Parlay 5: The Complete Guide to Philadelphia's 5th Annual Glass Art Weekend

Every September, Philadelphia turns into ground zero for the glass art world, and it's all because of one person: Kinda Glass. What started as a single show has grown, year over year, into Parlay - a sprawling, collaborative takeover of galleries, smoke shops, parking lots, backyards, and cheesesteak counters across the city.

This year marks Parlay's 5th anniversary, officially billed as Parlay 5, running Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. There are 17 individual events on the calendar this year, spread across Fishtown, Kensington, and Northern Liberties, each one hosted by a different artist or collective. Some are free and open to the public. Some require tickets. Some are VIP-only, RSVP-only, or first-come-first-served at the door. We put together this Parlay Philadelphia guide so you can plan your weekend and not miss a thing.

A quick note before you dive in: addresses, ticket links, and start times can shift as we get closer to the weekend. Always double check the host's page linked below before you head out.

Thursday, September 17

"99 Miles to Parlay" NYC Car Rally

Presented by: Smug Racing
When: Meet at 9:30 AM, departs 10:30 AM

The weekend kicks off in New York, with a car rally that drives south into Philadelphia to open Parlay 5.

Parlay Potluck

Hosted by: The Parlay collective
When: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tickets: Free with a canned food donation

Friday, September 18

Kissa: Aquarist Exhibit

Presented by: Framers Cafe & Justanotherglassblower (@aquariust)
When: 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: 1807 E. Boston St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Tickets: Free general admission. Paid VIP upgrade available, with ticket link to be announced closer to the event - watch @aquariust and @parlayphl for the drop

Now in its 5th year at Parlay, the Aquarist exhibit is back with an entirely new body of work. Expect a full day of new glass alongside a DJ set and vinyl record sale by Courtnee Owens out in the yard.

Featured artist: Murderfacee

Relics (Opening Day)

Presented by: The Book Club Library, curated by Heady Hoarders
When: Friday, September 18, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (open to the public) - continues Saturday, September 19, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM as a private viewing, by appointment only
Where: Inno Gallery, 2212 Sepviva Street
Tickets: Free to attend Friday

A 30+ artist showcase of curated new work, spanning past, present, and future themes. Complimentary food is provided by Super Bao and Cake Girl, and there's a Toro Quartz raffle running Friday from 2-5 PM at the merch table for $5 a ticket.

Artist lineup: Adam G, AKM, Avatar, Buck, Carlson, Certo, Daiki Hori, Darby, ESP, Eusheen, F Time, Hollingsworth, JFell, Justin Carter, Ksukebey, Lil' Bear, Liz Wright, Luna, NAPM, Power Pat, Quest, Raman, Renz, Rye, Sibel, Snic Barnes, Trevy Metal, Windstar, WJC, Yent
Sponsored by: Toro Quartz, Passion4Hashin, Pleasant Effects

Neon Noir: Slinger vs Disk vs Takao

Presented by: The Parking Lot Collective
When: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Starbolt, 1936 N Front St, Philadelphia

A head-to-head showcase of new glass and merch from three artists going toe to toe for the night.

Featured artists: Slinger (@marble.slinger), Disk (@disk_glass), Takao (@takaomiyake), Slop Glass

Parlay Bead Party

Presented by: DashPax & Nutsglass
When: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Where: Funhouse Gallery Philly, 2576 Frankford Ave
Tickets: Free, old-school style - no VIP, no pre-sales. If you see a piece you want, you show up and wait for it, first come first served. Ice-cold PBR on hand.

A dedicated showcase for some of the dopest glass beads out there, with a huge artist list and a few secret guests thrown in.

Artist lineup: AKM, Albers Heart, Baby Gorilla, Carlson, Catfish Jawn, Certo, Coyle, Credo, Cure Glass, ESP, Eusheen, Freddy Melts, Frit, Fumegazi, Goldman, Haaps, Hesh, Hollingsworth, Hoyt, Jack Blew, Jangles Glass, Jenkins, JFell, Justin Carter, Kinda, Ksukebey, Lil Bear, Mattvision, Mike Luna, Mike Raman, N8 Miers, Pinky, Reed, Renz, Shamby, Squids Glass, Swank, Terp Brews, Trevy Metal, UbaTuba, Whitebread, Who's Boro, plus additional secret guests

Essentials: A Guide to Life

Presented by: DagoArts & Studio4PGH
When: Friday 7:10 PM - 9:00 PM, with additional hours Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: 1935 N 2nd Street

Welcome to Philly

Hosted by: @phatcatdelphia
When: 7:00 PM - Midnight
Where: Private location, shared with guests directly
Tickets: Free admittance

Heady HQ Dinner, Volume 2

Where: Priority HQ
When: 8:00 PM
Tickets: Sold out

The People's Parlay Pre Party

Hosted by: Hightalian NYC and Smug
When: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Where: An exclusive members-only lounge, RSVP for details

An intimate, Heady Italian-themed gathering open to all who RSVP. Spots are limited, so reach out to @thephlspot3 ahead of time to confirm a spot.

