guides

Fall Fun in Philadelphia!

A Guide to the Best Fall Festivals and Halloween Happenings in the Philadelphia area!

By Tina Lazicki September 16, 2024

Spooky Season is finally here!  Halloween is huge in Philadelphia, and Macaroni Kid Downtown Philly is helping you find all of the fun in one convenient guide! Whether you are into Halloween fun, or Fall Harvest Events, our guide is sure to have activities that you and your family will enjoy!


Fall Harvest Happenings in the Philadelphia Area

Looking to pick that perfect pumpkin, or for the best apple cider donuts?  Head to these destinations in the Philly area for some fall harvest fun!

Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards (Brookhaven, PA):  September 7th - November 2nd 

Linvilla Orchards will feature Pumpkinland this fall, with daytime ticketed activities like hayrides, mazes, apple blaster target shooting, and other activities!  After dark, there are moonlight hayrides, a Witch's house, and a campfire with cider and marshmallows.

https://www.linvilla.com/

FallFest at Shady Brook Farm (Yardley, PA):  September 14th - October 30th 

This annual event features hay rides, animals, games for kids, the Barn of horror, a corn maze, and pick your own pumpkins, sunflowers, and apples. They also have FallFest after dark, which includes live music, bonfires, a moonlit maze and the Eerie Illuminations Halloween Light Show Wagon Ride!

https://shadybrookfarm.com

Fall Festival/Adventure Farm at Hellericks Farm (Doylestown, PA):  September 12th - October 31st

This 18 acre Adventure Farm includes hayrides, a corn maze, farm animals, slides and a playground, and 40 plus activities for children and adults. There are also fresh backed goods, pumpkins, squash and gourds to choose from!

https://hellericksfarm.com/

Fall Harvest Weekends at Johnson's Farm (Medford, NJ):  Weekends through October

Head over the bridge to Johnson's Farm, for pick your own pumpkins, hayrides, live music, gem mining and duck races.  There is also a corn maze, Discovery Barnyard Playground and Animal Farm, and food!

https://www.johnsonsfarm.com/

Fall Festival Weekends at Charlann Farms (Morrisville, PA): Weekends, September 21st - October 27th, 10:00 - 5:00

Charlann Farms has fall festival weekends that includes fall festival games and activities, a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking and much more!

https://www.charlannfarms.com/fall-festival-weekends

Fall Festival Weekends at Snipes Farm (Morrisville, PA): Weekends, September 28th - October 27th

Hayrides, pick your own pumpkins, and the Land of Scarecrows are just a few of the fun activities to do at Snipes Farm!  Walk the maze, meet the farm animals, and enjoy cider and donuts too!

https://www.snipesfarm.org/fall-festival-weekends.html


Fall Festivals in October

Feel like going to a fall festival with a variety of activities?  Here are some fall festivals happening in and around the city in October!

Roxtoberfest 2024:  October 5, 2024, 12:00 - 6:00

Philly's Roxborough neighborhood is holding the 12th annual Roxtoberfest street festival.  Includes German themed entertainment and competitions, food, live entertainment, costumed pets, activities for the kids and more!  

https://roxboroughpa.com/events/roxtoberfest-2024

Downingtown Fall Fest:  October 6th, 11:00 - 4:00

The Downington Fall Fest features food, entertainment, crafts, and family activities!

https://downingtownfallfest.com/

Scrapple & Apple Festival at Reading Terminal Market, October 12th, 10:00 - 4:00

This pay as you go event features small bites, entrees and sweets that are themed around the flavors of scrapple, apples, or both!  This family friendly event features live music and kids crafts too!

https://readingterminalmarket.org/event/scrapple-apple/

OctoberFeast at Peddler's Village (Lahaska, PA) :  October 12th & 13th, 11:00 - 6:00

Head to Peddler's Village for food trucks, entertainment, and family activities during their OctoberFeast!  See the Scarecrows in the Village display while you're there, and do some shopping too!

https://peddlersvillage.com/event/octoberfeast/

Applefest at Fox Chase Farm (Philadelphia):  October 19th, 12:00 - 4:00

It's Applefest!  Admission is $5.00 (cash only) for adults and children 3 and up.  Included in the admission cost will be fresh pressed apple cider, hayrides, candle dipping, apple butter tasting, games, live music, pumpkin painting and more!  Bring extra cash for apples butter, honey, pumpkins

https://www.facebook.com/TheFoxChaseFarm


Halloween Happenings in Philadelphia

There is so much Halloween fun happening in the city in October!

Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square:  October 1st - 31st, 6:00 - 9:00

Philly Mini Golf at Franklin Square will be transformed into spooky fun for the Halloween season! Held nightly October 1st through the 31st.

https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/spooky-mini-golf/

Franklin Fright at the Franklin Institute:  Weekends in October, 9:30 - 5:00

Held on weekends in October, this kid-friendly Halloween event includes live shows, trick or treating, and immersive activities.

https://fi.edu/en/exhibits-and-experiences/seasonal-events

The Philadelphia Orchestra Children's Halloween Spectacular:  October 5th, 11:30 - 1:30

Come celebrate Halloween with The Philadelphia Orchestra with this sensory friendly performance!  Enjoy Halloween themed orchestra music at this unforgettable concert experience!

https://philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org/philadelphia-orchestra-series-and-subscriptions/family-discovery-series/childrens-halloween-spectacular?

