How Philly Is Celebrating Taylor Swift This Week — and Beyond

Visit Philadelphia Donation

To welcome the superstar singer-songwriter, Visit Philadelphia took a cue from Swift’s history of philanthropy — and her love of the number 13 — by making a $13,000 donation to Rock to the Future, a Philly-based nonprofit supporting youth through student-driven music programs. The contribution supports 13 months of music education for an entire class of students.

(And if the video below reaches a combined 13,000 likes on TikTok and Instagram, Visit Philadelphia has pledged an additional $13,000.)

Parties

Taylor Swift Quizzo at SouthHouse

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 8 p.m.
Got more T-Swift knowledge than you know what to do with? Find a blank space and write your name for Taylor Swift Quizzo at SouthHouse. On top of bar prizes for top trivia winners, this gastropub features friendly servers, craft brews and some of the best gluten-free bar food in the neighborhood (2535 S. 13th Street).

Tay-Gate Parties at XFINITY Live!

May 12-14, 2023
Before each show, head to XFINITY Live! for all-ages Tay-Gate Parties featuring a soundtrack of Swiftie faves, themed cocktails for the 21-plus crowd, costume contests and more. Note: Separate tickets are required for these parties, which kick off at 2 p.m. each day (1100 Pattison Avenue).

Q102’s Taylor Swift Tailgate Party and Mural Unveiling

Friday, May 12, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.
Q102’s Bex & Buster kick off Taylor weekend in style with an official mural unveiling (made by local artist Emily Kelley) and a community tailgate party. The party features Taylor-themed grub by Bridget Foy’s, music all day and impossible-to-get Taylor Swift concert ticket giveaways (!!). The tailgate party is free-to-attend, with pay-as-you-go food and drinks. To enter the ticket giveaway contest, listen to Q102 at 3 p.m. on May 10 or May 11, 2023 (2nd and South Streets).

Taylor Swift Concert Pre-Game at Latchkey

Friday, May 12, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.
East Passyunk vinyl store Latchkey hosts its first-ever concert pre-game with 10% off all Taylor Swift vinyls, jams by DJ Marc Faletti and complimentary Red mini-cocktails. Bonus: Attendees can win cool prizes and vie for Swiftie supremacy at “Eras (Latchkey’s Version),” a custom Monopoly-style board game full of Taylor themes and trivia (1502 E. Passyunk Avenue).

  — Photo courtesy Latchkey

Food & Drink

Get your fill of Tay-themed sips and sweet treats at bars and bakeries all across the city:

Swiftie-Themed Drinks at Social House

This chill cafe in Fitler Square is serving up a special latte menu all week long. Options include the Red latte (drizzled with strawberry and chocolate), a coconut and caramel Fearless latte, and a cinnamon and vanilla Anti-Hero latte (2100 South Street).

Taylor Treats at Madison K Cookies

This NoLibs confectionery is churning out special Tay bakes this week, including little cookie cardigans and junior jewels cupcakes. Have a special request? Drop them a note on Instagram and it just might turn up in the cookie case (600 N 2nd Street).

Eras Tour Sweets at Beehive Bake Shop

Buzzing with excitement about this week’s shows? Head to this small-batch bakery in Fishtown on Friday and Saturday morning to score Taylor-themed sweet treats like Wildest Berry Dream donuts or the Honey Lavender Haze cheesecake. Wash it all down with a London Boy Fog latte (1764 Frankford Avenue).

The Eras Drink Tour at Taqueria Amor

This go-to spot for modern Mexican in Manayunk serves up a trio of Taylor-themed cocktails through Sunday. Sip on the mezcal and lavender-infused Meet Me at Midnight, the tequila and lemonade James Dean Daydream or go the frozen root with Take Me Out, a frozen grapefruit marg and elderflower float (4410 Main Street).

Upcoming Events

Can’t celebrate this weekend? No problem:

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at World Cafe Live

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 6 & 9 p.m.
You might want to pack a Cardigan (and where did we put that red scarf?) for this candlelit performance featuring string quartet covers of some of T-Swizzle’s biggest hits. Two shows begin at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. (3025 Walnut Street).

Shake It Off – Taylor Night + Dance Party at Underground Arts

Saturday, May 27, 2023 | 9 p.m.
Just think, while you’ve been gettin’ down and out about the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world, you could’ve been gettin’ down to this sick beat. Shake it off with fellow Tay fans at this dance party featuring a playlist of strictly Swiftie tracks, a photo booth and themed cocktails (1200 Callowhill Street).