High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 13--14

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 13–14

From fall festivals to Halloween fun, and much more, this weekend has everything! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

October 9, 2018

From fall festivals to Halloween fun, and much more, this weekend has everything! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend.

All Weekend

Boo at the Zoo

October 13–14, 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.

Trick or Treat at Academy of Natural Sciences

Saturdays and Sundays in October, 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.

Festival for the People: Analog Culture Weekend

October 13—14

Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

The new Delaware River Waterfront attraction Cherry Street Pier opens on October 12, bringing recreation, food, performance space, artist studios, markets, gardens, and more. To celebrate this vibrant new public space, there will be an arts festival from October 13—28 featuring participatory programs, music, sculptures, installations, visual arts, and more.

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

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.

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!

Saturday

OutFest at Please Touch Museum

October 13, 9 am—5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

Celebrate LGBTQ families, allies, the many ways families come together, and everything that makes people unique. Make Keith Haring inspired art, learn about the science of rainbows, and attend the very popular Drag Queen Storytime!

Philly Fall Nature Festival and River Days

October 13, 9 am—3 pm

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.

Connect with nature through guided hikes, kayaking, archery, games, crafts, fishing, music, and trolley tours throughout the refuge.

Viking Fest at the Franklin Institute

October 13, 11 am—3 pm

222 N. 20th St.

It’s opening day of the new exhibit “Vikings: Beyond the Legend,” and the Franklin Institute is celebrating all things Viking at this family-friendly festival! There will be Viking reenactors including “Erik the Everyday Viking,” an 80-foot-long Leif Erikson replica Viking Ship “Norseman” on display, live performances, hands-on activities, and even Nerf archery! There will also be demonstrations of Viking crafts and trades like blacksmithing, rune painting, and more.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

October 13, 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.

Navy Day

October 13

Independence Seaport Musuem, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

Wish the United States Navy aboard the Cruiser Olympia and celebrate with a day of activities like tours, cutlass drills, and more.

Free Morning at Elfreth’s Alley Museum

October 13, 10 am—noon

124-126 Elfreth’s Alley

The Fireman’s Hall Museum is partnering with Elfreth’s Alley for a free family-friendly event. Visitors will learn what it meant to live in Philadelphia during the 18th century, how our ancestors tried to prevent fires, and how they handled them when they occurred. The day will also include free admission to the Elfreth’s Alley House Museum and opportunities to try on colonial clothing and take photos.

Arden Bookworms

October 13, 10—10:45 am

62 N. Second Street

Kids age 2-4 (with a caregiver) will enjoy a story, then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring it to life. Pre-register online.

‘Nailed It’ Storytime with Author Brianna Rae Johns

October 13, 10:30—11:30 am

Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Ln.

Author Brianna Rae Johns will be read her book celebrating strength and self-expression. Nailed It tells the story of a boy who loves colors and so decides to wear nail polish.

Schuylkill Saturday: Nature Exploration for Families

October 13, 10:30—11:30 pm

8480 Hagy’s Mill Road

Gather at the Schuylkill Center and hit the trails for a guided exploration. Each week explores a different theme. All ages welcome. No registration required.

AAMP Family Fun Day: National Bullying Awareness Month

October 13, 11 am—3 pm

African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street

In recognition of the dangers of bullying and the power of kindness, AAMP’s October Macy’s Family Fun Day is titled “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Perfect for ages 5 and up, the day incorporates art, conversation, and their “Cotton” exhibit for a lineup of interactive arts workshops, including a discussion on bullying, growing a unity tree, and more. The first 250 people will receive free entry to the museum.

Penn Museum Second Saturday: Fantastic Folklore

October 13, 11 am—4 pm

3260 South St.

Explore the fantastic world of folklore through a family-friendly tour, design your own mythical creature with fun crafts, and pick up a scavenger hunt that will challenge you to take a closer look at many objects in the galleries.

Mums and Mutts Fall Festival

October 13, 11 am—4 pm

Burke Playground, Second and Jackson Streets

Mummers performances and a doggie costume contest! Plus, a kids’ zone with fun activities, a magic show, raffles, and more.

Awbury Harvest Festival

October 13, 11 am—4 pm

Awbury Arboretum Agricultural Village, 6336 Ardleigh St.

Celebrate fall with hayrides to the AdventureWoods sustainable natural playground, face painting, live entertainment, cider pressing, meet-and-greets with the goats from the Philly Goat Project, fall produce for sale, fruit tree giveaways, and much more family fun.

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.

Fishtown RiverCity Festival

October 13, noon—6 pm

Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach St.

This annual festival in Fishtown includes live entertainment, food, and plenty of craft beers. Kids can enjoy field games, crafts, bounce houses, face painting, outdoor exploration, yoga, and much more.

David Pincus Extra Fun Day at Smith Memorial Playground

October 13, noon—4 pm

3500 Reservoir Drive

Come for a free celebration of the arts in honor of David N. Pincus (1926-2011), local philanthropist, art collector, and Smith supporter. Families will enjoy food, games, arts activities, live music, and more.

Girard Avenue Street Festival

October 13, noon—7 pm

26^th to 29^th Street and Girard Avenue

This festival returns in its second year with vendors, neighborhood nonprofits, area restaurants, live music, kids’ activities, and neighborly love.

Bloktoberfest

October 13, noon—8 pm

South Street, beginning at 15^th Street

An all-ages street fair with lots of beer, food, and music.

Saturday Art Making at Woodmere Art Museum

October 13, 12:30—2:30 pm

9201 Germantown Ave.

Come make art together as a family, then stay and enjoy the straw maze!

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.

Movie Night at Columbus Square: ‘Coco’

October 13, 7:30 pm

Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton St.

Columbus Square is hosting a free outdoor movie night, featuring Coco. Movie begins at dusk. Bring your own blanket.

Sunday

Monster Mash-Up at the Art Museum

October 14, 10:30 am—3 pm

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

During this family-friendly drop-in art studio, meet mixed-up mythological creatures in art from around the world. Then unleash wild imagination and create your own hybrid beasts.

Bartram’s Garden HarvestFest

October 14, noon—3 pm (concert from 3—6 pm)

5400 Lindbergh Blvd.

Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of pumpkin carving, cider pressing, garlic planting, hayrides, paddling on the river, music, games, and more. Following the festival, there will be a concert from 3—6 pm.

PECO Family Jams: Collage Stoneware

October 14, noon—4 pm

Philadelphia Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.

Decorate your own small stoneware vessel with a patchwork of tissue paper dyed in Ebb Tide-inspired hues. Family-friendly tours will be held at 1 pm and 2:30 pm.