High Five! Philly Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 27–28
Plan the perfect weekend with our picks!
From fall festivals to Halloween fun, and much more, this weekend has everything! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks. Note: the weather isn’t looking too promising. We’re updating with rainouts when we hear of them, but be sure to check with the venue if you’re unsure! Happy Halloweekend!
Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, including all the museum exhibits.
All Weekend
Boo at the Zoo
October 27–28, 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.
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!
The Johnny Shortcake Show
October 27 and 28, 11 am and 2 pm
Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.
“Suppose your nose was where your elbows goes — would you call them smellbows?” The funky and surreal Johnny Shortcake Show will return to the Kimmel Center for two weekends, and you’ll be dancing, laughing, and wishing everyday was “Cupcake Tuesday” right alongside your kids! Read more about the man, the music, and the “pop magic” inspiration in our interview.
‘Hamilton Was Here’ Opening Weekend
October 27—28, 11 am—5 pm
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South Third Street
Through playful interactives, scenic environments, and facilitated games, guests of all ages will form connections between our own city and Alexander Hamilton’s extraordinary contributions to the nation’s founding. Read all about the new exhibit in our preview!
Festival for the People
Weekends through October 28
Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
The new Delaware River Waterfront attraction Cherry Street Pier is open, 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.
MoshuBOO
Fridays through Sundays through October 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.
The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience
Thursdays through Sundays through October 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.
Pumpkin Patch at SplashLab Arts
October 22—26, 9 am–1 pm
3510 Scotts Lane
SplashLab Arts will be offering an indoor pumpkin patch every day during drop in hours. Come in and pick a pumpkin from the patch, then sit at the table and paint or carve it.
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!
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.
Saturday
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.
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.
Arden Bookworms
October 27, 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.
One-Day Musical Theatre Dance Workshop
October 27, 10—noon (grades K-2) and 2—5 pm (grades 3-5)
Arden Drama School, 62 N. Second Street
In this active class, students will be introduced to musical theater dance using familiar songs, and learn how to connect movement to lyrics and storyline. At the end of class, they will perform for family and friends.
Little Chef’s Pizza Class
October 27, 10—11:30 am
Pizzeria Vetri, 1939 Callowhill St.
Kids will create their own mini pizzas and watch them bake while also enjoying “make your own pizza” coloring pages. A mini dough ball will be given to take home so they can bring their new skills into your home kitchen! Small bites will be available for snacking. 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!
Spooky Storytime
October 27, 10:30 am
Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Avenue
Join Ms. Meredith for fun Halloween themed stories, songs, dancing, and a craft. Be sure to wear a costume! For ages 2 to 7 years old, along with an adult.
Discovery Day
October 27, 11 am—3 pm
The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Dr.
Come check out Fairmount Park’s new Discovery Center! There will be fun and interactive outdoor activities, team games and challenges, bird walks, a live bird presentation, arts and crafts, and an aerial course demonstration. Read all about the Discovery Center in our preview.
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!
Saturday Art Making at Woodmere Art Museum
October 27, 12:30—2:30 pm
9201 Germantown Ave.
Come make art together as a family, then stay and enjoy the straw maze!
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.
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.
Halloween Bash at Logan Library
October 27, 1—4 pm
1333 Wagner Avenue
Be lead on a Spooky Specter Story Walk, zap some zombies with Nuclear Nerf Balls, view a terrifically terrifying twist to Thriller, and enjoy Halloween treats.
A Taste of Syria: Kibbeh and Tabbouleh for Families
October 27, 1—4 pm
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street
This family-friendly class for children and their caregivers is the second in the library’s Taste of Syria series. Asmaa Diab, a multi-talented cook and caterer originally from Syria, will lead the group in a demonstration on how to prepare kibbeh and tabbouleh. Tickets available online.
Cobbs Creek Fall Festival
October 27, 2—6 pm
Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Celebrate fall and Halloween with apple press, arts and crafts, trail walks, bobbing for apples, archery, tricks and treats, and more.
Monster Cake Pop Party
October 27, 2—4:30 pm
Sue’s Art Class, 2119 Spruce Street
Make ghoulish creatures on a stick just in time for Halloween! Pre-register online.
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.
Haunted Circus Mansion
October 27; family-friendly events at 6 pm, adult events at 9 pm.
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.
Halloween Hikes and Hayrides
October 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.
Sunday
Sensory-Friendly Sunday at Franklin Institute
October 28, 8 am—noon
Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street
Exhibits will be modified to provide an opportunity to experience all The Franklin Institute has to offer for people on the autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities. Trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and, if necessary, direct guests to a quiet space that provides a chance to cool down and take a break. Complimentary admission is available for pre-registered guests, as well as for guests arriving between 8—9:30 am.
Eagles Game on the Big Screen
October 28, 9:30 am
The Piazza at Schmidt’s, 1001 N. Second St.
The Eagles are playing in London, so that means a special morning game on the Jumbotron at Schmidt’s Commons!
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.
Monster Mash-Up at the Art Museum
October 28, 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.
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.
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!
‘Fast Lane’ NASCAR Photography Closing Reception and Family Festival
October 28, 1—4 pm
Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue
Bring the whole family for the closing reception of ‘Fast Lane’ with cars, simulators, barrel trains, refreshments, and a festival full of racing-themed fun!
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.
Sundays on Stage: Keepers of the Culture
October 28, 2 pm
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street
Come hear this rich tapestry of tales told by members of Keepers of the Culture in the African Oral Tradition.
PAFA Family Arts Academy: Gourd Animals
October 28, 2—4 pm
118-128 N. Broad St.
At this free art program for the whole family, create animals out of gourds.
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!
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.
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!
Halloween at Bartram’s Garden
October 28, 5:30—7 pm and October 31, 5—7 pm
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.
Come in costume for haunted house tours with trick-or-treating inside the house, and some spooky sights, too. After, head into the conservatory for crafts.
‘Ghostbusters’ at the Piazza
October 28, 7—9 pm
The Piazza at Schmidt’s, 1001 N. Second St.
Who you gonna call? Get in the Halloween spirit with this classic 80s movie outside at the Piazza. Free popcorn, bring your own chair.
Flying Steps presents ‘Flying Bach’
October 28, 7:30 pm
Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.
This internationally known dance crew presents an original dynamic dance show, combining hip-hop with modern ballet. In Flying Bach, the dancers will perform on a custom dance platform with a grand piano and harpsichord on stage playing adaptations of Johann Sebastian Bach music, and then add in electronic elements to bring the music into the present.
Photograph by Laura Swartz.
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