If your family loves a little spookiness this time of year, mark your calendars. Walnut Street Theatre is kicking off its 218th season with THE ADDAMS FAMILY: The Musical — sure to be one of the most fun, family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween in Philadelphia this fall.

The Addams Family: The Musical 

You already know the Addams Family from TV and film, but this stage musical puts a fresh, funny spin on the family everyone loves to love. The story centers on Wednesday Addams, all grown up and — gasp! — in love. She’s fallen for a sweet, “normal” young man from a respectable family. Now she’s begging her father, Gomez, to keep the secret from her mother, Morticia, until the time is right. Naturally, everything comes to a hilarious head the night the Addams family hosts dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his very unsuspecting parents.

It’s a story about acceptance, growing up, and loving your family exactly as weird as it is — a great pick for parents and kids to enjoy together. Expect plenty of laughs, some theatrical frights, and the kind of creepy, kooky charm that’s been part of the Addams Family since cartoonist Charles Addams first dreamed them up back in 1938.

When and Where

The show runs at Walnut Street Theatre’s Mainstage, located at 825 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. The show officially runs September 30 through November 1, 2026, giving families plenty of chances to catch it during the Halloween season.

Tickets and full performance schedules are available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org, through Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 215-574-3550.

Accessible Performances

Walnut Street Theatre is offering several accessible performance options for families who need them:

• Open captioning – Sunday, October 4 at the 7 pm performance
• Audio description – Thursday, October 15 at the 2 pm performance
• ASL translation – Thursday, October 15 at the 7:30 pm performance

Meet a Few of the Faces Behind the Frights

Leading the family are Lindsey Bliven as Morticia Addams and Damon Bonetti as Gomez. Abbie Parker makes her Walnut debut as Wednesday. Young Pugsley Addams will be shared by two local kids: Kieran Gallagher of Philadelphia and Tristan Monaghan of Trevose. It’s a fun detail for families rooting for hometown talent. Rounding out the household are Kelly Briggs as Uncle Fester, Aren Duffy as Lurch, and Mary Martello as Grandma.

Behind the scenes, Director/Choreographer Richard Stafford returns to lead the production. He’s known for Walnut favorites like A Christmas Story The Musical and Mamma Mia!. Music Director Chris Burcheri also returns, now in his seventh season at the Walnut.

Hallo-Week at the Walnut: Special Family-Friendly Nights

To get into the Halloween spirit, Walnut Street Theatre is hosting HalloWeek, a week of themed performances:

• Wednesday’s Mezz Madness – Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 pm. All mezzanine seats are $28.
• Kids Night at the Walnut – Thursday, October 29, 7:30 pm. Buy one full-price adult ticket and get a youth ticket free. Plus, enjoy special pre-show lobby events — a great, budget-friendly option for families.
• Two to Tango Date Night – Friday, October 30, 7:30 pm. Two tickets for $140, with exclusive pre-show events from 6:30–7:30pm. It’s a nice option for a grown-ups’ night out during the season.
• Addams After Dark – Saturday, October 31, 7 pm. All seats are $35, with $10 drink specials and pre-show festivities for the adults in the group.

Families looking for the most budget-friendly, kid-focused option will likely want to circle Kids Night on October 29. But any of these HalloWeek performances add extra festivity to the outing. Check out more details on HalloWeek on The Addams Family: The Musical page on the Walnut Street Theatre website.

Philadelphia Family Giveaway: Win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets

We have partnered with Walnut Street Theatre to give away three, family 4-packs of tickets to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY: The Musical this fall. 

One lucky winner will be selected from entries at each of our publications: Philadelphia Family, Main Line Parent, and Bucks County Parent.

• Enter for your chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to a performance of your choice (subject to availability).
• Enter to win by Thursday, October 1 at midnight.
• Winners will be notified by email shortly after the entry period closes.

What’s Next for the Walnut Street Theatre 2026-27 Season

If your family falls in love with a night at the Walnut, there’s more to look forward to. THE ADDAMS FAMILY kicks off a season that also includes Disney’s FROZEN The Broadway Musical, a pick for younger fans. The season also features three shows for adult and teen audiences. Those include David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, and Come From Away The Musical. It’s a season with something for nearly every member of the family. Plan a full night out, or a special outing just for the kids.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re building a Halloween tradition or just want one fun outing this fall, THE ADDAMS FAMILY delivers. Expect laughs, heart, and just the right amount of spooky for the season. Grab your tickets before the family disappears into the shadows. Visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or call 215-574-3550 to reserve your seats today.