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What is a Citizen?
Nov 20

November 20, 2025

What is a Citizen?

Youth voting activists from Penn and West Philadelphia High School recite monologues on what it means to be a citizen today. Food will be served. 

6:00 p.m.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

Exterior of the Kelly Writers House with a path to the front door.

September 2024

TuesdayTue24
Concrete on Paper
September 24

Through 05/01/2025

Concrete on Paper

Concrete on Paper examines concrete's past and present as a construction material. The exhibit showcases scientific papers on hydraulic materials and specialized imitation stone products in the late 18th century, along with popular do-it-yourself house building manuals of the mid-19th century.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

12:00a.m.

Close up of Fine Arts building, with green tree in front

October 2024

TuesdayTue1
Student Fieldwork Photography
October 1

Through 08/31/2025

Student Fieldwork Photography

On the first and second levels of the Penn Museum Library, visitors can view a collection of photographs by Penn students that reflect key themes from their fieldwork experiences in the past year. Contributing student photographers are from Penn's departments of Anthropology, Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World, Classics/Ancient History, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and History of Art. Free with Penn ID.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

12:00a.m.

PhD student Kristina Donnally conducting fieldwork in Lagash (southern Iraq) during the fall 2022 field season. She's standing in a sandy desert-like setting against a light-blue sky.

January 2025

SaturdaySat18
Nature Never Loses
January 18

Through 04/06/2025

Nature Never Loses

The Institute of Contemporary Art presents the first in-depth survey of the work of Carl Cheng, who has worked through six decades presenting work in a variety of media to reflect on environmental change. The exhibit covers both floors of the ICA.

Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St.

12:00a.m.

FridayFri31
Manuscript to Manga
January 31

Through 05/19/2025

Manuscript to Manga

Penn Libraries and the Penn Museum present materials held in their collections that reflect upon the creators, modes, and influences of the Ainu, Indigenous peoples connected to the northern islands of Japan and parts of Russia. This exhibit is co-curated by Stephen A. Lang, Eri Mizukane, Rebecca Mendelson, and Deborah Stewart.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library and Penn Museum

12:00a.m.

Van Pelt Library.

March 2025

MondayMon24
SaturdaySat29
Into the Blue: The Pursuit of a Color
March 29

Through 03/31/2026

Into the Blue: The Pursuit of a Color

A new exhibition curated by students in Penn's School of Arts & Sciences will explore the deep human history associated with the color blue. Into the Blue will span 4,000 years—displaying 20 objects from across the Penn Museum’s collections, including select artifacts from the Middle East, China, Africa, ancient Egypt, and Central America. The exhibition will examine three themes: Obtaining Blue, Making Blue, and Synthesizing Blue. On view through spring 2026. Included with Museum admission.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

12:00a.m.

inside the sno+ detector

April 2025

FridayFri4
Penn AI Governance Workshop
April 4

Penn AI Governance Workshop

The inaugural Penn AI Governance Workshop will unite researchers across Penn working on responsible and safe artificial intelligence. The event, co-sponsored by the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative, the Wharton Accountable AI Lab, the School of Engineering & Applied Science, the Center for Technology, Innovation & Competition, and the Perry World House, will include panel discussions and lightning talks from researchers. Free and open to the Penn community. Register to attend.

Perry World House, 3803 Locust Walk

9:00a.m.

A computer chip illuminated and elevated with the letters AI printed on it.
Studio Use Training: Letterpress Printing
April 4

Studio Use Training: Letterpress Printing

Participants will learn and practice the basics of letterpress printing and typesetting. Instructed by Erica Honson, the studio coordinator of Common Press, attendees will use metal and wood typefaces to create prints. This orientation is required for working on independent projects at Common Press. No experience necessary.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

10:00a.m.

two sets of arms over a hand-operated printing press, one set with gloved hands putting ink on a metal cylinder and the other placing a printing plate with an image of a tree without leaves on the flat surface in front of the cylinder
Improv for Interviewing
April 4

Improv for Interviewing

Penn Career Services often hears feedback from employers that Penn students get “stuck in their head” or are “unable to go off script” in interviews. Participants will learn ways to combat these pitfalls using theater-style improv techniques.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

12:30p.m.