Boo at the Zoo!:  10/12 and 10/13, 10/19 and 10/20, 10/26 and 10/27, 9:30 - 5:00

The Philadelphia Zoo's annual Halloween event is back for 3 fun weekends!!!  Enjoy Halloween themes throughout the zoo and fun children's activities!  Note:  Halloween costumes with toy guns and weapons and adult masks are prohibited.

https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/events/boo-at-the-zoo/

Pumpkinpalooza at The Please Touch Museum:  October 12th, 10:00 - 4:00

Celebrate the fall season with Pumpkinpalooza at the Please Touch Museum!  Visit the pumpkin patch in Hamilton Hall to choose a pumpkin.  You can then scoop out your pumpkin and bring it home in a provided bag for carving!

https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/visit/signature-events/

Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt at Sister Cities Park:  October 12th, 11:00 - 12:00

Sister Cities Park is holding a not so scary Halloween celebration, which will include a scavenger hunt (with candy treat!), free pumpkin painting, a spooky storytime, and a magic show.  Costumes are encouraged!

https://centercityphila.org/parks/events/family-saturdays/family-saturdays-10-12-24

Scavenger Hunt and Costume Dance Party at Morris Arboretum:  October 17th, 5:00 - 9:00

Head to the Morris for a Halloween scavenger hunt and dance party!  See the scarecrows along the Scarecrow Walk and find all of the fall blooms for a trick or treat!  After sunset head to the Welcome Center for a costume dance party!

https://www.morrisarboretum.org/see-do/events/scavenger-hunt-costume-dance-party

Maze Days at Dilworth Park:  October 18th - October 27th, 9:00 - 9:00

This fall the lawn at Dilworth Park will transform for Maze Days - 10 days of fall fun for everyone. Mark your calendar for this autumn experience that includes children’s storytime, themed happy hours in the seasonal beer garden, special appearances from Philly Goat Project, pumpkin carving and more.

On Saturdays, October 19 and 26, come for afternoons full of music, fresh apple cider making, a stein-hoisting contest hosted by Broad Street Brewing, Not So Silent Cinema and Bingo with prizes.

https://centercityphila.org/parks/events/maze-days/maze-days-10-18-24

Wild and Wacky Science Experiments at Anna C. Verna Playground:  October 19th, 9:30 - 11:30

Join Buddy Muhler, science educator, for Halloween themed experiments for all ages!  Create bubbling "witch's cauldrons" and pumpkins, slime and more!

https://fairmountpark.ticketleap.com/anna-c-verna-playground-pop-ups/details

Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch:  October 19th, 11:00 - 1:00

Bring your child to pick a pumpkin out of Franklin Square's Pumpkin Patch!  Supplies will be provided to decorate the pumpkin at home for Halloween. For ages 10 and under.

https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/pumpkin-patch/

Northern Liberties Hound-O-Ween:  October 19th, 12:00 - 4:00

Head to Northern Liberties for Hound-O-Ween, Philly's Biggest Dog Costume Contest!  

https://www.facebook.com/share/14qU2qNmiR/

Maze Days Storytime at Dilworth Park:  October 22nd, 10:30 - 11:30

Join the Free Library of Philadelphia in the Hay Maze for toddler-age stories, songs, and movement.

https://centercityphila.org/parks/events/maze-days/maze-days-10-22-24

Dinos after Dark Halloween at The Academy of Natural Sciences:  October 25th, 5:00 - 8:00

Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere and the Dino Drafts Beer Garden in Dinosaur Hall.

This is a pay-what-you-wish event, with a recommended donation of $10.

https://ansp.org/programs-and-events/events/Details/?eid=41047&iid=109831

Trick or Treat at Franklin Square:  October 26th, 12:00 - 2:00

Bring your child to Franklin Square for an afternoon of fun and trick or treating!  Children 10 and under are invited to follow the trail in Franklin Square to get some sweets on Trick or Treat Street!  For children 10 and under.

https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/trick-or-treat-street/

Stenton Halloween Harvest Festival:  October 26th, 1:00 - 3:00

The Stenton Museum will host an afternoon of family friendly fun on October 26th!  Enjoy games, crafts, face-painting, pumpkin painting, spooky storytime and a spooky cellar tour!  Light refreshments and cider will be served.

https://historicgermantownpa.org/events/stenton-halloween-harvest-festival/

Bark or Treat Trail at Franklin Square:  October 27th, 12:00 - 2:00

Bring your favorite canine for this Halloween event!  Dogs are encouraged to dress in costume, follow a trail made of treats, and collect information for their owners.  There will be music, photo opportunities, and a place for the pups to run and play!

https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/bark-or-treat-trail/

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Workshops at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens:  October 27th, 2:00 - 4:30

Learn more about Día de Muertos in this special event for all ages that includes full admission to PMG and exclusive access to our fully mosaicked basement where you will decorate your own sugar skulls to take home.

https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/event/day-of-the-dead-sugar-skull-workshops-2/?sd=1730052000&ed=1630&ad

Spooky Sssssssnake Party at Parkway Central Library:  October 28th, 4:00 - 5:00

Join snake expert Scott Prior and meet his favorite scaly friends as they visit the library, share interesting facts about snake behaviors and habitats, and answer your questions.   If you are brave enough, you can pet one.  For all ages.

https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/141109

Gas Guzzler's Trunk or Treat at Mission BBQ:  October 30th, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Bring the kids to Mission BBQ for a Trunk or Treat sponsored by the 7th Police District Advisory Council.  Prizes will be awarded for best costume and best trunk!

https://www.facebook.com/events/480199731307167

Spooktacular at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge:  October 30th, 4:00 - 6:30

Walk the Trick o' Treat Trail, get a treat, and learn about nature!  There will be free archery for adults and kids ages 8 and up, and hoverball archery for all ages.  There will also be pumpkin painting and other Halloween crafts! Costumes are encouraged!

https://www.fws.gov/event/spooktacular-free-archery-and-treat-trail


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(Event dates and times are subject to change.  Please check with the venue before heading to the event.)