Spooky season is upon us. Over the next couple of weeks, Philly is celebrating the Halloween season with haunted houses, ghost tours, fall festivals, and events for the whole family to enjoy. Our comprehensive guide is here to help you make your plans to have the best Halloween season yet!
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Darkly Departed at Laurel Hill Cemetery
When: October 15, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Sometimes the dearly departed are darkly departed. Join in on a walking tour to uncover those interred in the cemetery who took a darker path to the great beyond, whether by murder, mystery, or tragedy. Meet killers and their victims, beheaded train passengers, and a witch who promised to return from the dead. Meet those who embezzle, others who drowned, and sisters nicknamed Vampire and Viper. Not everyone buried at Laurel Hill West is resting in peace. Come along to uncover their dark past.
Pennhurst Asylum
When: Weekends through November 4th
Where: Bridge St & Church St, Spring City, PA
One of Pennsylvania’s most terrifying haunted attractions, the Pennhurst Asylum is located outside of Philadelphia in Spring City, PA. There are three different attractions to explore, The Asylum, The Tunnels and The Morgue. Daytime history tours are also available. On November 4th, experience Pennhurst in the dark! Read more about the options on the website.
Fright Factory
When: September – October
Where: 2200 S. Swanson Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fright Factory is a high scare, high startle, adult themed haunted house featured on the Travel Channel as one of the scariest haunted attractions in America. Experience spine-tingling terror of Philadelphia ultimate haunted attraction. Step into the nightmare and survive the unforgettable. Explore the dark depths of a 120+ year old warehouse transformed into a terrifying labyrinth, where nightmares become reality. Brace yourself as you navigate through the industrial nightmare, wander the halls of the South Side Sanatorium and defy the forces of evil within the Fright Factory UnHoly.
Philly Ghosts
When: October
Where: Meet at “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”: Washington Square at 217 W Washington Square
Philly Ghosts is the number one rated Ghost Tour in Philadelphia. Your tour through Philadelphia’s historic Old City area takes you to some of the city’s most haunted locations. Learn the truth behind Philadelphia’s ghost-filled history as your guide introduces you to some of the city’s most chilling legends and mysteries. The tours are an hour across 1 mile. Ghost tours are held nightly, rain or shine. Tours begin at Washington Square.
Eastern State Penitentiary
When: September – November (See website for dates)
Where: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The Eastern State Penitentiary, also known as ESP, is a former American prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue between Corinthian Avenue and North 22nd Street in the Fairmount section of the city, and was operational from 1829 until 1971. Embark on a frightening adventure at Halloween Nights, which consists of 15 attractions, including 2 haunted houses, 3 immersive walk-through experiences, 3 live, interactive performances, 4 themed bars and lounges and 3 opportunities to explore the penitentiary’s cellblocks, history, and relevance today.
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia
When: Open every night
Where: Tours depart from Signers’ Garden, 5th & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Discover the secrets hidden in the shadows of America’s most historic and most haunted city. Embark on the Ghost Tour of Philadelphia for a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence National Park, Old City and Society Hill, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses and eerie graveyards lurk in the night. This tour is named one of the top 15 “must see” attractions in the United States. Learn more on the website.
Trick or Treat Street
When: October 28, 12 pm – 2 pm
Where: Franklin Square, Philadelphia
Bring your child to Franklin Square for a family-friendly afternoon of candy and fun! Children 10 and under are invited to follow the trail in Franklin Square and get some sweets on Trick-or-Treat Street. This event is free. Advanced tickets are recommended and available here. Capacity is limited.
Kids Halloween Event at Sunset Social
When: October 22, 12 pm
Where: 129 S. 30th Street, Philadelphia
Entry is free to this family-friendly event. There will be a kids costume contest with prizes, a doggie costume contest, face painting, free pumpkin decorating, hot cocktails available for purchase, giant connect 4, cornhole, and giant jenga free to play.
Nature Tots: Apple Yum & Halloween Fun
When: October 24, 1-2 pm
Where: Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600A Verree Road, Philadelphia
Children ages 2-5 years old with an adult can join in for a story, simple craft, short walk, games and more. This moth you will have the chance to make cider, dress up in your favorite costume to parade around the meadow as you follow a storybook trail. The cost is $5 per child and each participant is asked to bring 4 apples. Adults are free.
Final Friday at The Rail Park
When: October 27, 5-7 pm
Where: 1300 Noble Street, Philadelphia, PA
Join Friends of the Rail Park for a crafty, spooky, and family-friendly October Final Friday! Just in time for Spooky Season, The Rail Park will be hosting an arts and crafts session for our costumed “young” friends of the Rail Park. There will be several interactive stations for getting creative and creepy! Families are invited to come in a festive mood and to stay for music and treats (and a few tricks)! Come in a costume and bring a friend!
