will be food for sale at the concession area on Kelly Drive. For more information visit philadragonboatfestival.com.

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Stranger Things Dance Party

Head to the Upside Down for this party that's all things "Stranger Things" on Oct. 7 at Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St., Fishtown). The venue promises to be decked out with interactive decorations (we're hoping for customizable Christmas light messages). There'll be a mix of techno, synthwave and goth music from DJs Shearn and Wassup Gina. For those who prefer new wave and post punk music, they can head upstairs in the club. Costumes are encouraged. The fun starts at 10 p.m. and tickets are $5 for just the underground and $8 if you want to access the upstairs as well. More info at eventbrite.com/e/stranger-things-dance-party-the-upside-down-tickets-36126537446.

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Held annually around National Coming Out Day, Philadelphia's OutFest is the world's largest coming-out event, and it comes in the form of an old-fashioned block party. Restaurants and bars throw open their doors to host street-side cookouts and dance parties in The Gayborhood. Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADLEPHIA(r)

OutFest

Philadelphia celebrations National Coming Out Day with an epic party on Oct. 8. It happens in the midst of the Gayborhood (between Broad and 11th streets and Pine and Chestnut streets). Festivities begin at noon and conclude at 6 p.m. Expect drag shows, bar crawls and lots of dance parties. For more information visit phillygaypride.org.

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Photo M. Fischetti for VISIT PHILADELPHIA(r)

Old City Fest

Head down to Old City on Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for this celebration of one of Philadephia's oldest neighborhoods. You'll see the work of local artists while you explore Old City's shops, galleries and theaters. Learn more about the history of the neighborhood too. And, of course, it's a good time to check out some of the area's many great restaurants. For more information visit oldcitydistrict.org/oldcityfest.

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Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia



Chinatown Night Market Ye Shi

Chinatown becomes a festival ground for this street fair on Oct. 12. There's live music, crafts and lots of food trucks. You'll also be surrounded by the many restaurants and shops of Chinatown, all of which are worth exploring. The night market kicks off at 7 p.m. and goes on until 11 p.m. It is held on 10th St. between Arch and Vine streets and on Race St. between 9th and 11th streets. For more information visit yeshinightmarket.com.

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Pennsylvania Ballet

The Pennsylvania Ballet has two different shows being performed this fall. The first is "The Sleeping Beauty," with music by Tchaikovsky. This fairytale ballet runs Oct. 12-22 at the Academy of Music (240 S. Broad St., Center City). Celebrate contemporary ballet at "One Edge," which features three ballets including two world premieres, one by Helen Pickett and the other by Matthew Neenan. The production finishes with Alexander Ekman's "Episode 31." "On Edge" is Nov. 9-12 at Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St., Center City). Tickets for both shows range from $35 to $149 each. For more information visit paballet.org.

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Philadelphia Film Festival

The Philadelphia Film Festival runs Oct. 19-29 throughout the city. The films screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival often have been seen at Sundance, Cannes and Toronto film festivals. The festival also includes panels and other events with actors and directors. Badges for the festival range from $175 or a weekend pass to $500 for a full film festival pass to $1,500 for a VIP pass (which includes a ticket to M. Night Shyamalan's Halloween party). Admission to individual screenings will also be available. More information at filmadelphia.org.

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Photo by Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Ghost hunting

There are numerous spots that claim to be haunted in Philadelphia -- and quite a few ghost tours too. Here's a list of 13 spots in Philly where ghosts can be found (supposedly).

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Chestnut Hill Harry Potter Festival and Quidditch Tournament

Wizards roam the normally muggle-ridden streets of Chestnut Hill during this giant festival, which runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 on Germantown Ave. There will be a Deatheaters Dance Party, S.P.E.W rally, Secret Circus Aerialists, science of wizarding demonstrations, ice sculptures and a Sorting Hat. Head on down to Chestnut Hill College for the Philadelphia Brotherly Love Cup to see various colleges compete in the wizarding sport. For more information visit chestnuthillpa.com/harry-potter-festival-2017.

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Laurel Hill Cemetery. Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

"Dracula: A Gothic Mystery"

It's not everyday you can watch a theatrical telling of "Dracula" in a graveyard, but you can at Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Ave., North Philadelphia). With performances at 7 p.m. Oct 26-28, this is a truly unique way to experience Bram Stoker's classic story. Tickets are $25. Visit thelaurelhillcemetery.org for more information.

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Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival

The 37th Annual Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival runs Nov. 4-19 and will feature screenings of 35 films from 20 different countries. In addition to screenings, there will be post-film receptions and a cocktail party with Israeli actor Lior Ashkenazi. Tickets for the festival range from $65 for a five-film pass to $350 for an all-access pass. There are also tickets available for individual screenings. More information at pjff.org.

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Promotional photo of Alton Brown.

Alton Brown: Eat Your Science

Songs, puppets and the culinary world collide in this Alton Brown Live performance. There will also be lots of audience participation, according to Brown. He brings his tour to Philadelphia's Merriam Theater (250 S. Broad St., Center City) on Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $69 to $89. For more information visit kimmelcenter.org.

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Photo by Susan Walsh

Joe Biden's American Promise Tour

Former vice president Joe Biden is stopping in Philadelphia as part of his "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose" book tour. It's memoir chronicling his life in 2015, the year his son Beau Biden died. He'll be in Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the Academy of Music (240 S. Broad St., Center City). Tickets range from $45 to $125 and include a copy of his book. To purchase tickets go to kimmelcenter.org.

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Video from the 2016 Philadelphia Marathon.

Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon

Runners push themselves to the limit in this race throughout the City of Brotherly Love. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, while the marathon begins at 7 a.m. on Nov. 19. Both races start at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, North Philadelphia). For more information visit philadelphiamarathon.com.

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Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA(r)

Thanksgiving Day Parade

The oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country returns for another year on Thanksgiving Day. Exact information has yet to be announced for the parade, but in past years it has started around 8:30 a.m. and started at 20th St. and JFK Boulevard to 16th St. before heading down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway towards the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We’ll keep you in the loop, but best keep the morning of Nov. 23 free if you want to see the parade.

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Those are our 33 reasons... but we know we missed some

Let's be honest, there's an awful lot going on in Philadelphia that we didn't even hint at in our list.

We didn't go that heavily into the concerts coming to Philadelphia this fall, including Arcade Fire on Sept. 17 and Katy Perry on Oct. 12 both at the Wells Fargo Center. We only dabbled in the theatrical offerings too, not even referencing the fact "Psych" and "West Wing" star Dule Hill is going to be in a play this October in Malvern. Not to mention we failed to include the 90s/00s dance parties at the Barbary, which are always a great time.

So are there a lot more things to do than made our list? Yes. This is a starting point. Feel free to sound off on your reasons why one shouldn't be bored this fall in Philadelphia in our comment section.

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This story has been updated to correct the date of Old City Fest, which is Oct. 8.