Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Holiday Light Nights. Photo courtesy of Manayunk
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Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park
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The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue
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Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
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Take a sparkling selfie at the Miracle on South 13th Street. Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
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The zoo lights are aglow at LumiNature. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo
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Curiosity meets discovery in Body Odyssey, where the walkthrough Giant Heart is just the beginning.
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Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
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Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
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Fishtown families flock to Penn Treaty Park for the waterfront views, special events, and open space. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
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Grand Slam U.S.A. challenges you to a game of laser tag! Photo courtesy of the center
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Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
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Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
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Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
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Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Learn all about fire safety and the history of firefighters in Philly at the Fireman's Hall Museum.Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
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Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
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Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Blue Cross RiverRink is open for Summerfest in the warmer months and Winterfest in the colder months. Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
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Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
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Breakfast with the Giraffes is a treat for all! Photo courtesy of Elmwood Park Zoo
Breakfast with the Giraffes is a treat for all! Photo courtesy of Elmwood Park Zoo
9/23/20 - By Kristen Sullivan

It's the last weekend of September and the Philly area is packed with fall activities. Hitch a fall foliage train ride through the Chester Creek Valley, give the kids a thrill with a haunted hayride, or snuggle up to the animals at the Quakertown Fall Festival's petting zoo.

Of course we'll also be in the orchard to pick apples to bake seasonal treats, selecting the perfect pumpkin to decorate the front stoop, and out hiking one of the state's amazing parks.

Read on for the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend (and for the rest of September). You'll find even more upcoming Philly activities, as well as virtual and online fun in our events calendar. And if you're looking for fun classes for kids (virtual and in-person), tutoring, and pod support, stop in at at our online Back-to-School Fair with live sessions happening this week!

As a reminder, be sure to confirm with venues for the latest updates regarding COVID-19 protocol and procedures. Almost all locations ask guests to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.

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Things To Do in Philadelphia this Week

Breakfast with the Giraffes

September 26, 2020
Enjoy breakfast in the company of some long-necked friends at Elmwood Park Zoo. Eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes, fruit, waffles, OJ, and coffee are on the menu. After breakfast, kids get to hand-feed the giraffes. READ MORE

Quakertown Farmers Market Fall Festival

September 26, 2020
Spend the day at QuakerTown Farmers Market during its Fall Festival. Guests can expect to see animals from Peaceable Kingdown Petting Zoo, pumpkin decorating, Tootsee the Clown, crafts, and apple pie contest. READ MORE

Independence National Historical Park Opens

Now open
Guests can learn about the birth of our country at Independence National Historical Park. Outdoor spaces including Independence Mall, Washington Square, Rose Garden and Magnolia Garden are also open. Capacity is limited specific to each location. READ MORE

Fall Foliage Express

September 27, 2020
All Aboard the West Chester Railroad for a ride through the picturesque Chester Creek Valley to view the beautiful foliage on a heated train. This 90-minute journey takes visitors back in time to the village of Glen Mills, then returns back to the station. READ MORE

Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 1, 2020 plus additional select dates
Be prepared to be scared! Attractions include the Bates Motel Haunted Mansion, Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Trail, and the Haunted Hayride. READ MORE

Votes for Women: A Visual History

Now through September 27
Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States with Brandywine River Museum's Votes for Women: A Visual History exhibit. The Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote and this exhibit showcases the long road to women’s suffrage. READ MORE

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 1, 2020
Enjoy silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy Halloween shows, a themed maze, three Count von Count-themed mechanical rides, and a Neighborhood Street Party Halloween Parade. READ MORE
Visit the Shady Brook Farm's corn maze for a seasonal day trip from Philly. Photo courtesy the farm
Visit the Shady Brook Farm's corn maze for a seasonal day trip from Philly. Photo courtesy the farm

More Things To Do in Philly in September

The Great Pumpkin Train and More Halloween Train Rides in New Jersey

Hop aboard an NJ pumpkin train for scenic and spooky fun. READ MORE

Best Pumpkin Patches for Philly Kids That Are Worth the Drive

Pick the perfect pumpkin at one of these local patches. READ MORE

Best Corn Mazes Near Philadelphia

It's fall in Philly and that means it's time to get lost in the fun of these massive mazes. READ MORE

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 55 Awesome Things To Do in Philly This Fall

Pumpkins, hay mazes, leaf looking....it's Fall Ya'll! READ MORE

Best PA State Parks with Kid-Friendly Hikes and Attractions

Enjoy a hike, wildlife, or even camping at these nearby parks. READ MORE
Go behind-the-scenes at Dino Fest. Photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Go behind-the-scenes at Dino Fest. Photo courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Virtual Highlights for the Week

2020 iHeartRadio Music Festival

September 18-28
The iHeartRadio Music Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with performances from music’s biggest artists.  The two-day, virtual mega-concert features performances from BTS, Coldplay, Kane Brown with special guest Khalid, Keith Urban, Migos, Miley Cyrus, Thomas Rhett, Usher, and more READ MORE

Dino Fest at Home

September 22-25, 2020
The Natural History Museum brings home the dinosaurs, with a virtual version of its annual festival celebrating dinosaurs, their prehistoric past, and the science that brings their world back to life.  READ MORE

Coucou French Classes Demo Class & Info Session

September 25, 2020
It’s never too early to start learning a foreign language - in fact, the earlier, the better! This fall, Coucou French Classes is launching "Le Petit Coucou", an online program for children of all ages. Join in on our demo classes and participate in the Q&A. READ MORE

The Shows Must Go On: The Greats on Tour

September 25, October 2, October 9, and October 16, 2020
The Shows Must Go On returns, with livestreams of theatrical tour productions.   Broadway may be dark, but as theater fans know: The shows must go on. Favorite musicals are made available to watch online for free. READ MORE

Virtual Monterey Jazz Festival

September 25-27, 2020
The Virtual 63rd Monterey Jazz Festival features exclusive new and previously unreleased archival performances.  The lineup includes jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, a tribute to Quincy Jones, Dianne Reeves, Jamie Cullum, and many, many others. READ MORE

Yosemite Facelift: Act Local

September 20-27
Yosemite Facelift is an annual event dedicated to stewardship of Yosemite National Park. This year, Facelift: Act Local calls on participants to apply their love for Yosemite to the outdoor spaces around them, picking up trash at a local park, or even their own backyard. READ MORE

Brooklyn Book Festival

September 28- October 5, 2020
Dive into some great books at the 2024 Brooklyn Book Festival. Kid-friendly programming abounds during Children's Day on Saturday, September 28. READ MORE

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