High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 26

High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 26–27

Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

October 21, 2019

Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.

All Weekend

Seaport Spooktacular

October 26–27, 1—4 pm

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard

Trick-or-treat among the nostalgic decks of the historic Cruiser Olympia, and take part in hair-raising activities inside the museum.

Haunted River Cruise

October 26 and 27, 8 pm

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.

Boo at the Zoo

October 26 and 27, 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!

Straw Maze Fun at Woodmere Museum

October 26–27

9201 Germantown Ave.

Built from massive straw bales, this year’s maze is fun for ages 4-11 with a parent. Entrance to the museum is free to parents and guardians whose children have tickets to the Straw Maze.

‘Hamilton’

August 27–November 17

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.

The Broadway sensation based on our ten dollar founding father is finally coming, so do not throw away your shot! Don’t have tickets? Enter the #HAM4HAM lottery! Still don’t have tickets? We rounded up ways to stay entertained with Hamilton-related activities in Philly until you do!

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

October 5—31

West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave.

Take a stroll down Jack’s path to see elaborately carved pumpkins and displays like you’ve never seen!

Spooky Mini Golf

Thursdays through Sundays from October 3—31, 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!

Candytopia

Now open through January 9

Ninth and Market streets

Coming to the new Fashion District, Candytopia brings its wildly popular experiential installation art to Philly this fall. Favorites—like the marshmallow pit filled with over 250,000 foam marshmallows, and the rainbow-filled room with flying unicorn pigs and confetti explosions—will be joined by Philly-specific elements. It’s Instagram heaven, and you even get to eat candy throughout the experience! Tickets are available online, where you can reserve your timeslot. Kids age 3 and under get in free!

Ghost Ship

October 4– November 3; Wednesdays through Sundays from 7–10 pm

Race Street Pier

This a 90-foot, three-dimensional, light and water installation on the Delaware River depicts a giant 18th-century ship apparition! The art is dynamic, affected by the weather, so you’ll get a different experience each time! To add to your spooky boat experience, access recorded reflections of local experts and artists speak to the river’s importance to Philadelphia with diverse stories from before colonization to the present day. For the duration of the installation, the creators of Parks on Tap have created the pop-up River Beer Garden at Race Street Pier. featuring Mainstay Independent Brewing Company beers and fall-themed food options; along with a festive outdoor space featuring lighting, comfortable chairs, and hammocks.

LEGOLAND New York Resort on the Road visits Liberty Place

October 25—27

Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St.

LEGOLAND New York Resort will be bringing the theme park experience to Philadelphia all weekend, with visitors getting the opportunity to take pictures with costume characters and large-scale LEGO models, as well as meet a couple of the famous LEGOLAND Kid Reporters. The interactive event will also offer LEGO building activities led by Master Model Builders and the opportunity to “ride” Driving School cars and a simulated Dragon Coaster ride vehicle.

Saturday

Halloween at Reading Terminal Market

October 26, 9 am—1 pm

12^th and Arch streets

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

Franklin Fright

October 26, 10 am–3 pm

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.

Spooky science, scary live shows, and other frightfully fun, family-friendly festivities take over the museum. Make-and-take your own trick-or-treat pins and “bloody” handprint art, and experience ghostly science with dry ice experiments, plus more Halloween-themed hands-on activities throughout the museum. Come dressed in your best costume for the festive parade, and witness a hair-raising ball pit ball explosion to end things with a bang!

Día de los Muertos at the Penn Museum

October 26, 10 am—5 pm

3260 South St.

Experience the rich traditions of Mexican culture at with musical and dance performances, puppetry and storytelling, face painting, sugar skulls, arts and crafts, and more.

Healthy Halloween at Smith Memorial Playground

October 26, 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 26, 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! And stop by the Square from 10 am–1 pm for some Halloween fun in the park!

PAWS Mutt Strut

October 26, 10 am—2 pm

Navy Yard

Enjoy a scenic walk, activities for dogs and people, food trucks, live music, contests, prizes, and much more to help save Philadelphia’s homeless pets. Register online. Kids under 12 and dogs get in free.

Arden Bookworms

October 26, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

Preschoolers (age 2-4) will read Room on the Broom, then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.

Arden Workshop: Musical Theatre Dance

October 26, 10 am—noon (Grades K-2), 2—5 pm (Grades 3-5)

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second St.

In this active class, students will be introduced to the world of dance using songs they know and love from Disney and Broadway scores. They’ll learn how to connect movement to lyrics and storyline and perform for family and friends at the end of class. Pre-register online.

East Passyunk Fall Fest and Spooky Saturday

October 26, 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 in Manayunk

October 26, 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.

Family Craft Table at The Center for Art in Wood

October 26, 11 am—4 pm

141 N. 3rd Street

Each month the Center will offer a free seasonal hands-on craft for all ages to enjoy. Stop in and experience the Center’s Museum Collection, unique store, and get creative at the Family Craft Table.

South Philly Halloween Spooktacular at Snyder Plaza

October 26, 11 am—2 pm

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

Come in costume for trick-or-treating, music, games, and more.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Halloween Spooktacular

October 26, 11:30 am

Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

Put on your best Halloween costume and the Orchestra will put on theirs, as they explore the spooky and the silly in this orchestral adventure. Enhance your family’s experience with Pre-Concert Adventures, free for all ticket holders, beginning one hour before the concert.

Savvy Sorcerers Escape Room

October 26, 11:30 am—3 pm

Roxborough Library, 6245 Ridge Ave.

