Bring the family to Main Street all season long for Holiday Light Nights. Photo courtesy of Manayunk
Christmas Weekend 2024 in Philly Top Things To Do: Jolly Trolley, Selfies with Santa, Menorah Parade, and more.
Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk at Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the park
21 Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Philly Kids
The amazing Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular.display is back! Photo courtesy of the venue
24 Best Things to Do in Philly December 2024 with Kids
Santa roams Philadelphia's Christmas Village all season long. Photo courtesy of Kory Aversa for Christmas Village.
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Philadelphia
Take a sparkling selfie at the Miracle on South 13th Street. Photo by K. Kelly for Visit Philadelphia
Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Philly
The zoo lights are aglow at LumiNature. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Philly for Kids
Curiosity meets discovery in Body Odyssey, where the walkthrough Giant Heart is just the beginning.
The Giant Heart is Back and Better Than Ever at the Franklin Institute
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
Best Philly Tours for Kids: Art Hunts, Food Tours, Ghost Tours, and More
Kids under 18 are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo by Liz Baill
100 Free Fun Things To Do in Philly with Kids
Fishtown families flock to Penn Treaty Park for the waterfront views, special events, and open space. Photo by M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia
Fishtown with Kids: 9 Things To Do in the Fishtown Neighborhood of Philly
School Calendars 2024-2025: Important Dates for Philadelphia School District
Grand Slam U.S.A. challenges you to a game of laser tag! Photo courtesy of the center
Best Laser Tag Zones and Paintball for Philly Kids
Build birthday memories brick by brick at LEGOLAND. Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND
31 Fun Indoor Birthday Party Places for Kids in Philly
Ricketts Glen State Park is a family-friendly destination with awesome activities for all ages. Photo of Ricketts Glen by the author
Amazing Budget Weekend Getaways for Philly Families
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), located in the heart of Old City.
Visiting Historic Philadelphia: Top Things To Do in the Historic District with Kids
Take in 300 years of history on Elfreth's Alley. Photo courtesy of the museum
3 Days in Philadelphia with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Kids 18 and under are always free at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in Philly
Turn your eye of the tiger into the eye of an artist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art with Kids: Creative Family Time at the Art Museum
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for Kids in Philadelphia
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
14 Free Things To Do Indoors in Philly: Indoor Places To Play On Cold and Rainy Days
Take a bikde ride through Doylestown. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
9 Walkable Neighborhoods near Philly for Family Outings
Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.
Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey
Both babies and dogs love stroller walks for some fresh air. Photo courtesy of Gina Massaro for Mommy Poppins
Great Stroller Walks and Stroller Hikes near Philly
Parents eat while kids climb and slide at Craft Hall.
13 Philly Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Pony rides always bring out smiles at Linvilla Orchards. Photo courtesy of the orchard
Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near Philadelphia that are Perfect for Preschoolers
Try a whiz-wit at Tony Luke's, a reliable Philly cheesesteak spot with multiple locations. Photo courtesy of J. Varney for GPTMC
11 Kid-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak Spots
Challenge the rope bridge and zip line at Elmwood Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up
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
Top Attractions in Philadelphia: Best Things to See and Do with Kids
Kids can zoom down the slide and, of course, launch scarves at Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
38 Best Indoor Play Spaces and Indoor Playgrounds in Philadelphia
No one walks the plank, but everyone has fun with with Scallywag’s Pirate Adventures in Erie. Photo courtesy of Scallywag's Pirate Adventures.
10 PA Weekend Getaways for Families
Take a hike: Family getaways are a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
GUIDE
Philly Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
Presented by Pages to Pirouettes, The Nutcracker returns to the Free Library stage! Photo courtesy of the event
JingleBell Run, Fishtown Freeze, The Nutcracker, and More Fun Things To Do in Philly this Weekend

Best of October: 29 Top Things To Do in Philly with Kids

Have you ever visited a witch's house? Families can take a hayride to see Linvilla Orchard's friendly witch. Photo courtesy of Linvilla Orchard's
Have you ever visited a witch's house? Families can take a hayride to see Linvilla Orchard's friendly witch. Photo courtesy of Linvilla Orchard's
9/29/24 - By Liz Baill

October in Philly means fall festivals, sweater weather, pumpkin patches, and lots of Halloween anticipation. 