The Wizard of Oz Halloween Party
When: October 26, 6-8 pm
Where: East Passyunk Community Center, 1025 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia
Get ready to journey down the yellow brick road as we bring the magical world of Wizard of OZ to life. This in-person event will be held at 1025 Mifflin St, where you will have a wickedly fun time celebrating the Halloween season. Dress up as your favorite character from the movie and enjoy an evening filled with thrilling games, costume contest, delicious treats, and bewitching entertainment. Don’t miss out on this enchanting event – mark your calendars and get ready for a night of frightful fun!
Kids Halloween Paint and Costume Party
When: October 31, 5:30 pm – 7 pm
Where: ARTrageous Brush & Flow, 6345 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia
Get ready for a Halloween celebration like no other. ARTrageous is hosting a frightfully fun painting and costume party that you won’t want to miss. Children will let their creativity run wild as they embark on a Halloween-themed painting adventure. Supplies will be provided – canvases, paints, brushes, and even spooky inspiration! Whether you want to paint a friendly ghost, a grinning jack-o’-lantern, or a mysterious haunted house, we’ve got it all covered. Children can come in their most spooktacular Halloween costumes! From witches and wizards to superheroes and monsters, we want to see your incredible outfits. There’ll even be a costume contest with fabulous prizes for the most bewitching costumes. There will be delicious treats and games too!
Family Saturdays | Sister Cities Park
When: October 14
Where: Sister Cities Park, 210 N. 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Kids are invited to embrace their silly side as live entertainers offer unique programs and performances every Saturday morning this fall. From live music to hip-hop dancing and Halloween-themed fun, these free offerings are perfect for youngsters in need of outdoor play. This not-so-scary Halloween celebration will feature a scavenger hunt (complete with a candy treat), free pumpkin painting, spooky story time with the Free Library of Philadelphia and a special magic show by Jake Strong. Costumes are encouraged!
Stenton’s Halloween Harvest Festival
When: October 28, 1-3 pm
Where: 4601 N. 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Join in for an afternoon of family friendly fall fun! All ages are welcome to enjoy games, crafts, face-painting, pumpkin painting, spooky story time with Logan Library, and a spooky cellar tour! Light refreshments and cider will be served. Event is free.
Rivers Casino Halloween Party
When: October 27, 7-10 pm
Where: 1001 N. Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy a DJ Dance party, Halloween treats, spooky drawings, and an all-you-can-eat menu with an open bar. Dress up in your spookiest costume to take part in the costume contest. October 27 7PM – 10PM at the Rivers Casino Philadelphia Event Center. A full bar will be available. Free parking on-site. Must be 21+ Masks, face coverings, or hoods are not allowed on the gaming floor.
Halloween Bar Crawl
When: October 21, 27, 28 and 31
Where: Philadelphia
Pay one time and drink, party and crawl all 4 days – October 21, 27, 28 and 31. Philadelphia’s bars will be ready for our creepy and friendly bar crawlers with all the best drink specials. Roam the streets of Philadelphia partying it up with all your best friends. Join hundreds of individuals in frightening costumes and sparkling frocks for the annual Philly crawl, which has drawn thousands of goblins in previous years, for a Halloween in Philadelphia like no other.
Halloween Costume Sunset Dinner Cruise
When: October 28, 5-8pm
Where: Ben Franklin Yacht, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Get ready for a memorable Halloween costume cruise on the Ben Franklin Yacht. Put on your best Halloween costume. Come out for a Halloween costume cruise on the bay. There will be live music and entertainment with a guest host. Food will include sausage and peppers, USDA Prime roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetable fried rice, baked ziti, warm dinner rolls, and Caesar salad. Costumes are recommended.
Adults Only Halloween Experience | Museum of Illusions Philadelphia
When: October 19 & October 26, 6-8 pm
Where: Museum of Illusions, 401 Market Street, Philadelphia
The Museum of Illusions Philadelphia will be transforming into a Halloween must-see for the second half of October and to celebrate, they’re hosting an ADULT ONLY 21+ up event for TWO NIGHTS! There will be photo-ops galore, a DJ, and drinks. The drinks will be provided from Philadelphia local, Evil Genius Beer Company with a selection of their delicious crafted beer and sours for guests to enjoy. The event dates will be October 19th and the 26th, both from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Costumes are optional, and two free drink tickets will be included with every ticket purchase.
Media Borough Halloween Parade
When: October 28, 11 am
Where: State Street, Media, PA
Ambler Halloween Parade
When: October 28, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: E. Butler Ave, Ambler, PA
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