For ages 7 and up. Maximum group size is 5.

South Street Fall PumpkinFest and Trick-or-Treating

October 26, 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 hayrides, live music, crafts for kids, seasonal bites, games, a straw bale maze, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and costume contests. There are also dazzling aerial performances by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. 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.

Halloween Costume Party with Mister John’s Music at Craft Hall

October 26, noon—3 pm

Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Avenue

Kids can walk in the costume parade (at 2 pm) and enjoy pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and more while adults enjoy some Mainstay Brewery beverages at the bar. Plus, family favorite Mister John performs!

Piazza Pod Park Halloween Super Saturday

October 26, noon—4 pm

1069 Germantown Ave.

Piazza Pod Park hosts its first annual Halloween Weekend! Enjoy the haunted DJ playing spooky family favorites on the stage, wear a costume and trick-or-treat around the Pods, make-and-take your own trick-or-treat bag for Halloween, enjoy free arts and crafts, enter the children’s costume contest and win prizes. Plus, enjoy special treats and specials from the food and drink pods, and look for special added vendors for bonus fun!

Franklin Square Trick-or-Treat Trail

October 26, 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!

Halloween Hoedown at Penn Treaty Park

October 26, noon–2 pm

1199 N. Delaware Ave.

This annual event features a free pumpkin patch, Halloween games, music, and some spooky surprises.

Port Richmond Fall Festival

October 26, 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 games, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating with the festival’s vendors.

Halloween Candy Crafting

October 26, noon–2 pm

DiSilvestro Playground, 1701 S. 15th Street

Families will learn the basics of crafting chocolate treats with a spooky Halloween twist. This program is geared towards families with children ages 3 and up. Parent participation is strongly encouraged but not required. Space is limited so register your family by emailing DiSilvestroPlayground@gmail.com or call 215-685-1598.

Fall Family Storytime

October 26, noon

Independence Library, 18 S. Seventh St.

Storyteller extraordinaire Mr. Malcolm presents Halloween Stories starring Purlie the Wonderdog! Stories include Room on a Broom and more.

Pumpkins in the Park

October 26, noon—3 pm

Pleasant Hill Park, 8900 N. Delaware Ave.

Celebrate Halloween with pumpkin painting, crafts, pies, and ciders. Activities will take place in the playground area. Pumpkins and fall treats available while supplies last.

Halloween Party at Torresdale Library

October 26, 2 pm

3079 Holme Ave.

Come enjoy some “scary” stories, songs, and dancing with Halloween tunes. For kids ages 2-5.

Friends of Adaire Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat

October 26, 2—4:30 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.

Portside Arts Center Family Halloween Extravaganza

October 26, 6–9 pm

2531 E. Lehigh Ave.

Come enjoy a night of family fun and celebrate Halloween at Portside including a family dance party, snacks, pumpkin painting, crafts, and Halloween bingo. Come dressed in costume as a family and enter the family costume contest for a chance to win some awesome prizes! Tickets available online.

Halloween Hikes and Hayrides

October 26, 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.

Haunted Circus Mansion

October 26; Family-friendly events from 6–8 pm, adult events later at night

Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6451 Greene Street

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. This spooky, family-friendly haunted pathway is where kids of all ages get to trick-or-treat, interact with Halloween characters and have a scary good time. This path will be upstairs this year, going to all the different rooms on the second floor.

Fishtown Fall Fest

October 26, 6—10 pm

Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Ave.

Pumpkin painting, music, local beer, pizza from Pitruco Pizza truck, and more. This is a kid-friendly and dog-friendly event. Free admission. Costumes optional.

Sunday

Haunted Horses Show

October 27, 8 am–3 pm

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.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

October 27, 9—11 am

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Children on the spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum before the crowds. You can visit with the dinosaurs, and all the other exhibits, at your own pace. Pre-registration is required (same-day registration is available onsite). If you would like to attend, please contact visitor services at 215-299-1060 or reservations@ansp.org

Halloween NESTIVAL

October 27, 10 am–1 pm

Nest Center City, 1301 Locust St.

This is the biggest Halloween bash for little ones! Come in costume and experience three floors of fun with treats, a glow-in-the-dark obstacle course, face painting, crafts, open play, and more. And for the grown-ups, there will be apple cider mimosas and hard cider! Guests will receive one grand prize entry per non-perishable food item donated to Philabundance. This event always sells out, so be sure to pre-register online or over the phone.

Philly InMovement’s Halloween Extravaganza

October 27, 11 am—2 pm

Philly InMovement, 500 Kenilworth Street

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

Franklin Square Bark-or-Treat Trail

October 27, 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. Enjoy music, photo opportunities, and a place to play and run in the Square.

Sollo-ween

October 27, 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.

Halloween on the Hill

October 27, 1—3 pm

1 West Hartwell Lane, Chestnut Hill

Compass Real Estate will be hosting a free Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot of One West.

Fall Family Day at Laurel Hill Cemetery

October 27, 1—3 pm

3822 Ridge Avenue

Activities will include a pumpkin patch, readings from the Storybook Fairy, crafts, and hayrides throughout the grounds. There will also be a picnic and costume parade. This program is recommended for families with children ages 4-12. Tickets ($5) can be purchased at the door or online.

Halloween Party at Northeast Regional Library

October 27, 2 pm

2228 Cottman Ave.

Halloween stories, crafts, treat-or-treat in the library for children and their families. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must have an admission ticket which will be given out in the Children’s Department 30 minutes before the program begins.