Person sitting at personal laptop holding hand out as though in discussion virtually.
Lunch & Learn: Communicating with Faculty
April 4

Lunch & Learn: Communicating with Faculty

Participants will learn best practices for communicating with faculty at Penn. This session will focus on how to craft a clear, well-thought-out email to a faculty member to request support in coursework or research interests. Register to attend in-person or virtually. A graduate student ID is required.

Hybrid; Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

12:15p.m.

SundaySun6
Engoma Enteera: Classical Music from Uganda
April 6

Engoma Enteera: Classical Music from Uganda

Orchestra 2001 presents chamber music by Justinian Tamusuza, a leading voice in contemporary African art music and Uganda’s foremost living composer. Tamusuza’s sound bridges African and European cultural and stylistic boundaries.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

2:00p.m.

MondayMon7
Brìghde Chaimbeul: Artist Talk and Demo
April 7

Brìghde Chaimbeul: Artist Talk and Demo

Brìghde Chaimbeul, a leading purveyor of Celtic experimentalism and master of the Scottish smallpipes, will give an artist talk and demonstration. This event is supported in part by The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation. Free and open to the public.

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.

12:00p.m.

Models of Excellence Awards Ceremony
April 7

Models of Excellence Awards Ceremony

Penn will recognize outstanding staff members who play key roles in the University’s successes. The awards are presented in three categories: Models of Excellence, Pillars of Excellence, and Model Supervisors. Special guests include Penn's Glee Club and the 2025 Models of Excellence staff honorees.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

4:00p.m.

models of excellence celebration
Opening Reception for Makoto Fujimura: Transfiguration
April 7

Opening Reception for Makoto Fujimura: Transfiguration

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation will hold a reception and artist talk celebrating the opening of “Makoto Fujimura: Transfiguration,” a triptych to be displayed in the Arts Lounge at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Free and open to the public.

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.

6:00p.m.

sachs art lounge in annenberg
WednesdayWed9
Preparing to Teach: Perspectives from ESL Faculty
April 9

Preparing to Teach: Perspectives from ESL Faculty

Convened by Ellen Munsterman of Penn’s School of Nursing, this workshop will feature a panel discussion on strategies for leading a classroom in English as an instructor who speaks English as a second language. Facilitated by Se Hee Min, who specializes in family and community health, and Hyejeong Hong, a biobehavioral and health sciences expert. This is part of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Innovation Teaching Certificate Series. All graduate students are welcome.

Hybrid; Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Blvd.

12:00p.m.

Seated students in a classroom raise their hands while a teacher stands at the head of the classroom
Future of the Four-Year Degree
April 9

Future of the Four-Year Degree

Organized by Penn's Faculty Senate, this panel will focus on the sustained criticism of higher education and ask whether the four-year college degree will (and should) survive, and whether there are plausible alternatives to the conventional college degree. The event will be moderated by Penn Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. Register for in-person or virtual attendance.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 202 S. 34th St.

4:30p.m.

Fisher Fine Arts exterior.
Lessons in Repairing Historical Harm
April 9

Lessons in Repairing Historical Harm

Deirdre de la Cruz, an associate professor of History and Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan, will discuss how the historical and contemporary specificities of the Philippines and its diaspora both contribute to and complicate ongoing conversations around museums and historical justice. Free and open to the public.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

5:30p.m.

Penn Museum exterior and entrance
Ten Simple Steps to Find Your Passion and Change the World
April 9

Ten Simple Steps to Find Your Passion and Change the World

Barbara Greenspan Shaiman, a Penn alumni and founder of the nonprofit organization Champions of Caring, will detail her ten-step approach for building a personally meaningful legacy. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, Shaiman will share stories from her family history and over thirty years of her own life experience in education, business, and social entrepreneurship.

Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.

