(Photo provided by Aversa PR)
Colorful leaves. Crisp air. Fall is a beautiful time of year in Philadelphia. While summer may be over, Philly keeps the fun coming with plenty of events to celebrate the season! Here’s a list of festivals you’ll want to put on your calendar. (And if you’re looking for Oktoberfest event, check out our list at this link.)
Northern Liberties Pop-Up Festival
When: Saturday, September 7 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Northern Liberties Event Park, 817 N. 7th Street
Live music, beer garden, vendors and more! Plus, kids will love the bounce house, face painting, kids karaoke, balloon toss and water slide!
Evil Genius 8th Birthday Block Party
When: Saturday, September 14 from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Evil Genius Beer Company, Outside 1727 N. Front Street, Fishtown
Evil Genius Beer Company is turning eight years old! To celebrate, Evil Genius will shut down the street in front of their beloved taproom in Fishtown. Owners Trevor Hayward and Luke Bowen are throwing one of the fall’s first big block parties with an all-day DJ, cornhole and axe throwing (with Axecessive Force). Dougal, the brewery dog, will be on hand looking for all the well-behaved pups that want to come join the fun! Of course there will be plenty of beer and food provided by both the Evil Genius kitchen and Moon Dawg Deep Fried Desserts.
(Burger Brawl, Photo by In Between Rivers)
Philadelphia Burger Brawl
When: Sunday, September 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Marine Parade Ground at the Navy Yard
Who’s ready to rumble? Over 60 restaurants will fire up those grills and battle for burger bragging rights at the 9th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl presented by Jim Beam on Sunday, September 15. The region’s largest burger event and food competition will move to a larger new space and take over the Marine Parade Ground at Navy Yard Philadelphia. Enjoy all-you-can-eat samples of the burgers and then vote for your favorite one. Restaurants and bars will also compete in the Cutthroat Cocktail Competition. Other activities include live music and bands, plus other surprises. Tickets are on sale now at phillyburgerbrawl.com for $45 for general admission which includes samples and one free cocktail. VIP tickets are also on sale for $100 with perks like early entry, a VIP lounge and unlimited drinks. Children under 10 are free, no ticket required. All proceeds go to The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia to support hardware needs to implement math and reading literacy programs in underserved elementary schools.
Philly AIDS Thrift 14th Anniversary Block Party
When: Saturday, September 21 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 5th and Bainbridge
Enjoy celebrity dunk tank, moonbounce, games, face painting, food trucks (Obsidian Eats, Stuff’d Buns, Franklin Fountain), face painting, carnival games, magicians, dancing in the streets, shopping, pie eating contest, craft vendors, and more. DJ Robert Drake will be spinning the tunes. Other entertainment includes a live performance by Squidling Brothers, special appearance by Unidos da Filadelfia, a mini-Halloween parade, and other surprises. For a full schedule and updates, visit Philly AIDS Thrift on Facebook and click the event tab!
(Morgan’s Pier, Photo provided by Aversa PR)
Morgan’s Pier Fall Fest
When: September 25 to October 26 (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. to close, Saturdays and Sundays 11 am to close, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Where: Morgan’s Pier, 221 N Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Now back for a fifth season, Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier is bringing new menu items from Chef Jon Adair, specialty fall drinks, and activities and adornments weekends beginning September 25 through October 26. All events this year are rain or shine, as Morgan’s Pier is installing clear walls that can roll away or roll out pending the weather. Festivities include Pumpkin Carving events Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $5 and $10. There will DJ entertainment all weekend long, plus live acoustic performances every Sunday afternoon for the perfect “Sunday Fun-day.” Be sure to checkout the full lineup at this link for special events like Oktoberfest, the ever-popular outdoor Beaucycled DIY Succulent Workshop, Dog Yappy Hour, Paint Night, and a huge open bar Halloween bash!
Fall for the Arts Festival
When: Sunday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill welcomes autumn with a day of art, music, culinary delights and boutique shopping! The event features more than 150 artists and crafters from around the county in addition to live music, artisan demonstrations and al fresco dining. There’s even a pop-up amusement park for kids!
