Halloween is coming, and if you check with some places, it’s already here! Somewhere along the way, Halloween has taken over the whole month of October; but that might just be necessary to fit in all these fun events around town. From haunted houses, to pumpkin painting, to spooky boats, and everything in between, there are so many ways for kids (and adults) of every age to celebrate. So ready those costumes–you’re going to need them!

 

Be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back—we’ll be updating as some annual favorites announce their dates too.

Young Frankenstein

September 3—October 20

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.

 

It’s alive! This musical stage adaptation of Mel Brooks’ hilarious film comes to WST. Tickets available online.

Terror Behind the Walls

September 20–November 3 (check their schedule)

Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue

 

Not for the very young or the faint of heart, this haunted attraction held in a historic prison stages six scary attractions. Tickets can be purchased online or on site. This could be great for older kids, or for a unique date night. Family Nights are Sundays before 7:30 pm– kids get discounted tickets and if they don’t want any trouble they can say, “Monster Be Good!,” and they will!

Twilight Tours at One Liberty Observation Deck

Fridays through Sundays from September 20—October 27, 5 pm and 6 pm; October 31

1650 Market St.

 

Exploring Philadelphia’s haunted history with this themed tour from the 57th floor. Learn about where to ghost hunt!

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.

The GLOW: A Jack O’Lantern Experience

Thursdays through Sundays from October 5—November 3

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! Tickets are available online. We’ve got a discount code for you! Scroll to the bottom of our review of Glow to find it!

Spooky Mini Golf

Thursdays through Sundays from October 4—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!

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.

Boo at the Zoo

October 12, 13, 19, 20, 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 on Impala Lawn.

The Poe Raid

October 12, noon–4 pm

Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. Third St.

 

Teams of four people, all who will sport their best Poe costume, will pass a Raven across Northern Liberties across obstacle courses and more. While this spectacle is happening, the party at Liberty Lands Park will feature Poe-inspired food and drink, Poe Quizzo, a Literary Character Costume Contest for the kids, readings of Poe’s works, doll making, face painting, and more.

Halloween Edition of Drag Queen Storytime

October 12, noon

Fumo Family Library, 2437 S. Broad St.

 

Drag Queen Brittany Lynn hosts a fabulously spooky storytime for little ones! Stories and arts and crafts will start at noon. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a costume parade at the end of storytime! Don’t have a costume? Miss Brittany will be bringing amazing and fun Halloween costumes for purchase with proceeds to benefit the Fumo library–nothing over $10!

Franklin Square Halloween Maze

October 12, noon—4 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Walk in and try to find the way out in Franklin Square’s new inflatable Halloween maze attraction! $5 per person.

 

Philly Family Fall Fun at Craft Hall

October 12, 1–3 pm

Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Avenue

 

Join the Philly Family team as we celebrate the release of our Fall issue, raise a glass to it finally being sweater weather, and carve some pumpkins! Costumes are highly encouraged for our Fall celebration at the best place to drink with kids, Craft Hall! You might even win a free week of Winter Break Camp from Music Theatre Philly, some goodies from Nest Center City, or even tickets to Candytopia while you’re at it! Plus, you can pick out a pumpkin and carve it to really get in the spooky spirit!

Creepy Crawly Saturday at Please Touch Museum

October 19, 9 am–5 pm

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

Put on your favorite costume and get ready for a creepy, crawly Halloween party! Decorate a trick-or-treat bag, then search the museum for charming characters who want to give you a treat! Create with PopUp Play, enjoy live music and cooking demos, and stick around for the costume parade at the end of the day!

Haunted Circus Mansion

October 19 and 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.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

October 19, 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.

Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch

October 19, noon—2 pm

Franklin Square, 200 N. Sixth St.

 

Kids 10 and under can select a free pumpkin, then decorate it with spooky designs to take home. Fair warning: people start to line up for this well in advance, and it gets crowded.

Chestnut Hill Witches and Wizards Day

October 19, noon—5 pm

Chestnut Hill

 

Formerly known as the Harry Potter Festival, this annual event features traditions such as the Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament, creepy crafts for kids, live circus performers, shopping, and so much more. Head over to Hocus Pocus Headquarters (tickets required) for seasonal stations including monster dig, potion-making, and pumpkin-decorating. The Woodmere Art Museum straw maze will be open, too! The event is free to attend, with some activities being pay-as-you-go—but registration is required. And if you feel like getting a babysitter the night before, there is a Brews and Broomsticks pub crawl on October 18.

Halloween Family Fun Day at The Woodlands

October 20, noon–3 pm

4000 Woodland Ave.

 

The Woodlands is hosting a free spooky family-friendly day to celebrate Halloween. See creepy specimens at the Mutter Museum pop up, go on a Halloween scavenger hunt, and more. Plus, at 2:30 pm, there will be a pet costume contest!

Tacony Halloween Celebration

October 21, 4–7 pm

Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Ave.

 

Costume contest, crafts, scary stories, music, and a Trunk-or-Treat block party!

Spooky Stories at Glen Foerd

October 23, 6:30 pm

Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave.

 

Get ready for Halloween with scary stories and some Halloween treats! For children in second grade and older.

A Mad Hatter Halloween Tea Party

October 24, 4:30 pm

Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library, 1935 Shunk St.

 

Bring your fanciest hat and sense of wonderment to celebrate both Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland and Halloween. The library will have games, dramatic readings, prizes, snacks, juice boxes, and of course, tea.

Philly POPS presents ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

October 24—25

The Met, 858 N. Broad St.

 

In a nod to the Hollywood Bowl’s productions of Tim Burton’s masterpiece, The Philly POPS will perform the film’s classic score alongside the original film. Everyone is invited to attend in costume; Tim Burton-themed costumes are especially encouraged!