5:30p.m.

Entrance of Penn Bookstore with festive decoration.
A Look Inside the Materials Library
April 9

A Look Inside the Materials Library

In this virtual talk, Mia D’Avanza, the Penn Libraries’ Director of the Fisher Fine Arts Library, and Michael Carroll, Assistant Director of the Fisher Arts Library, will share how sustainable, recycled, and eco-friendly materials spark innovation and creativity. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look into how the Materials Library supports research at Penn. This event is open to the public. Register to attend.

Virtual

7:00p.m.

Fisher Fine Arts Library
ThursdayThu10
Unsettling Global Media and Communication Studies
April 10

Through 04/11/2025

Unsettling Global Media and Communication Studies

The two-day conference will feature four distinct panels, a keynote address on Thursday evening, and a closing session. These sessions will examine how political crises may influence scholarly pedagogies and methodologies. Speakers will interrogate the broader insights that global media studies can offer in the wake of crises.

Annenberg School for Communication, 3620 Walnut St.

12:00a.m.

stock image of world depicting global connection
Proxy Landscapes Symposium
April 10

Through 04/11/2025

Proxy Landscapes Symposium

Proxy Landscapes is a two-day symposium that will explore how numerous landscapes act as proxies for remote sites, processes, and transformations that are otherwise inaccessible or unobservable. Designers, historians, anthropologists, and theorists will discuss landscapes that carry traces of hidden phenomena or act as indicators of latent processes. The symposium is organized by associate professor Robert Pietrusko of the Department of Landscape Architecture and hosted by the McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology. Free and open to the public.

Various locations

12:00a.m.

fog rolling in over mongolia water
Wharton People Analytics Conference
April 10

Through 04/11/2025

Wharton People Analytics Conference

This two-day conference explores the latest advances and urgent questions in people analytics, including upskilling, AI, and the future of work, as well as networking opportunities for students, academics, and industry experts.

Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut St.

12:00a.m.

Crosswalk with pedestrians overlaid by 1s and 0s.
Managing Media Overload
April 10

Managing Media Overload

Erica Weitz, an assistant professor at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety in the Perelman School of Medicine, will present about skills related to managing media overload and discuss strategies for putting down our devices.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

a person sitting on a stack of open magazines and newspapers working on a laptop
Penn Jazz Ensembles
April 10

Penn Jazz Ensembles

Penn Jazz Ensembles will present a night of jazz repertoire. The group’s style is varied, drawing influence from early jazz, 1950s-era straight ahead jazz, Cuban jazz, vocal jazz, and jazz arrangements of current popular music. Free and open to the public.

Fisher-Bennett Hall, 3340 Walnut St.

6:00p.m.

music
FridayFri11
Generative AI and Entrepreneurship
April 11

Generative AI and Entrepreneurship

This panel, hosted by Penn Engineering Entrepreneurship as part of their day-long 25th anniversary celebration, will highlight the importance of AI for the next generation of business leaders and showcase how Penn will continue to be at the forefront of this evolving field.

Amy Gutmann Hall, 3317 Chestnut St.

10:30a.m.

computer chip
Rethinking Archives on Afghanistan
April 11

Rethinking Archives on Afghanistan

This panel, moderated by Paniz Musawi Natanzi, a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities at the Wolf Humanities Center, brings together artists, librarians, and scholars to discuss challenges in maintaining archival collections related to Afghanistan and its diasporas.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

1:00p.m.

Contemporary African Art in a Global Context
April 11

Contemporary African Art in a Global Context

This expert panel will explore the stakes and challenges involved with bringing African artists to an international stage, asking key questions about the future of art in a contemporary context. The event is sponsored and organized by the Undergraduate Advisory Board in the History of Art Department at Penn.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

3:30p.m.

windows in stairwell of fisher fine arts
Celebrating 50 Years of Penn Dance
April 11

Celebrating 50 Years of Penn Dance

This multimodal, milestone performance will honor the past five decades of the Penn Dance company. Each piece will reflect a journey through the company’s evolution, from its founding in 1975 to the thriving community it is today. The event will also pay tribute to Penn Dance alumni who have shaped the company over the years.

