PHILADELPHIA, PA — Dancing in the street, live music, a celebrity dunk tank and plenty of secondhand Halloween inspiration will take over a corner of South Philadelphia as Philly AIDS Thrift celebrates 21 years of turning donated treasures into millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS services.
The Philly AIDS Thrift 21st Anniversary Block Party returns Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 6 p.m., transforming the 700 blocks of South 5th Street and East Passyunk Avenue into a free, all-ages street festival. The annual fundraiser will feature performers, food, more than 30 local vendors, games, a pie-eating contest and familiar Philadelphia faces willing to take a plunge for charity.
The celebration comes after last year’s event drew record crowds and as Philly AIDS Thrift marks more than $5.7 million donated back to the community since its beginnings in 2005.
“We’re so excited to celebrate 21 years of Philly AIDS Thrift with the community that has made all of this possible,” Executive Director and co-founder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou said. “The Block Party brings together so much of what we love about Philadelphia: the music, food, local artists and businesses, and people coming together.”
This year alone, the organization awarded more than $400,000 in grants to 33 local organizations, including Bebashi — Transition to Hope, The Attic Youth Center and William Way LGBT Community Center. Proceeds from Philly AIDS Thrift support nonprofits providing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support across the Greater Philadelphia region.
The party also doubles as Philly AIDS Thrift’s unofficial start to Halloween season, its busiest time of year, when the store fills with costumes, accessories and decorations.
Music, Drums and Dancing in the Street
WXPN host and producer DJ Robert Drake will serve as emcee and provide music throughout the afternoon. Drake, a longtime fixture of the block party, hosts WXPN’s “Land of the Lost” and created the station’s annual 24-hour Christmas Eve broadcast, “The Night Before.”
Philly Elmo & PME Drumline will bring percussion and movement to the festival. Led by Positive Movement Entertainment founder Tony Royster, also known as “Mr. Y Not,” the nonprofit drumline works with young people and promotes its anti-gun-violence message, “Put down the guns and pick up some drums.”
The musical lineup also includes Philadelphia funk-and-soul artist Killeé, whose performances draw on psychedelic funk, rock and classic soul, and UgLi, a queer and trans-fronted Philadelphia four-piece blending punk, emo, grunge and alternative rock.
Familiar Philly Faces Head for the Dunk Tank
The festival’s celebrity dunk tank will return with a roster drawn from Philadelphia’s food, music and retail communities.
Scheduled participants include James Beard Award-winning chef Phila Lorn, co-owner of Mawn and Sao; Juana Tamale chef and owner Jen Zavala; Crash Bang Boom co-owner Stef Jolles; WXPN’s “Indie Rock Hit Parade” host Eric Schuman; and longtime Philly AIDS Thrift manager Adam Proctor.
Staff members and volunteers will also take turns in the tank.
Another block party tradition returns with the sixth annual pie-eating contest, emceed by longtime Philadelphia television journalist Jim Donovan. MANNA will provide the pies in connection with its annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. Anyone can enter on the day of the festival, although space is limited.
Local Makers, Food and Family Fun
More than 30 small businesses, artists, makers and vintage sellers will set up along the block with clothing, art, accessories, collectibles and handmade goods. Among those expected are South Street Art Mart, Crash Bang Boom, South Fellini and Tamme Handmade.
Family activities will include face painting, balloon animals, a high striker, balloon pop and other games.
Food options will include Polish-American favorites from Mom-Mom’s, including pierogi and kielbasa, and tacos, burritos, quesadillas and other Mexican dishes from La Camelia. Evil Genius Beer Company will pour local craft beer during the afternoon.
For Philly AIDS Thrift, the festivities are also a chance to recognize how far an organization that began with a small storefront and donations collected from friends has come.
“What started twenty-one years ago with a small group of longtime AIDS activists and lovers of junk, a tiny storefront with no heat, and donations collected directly from our friends’ apartments has grown into something sustained by our shoppers, donors, volunteers, staff, and friends,” Kallas-Saritsoglou said.
Board President Michael Byrne described the block party as “community supporting community while having a great time.”
“The Block Party gives us a chance to celebrate everything this community has helped build, thank the people who continue to make our work possible, and simply enjoy an incredible day together,” Byrne said.
Event Details
- What: Philly AIDS Thrift 21st Anniversary Block Party and Fall Street Festival
- When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m.
- Where: Outside Philly AIDS Thrift on the 700 blocks of South 5th Street and East Passyunk Avenue, between Bainbridge and Monroe streets, Philadelphia, PA
- Cost/Tickets: Free; all ages and dog-friendly
- More Info: www.phillyaidsthrift.com
The block party offers an afternoon of celebration, but its larger purpose remains the same one that has sustained Philly AIDS Thrift for more than two decades: turning the community’s donations, purchases and participation into support for organizations serving people across the Philadelphia region.
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