Passyunk Square’s illuminated hidden gem alley to transform into an open-air arts celebration with 40+ vendors, live painting and food from Phil Korshak
Philadelphia, PA – One of South Philadelphia’s most electrifying art destinations is throwing a final farewell party for 2026. After a summer bringing the community together, Nice Things Handmade and Percy Street Project announce the last of First Fridays on Percy Street on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on the 1300 block of S. Percy Street in the heart of Passyunk Square. This no charge community event is all ages, family friendly, fido friendly and will bring live music, live painting, 40-plus local vendors, and food to the glowing alley known for its illuminated murals.
Phil Korshak will be back in Philly serving up hot dogs and other treats from his new spot Korshak Parkside Provisions coming soon to 13th and Reed. Chilly Banana will be serving up dairy fr ee, vegan banana whips with all the magical toppings. Musical guests will include Huston West, Jacob Waters and DJ Linz and Mars. Live painting will be sponsored by Rosebear Arts representing four artists painting on a four sided f ree Mural wall. For other updates and surprises, follow the event on social at @nicethingsphila Instagram and Facebook.
The series unfolds on a block already famous for transformation. Percy Street is home to “Electric Street,” the neon light installation created by artists David Guinn and Drew Billiau in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Knight Foundation – a project that turned a once-troubled alley into one of the city’s most distinctive public art spaces. Quinn is the driving force behind Percy Street and maintains it with other artists and community members.
“Percy Street has always been about neighbors coming together and rallying to make something beautiful and joyful out of an overlooked corner of the city,” said Nice Things Handmade owner and founder Elissa Kara. “First Fridays is the next chapter to active a place where artists of every medium have somewhere to show their work. We want to bring the community together in an all new way and create a new South Philly summer tradition.”
Grilling and Chilling
Beloved Philly baker Phil Korshak returns to the grill, serving hot dogs and treats from his new spot, Korshak Parkside Provisions, coming this summer to 13th and Reed. On the sweeter side, Chilly Banana dishes up dairy-fre e, vegan banana whips with all the toppings. The Underbite Bites joins the line-up for October.
Live Music
Huston West on banjo at the Reed Street entrance; Jacob Waters at the 9th Street entrance; and DJ Linz and Mars spinning 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the middle of the block.
Live Painting
Organized by RoseBear Arts, four artists will paint live on a four-sided fre e mural wall, featuring local talent including Zach Woomer, Worldsgraytest Art, Luke Weichmann and more. A rotation of local artists will create seasonal mural installations throughout the series, adding to Percy Street’s existing vibrant artwork.
40+ Local Vendors
Handmade goods, art, jewelry and more from a deep roster of Philadelphia makers, including:
20regular
Alien Bratz
Butch & Bits
CalicoNebulaCrafts
Candice Wright Studio
Chained & Confused
Claire Z Designs
Cottage Industry Core
Cryptid Records
Dalia Peralta Studios
Doilies by Dani
EARTHLY For The Planet
Fever Dreams Artwork
Garnet Grove Ceramics
JFOX Jewelry
Jochre Studios
Kimiko Benjamin arts
Let’s Get Spooky
Little Treat
Lunart Shop
Manderamics
Meal Ticket Jewelry
Murderous Jewels
Nicholas Bennett Home
Night of the Living Thread
Old City Canning Co
Philly Womanwood
Print & Knot
Raison D’être Ceramics
Roselyn Dooley
Synergy Creative Studio
Taiku Herbal Wellness
The Little Sticker Shop
Tinkeringartist
Upside down girl art
Variedades Agata
Venus in Aries
First Fridays on Percy Street is a celebration of the neighborhood spirit that built the block, with local artists determined to create space for artists of all kinds.
First Fridays on Percy Street
Now extended to October!
4:00pm to 8:00pm
1300 block of S. Percy Street, Passyunk Square, Philadelphia
No charge to attend and open to the public
ABOUT NICE THINGS HANDMADE
Nice Things Handmade, located at 1731 East Passyunk Avenue, is a South Philadelphia gift boutique and art gallery curated by artist Elissa Kara. Nice Things supports 75 top artists from around the region, and across the country, that sell handmade ceramics, jewelry, clothing, prints, accessories and artwork. While other artists have turned to the internet in recent years, Kara provides a physical space where customers can see the details of the stitches, appreciate the variations in color and, most importantly, appreciate the quality found in the handmade. Kara herself is a featured artists at Nice Things Handmade, specializing in textiles and fibers. She even hand spins and hand-dyes her own yarns! For more information, call (267) 455-0256, visit nicethingshandmade dot com or follow @nicethingshandmade