Iron Gate Theater, 3700 Chestnut St.

7:00p.m.

Penn Dance Company performing on stage at Carnegie Hall.
SaturdaySat12
Magnolias and More
April 12

Magnolias and More

Participants will explore a unique view of Morris Arboretum while walking up the gentle Magnolia Slope to see magnolias, dogwoods, and conifers. This rarely walked area captures the spring beauty of flowering trees contrasted with the majestic conifers.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

11:00a.m.

Inside Morris Arboretum.
MondayMon14
The Impact of AI on (Mis)Information
April 14

Through 04/15/2025

The Impact of AI on (Mis)Information

The Center for Information Networks and Democracy will convene its second annual workshop featuring a robust lineup of scholars to discuss how AI is transforming the information environment, including how we can analyze (and anticipate) the consequences of that transformation. A Penn ID is required to attend.

Annenberg School for Communication, 3620 Walnut St.

9:00a.m.

A hand holding a smartphone with news info in front of a laptop open to news.
Financing Local Development Worldwide
April 14

Financing Local Development Worldwide

Eugenie Birch, co-director of Penn Institute for Urban Research (IUR), and William Glasgall, a Penn IUR fellow and Volcker Alliance public finance advisor, will host a panel of current and former global mayors examining how cities can plan for financial growth and shared prosperity amid technological change and the green transition.

Virtual

11:00a.m.

A hand holding a crystal ball with finance charts and graphs inside.
TuesdayTue15
Research Flash Talks
April 15

Research Flash Talks

Presented by Penn’s Makuu: The Black Cultural Center, this event will allow community members to connect on conversations around cultural heritage, exciting research opportunities, shared experiences, and more. Sign-ups to be released.

Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

12:00p.m.

WednesdayWed16
Navigating Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom
April 16

Navigating Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom

This panel will explore the barriers to productive dialogue and examine the roles that Penn faculty and students have to play in cultivating classrooms that support critical thinking, curiosity, and civil discourse. Lunch will be provided. Register to attend.

Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St.

12:00p.m.

ThursdayThu17
People and Animals after 1492
April 17

People and Animals after 1492

Marcy Norton, an associate professor of History at Penn, explores how ongoing encounters between Indigenous and settler communities in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Amazonia transformed the modern world. During this talk, as part of the Global Discovery Lecture Series presented by Penn Alumni Lifelong Learning, Norton will challenge the idea that treating animals as livestock is a natural and normal way to interact with other creatures. Attendees will be invited to question the notion that animal domestication and husbandry are necessary for cultural progress. Register to attend.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

cows at the penn dining yogurt farm
Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
April 17

Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Through a film screening of “The Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment” and subsequent discussion, participants will examine the origins and nature of the Eighth Amendment. The event will focus on the concept of “evolving standards of decency” in the U.S., especially pertaining to the death penalty for juvenile offenders.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

A person holding a pocket Constitution.
The Future of AI
April 17

The Future of AI

Yann LeCun, chief AI scientist at Meta and recipient of the ACM Turing Award, the “Nobel Prize of Computing,” will join the School of Engineering and Applied Science for a fireside chat exploring the future of artificial intelligence. Register to attend.

Amy Gutmann Hall, 3333 Chestnut St.

5:30p.m.

Profile of a human head with zeros and ones superimposed to imply thinking about algorithms.
FridayFri18
The Inspiration Presents ‘Black Odyssey’
April 18

The Inspiration Presents ‘Black Odyssey’

Attendees will experience “Black Odyssey,” an a cappella journey celebrating the resilience and culture of the Black community through soulful melodies and rich harmonies.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

8:00p.m.

SaturdaySat19
Penn Sound Collective
April 19

Penn Sound Collective

Graduate students Max Johnson and Eliana Fishbeyn take the stage in this edition of Music in the Stacks, a collaborative series between the Albrecht Music Library and the Department of Music bringing musicians into Penn library spaces for performances throughout the year. Registration is required for those without a PennCard.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

3:00p.m.

