All the Halloween Stuff!

Get those costumes ready, you'll be celebrating all month long!

Halloween is coming, and if you check with some places, it’s already here! Somewhere along the way, Halloween has taken over the whole month of October; but that might just be necessary to fit in all these fun events around town. From haunted houses, to pumpkin painting, to spooky boats, and everything in between, there are so many ways for kids (and adults) of every age to celebrate. So ready those costumes–you’re going to need them!

 

Be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back—we’ll be updating as some annual favorites announce their dates too.

Terror Behind the Walls

September 21–November 10 (check their schedule)

Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue

 

Not for the very young or the faint of heart, this haunted attraction held in a historic prison stages six scary attractions. New for this year, “The Infirmary” looks to be super creepy, and interactive too—so don’t become a patient! Tickets can be purchased online or on site. This could be great for older kids, or for a unique date night. Family Nights are Sundays before 7:30 pm– kids get discounted tickets and if they don’t want any trouble they can say, “Monster Be Good!,” and they will!

Twilight Tours at One Liberty Observation Deck

Fridays through Sundays from September 21—October 28, 5 pm and 6 pm; October 31

1650 Market St.

 

Exploring Philadelphia’s haunted history with this themed tour from the 57th floor. Learn about where to ghost hunt!

Trick or Treat at Academy of Natural Sciences

Saturdays and Sundays in October, and October 31, 10 am—5 pm

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Visit the museum and trick-or-treat as you visit the exhibits—each one has a small treat for you to take home and cool Halloween-themed specimens for you to check out. Wear a costume for $2 off admission. For older kids, check out Night in the BOOseum sleepover on October 6.

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

Thursdays through Sundays from October 4—28

West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.

 

Take a stroll down Jack’s path to see elaborate carved pumpkins and displays like you’ve never seen! New for this year, there’s  a display dedicated to our champion Philadelphia Eagles. Tickets are available online.

Photograph courtesy of GLOW.

MoshuBOO

Fridays through Sundays from October 5—28, 5—9 pm

Moshulu, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

 

The iconic Moshulu transforms into a pirate ship for a family-friendly celebration featuring costumed characters, spooky tours, an on-deck pumpkin patch, treats, and more! Tickets available online.

Haunted River Cruises

Multiple dates from October 5—28

Meet at 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

 

This spooky 90-minute “Phantoms of the River” tour is narrated by a pirate telling spooky tales of the “haunted” Delaware River. Tickets available online.

Spooky Mini Golf

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October 5—28, 6—9 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Franklin Square’s Philly-themed mini golf is transformed into spooky fun for the Halloween season with fog, lights, music, and surprises!

Kids’ Pumpkin Painting at Palumbo

October 12, 4—6 pm

725 S. 10th St.

 

Come pick out a pumpkin and decorate it for the holiday! ColorWheels, the mobile studio based at Fleisher Art Memorial, will be on hand to help the little ones with their masterpieces. A $5 donation is suggested.

Whispers along the Wissahickon

October 12, 5—8 pm

Wissahickon Environmental Center, 300 Northwestern Avenue

 

This annual family-friendly fall celebration offers hayrides, face painting, live music, and more.

Haunted Circus Mansion

Saturdays, October 13—27. Family-friendly events at 6 pm, adult events at 9 pm.

Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6451 Greene Street

 

For the first time, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will host a haunted extravaganza. Explore the dark and spooky paths inside a mysterious and grand 100-year old building; if you’re bringing the family, the Cellar Path offers a spooky “PG experience” with classic Halloween characters, gentle scares, a trip on the tight-wire, and more.

Boo at the Zoo

October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28, 10 am—4 pm

Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.

 

Put on your favorite costume and set out on a trick-or-treat safari around the zoo! There are also festive displays throughout the zoo that make for great photo ops, and a hay bale maze on Impala Lawn. For kids age 6 and older (plus their favorite adult), you can sign up for a Boo at the Zoo Overnight experience!

Franklin Square Bark-or-Treat Trail

October 13, 11 am—1 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Dress up yourself and your four-legged friend for a Halloween celebration with a trail of treats and fun activities throughout Franklin Square.

Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch

October 20, noon—2 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Kids 10 and under can select a free pumpkin, then decorate it with spooky designs to take home. Fair warning: people start to line up for this well in advance, and it gets crowded.

Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.

Chestnut Hill Witches and Wizards Day

October 20, noon—5 pm

Chestnut Hill

 

Formerly known as the Harry Potter Festival, this annual event features traditions such as the Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament, creepy crafts for kids, live circus performers, an archery range, Mad Science demonstrations, harvest hayrides, shopping, and more. The Woodmere Art Museum straw maze will be open, too! The event is free to attend, with some activities being pay-as-you-go—but registration is required. And if you feel like getting a babysitter the night before, there is a Brews and Broomsticks pub crawl on October 19.

