Tibetan Festival and Bazaar

Fri., Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free, Ethical Society Building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 215-701-7018, tibetanbuddhist.org.

by Nicole Saylor

[ shopping ]

Skip picking up Buddha figurines at Pier 1 and shop for authentic Tibetan gifts instead at this festival, showcasing Tibetan-American artisans selling everything from silk brocades to Buddhist prayer items to silver jewelry. "A lot of it is to help preserve a culture and bring it to the forefront so people can see how beautiful [it] is," says organizer Vicki Cahill. All proceeds will benefit the Tibetan Association of Pennsylvania and the Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia. Along with satisfying your shopping needs, you can please your spiritual side: Members of the Buddhist Center and Jewel Heart will lead meditation demonstrations. Traditional Tibetan food such as momos (vegetarian or meat dumplings) and butter tea will also be for sale. Now that's something you won't find at the Applebee's next to Pier 1.

Fri., Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free, Ethical Society Building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 215-701-7018, tibetanbuddhist.org.