MondayMon21
Earth Week at Penn
April 21

Through 04/27/2025

Earth Week at Penn

During the week of Earth Day, Penn Sustainability presents an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in cross-disciplinary events designed to foster environmental stewardship and positive change. This year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet.

Events across campus

12:00a.m.

TuesdayTue22
Annual Spring Skillshare at Bartram’s Garden
April 22

Annual Spring Skillshare at Bartram’s Garden

This skillshare event, held annually at Bartram’s Garden in West Philadelphia, is designed for Philadelphia-based gardeners and local food growers. Activities include working together on the land, sharing a lunchtime meal, and two workshop blocks for beginner and seasoned gardeners focused on building self- and community reliance.

Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

9:30a.m.

three people work in a garden
Upcycle Your Old T-shirt into a Reusable Grocery Bag
April 22

Upcycle Your Old T-shirt into a Reusable Grocery Bag

In honor of Earth Day, attendees will recycle and upcycle with the Leon Levy Dental Medicine Library. Participants can bring old t-shirts and learn how to transform them into no-sew reusable grocery bags.

Levy Dental Medicine Library, 240 S. 40th St.

11:30a.m.

An outline of the globe nested in a lush forest of green trees.
Houston Hall Spring Porch Party
April 22

Houston Hall Spring Porch Party

Hosted by the Houston Hall Student Union during Earth Week, the annual Spring Porch Party will include activities like home bamboo planting, an “Eight Dimensions of Wellness Fair,” and games like corn hole, giant Jenga, and bouncy basketball. Free snow cones, plant-based lattes, and spring-themed refreshments will be provided.

Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

2:00p.m.

Two students sitting for a caricature drawing at the annual Spring Porch Party. An artist is drawing their picture. Both students are smiling.
Emma Copley Eisenberg: Reading and Conversation
April 22

Emma Copley Eisenberg: Reading and Conversation

Emma Copley Eisenberg, the Philadelphia-based author of the novel “Housemates,” a national bestseller and named best book of the year by The Boston Globe, People, NBC, Them.Us, Autostraddle, and Kirkus Reviews, will visit for a reading and conversation with the Penn community.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

6:00p.m.

Kelly Writers House Entrance.
WednesdayWed23
Sustainable Collections at Fisher Library
April 23

Sustainable Collections at Fisher Library

Attendees will learn more about the sustainable collections housed in Penn’s Materials Library, including buttons made from discarded milk, bricks made from paper, and packaging made from mushrooms. Visitors can also browse the circulating book collection about sustainable design, art, and architecture.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

12:30p.m.

main story alt tag
Social Reform in Early Philadelphia
April 23

Social Reform in Early Philadelphia

Bethany McGlyn, a doctoral candidate and Jefferson Scholars Foundation Fellow at the University of Virginia, will discuss the study of craft labor, material culture, and social reform in the early national period of Philadelphia between 1783-1840.

Hybrid; McNeil Building, 3718 Locust Walk

12:00p.m.

Documentary as Praxis: Misogynoir in Medicine
April 23

Documentary as Praxis: Misogynoir in Medicine

The Center for Media at Risk Visiting Scholar Moya Bailey will discuss making her first solo-directed documentary, “Misogynoir in Medicine.” The conversation will focus on the shifts that occur when collaborating with a team of creators and interviewees who shape the project through their active participation.

Annenberg School for Communication, 3620 Walnut St.

12:00p.m.

Teacher Talks: Mythology in Context
April 23

Teacher Talks: Mythology in Context

Focusing on classical mythology, participants will uncover how these stories have shaped lives, reflected values, and inspired extraordinary feats of exploration and imagination. Attendees will learn how myths once rooted in specific places and contexts continue to resonate with modernity.

Penn Museum, 3260 South St.

4:30p.m.