Friday and Saturday, Late Night

Cheesesteak Sesh

Presented by: Smug Racing, Joey Dots, and Hightalian NYC
When: Both nights, 11:30 PM - 3:00 AM
Where: Oregon Steaks, 2654 S 10th St

A late-night cheesesteak run both nights of the weekend, with a new merch capsule from Smug Tools made for the occasion.

Saturday, September 19

Saturday is the biggest day of the weekend, anchored by Parlay Central, which brings together a huge lineup of shows, vendors, and a smoke lounge all in one place.

Parladies: A Showcase of Women in Glass

Presented by: Hashinit
When: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Location emailed to ticket holders the day before
Tickets: Via the link in @hashinit_'s bio

A women-only morning sesh built around a glass artist showcase, with coffee and tea, music, giveaways, and a curated gift bag for every attendee, sponsored by Diva Dabs and powered by Portal Provisions. Capacity is intentionally limited, and a community raffle benefits the East Falls Glassworks Scholarship Fund. 21+.

Parlay Central

Presented by: ParlayPHL
When: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Ukie Club, 847 N Franklin St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Tickets: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Get tickets on Tixtree

Parlay's largest group showing in its history, with 50+ artists and makers across an indoor and outdoor floor. Food is available for purchase from Framers Cafe and Haha's Kitchen, and Front St Gallery is hosting an outdoor Smoke Lounge sponsored by Puffco (more on that below).

Featured artists and booths include: Slinger x The Parking Lot Collective, Calm, Avatar, Sibelle, AKM x Toro, Hoobs, SNIC, Sunya: Artifacts, Skate Sesh Explore Gallery, OPM Collection, KRO Glass, Coyle, Oil Brothers, Rose & Cure Glass, Sam Lyons (presented by Headies Feel Better in Your Hand), Renzo Ferruzo, Front St Gallery Smoke Lounge (Puffco), Kinda, John Koutsorouros, Lil Bear, Ubik, Scotty Mickle, Trevy x Yogu, and a special guest appearance from The Real GZ1

Sunya Presents: Artifacts

Held within: Parlay Central, at Ukie Club
When: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Sunya's very first exhibition at Parlay, featuring a new body of work built around visually interactive glass pedestals, plus projection mapping designed by Who's Boro. Expect solo work and a long list of collaborators.

Collaborators include: Ubik, DMOP, Who's Boro, Baby Gorilla, Shiftn Shapes, Gatez, Notorious Yig, and more

Garnishes by Sam Lyons

Hosted by: Headies Feel Better in Your Hand
When: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Parlay Central

Solo work from Sam Lyons alongside collaborations with Who's Boro, Power Pat, and Ebaker Tools, with more collaborators to be announced

Front St Gallery Smoke Lounge

Sponsored by: Puffco
Where: Outdoor group show at Parlay Central

Front St Gallery is setting up what they're calling the best display of glass you'll see at a dab bar all year, with Puffco Peak Pro rigs running in a wide variety of pieces all day for attendees to use. Glass art will be on display and available for purchase, and you're welcome to bring your own piece to use and share.

GZ's House Party 2

Presented by: Whatever Forever
When: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: 1428 Germantown Ave
Tickets: Get tickets on Eventbrite

Relics (Private Viewing)

Saturday continues Relics' run as a by-appointment-only private viewing, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Inno Gallery. See the full details in Friday's listing above.

Philly Cup Show

Presented by: Mike Raman & Front St Gallery
When: 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Where: Starbolt
Tickets: $40 at the door, admission includes a handblown glass cup

You'll pick your own cup from the shelf, but the line moves fast: whichever cup you touch first is the one you're taking home, first come first served until they run out.