Halloween Hoedown at Penn Treaty Park

October 20, noon–2 pm

1199 N. Delaware Ave.

 

This annual event features a free pumpkin patch, Halloween games, prizes for best costumes, and some spooky surprises.

Halloween at Gold Star Park

October 20, 11 am–1 pm

625 Wharton St.

 

Get your costumes on and celebrate with a magician, balloon animals, snacks, and some special surprises!

Halloween Family Fun Day at The Woodlands

October 21, noon–3 pm

4000 Woodland Ave.

 

The Woodlands is hosting a free spooky family-friendly day to celebrate Halloween. Get mummified with the Penn Museum, make masks with Spiral Q, see creepy specimens at the Mutter Museum pop up, and more. Plus, at 2:30 pm, there will be a pet costume contest!

Sollo-ween

October 21, noon—3 pm

Solly Stables, 1140 Solly Ave.

 

This Fairmount Park stable hosts its annual Halloween celebration with horses in costume, trick-or-treating in the barn, games, crafts, and more! Kids are encouraged to wear costumes.

Trunk-or-Treat at Whitman Square

October 23, 5—7:30 pm

Chick-fil-A Whitman Square, 9711 Roosevelt Blvd.

 

Community businesses will bring out their company cars to create a “neighborhood” of vehicles and distribute candy and other free promotional items so kids can get their costumes on and trick-or-treat safely. There will also be music and entertainment.

Trick-or-Treat at the Art Museum

October 24, 5—7:30 pm

(Additional family programming on October 14, 21, and 28)

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Come dressed up to trick-or-treat through the galleries and make some spooky artwork! The museum’s Sunday Family Balcony Studio and Art Explorers tours will also be Halloween-themed on October 14, 21, and 28 (from 10:30 am—3 pm).

East Passyunk Community Center Halloween Party

October 25, 6—8 pm

1025 Mifflin St.

 

This free Halloween party has treats, games, costume contests, and a Quidditch demonstration by the Philadelphia Freedom Quidditch Club!

Monster Mash Bash at Mini InMovement

October 26, 10 am and 11 am

Philly InMovement 610 S. Percy Street

 

Kids ages 10 months-5 years can come in costume for a special Halloween-themed open gym with treats. Register online.

Halloween Hikes and Hayrides

October 26 and 27, 6—10 pm

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

 

Go on a family hike through the candlelit forest to meet friendly nocturnal animals. Then enjoy hayrides, craft activities, and food truck offerings for dinner. End the night with s’mores by the campfire. Tickets are sold online in advance for members and at the door for the general public; timed reservations for hikes are first come, first served.

Last Friday Halloween Celebration

October 26, 5—9 pm (kid-friendly from 5—7 pm)

1825 Frankford Ave.

 

Bring the kids and the pups from 5–7 pm for costume contests, crafts, face painting, treats, and the monster mash! After 7 pm, there are drink specials and a “live exorcism,” so you might want to pack it in before then if you’re bringing the family.

Halloween Campfire and Party

October 26, 7:30 pm

Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600 Verree Rd.

 

Celebrate Halloween with a fun night of stories, songs, skits, campfire treats, and more. Registration is required by October 23. Email PEC@phila.gov to receive a registration form.

Halloween at Reading Terminal Market

October 27, 9:30 am—1 pm

12th and Arch streets

 

Reading Terminal Market celebrates with trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed storytime, caramel apple making, and pumpkin carving demos.

Franklin Fright Weekend at the Franklin Institute

October 27—28, 10 am—3 pm

222 N. 20st St.

 

Spooky science, scary live shows, and other frightfully fun yet family-friendly festivities take over The Franklin Institute. There will be crafts like LED trick-or-treat pins, make-your-own slime, and “bloody” handprints. Enjoy a spooky story time in the Train Factory, glow-in-the-dark blacklight karaoke, creepy science demonstrations, and of course a costume parade ending with a ball pit explosion!

Healthy Halloween at Smith Memorial Playground 

October 27, 10 am—noon

3500 Reservoir Drive

 

Come in costume for a fun Halloween celebration including nature exploration, live music, messy arts, healthy treats, and fun in the playground and playhouse. Tickets available online.

Rittenhouse Row Trick-or-Treating

October 27 10 am—5 pm

Various locations near Rittenhouse Square

 

Come in costume for trick-or-treating throughout the businesses of Rittenhouse Row. Participating businesses will have a black cat in the window!

 

Photograph courtesy of South Street Headhouse District.

