Philly knows how to do Halloween right—and families don’t have to miss out on the fun. From not-so-scary haunted happenings to neighborhood festivals bursting with pumpkins, crafts, and candy, there’s something for every age group...even those hard to please teens. Check out these events to plan your family’s Halloween adventure!
Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square: October 1st - November 1st
Philly Mini Gold transforms in to Spooky Mini Golf for the Halloween Season!
18th Annual Scarecrow Design Contest at Morris Arboretum: October 1st - November 2nd
Head over to see all of the Scarecrow Contest entries and vote on your favorite!
Pumpkinpalooza at Please Touch Museum: October 4th
Celebrate fall with harvest crafts, pumpkin carving and more!
Spooky Self-Guided Tour at The Betsy Ross House: Saturdays in October
Enjoy a spooky themed tour of the Betsy Ross House Saturdays in October (not for very young children).
Miniature Trick or Treat at Spruce Street Harbor Park: October 5th
Boo at the Zoo!: Weekend of October 11th, 18th, and 25th
Boo at the Zoo is back! Come in costume and trick or treat through the Zoo!
Maze Days at Dilworth Park: October 15th - October 31st
Head to the Albert M. Greenfield Lawn at Dilworth Park for Maze Days! October 18th will be a special day with an afternoon of music, an outdoor movie screening and more!
Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch: October 18th
Kids 10 and under are invited to pick and decorate a pumpkin!
Halloween in the Historic District: October 18th
Trick or treat at Elfreth's Alley at the museum and residences!
Philadelphia Orchestra Halloween Spectacular: October 18th
Show off your costume at this family-friendly concert!
Fright Fest on Frankford Ave: October 19th
Storytime at the Hay Maze: October 21st
Join Miss Mary in the Hay Maze at Dilworth Park for a fun filled storytime!
Halloween Hikes & Hayrides: October 24th and 25th
Kensington Kinetic Derby & Arts Festival: October 25th
Wear your Halloween costume and enjoy the sculpture parade!
Stenton Halloween Harvest Festival: October 25th
Games, crafts, pumpkin and face painting, spooky storytime and more will be at the Stenton Museum Halloween Harvest Festival!
East Passyunk Fall Fest: October 26th
Kids can trick or treat, carve a pumpkin, watch the dog costume event and more!
Halloween on the Hill Trick or Treating: October 26th
Stroll Germantown Ave and Bethlehem Pike to trick or treat with participating businesses! Don't forget your costume!
East Passyunk Community Center Halloween Party: October 30th
Enjoy family games, dancing, and a costume contest!
Dinos after Dark Halloween at the Academy of Natural Sciences: October 31st
Enjoy pay what you want admission and all things Halloween!
For families with older kids or adventurous teens, Philly offers plenty of thrills and chills. These haunted attractions are designed to bring on the goosebumps—with spooky sets, jump scares, and creepy characters lurking in the shadows. They’re not for the faint of heart, but they’re perfect for kids who are ready to level up their Halloween experience.
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary: September 19th - November 8th (select dates)
America's largest haunted house is right here in Philly! With 11 different attractions you are sure to find something to entertain (and scare you) this Halloween season! It is recommended to buy your tickets online and in advance.
Fright Factory: September 26th - November 1st (select dates)
This abandoned factory is the backdrop for this super scary haunted house on S. Swanson Street! There are 3 themed areas in the 25,000 square foot space.
Lincoln Mill Haunted House: September 26th - November 2nd
Experience the tale of bodies discovered in the basement chamber after flooding from Hurricane Ida in 2021, which uncovers the mills dark past!
Looking for a different kind of Halloween adventure? Philly’s rich history makes it one of the best cities for a good ghost story. Ghost tours are a fun way to explore the city’s historic streets while hearing spooky tales of haunted houses, mysterious figures, and lingering spirits. It’s a mix of history, legend, and a little bit of fright—perfect for families with older kids who love a good story.
Visit the most historic and haunted areas in the city! Enjoy a candlelight walking tour of Independence National Park, Old City, and Society Hill. Named one of the top 15 "must see" attractions in the US!
Philly Ghosts offers all different types of tours, including their Philadelphia Ghost Tour, Rockstars of the Revolution, and their Haunted Pub Crawl (21 and over). Visit Old City's historic landmarks and learn accounts of mysterious events! You can even book an extended tour to explore additional locations.
Visit more than 20 scary sites and learn all about Philadelphia's folklore and haunted facts! You will even visit movie sets from thrillers like the Sixth Sense and National Treasure!
These family friendly tours is a spooky, fun and educational experience! Listen to ghost stories combined with historical insights. You will hear stories of ghost sightings, revolutionary war spirits, founding fathers, and more. Voted the #1 family friendly ghost tour in the city!
However your family chooses to celebrate, Halloween in Philly is full of opportunities to make memories—from sweet community events to thrilling haunted adventures. Whether you’re picking pumpkins, dressing up for parades, or exploring the city’s spookier side, there’s something for every age and stage. So grab your costumes, light up those jack-o’-lanterns, and get ready for a Halloween season your family will never forget!
