October in Philadelphia means pumpkins, costumes, and spirited Halloween fun throughout the city. Check out our witch’s brew of frightfully fun Halloween events in Philly. We’ve got everything from family-friendly boo’s and trick-or-treating spots to spooky ghost tours and haunted attractions.

Family-Friendly Tricks, Treats and Ghoulish Fun

Philly is conjuring up trick-or-treat adventures and spooky celebrations perfect for all ages. From non-scary hayrides and pumpkin carving to science shows and cultural festivals, here is an assortment of Halloween activities in and around the city.

Hayrides to the Witch’s House

October 1–October 30, 2026, days & times vary
Linvilla Orchards, 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA

Families can enjoy a delightful non-scary hayride adventure to visit Linvilla’s friendly neighborhood witch. During the journey, children will hear entertaining tales and jokes before receiving a special treat from the storytelling witch. After the hayride, guests can gather around a cozy campfire to enjoy warm cider and roast marshmallows. The wagon departs from the pumpkin patch area and runs for about 15-20 minutes. Online ticket purchase in advance is recommended.

Boo at the Zoo

Saturdays & Sundays, October 3–November 1, 2026, from 9:30 am–5:00 pm
Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W Girard Ave, West Philadelphia

Boo at the Zoo is the zoo’s annual Halloween celebration featuring trick-or-treating throughout the grounds — costumes encouraged! The event runs for three weekends plus a new Monday date on October 13. Activities include a dance party, train rides, mini golf, costume parades, and garden tours. Visitors can watch animals enjoy pumpkins and participate in various Halloween-themed attractions. The event is included with general admission or membership tickets.

Halloween in the Historic District

Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11 am–3 pm
Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia

Bring your family for a spooktacular Philadelphia adventure mixing history with Halloween fun and treats! Start at the Independence Visitor Center and pick up treat bags and maps for district-wide trick-or-treating. Join pumpkin painting at 11 am, then explore iconic landmarks offering ghostly tales and special activities. It’s the perfect blend of thrills, history, and autumn excitement for everyone.

CultureFest! Día de los Muertos

Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10 am–4 pm
Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, West Philadelphia

Explore the unique history, traditions, and expressions of the Mexican celebration, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This full-day festival at Penn Museum offers fun for the whole family, including an arts activity, altar competition, artisan market, dance and music performances, and an enormous traditional ofrenda (altar) installation.

Trick-or-Treat Street at Franklin Square

October 24, 2026, from 11 am–1 pm
Franklin Square, 200 N 6th Street, Center City Philadelphia

Celebrate the sweet and spooky season with a trick or treating at Franklin Square. Kids 10 and under are welcome for a family-friendly afternoon of candy and fun. Follow the trail in Franklin Square and get some sweets on Trick-or-Treat Street. This event is FREE! Capacity is limited. A limited number of walk-up tickets are available while supplies last.

Sensory Friendly Halloween Edition

Celebrate Halloween with a family-friendly day at The Franklin Institute designed with sensory needs in mind. Sensory Friendly Halloween offers a more comfortable, welcoming museum experience, complete with sensory-friendly shows, Halloween trick-or-treating, hands-on activities, community programming, and access to the museum’s general admission exhibits.

The Franklin Institute will open its doors 30 minutes ahead of regular hours, at 9 am, for special Sensory Friendly Day programming, giving families a chance to enjoy Halloween festivities at a more relaxed pace.

Spooky Science Day

October 26, 2026, from 11 am–3 pm
The Franklin Institute, 271 North 21st Street, Center City Philadelphia

Celebrate the spooky season with fall-inspired activities and Halloween fun for all ages. Featured activities includes the “That’s Gross!” live science show exploring gross secrets inside us. Guests can watch pumpkin carving turn into a wild science experiment. There’s also a slime, dough, and putty demonstration showcasing squishy materials. Members can join Youth Ambassadors for hands-on activities from 11 am to 1 pm Costumes are encouraged, and the event is free with general museum admission.

East Passyunk Fall Fest

Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11 am–4 pm
East Passyunk Avenue, between Morris and Dickinson Streets, South Philadelphia

Families are invited to join the spooktacular Fall Fest celebration on October 26th along East Passyunk Avenue. Kids and adults can participate in pumpkin carving and creative arts activities, and trick or treating. Guests can also browse craft and arts vendors throughout the event.

Spine-tingling Haunted Events in Philadelphia

From candlelight ghost tours through Old City to terrifying haunted attractions at Eastern State Penitentiary, these experiences are designed for older kids and adults seeking genuine frights.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia

Nightly tours until November 28, 2026
Signers’ Garden, 434-498 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Get in the Halloween spirit with bone-chilling tales from beyond the grave on a Candlelight Ghost Tour of Philadelphia! Unearth spine-tingling stories of wandering ghosts, haunted houses steeped in mystery, and hidden burial grounds on a walking tour of Old City and Society Hill. Tours depart nightly from Signers’ Garden at 5th and Chestnut Streets. Tickets are $27 per person ($16 for ages 4–12).

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary

Select nights, October 2–November 7, 2026
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia

Get ready for terrifying scenes, startling ghouls, and plenty of jump-scares at the massive haunted attraction, Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. Not for the faint or heart or the little ones, this long-running haunted attraction features five thrilling haunted houses within the prison walls, plus themed bars, and live entertainment. General admission tickets start at $49. Recommended for children ages 12 and older.

🎃 Haunt our Philly Family curated events calendar for even more fun things to do with your family every day!

More Halloween and Family-Friendly Events in Philly