Halloween in Manayunk

October 27, 11 am—4 pm

Main Street, Manayunk

 

Halloween in Manayunk offers a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween on Main Street. From the kids and pets costume parade in Pretzel Park, to trick-or-treating at your favorite businesses, there is a variety of activities for families to celebrate the holiday.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Halloween Tricks and Treats

October 27, 11:30 am

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

 

The Philadelphia Orchestra performs some favorite spooktacular classics! Costumes are highly encouraged!

South Street Fall PumpkinFest and Trick-or-Treating

October 27, noon—5 pm

Second and Lombard streets

 

This is one of the best Halloween celebrations in the city! The historic Headhouse Shambles house Halloween activities like horse and wagon hay rides, live music, crafts for kids, seasonal bites, Pumpkin Putt-Putt golf, a straw bale maze, face painting, jack o’lantern contest (bring your pumpkin pre-carved), and costume contests. There are also dazzling aerial performances by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. New for this year, there will be a pumpkin pie eating contest. During the celebration, businesses of SSHD open their doors for trick-or-treaters. Pick up your list at PumpkinFest and look for ghosts hanging outside all participating businesses to pick up treats.

Franklin Square Trick-or-Treat Trail

October 27, noon—3 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Customize your own Halloween-themed trick-or-treat bag and follow the trail map to discover tasty surprises throughout the park. The Lightning Bolt Express Train will also be running for a ride around Franklin Square (tickets are pay-as-you-go for the train). Costumes encouraged!

Seaport Spooktacular

October 27, 1—6 pm

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard

 

Trick-or-treat among the nostalgic decks of the historic Cruiser Olympia, or hear ghost stories on the Schooner Diligence! There will also be crafts, face painting, fall treats, and more. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded to maritime-themed ones. Tickets available online.

Photograph by Laura Swartz.

Día de los Muertos at the Penn Museum

October 27, 1—8 pm (family activities from 1—5 pm)

3260 South St.

 

Honor departed ones through music, dance, and art. The centerpiece of the afternoon is a traditional ofrenda (altar) created for the celebration.

Friends of Adaire Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat

October 27, 3—7 pm

E. Thompson Street in front of Alexander Adaire Elementary

 

The street will be blocked off for a costume party, trunk or treat, bake sale, and parade. This event raises money for Alexander Adaire Elementary School.

Halloween Party at SplashLab Arts

October 27, 4:30—7 pm

3510 Scotts Lane

 

Come on out to enjoy Halloween themed games and art projects, as well as a photobooth, face painting, and a glow in the dark splash room! Tickets available online.

Philly InMovement’s Halloween Extravaganza

October 28, 10:30 am—1:30 pm

Philly InMovement, 500 Kenilworth Street

 

Take a guided tour through the “spooky” glow gym, and enjoy some treats and games. Register online.

East Passyunk Fall Fest and Spooky Saturday

October 28, 11 am—4 pm

East Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street

 

Family activities in one of our favorite neighborhoods’ Halloween festival include pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, live music, trick-or-treating, costume contests, great food (and adult beverages), and more.

Halloween Trick or Treat Trail at Snyder Plaza

October 28, 11 am—2 pm

Snyder Plaza, E. Snyder Ave. and S. Swanson St.

 

Check in and get your treasure map at Snyder Plaza, then follow the trail for treats (or tricks) through Snyder Plaza, Columbus Commons, and Columbus North. Don’t forget to wear your best costume! Plus, meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee for an interactive pirate show starting at 12:30 pm. Their pirate crew will teach you pirate magic, pirate exercises, sword training, the pirate oath, and how to talk like a pirate.

Haunted Horses Show

October 28

Northwestern Stables, 120 W. Northwestern Ave.

 

Come out to see the funniest, scariest, and most creative horse and rider teams, and tour the historic barns to learn more about Northwestern Stables’ horses and programs.

Port Richmond Fall Festival

October 28, noon–5 pm

2535 E. Allegheny Ave.

 

This festival has fun for all ages. For adults, there will be craft beer and food trucks. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy bounce houses and obstacle courses, bobbing for apples, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating with the festival’s vendors.

Rittenhouse Square Party

October 28, 1–4 pm

Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut streets

 

Come to the Square for a spooktacular party with treats, face-painting, and a parade at 3 pm!

Fall Family Day at Laurel Hill Cemetery

October 28, 1—3 pm

3822 Ridge Avenue

 

Activities will include a pumpkin patch, readings from the Storybook Fairy, crafts and – new this year – hay rides throughout the grounds. There will also be a picnic and costume parade. Tickets available online.

Liberty Lands Family Fall Fest

October 28, 1—4 pm

Liberty Lands, N. Third St.