Penn Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
April 23

Penn Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching

During this reception, the Vice Provost for Education and the Center for Teaching & Learning will celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Penn Prize for Excellence in Teaching by Graduate Students. The event is free and open to the Penn Community. Register in advance.

Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk

5:00p.m.

People huddled together in front of bright window in the Graduate Center.
ThursdayThu24
Penn Relays
April 24

Through 04/26/2025

Penn Relays

Penn hosts this year’s Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States—held annually since April 1895.

Franklin Field, 235 S. 33rd St.

12:00a.m.

relays
Climate Action Planning in Indian Cities
April 24

Climate Action Planning in Indian Cities

Lubaina Rangwala, program head of urban development and resilience with the Sustainable Cities and Transport team at the World Resources Institute, India, will discuss opportunities and challenges for climate action planning in Indian cities, with emphasis on a case study of Mumbai (not pictured).

Perelman Center for Political Science & Economics, 133 S. 36th St.

12:00p.m.

Traffic in New Delhi with pedestrians, buses, and tuktuks.
BioBlitz with Penn Biology Department and Penn Vet
April 24

BioBlitz with Penn Biology Department and Penn Vet

The School of Veterinary Medicine and Biology Department staff will provide an overview of wildlife at Kaskey Park during the Spring BioBlitz. Participants can help spot and identify wildlife, take photos, upload information to the iNaturalist app, and learn from experts about frogs, insects, birds, and other animals.

James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, 433 S. University Ave.

1:00p.m.

A person holding an insect at Penn’s BioPond.
FridayFri25
Reframing Leisure, Humor, and Play
April 25

Reframing Leisure, Humor, and Play

This symposium brings together scholars of digital culture to consider global perspectives on the changing nature of leisure, humor, and play in the digital age. Speakers will examine the blurring boundaries between leisure and work through notions like “fan labor,” the broadening of “digital play” outside of its typical framing in early childhood development, the ramifications of viral memes and online humor for political and social landscapes worldwide, among other themes. Register to attend.

Annenberg School for Communication, 3620 Walnut St.

9:00a.m.

a person sitting on a stack of open magazines and newspapers working on a laptop
F is for Food-Related Stress
April 25

F is for Food-Related Stress

Food is central to daily life and eating can sometimes prompt feelings of stress, shame, and frustration. Aligned with National Nutrition Month, this session will discuss common feelings about food and ways to navigate feelings of stress.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

A person taking food out of the fridge late at night.
Collecting Penn Memorabilia
April 25

Collecting Penn Memorabilia

Hosted by the Kislak Center, Penn alumna Susan Molofsky Todres offers a rare glimpse into a wide array of memorabilia stored in the University Archives. Collections include Penn-centric material from the 19th and 20th centuries. RSVP to attend.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

a tall aisle of cardboard boxes
Workshop: Origami with Bioplastics
April 25

Workshop: Origami with Bioplastics

Participants will receive step-by-step instructions for origami designs, ranging from “simple” to “complex,” and will fold origami with sheets of bioplastics made at the Fisher Fine Arts Materials Library. The event will include a demonstration of making DIY bioplastics.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

1:00p.m.

north facade of fisher fine arts library
Music in the Pavilion: Tempesta di Mare Recital
April 25

Music in the Pavilion: Tempesta di Mare Recital

As part of the America 250 at Penn and Music in the Pavilion series, esteemed musicians Julianne Baird, Sarah Fleiss, and Joyce Lindorff will perform songs and instrumental selections from the music room of Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis Lewis, George Washington’s step-granddaughter.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

6:15p.m.

Sheet music laid atop a page of handwritten notes
SaturdaySat26
Morris Arboretum: Hidden Gems Tour
April 26

Morris Arboretum: Hidden Gems Tour

From hidden structures and sculptures to peculiar walkways, trees, and vistas, participants will learn about garden features off the beaten path or hidden in plain view. Free with general admission. Visitors will meet at the Welcome Center.

Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

11:00a.m.

