School’s back in session, and soon the weather will (finally) be cooling off. Pumpkin spice lattes have the audacity to be sold, so that must mean fall will soon be upon us.

 

Before we get started, just a word of advice: if you’re bringing kids, a lot of these fairs get more crowded as the day goes on, so coming early is the way to go. Also, double-wide strollers are just roadblocks for tipsy selfie-takers to trip over, so exercise some judgment, OK?

 

Also, don’t despair that the myriad pumpkin-themed festivals filling up Halloweekend are missing—they deserve their own post, so let’s not get prematurely pumpkin while it’s still 95 degrees outside (looking at you, Starbucks).

Philadelphia Honey Festival

September 6—8

Glen Foerd on the Delaware (Grant Avenue and Milnor Street) on September 6; Wyck Historic House (6026 Germantown Avenue) on September 7; and Bartram’s Garden (54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard) on September 8

 

The Philadelphia Honey Festival brings three days of sweet activities to three different historic locations—Glen Foerd on the Delaware, Wyck historic home, and Bartram’s Garden. The festival has fun for all ages, with honey sampling, beekeeping demos and talks, live music, children’s activities and parades, food and adult beverages, vendors, a guy with a beard of bees, and much more.

Delaware River Festival

September 7, 10 am—4 pm

Philadelphia and Camden Waterfronts

 

Pennsylvania Coast Day and Camden’s River Day are coming together for a “coast to coast” experience. Cross the Delaware River over the Ben Franklin Bridge on foot or bike, or take advantage of free ferry rides from one event to the other. There will be educational fun for families, on-the-water activities, games and crafts for kids, face painting, music, beer garden, fishing opportunities, and much more!

Mt. Airy Village Fair

September 8, 11 am—4 pm

Greene Street and Carpenter Lane

 

A community day of celebration with interactive events for all ages, live music on two stages (including a kids stage), a petting zoo, local makers and businesses, food trucks, and fun for the whole family.

North Front Street Festival

September 15, 10 am– 5 pm

1624 N. Front St.

 

Art Star is teaming up with Fishtown Co, Farm to City, The International Bar, HoneyGrow, and Evil Genius to bring you an amazing day of handmade crafts, fresh produce, beer, food, and live music!

B[L]OK PARTY

September 15, noon–5 pm

1901 S. Ninth St.

 

Enjoy a bouncy castle, food trucks, doggie meet and greet, Philly Foodworks CSA sign up and produce stand, photobooth, arts and crafts, performances, and so much more!

Philadelphia Burger Brawl

September 15, 1–5 pm
The Marine Parade Ground at the Navy Yard

 

Over 60 restaurants hit the Navy Yard and fire up the grills and battle for burger bragging rights! Attendees are invited to enjoy an all-you-can-eat samples of the burgers and then vote for their favorite one. Plus, cocktail competition, live music, and more! Tickets are available online; children under 10 are free, no ticket required. All proceeds go to The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia to support hardware needs to implement math and reading literacy programs in underserved elementary schools.

 

Philly AIDS Thrift Block Party

September 21, noon—6 pm

710 S. Fifth St.

 

Enjoy celebrity dunk tank, moon bounce, games, food trucks, face painting, carnival games, magicians, dancing in the streets, shopping, a pie eating contest and more. There will also be entertainment in the form of a DJ spinning tunes, circus performance by Squidling Brothers, live music, games, and other surprises!

MANAfest

September 21

Main Street, Manayunk

 

This family-friendly event brings a full day of live music, seasonal activities, shopping, food vendors, and all things fall to Main Street in Manayunk.

Spruce Street Harbor Park Fall Fest

September 21—22

301 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

 

SSHP closes out the season with a weekend of fall fun, including live music, face painting, crafts, and more kids’ activities. For adults, there will be a wide variety of seasonal brews too!

Morgan’s Pier Fall Fest

September 25–October 26

Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

 

Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier brings a full month of special events, beer festivals, and family fun to the waterfront. Events include weekend pumpkin carving, Oktoberfest on October 5, and Halloween fun as the festival goes on.

Bloktoberfest

September 28, noon–8 pm

Washington Ave. from Broad to 17th

 

Food, drinks, and live music for all take over Washington Avenue!

Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival

September 29, 11 am—5 pm

Germantown Avenue, between Willow Grove and Rex Avenues

 

This festival welcomes the season by bringing together the community as well as artists and vendors from around the county. Enjoy a day of live music, delicious food, and fun for the family including craft activities and rides for children.

Night Market: Point Breeze

October 3

20th and Federal streets

 

Food trucks come out en masse for this street fair highlighting different neighborhoods throughout the season. This year, Night Market closes out in Philly’s Point Breeze section, so you can eat your way through Federal Street one last time.

Fall Family Weekend

October 5–6, 10 am – 3 pm

Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave.

 

The highlight of this festival has to be the Scarecrow Walk. Visitors can enjoy a display of handmade scarecrows built around a yearly theme. There are also opportunities to build your own scarecrow, decorate a pumpkin, and sample different apple varieties.

Midtown Village Fall Festival

October 5, noon—8 pm

13th and Chestnut streets

 

Kick off October with shopping, amazing food, live entertainment, and more. There’s plenty of activities for kids to do and see, and you simply can’t leave without getting a Budino from Barbuzzo!

Roxtoberfest

October 5, noon—6 pm

Ridge Avenue and Green Lane

 

One of many Oktoberfest celebrations in Philadelphia this year, this Roxborough festival includes live performers (including polka, of course!), food trucks, vendors, carnival games, and more. Of course you’ll enjoy some traditional German food and a wide selection of beers. There will be a variety of activities for children, so bring the whole family!

Revolutionary Germantown Festival

October 5, 10 am—4 pm

Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Ave.

 

A day of family entertainment, food, music, and re-enactments of the Battle of Germantown at this historic site.

Old City Fest

October 13, 11 am—6 pm

Third and Arch streets from Market to Race Streets, and Arch Street from Second to Fourth Streets

 

Celebrate fall and culture on America’s most historic square mile. Activities will include a festival stage with live music, circus artists, runway fashion shows, a family fun zone with performances and colonial chocolate demonstrations, pop-up street performances, dozens of food and drink options, street art, craft and retail shopping, and over 100 Old City vendors.

Gorgas Park Harvest Festival

October 13

6300 Ridge Avenue

 

Enjoy a day of family fun, like scarecrow making, face painting, games, treats, music, and more.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

October 19, 10 am—4 pm

51 N. 12th St.

 

Reading Terminal Market will shut down Filbert Street with a mini farm, hayrides, pumpkins, arts and crafts for kids, live music, a beer garden, and of course plenty of food.

Applefest at Fox Chase Farm

October 19 , noon — 4 pm

8500 Pine Road

 

Get a taste of the country at this lovely event at city-owned Fox Chase Farm. Enjoy a day of cider pressing, apple butter making, hayrides, seasonal games, pumpkin painting, music, and more. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

 

Hawthorne’s Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival

November 2, 11 am—8 pm

738 S. 11th Street

 

This all-day, all-ages free block party takes place on 11th street in front of Hawthornes, from Fitzwater to Catharine. In addition to loads of tasty bites and over 75 ales, lagers, and ciders, the festivities will include a family fun zone, apple-bobbing competition, pie eating contest, live entertainment, DJs, and much more.

 

Lead photograph courtesy of Old City District.