Meet Bella
Hi there! I'm Bella, the South-Philly based creator behind PHL Events. I started this project in April 2026 in an effort to help my neighbors find community and to support local businesses. What began as a simple Instagram account quickly blossomed into a community of over 50,000 Philadelphians.
About me
A bit about me: I am a queer, chronically-ill woman in my mid-20s, currently based in South Philly. I have lived within an hour of Philly my whole life, and finally moved into the city in 2023. In my free time, I love watching movies, going out dancing, doing crosswords, hosting parties, and exploring new neighborhoods with my friends. This project has helped me to feel much more connected to the city and has opened my eyes to how many affordable activities it has to offer.
The project
Using my background in Computer Science, I spent several months developing the PHL Events Master Calendar, which allows folks to explore the hundreds of free events happening in Philly each month. I have since been working on developing this companion website, which takes the searchability and visualization of the events to the next level.
Why I do it
I spend most of my free time working on this project, and while this can be a lot to handle at times, it is rewarding to know that I am helping to combat the loneliness epidemic and to bring people together at a time when so many forces seek to divide us.
When it started
Philadelphians in the community
Free events every month
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