Morris Arboretum plants and stream looking into a field of green.
MondayMon28
Sachs Program 2025 Grant Awards Celebration
April 28

Sachs Program 2025 Grant Awards Celebration

The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation will announce the recipients of its 2025 annual grant awards and celebrate students and faculty awarded earlier in the academic year. Penn Vice Provost for the Arts Timothy Rommen will share welcoming remarks.

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.

5:00p.m.

sachs art lounge in annenberg
TuesdayTue29
Annual Zine Fest
April 29

Annual Zine Fest

Zine makers and DIY-print enthusiasts are invited to join the annual Zine Fest at Kelly Writers House, co-organized by students in Weitzman School Lecturer Kayla Romberger’s Pixel to Print course.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

2:30p.m.

A yellow and green victorian house
Coffee in 18th-Century Philadelphia
April 29

Coffee in 18th-Century Philadelphia

Attendees will learn about the historical significance of Philadelphia’s coffeehouses as hubs of political activity and debate in the decade leading up to the Declaration of Independence. This event is part of Penn's America 250 programming.

Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

5:15p.m.

Burlap sacks full of coffee beans.
WednesdayWed30
Reflections on the Wars: Then and Now
April 30

Reflections on the Wars: Then and Now

A roundtable of Penn faculty and alumni will discuss the history of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian Americans in the Greater Philadelphia area over the last half-century. With 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam and other conflicts in Southeast Asia, the Asian American Studies Program invites community members to share stories of resilience and achievement to foster understanding and promote reconciliation.

McNeil Building, 3718 Locust Walk

5:00p.m.

Vietnam

May 2025

ThursdayThu1
Opening Reception: Scattered Earth, Sounded Depth
May 1

Opening Reception: Scattered Earth, Sounded Depth

The opening reception of “Scattered Earth, Sounded Depth: Penn Fine Arts MFA Thesis Exhibition” will feature the work of Eissa Attar and Alvin Luong, marking the return of the MFA Thesis Exhibition to campus. This event provides attendees the chance to hear directly from the artists and connect with the Penn community.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

5:00p.m.

Window looking out from Fisher Fine Arts Library.
FridayFri2
Podcasts & Digital Scholarship
May 2

Podcasts & Digital Scholarship

This talk will introduce some of the approaches graduate students and early-career scholars are taking to create or contribute to podcasts for sharing research more broadly. The event will address the growing field of educational podcasts, publishing and peer review considerations, and paths to get started on conceptualizing, recording, and editing podcasts at Penn.

Hybrid; Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St.

12:15p.m.

Retro microphone in front of audience.
History of Letterpress Printing and Typography
May 2

History of Letterpress Printing and Typography

This guided tour of letterpress printing and typography will include the history of letterpress printing, type, and books from 1000 C.E. to now. There will also be demonstrations of how movable type is used, as well as the mechanical history of all the different machines at Common Press.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

12:00p.m.

two people working the hand-operated press in the background with wood and metal letters in a shelf in the foreground
SundaySun4
2025 Children's Festival
May 4

Through 05/06/2025

2025 Children's Festival

The Philadelphia Children's Festival celebrates its 40th birthday. This year's festival features a supercharged circus of extreme sports, a refugee's powerful memoir brought to life onstage, and a story of friendship and plucky determination told through vibrant visuals and puppetry.

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.

12:00a.m.

children from a local school attend a performance at annenberg
MondayMon5
ThursdayThu8
Shakespeare at Penn: Uncovering Relics
May 8

Shakespeare at Penn: Uncovering Relics

Experts at the Steven Miller Conservation Laboratory have uncovered new insights into several artifacts, including the ashes of a burned Shakespeare folio. As part of the Global Discovery Lecture Series and co-sponsored by The Penn Libraries, this panel will feature English professors Whitney Trettien and Zachary Lesser, and Head of Conservation Sarah Reidell, for a talk about these mysterious relics and what this means for the present and future of libraries and conservation. Register to attend.

Virtual

12:00p.m.