2 Dye For

Featuring: Trevy and Yogu
When: Time and location to be announced

Sunday, September 20

Krushmore BBQ 7

Presented by: Germlion & Parlay PHL
When: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: 1714 N Mascher St, Philadelphia (the original flyer lists Sculpture Courtyard at 1717 N. Hancock St - confirm the address with @germlion before heading over)
Tickets: Early-bird tickets have already sold out. Advance tickets are still available and save $10 off the door price. Get tickets on Tixtree

Now in its 7th year, Krushmore BBQ closes out the Parlay weekend as its own can't-miss Sunday event. Expect a big lineup of artists and vendors, food, and a charity component: proceeds support As I Plant This Seed, an organization working to build a brighter future for kids in North Philly.

The Library

Presented by: The Book Club
When: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: Location to be announced
Tickets: $30 early bird, $40 general admission, or $55 for the Library Satchel (includes a goodie bag valued at $45+)

A gathering of art, music, and books to help close out the Parlay weekend.

Big Trouble with Little Henry

Presented by: DashPax (first Parlay show as a host)
When: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM, after Krushmore BBQ wraps
Where: Funhouse Gallery, 2576 Frankford Ave
Tickets: Free event

A collaborative showcase pairing the host with artists across the community, closing out the weekend.

Collaborating artists: Calmbo, JFell Glass, Renz Craft, Kinda Glass, Pogo Glass, Lyons Glass, Alex Ubatuba, Mike Raman Glass, Ksukebey, Marble Slinger, T.k_happa, Lil Bear Glass, Catfish Jawn, Trevy Metal, Hollingsworth Glass, and more

Planning Your Weekend

With 17 events running across four days, here's the shape of the weekend at a glance:

Thursday (9/17): "99 Miles to Parlay" NYC Car Rally, Parlay Potluck
Friday (9/18): Kissa: Aquarist Exhibit, Relics (opening), Neon Noir, Parlay Bead Party, Essentials: A Guide to Life, Welcome to Philly, Heady HQ Dinner Vol. 2, The People's Parlay Pre Party
Friday and Saturday, late night: Cheesesteak Sesh
Saturday (9/19): Parladies, Parlay Central (with Sunya: Artifacts, Garnishes, and the Front St Gallery Smoke Lounge all happening within it), GZ's House Party 2, Relics (private viewing), Philly Cup Show, 2 Dye For
Sunday (9/20): Krushmore BBQ 7, The Library, Big Trouble with Little Henry

A few things worth keeping in mind as you plan:

Ticket status varies show to show. Some events are totally free and walk-in (Parlay Bead Party, Big Trouble with Little Henry, Parlay Potluck with a canned food donation), some need tickets purchased ahead of time (Parlay Central, GZ's House Party 2, Krushmore BBQ, Parladies, The Library), and others are cash-or-card at the door only (Philly Cup Show).
Some shows are first come, first served. If a piece or a cup catches your eye, don't wait around.
Relics runs on two different access levels. Public Friday, private and by-appointment Saturday.
A few events are RSVP-only or have already sold out. Heady HQ Dinner Vol. 2 is sold out, and The People's Parlay Pre Party requires an RSVP through @thephlspot3 due to limited capacity.

Tickets at a Glance

Parlay Central (Sat 9/19): $30 advance, $40 door - Tixtree
GZ's House Party 2 (Sat 9/19): Eventbrite
Krushmore BBQ 7 (Sun 9/20): Early bird sold out, advance tickets save $10 off the door price - Tixtree
Parladies (Sat 9/19): Via the link in @hashinit_'s bio
The Library (Sun 9/20): $30 early bird, $40 general admission, $55 for the Library Satchel
Kissa: Aquarist Exhibit VIP (Fri 9/18): Free GA, VIP link to be announced via @aquariust
Philly Cup Show (Sat 9/19): Cash or card at the door only, $40 with a handblown cup included
Parlay Bead Party, Big Trouble with Little Henry, Essentials, Neon Noir, Relics, Sunya: Artifacts, Garnishes, Front St Gallery Smoke Lounge, Parlay Potluck, Welcome to Philly: Free to attend, no ticket required (Parlay Potluck asks for a canned food donation)

Five years in, Parlay has become one of the clearest snapshots of where glass art is right now, built entirely by the artists and hosts putting it on. If you're anywhere near Philadelphia this September, this is the weekend to be there.

Looking to connect with any of the artists featured this weekend after the show? Many of them showcase and sell their work year-round on GlassPass.