Over the past year, the Free Library—along with The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and many other partners throughout the city—has been celebrating the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450, with fun programs, unique performances, and engaging exhibitions. (Have you stopped by to see our latest, Born of the Bard: Works Inspired by Shakespeare, in Parkway Central Library’s West Gallery?) We also created a few silly quizzes, infographics, and games that we hope kept you giggling.

With the year wining down, it’s time to give good ol’ Will one final hurrah with words and music—and we’d love for you to join us! On Thursday, December 11, stop by the Parkway Central Library for our free Year of the Bard Grand Finale Celebration beginning at 6:00 p.m. Piffaro: The Renaissance Band will welcome guests with a musical performance in the lobby from 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. before heading to Montgomery Auditorium for a short concert performance at 7:00 p.m. We’ll conclude this special evening with an author event starting at 7:30 p.m. featuring Zachary Lesser, author of Hamlet after Q1: An Uncanny History of the Shakespearean Text.

Help us give Shakespeare the sendoff he deserves—don’t miss the Grand Finale Celebration!