There's a full month of Halloween festivities ahead this October, with tons of opportunities to get some extra mileage out of those costumes. Staples like Boo at the Zoo and Spooky Mini Golf are back, plus check out the new haunts on the block like Brick or Treat Monster Bash at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Check out Brick Fest Live this month in Oaks, and keep an eye on our calendar for neighborhood festivals like Roxtoberfest. 

For all the best Halloween happenings, check out our Guide to Halloween in Philly, where you'll find our top 41 event picks for Halloween. 

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.
 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Philly, October 2024

Hayrides to the Witch's House

Media - Now through Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Have you ever visited a witch's house? Families can take a hayride to see Linvilla Orchard's friendly witch. This witch tells stories, jokes, and even gives the kids a treat. READ MORE

FallFest at Shady Brook Farms

Yardley - Now through Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Fall fun is now in season! Bring the family for a day or night down on the farm. There's endless fun including apple picking and sunflower strolls (while supplies last), pumpkin picking, wagon rides, a 5 acre corn maze, Eerie Illuminations Halloween light show, live music every weekend, campfires, 25+ activities for the kiddos, tasty food, and spirited drinks. READ MORE

Screamin' Green Hauntoween

Easton - Now through Thursday, October 31, 2024
Visitors to Crayola Experience Easton can participate in the colorful and festive Screamin' Green Hauntoween. Kids can enjoy crafts, photo ops, pumpkin decorating, and a themed scavenger hunt.  READ MORE

Fall Picking & Hayrides at Johnson's Corner Farm

Medford - Now through Thursday, October 31, 2024
Enjoy fall festivities at Johnson's Corner Farm every day from mid-September through October. Get in the seasonal spirit with apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, live music, animals, a corn maze, and a food tent. READ MORE

Adventure Aquarium Fintastic Pumpkin Glow

Camden - Now through Sunday, November 3, 2024
Get ready to explore the glow deep below this fall during Adventure Aquarium’s Fintastic Pumpkin Glow festival. Guests can discover a mesmerizing collection of glowing gourds in every shape, size, and species shining above the surface or illuminating the depths among sharks, stingrays, and other unique aquatic life. READ MORE

Lincoln Mill Haunted House

Manayunk - Thursday - Saturday, September 28 to November 2, 2024, 2024
Philly's newest haunted attraction is Lincoln Mill Haunted House, featuring more than 40 live actors, animatronics, special effects and more, for a highly scary experience. For those looking for less of a scare, the house offers Saturday day time scavenger hunts without scare actors. READ MORE

Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party!

Plymouth Meeting - Saturday, September 28 to Thursday, October 31, 2024
Join the monsters as they takeover LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia with non-stop Halloween party fun! Join in the pumpkin LEGO® build in the Monsters’ Garden, find the LEGO® Monster bandmates in MINILAND® and win special prizes in magnificent Monster Party games! There will even be meet and greets with Bonesy, the Halloween skeleton! READ MORE

Spooky Mini Golf

Old City - Tuesday, October 1 to Thursday, 31, 2024
Franklin Square's mini golf gets a spooky makeover. Kids can putt along to eerie music, creepy lights, and fog on this Halloween-inspired course. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Train

New Hope - Friday, October 4 to Thursday, October 31, 2024
All aboard the train at New Hope Railroad for a 45-minute trick-or-treat train ride. Kids can dress up in their Halloween costumes and ride the rails, with stops for for candy and assorted toys. READ MORE

Roxtoberfest

Roxborough - Saturday, October 5, 2024
Ridge Avenue goes full fall at the 10th annual Roxtoberfest, featuring food trucks, craft brews, live music, German folk dancing, and kids' activities. READ MORE

Shiverfest 2024

Gladwyne - Saturday, October 5, 2024
Have a frighteningly fun, family-friendly day at Shiverfest! It is Riverbend’s largest community based-event packed with fun fall activities for the whole family. Kids can enjoy pony rides, arts and crafts, a trick-or-treat-trail, and insect and circus shows. READ MORE

Franklin Fright

Center City - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5 to October 27, 2024
Put on a costume to trick-or-treat indoors at The Franklin Institute. Knock on decorated doors throughout the museum, enjoy spooky science experiments, and more every weekend in October. READ MORE

Elmwood Park Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Norristown - Saturdays & Sundays, October 5 to 27, 2024
Collect candy while admiring the animals throughout the Elmwood Park Zoo. A costume parade, treats, animal meet-and-greets, and much more are in store for trick-or-treaters. As an added perk, various drink specials are on tap for the grown ups. READ MORE