 

This annual festival will feature live entertainment, interactive demonstrations from local organizations, a costume parade, and a raffle. Rain date: November 4. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Fitler Square Halloween Funfest and Pumpkin Hunt

October 28, 2—4 pm

Fitler Square

 

Live music, treats, and a pumpkin hunt for kids!

Halloween Parade and Celebration at Dickinson Square Park

October 28, 3—5 pm

1600 E. Moyamensing Ave.

 

Games, activities, and a parade with prizes for best costumes and goodie bags for all!

Fairmount Halloween Festival and Parade

October 28, 3:30—5:30 pm

Philly Art Center, 25th and Olive Streets

 

Start with art and music making at Philly Art Center, then march in the Fairmount Halloween Parade!

Free Halloween Roller Skating Party at The Fillmore

October 28, 4—8 pm

29 E. Allen St.

 

The Fillmore is bringing back free Halloween skating! From 4—8 pm, enjoy complimentary Family Skate and trick-or-treating, plus music and cotton candy. At night, there is an adults-only ticketed skate, so if you just can’t get enough, get a babysitter and come back.

Halloween at Bartram’s Garden

October 28, 5:30—7 pm and October 31, 5—7 pm

5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

 

There are two days of family-friendly fun at the Bartram’s House. On October 28, there will be haunted house tours with trick-or-treating inside the house, and some spooky sights, too. After, head into the conservatory for crafts. Then on October 31, come for more trick-or-treating (this time, without the spookiness of the haunted house).

Preschool Costume Parade in Rittenhouse Square

October 30, 10:30 am

18th and Walnut (meet at Billy the Goat)

 

Meet at the goat for a costume parade around the park, and then a special Halloween storytime in the library (1905 Locust Street). In case of rain, the parade will also be in the library.

Tween Halloween Party

October 30, 4 pm

Independence Library, 18 S. Seventh St.

 

Celebrate with spooky games and tasty treats.

Organ and Orchestra Halloween

October 30, 7 pm

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

 

Join the Philadelphia Orchestra in costume for this fun and irreverent night of “spooky” classical music. Stick around after the concert for the Kimmel’s signature “organ pump” experience—come up and lie down on stage to feel the vibrations from this king of instruments!

Halloween at the Academy of Natural Sciences

October 31, 10 am—4:30 pm

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Trick or treat all day! Each exhibit will have a small treat for you to take home and cool Halloween-themed specimens for you to check out. Enjoy a not-so-spooky storytime and meet a live animal at 11 am in the auditorium, then join in a costume parade in Dinosaur Hall directly afterward. Come in costume for $2 off admission.

Teen Zombie Prom!

October 31, 3 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Music, costume contests, candy, prizes, riddles, and quest stations for ages 12-18.

Halloween at PlayArts

October 31, 3—5 pm

1241 N. Front Street

 

Ghoulish games, spooky sensory stations, and fiendish fun—plus $2 pizza slices to nourish your little goblins before they head out to trick-or-treat. Costumes strongly encouraged!

Frankford Monster Bash

October 31, 3—7 pm

Frankford Pause Park, 4671 Paul Street

 

Trick-or-treat from 3—5 pm, then stay for a Halloween movie.

Wizard School Spooktacular (Ages 6 and up)

October 31, 4 pm

Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave.

 

Tricks and treats await as kids ages 6 and up make potions, crafts, and more. Space and supplies are limited – first come, first served.

Costume Parade and Trick-or-Treating at Parkway Central Library

October 31, 4:30 pm

1901 Vine St.

 

Come in costume after school for a parade and trick-or-treating around the library!

Free Baby Wordplay Halloween Storytime

October 31, 5 pm

1942 Brandywine St. and 2227 Grays Ferry Ave

 

Costumes welcome for free Halloween stories and more at Baby Wordplay’s Fairmount and Grad Hospital locations.

Morris Animal Refuge Monster Mash

October 31, 5—7 pm

1242 Lombard Street

 

Stop by the shelter before trick-or-treating for candy for the kids, treats for the pups, a photobooth, and fun Halloween activities. Bring your furry friend decked out in their Halloween costume and enter the costume contest!

Spooktacular Science

October 31, 5 pm and 6 pm

Our House Culture Center, 6380 Germantown Ave.

 

Mrs. Candy from Perfect Playdates will be hosting two spooky science workshops. Stop by for your treat and enjoy the tricks!

‘Hocus Pocus’ at the Piazza

November 1, 7—9 pm

1001 N. Second St.

 

Make the Halloween magic last a little longer with the Sanderson Sisters! Bring your own chairs and blankets, and enjoy some free popcorn as you watch them run amok, amok, amok on the big screen!

 

Looking for more? Here are family-friendly events on the Main Line and suburbs!

 

Lead photograph by Laura Swartz.

Contributing Writer

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