Use code NIGHTMARE to get $20 tickets in select sections!

EPCC Halloween Party

October 24, 6 pm

East Passyunk Community Recreation Center, 1025 Mifflin St.

 

EPCC presents a free Harry Potter-themed party with a costume contest, games, crafts, and snacks.

Outdoor Movie Night: Hocus Pocus

October 24, 6:30 pm

DiSilvestro Playground, 1701 S. 15th Street

 

‘Tis time! DiSilvestro hosts a free screening of Hocus Pocus. Bring your own chairs and blankets, and get ready to run amok (amok, amok)!

Kids’ Pumpkin Painting at Palumbo

October 25, 4—6 pm

725 S. 10^th St.

 

Come pick out a pumpkin and decorate it for the holiday! ColorWheels, the mobile studio based at Fleisher Art Memorial, will be on hand to help the little ones with their masterpieces.

Halloween Bash at Kith + Kin

October 25, 5–7 pm

3060 W. Jefferson St.

 

Grown-ups BYOB, and kids wear costumes for a fun night for all! The night includes open play, a spooky concert with Roots with Ruark (at 5:30 pm), crafting monster creations, yummy Halloween treats, and a costume parade to finish out the evening! Pre-register online.

Family Fun Haunted House at Mini InMovement

October 25, 10 am and 11 am

Philly InMovement 610 S. Percy Street

 

Kids ages 10 months-5 years can come in costume for music, crafts, and a special Halloween-themed obstacle course with treats. Register online.

Kids’ Masquerade Ball

October 25, 5–8 pm

Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Columbus Blvd.

 

Celebrate Halloween with a free, fun-filled evening of face painting, make-and-take crafts including creating your own masquerade mask and wearable wings. Plus, play games, show off your monster moves, and snap a spooky selfie or two at the photo station. Partners like PopUpPlay, iFacePaint, and Portside Arts Center will be on hand with these fun activities.

Halloween Hikes and Hayrides

October 25 and 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.

Halloween Campfire and Party

October 25, 7:30–9 pm

Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600 Verree Rd.

 

Celebrate Halloween with a fun night of stories, songs, skits, campfire treats, and more. Registration is required; email PEC@phila.gov to receive a registration form.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

 

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.

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.

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!

Halloween Costume Party and Parade 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.

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 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.

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.

 

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.

Rhythm Babies Halloween Costume Contest

October 26–31

 

Drop into the best baby music classes in town, and get your baby dressed up in their most adorable costume for a chance to win 10 free classes! See schedule and locations online.

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.

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.

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.

Fitler Square Halloween Funfest and Pumpkin Hunt

October 27, 3 pm

Fitler Square

 

Live music, treats, and a pumpkin hunt for kids!

Fairmount Halloween Festival and Parade

October 27, 3:30—5:30 pm

Philly Art Center, 2333 Fairmount Ave.

 

Start with art and music making at Philly Art Center’s new location, then march in the Fairmount Halloween Parade!

Halloween Family Fun Night

October 28, 5:30–7:15 pm

Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave.

 

The Insectarium visits the library to highlight cool and creepy creatures! Plus, Halloween crafts and treats!

Monster Mash Bash with Mister John

October 29, 10 am or 11 am

Philly InMovement, 500 Kenilworth Street

 

Little ones (ages 10 months – 5 years) can join everyone’s favorite Mister John and the InMovement team for a Monster Mash Bash! Come wearing your spookiest costume. The gym will be open for children to climb and jump while Mister John plays live Halloween themed music. Plus, treats afterward! Pre-register online.

Halloween Storytime and Costume Parade

October 29, 10:30 am

DiSilvestro Playground, 1701 S. 15th Street

 

Wear your costume and meet at the playground behind the library for a spooky storytime, and then a costume parade ending in the library where there will be Halloween crafts and activities.

Toddler Halloween Party

October 29, 10:30 am

Independence Library, 18 S. Seventh St.

 

Meet up for a Halloween party just for the little ones at the library!

Tween Halloween Party

October 30, 4 pm

Independence Library, 18 S. Seventh St.

 

Students in first through eighth grades are invited to celebrate with spooky games and tasty treats.

Trick-or-Treat at the Art Museum

October 30, 5—7 pm

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Come dressed up to trick-or-treat through the galleries and make some spooky artwork! Free with pay-what-you-wish admission.

Costume Parade in Rittenhouse Square

October 31, 10 am

18^th and Walnut (meet at Billy the Goat)

 

Little ones can meet at the goat for a costume parade around the park, and then a special Halloween storytime in the library (1905 Locust Street). In case of rain, the parade will also be in the library.

Spooky Storytime

October 31, 11 am

Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave.

 

Halloween-themed stories, activities, and sweet treats. Plus, a costume parade around the library! For ages 2-7 with a caregiver.

Halloween at PlayArts

October 31, 3—5 pm

1241 N. Front Street

 

Ghoulish games, spooky sensory stations, and fiendish fun—plus pizza slices for sale to nourish your little goblins before they head out to trick-or-treat. Costumes strongly encouraged! Free for PlayArts members.

Halloween Crafternoon

October 31, 3 pm

Walnut Street West Library, 201 S. 40th St.

 

Children of all ages are invited for a Halloween craft, music, and trick-or-treating in the library! Costumes are encouraged.

Dinos After Dark: Halloween Party

October 31, 4–8 pm

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission, a family-friendly atmosphere, and the Dino Drafts Beer Garden in Dinosaur Hall! Plus, for Halloween, stop by five frightfully fun stations for a treat and check out spooky specimens from the museum’s collections!

 

 

Lead photograph by Laura Swartz.