Fall Harvest & Great Pumpkin Patch

Villanova - Sunday, October 6, 2024
Come out to The Willows Park in Radnor for The Fall Harvest & Great Pumpkin Patch, where tractor rides, gem mining, arts and crafts, live music, a mechanical bull, and more are waiting for families. Pick a pumpkin to decorate and enjoy yummy treats at this award-winning event, recognized statewide. READ MORE

Fall Fun Day

Philadelphia - Sunday, October 6, 2024
Children of all ages and caregivers are invited to a family-friendly day of outdoor autumn festivities. Enjoy fall crafts, live children’s music performances, games, prizes, story times, mini cemetery tours, and more. READ MORE

Fort Mifflin Candlelight Ghost Tours

Philadelphia - Fridays & Saturdays, October 11 to 27, 2024
Fort Mifflin is known as one of the most haunted sites in the country. Guests can learn of the true stories of paranormal activity experienced by decades of visitors and staff. There are no decorations, no blood, just real ghosts. READ MORE

Brick Fest Live

Oaks - Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13, 2024
Families are amazed by life-sized LEGO models and cities (including local landmarks!) built entirely of this timeless toy, as they play with mind-blowing attractions that set the imagination free, and build with millions of LEGO bricks at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. READ MORE

Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Fairmount Park - Saturdays & Sundays October 12 to October 27, 2024
Trick-or-treat your way through the animal exhibits, where you'll see creepy creatures munching on pumpkins. Don't forget to dress up in your favorite costume and bring a bag for treats along the way. Best of all, Boo at the Zoo is included in your general admission ticket. Don't miss out on this frightfully fun experience! READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford

Chadds Ford - Thursday, October 17 - Saturday, October 19, 2024
This three day festival features over 60 artisans as they turn ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art. In addition to seeing the carved pumpkins, kids can walk a haunted trail, win raffle prizes, and hear live music. READ MORE

Brandywine Zoo's Boo at the Zoo

Wilmington, DE - Friday to Sunday, October 18 to 20, 2024
In the spirit of the Halloween season, children are invited to dress up in costume to see the animals at the Brandywine Zoo. Guests can expect not-so-spooky activities, Halloween decorations, and more. READ MORE

Autumn Alive! Fall Festival

Quakertown - Saturday, October 19, 2024
The Autumn Alive! fall festival kicks off with the Broad Street Pet Parade, where you can dress your pet in their Halloween costume. Children’s activities, live music, cupcake contests, an Authors' Corner, and more are held throughout the day. READ MORE

Halloween Ghost Ship

Wilmington, DE - Saturday, October 19, 2024
Got a pirate costume? Put it to good use aboard the Kalmar Nyckel at the Wilmington Riverfront, where the boat's captain and mates will regale young visitors with stories of life at sea. A spookily decorated indoor ship will be on display, and kids can partake in Halloween crafts. READ MORE

CultureFest!: Día de los Muertos at Penn Museum

University City - Saturday, October 26, 2024
This full-day festival offers fun for the whole family, including an arts activity, altar competition, artisan market, dance and music performances, and an enormous traditional ofrenda (altar) installation by the Mexican Cultural Center. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat Street in Franklin Square

Old City - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Recommended for children 10 and younger, kids visiting Franklin Square can follow the map to collect goodies on Trick-or-Treat Street. READ MORE

Tram and Treat at Winterthur

Winterthur, DE - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Ride a tram car throughout Winterthur's scenic grounds, stopping along the way to collect treats and enjoy crafts. Reservations are strongly suggested as capacity is limited. Treats are available while supplies last. Bring your own treat bag. READ MORE

Halloween at Hagley

Wilmington, DE - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Spend the day at Hagley Museum and Library and celebrate Halloween. Kids can dress up in costumes and visit treat stations throughout the property. In addition to treats, children can expect Halloween-themed activities such as making a jack-o-lantern pouch and playing spider slingshot. READ MORE

Trick Or Treat at the Please Touch Museum

Fairmount Park - Saturday, October 26, 2024
Wear your costume to Please Touch during the Trick-or-Treat event, featuring slime-making, Halloween puppet story times, and more. READ MORE

Mini Mug Spooktacular Family Halloween Bash

Philadelphia - Sunday, October 27, 2024
Get ready for a frightfully fun day filled with excitement for the whole family! Enjoy a dazzling performance and magical stories by the one and only Sandy Straction, guaranteed to enchant and entertain. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Chadds Ford Historical Society
Wilmington Riverfront/Fort Christina Park/Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library