(Midtown Village Fall Festival, Photo by Michelle Reese)
Midtown Village Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 5 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Broad to 11th Street and Market to Spruce Street
As one of the city’s biggest festivals in early autumn, the annual Midtown Village Fall Festival features multiple stages of live entertainment, food and beverage sampling from area restaurants, merchant and vendor displays, crafters, children’s activities and more.
(BRU Fall Fest, Photo provided by Aversa PR)
BRU Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 5 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: 1300 Block of Chestnut Street (Outside BRU Craft & Wurst, U-Bahn and Tradesman’s)
BRU Fall Fest is back and bigger than ever! Craft Concepts Group, BRU Craft & Wurst, U-Bahn, Kontrol and Tradesman’s will take over the 1300 block of Chestnut Street with eight hours of outdoor food, beer and music. Come hungry for BRU’s housemade bratwurst on the grill, Tradesman’s pulled pork sandwiches and ribs, German pretzel, BBQ favorites, and much more. Bartenders will pour your favorite crafts from beer tents – including Oktoberfest and other seasonal selections. On the outdoor stage, get ready for eight hours of music live bands and DJs. Free and open to the public, 21 and older to drink (with identification). BRU and Tradesman’s will serve an abbreviated version of the regular daily menu inside. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go.
Evil Genius 1st Annual Harvest Festival – Parks and Recreation Style!
When: Saturday, October 12 from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Evil Genius Beer Company, Outside 1727 N. Front Street, Fishtown
Evil Genius Beer Company celebrates fall in a truly ridiculous fashion with the 1st Annual Harvest Festival Festival – Parks and Recreation Style! “Parks and Recreation is one of our favorite shows at Evil Genius” said co-owner Trevor Hayward. “What better way to honor the show, and have a ton of fun by recreating one of our favorite episodes.” Harvest Fest is not to be missed. Pulling from one of the best episodes of tv series Parks and Recreation, Evil Genius will have tons of unique and quickly things going on. There’ll be a “Treat Yoself” ice cream station, grilled food Ron Swanson would be proud of, and a very possible guest appearance by a tiny horse. A live DJ will keep the party going all day long. Bring your friends for friendly competition in cornhole, can jam, and a few other harvest games.
(Old City Fest, Photo provided by Aversa PR)
Old City Fest
When: Sunday, October 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 3rd and Arch along N. 3rd Street (from Market to Race) and Arch Street (from 2nd to 4th)
Old City Fest is a celebration of art and design, fashion and food, creativity and culture on the streets of America’s most historic square mile— Old City, Philadelphia. This event highlights the region’s premier art and design district, showcasing local designers, creative firms, restaurants, retailers, galleries, theater, culture, history and architecture. Activities will include a festival stage with live music, circus artists, runway fashion shows, a family fun zone, pop-up street performances, dozens of food and drink options, street art, craft and retail shopping, and 100+ Old City vendors. Admission is free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go.
(Photo from Facebook)
Witches & Wizards Weekend in Chestnut Hill
When: Friday, October 18 (pub crawl) and Saturday, October 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Throughout Chestnut Hill
This favorite fall tradition is back! The weekend kicks off with an adults-only pub crawl on Friday, which is followed by a day of family fun on Saturday. Muggles and wizards alike will enjoy hands-on crafts, live entertainment, themed shops and more. Be sure to check out the 10th Annual Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament and the Woodmore Art Museum Straw Maze. Click here for more details.
The Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival
When: Saturday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Outside Hawthornes Beer Cafe (738 S. 11th Street)
Hawthornes Beer Cafe is closing down 11th Street again for the Great Harvest Cider and Beer Festival. This annual beer and cider festival will feature over 75 hard ciders, toasty lagers, pumpkin ales and more. Look for a dozen food trucks serving up street food, signature bites and fall comfort food. Festivities will also include a family fun zone, apple-bobbing competition, pie eating contest, live entertainment, DJs and much more. Cash only. All ages welcome, but 21 and older with identification to drink.