A Shakespeare First Folio dated 1623 open to the title page
TuesdayTue13
Spring Symposium: Criminal Justice Reform
May 13

Through 05/14/2025

Spring Symposium: Criminal Justice Reform

The 2025 Quattrone Center Spring Symposium will span two days of solution-focused discussions on the future of criminal justice reform. Sessions will be led by policymakers, academics, and legal practitioners, offering a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and build connections that drive tangible change for a fairer future.

Hybrid; Golkin Hall, 3501 Sansom St.

12:00a.m.

A close up to the an ornamental scale in an office with law books on shelves behind it.
Baccalaureate Ceremony and Senior Class Celebration
May 13

Baccalaureate Ceremony and Senior Class Celebration

The Baccalaureate ceremony and celebration for graduating students will comprise an interfaith program that includes student musical performances, readings, prayers, a special event for the graduates, the unveiling of the new class Ivy Stone, and distribution of a commemorative class pin. Tickets and academic regalia are not required.

Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St.

4:00p.m.

Graduation caps thrown in air
FridayFri16
Alumni Weekend @ Penn
May 16

Through 05/19/2025

Alumni Weekend @ Penn

Penn Alumni will reunite with classmates at events like Franklin Fest, will stroll down Locust Walk during the Parade of Classes, enjoy the Alumni Picnic, attend panel discussions, raise a toast to Dear Old Penn at reunion celebrations, and attend an all-alumni brunch and memorial service, among numerous other activities.

Various locations

12:00a.m.

alumni hold Penn '99 signs and umbrella for Alumni Parade
Penn Nursing: Celebrating Excellence
May 16

Penn Nursing: Celebrating Excellence

Penn Nursing’s annual awards program will celebrate the recipients of this year’s Student, Alumni & Faculty Awards. Attendees will hear about the achievements of Penn Nursing alumni, graduating students, and faculty.

Claire M. Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Blvd.

3:00p.m.

SaturdaySat17
Weitzman School of Design: Year End Show
May 17

Through 06/13/2025

Weitzman School of Design: Year End Show

The Weitzman School of Design's Year End Show brings together work from the Class of 2025 in architecture, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, historic preservation, and urban spatial analytics. The gallery opens on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterwards, regular visiting hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Meyerson Hall, 210 S. 34th St.

12:00a.m.

foyer of penn design meyerson building
Penn GSE @ Alumni Weekend 2025
May 17

Penn GSE @ Alumni Weekend 2025

This event will feature “Discourse and Democracy: The Classroom as a Catalyst for Bridging Differences,” a panel discussion with Professor Sigal Ben-Porath and Associate Professor Abby Resiman, moderated by Dean Katharine Strunk. The event will also honor Penn GSE alumni teachers who are celebrating at least their fifth year in the classroom, ending with a reception to connect with members of the Penn and Penn GSE communities.

Stiteler Hall, 3700 Walnut St.

3:30p.m.

People standing in the lobby of Penn GSE and on the stairs.
Food Writing: A Panel Discussion
May 17

Food Writing: A Panel Discussion

This panel discussion will focus on food writing in its many forms—recipes, journalism, cultural history, memoir, reviews, and more. Experts will include seasoned editors, journalists, authors, novelists, and cookbook writers.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

4:00p.m.

Food
MondayMon19
Alumni Procession at Commencement 2025
May 19

Alumni Procession at Commencement 2025

The Penn alumni procession to Franklin Field for the 269th Commencement Ceremony will celebrate graduating seniors. Attendees must register in advance and wear their regalia (provided or their own) to participate.

Various locations

8:00a.m.

June 2025

FridayFri6
Toll the Bell: A Cry for Peace
June 6

Toll the Bell: A Cry for Peace

Toll the Bell is a city-wide sound installation bringing greater awareness to the gun violence epidemic affecting our city and the nation. At 1 p.m. on June 6, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, a prolonged period of bell ringing and other sound-making will take place at 30-plus locations across the city and beyond.

Various locations

1:00p.m.

A church bell at St. Mary’s Church.