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Fall brings a seemingly endless number of festivals, pop ups, and spooky things to do in Philadelphia and the suburbs. Visit a neighborhood fall festival, learn about the sites of Historic Germantown as the neighborhood commemorates the Revolutionary battle fought there, or have fun at a nearby pumpkin patch. For something scarier, head to one of the many incredible haunted houses in the area.
Visit a local pumpkin patch
More than a dozen pumpkin patches within about 45 minutes of Philadelphia means lots of opportunities to pick out the perfect carvers and decorations. There are many pick-your-own options at local farms plus chances for hayrides, bonfires, and other fall-themed activities.
Head to Hellerick’s Farm not just for pumpkins and gourds but for their 18-acre adventure farm that includes a corn maze and slides. In Landsdale, Merrymead Farm has a pumpkin patch and giant illuminated “Great Pumpkin” as well as a cool corn maze. Every time we visit Highland Orchards, we stop by the market for some of the best apple cider donuts in the area. Their pumpkin patch is great to visit, and you may even find apples in season. All the locations have pumpkins through October 31, 2025.
See the scarecrows at Morris Arboretum
Every year, we enjoy the scarecrows that are displayed around the grounds of Morris Arboretum. This year’s theme is cartoons, from the super silly to the super villains. You can vote on your top pick, and they’re all on display from October 1 through November 2.
If you visit, don’t miss the pumpkin cottage and, of course, the outstanding leaves that typically show their colors at the end of the month. The fiery red enkianthus shrubs and the gold ginko trees are ones we always look for.
Get scared at an epic haunted house
There are lots of incredible haunted houses to visit this time of year. If you’re someone who loves being terrified for fun, explore these horrifying options.
- The granddaddy of them all is the mega Halloween Nights haunted house at Eastern State Penitentiary. The old, abandoned prison has a spine-tingling 100+ attractions from a haunted carnival to an abandoned fishing village. You can also get your fingers sticky with s’mores while listening to ghost stories and enjoy the popular beer garden from Triple Bottom. It runs select dates September 19 – November 8, 2025.
- Pennhurst Asylum spent decades as a psychiatric hospital, and the massive complex now hosts three terrifying haunted locations, including a morgue. For an extra fee, you can get even more close up with death in the Catacombs. The attraction is open select dates September 20 – November 2, 2025.
- Rounding out the abandoned buildings is Fright Factory, which is set in a century-old former industrial space. Demons, creepy clowns, and un-dead hospital residents make this high-scare attraction super frightening. It’s open select days from September 26 – November 1, 2025.
If historic sites haunted by local figures are more to your liking, Philly and South Jersey are filled with places where visitors claim to see apparitions and things that go bump in the night. Creepy spots in Philadelphia include Pennsylvania Hospital (the country’s first), Christ Church Burial Ground, and Hill Physick House, which was likely the site of autopsies by its surgeon owner. In South Jersey, head to the hub of paranormal activity that is the Burlington County Prison Museum.
Check out a Halloween pop-up bar
For a slightly spooky night out with friends, the city’s pop-up Halloween bars are a scream to visit.
- Uptown Beer Garden near LOVE Park has a Freak Show theme this year, inspired by creepy vintage carnival sideshows.
- Optical illusions, bubbling cocktails, and some demonic looking Eagles players are just a few of the things that contribute to the vibe at Nightmare Before Tinsel in Midtown Village.
- At Taqueria Amor in Manayunk, Jason, Freddy Kreuger, and other horror flick characters make this otherwise light and airy Mexican spot super creepy through Halloween. The Redrum cocktail is our favorite.
Cheer on the Phillies and the Union in the playoffs
Nothing makes this city happier than when our sports teams to do well. Well, baby, the Phillies and the Union have both made it to the playoffs!
The Phillies kick off the National League Division Series at home on October 4 and will hopefully have a long run ahead of them. As I’m writing this, the Union currently sit in first place and have the chance to finish the season at the top of Major League Soccer and win the Supporters Shield. Their last home match is October 4, and their playoff schedule will be determined when the regular season ends.
Enjoy the Revolutionary Germantown Festival
On October 4, 2025, Cliveden hosts the annual Revolutionary Germantown Festival, which features a battle reenactment on the estate’s lawn and includes historical interpreters, crafts, a blacksmith, and food vendors. Many of the sites of Historic Germantown are also open and free to visit on that day, and we love checking out a new-to-us spot every year. Don’t miss the Johnson House Historic Site (a stop on the Underground Railroad), The Colored Girls Museum, or the Victorian-era Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion.
Visit a neighborhood fall festival
October is the month for fun neighborhood festivals. Check out these events around the city:
- Multiple performance stages and local vendors make the Northern Liberties Fall Festival hard to beat. City Winery’s lounge, a wellness area, and seasonal treats are among the offerings you’ll find on October 12, 2025.
- On October 18, 2025, East FallsFest returns with food and live music all day. There is also pumpkin decorating and performances by Hi-Line Circus Arts (you may even get to participate, if you’re lucky!).
- Manayunk Fall Fest makes its debut on Main Street on October 18, 2025. See the local artists, excellent food trucks, music, and games for all ages.
See the fall colors
Our area almost always has beautiful fall colors from the streets of Old City to the parks of Bucks County. In Philadelphia, we especially love the multi-colored leaves of The Woodlands cemetery, the bright yellow tree in Washington Square Park, and everything in Wissahickon Valley Park. A little farther away, the view of the Delaware River from Bowmans Hill Tower in Bucks County is stunning and hard to beat (be aware that the tower’s elevator is often not working). See our dedicated article for even more places to find colorful leaves.
Indulge at a local Oktoberfest
Who doesn’t love a whole event dedicated to good beer and tasty snacks? Grab a pretzel and a pint at these beer-focused festivities.
- An annual tradition, Roxborough’s Roxtoberfest includes German folk music, great food, and (of course!) excellent craft beer. All the vendors and the scarecrow walk make it a must-visit if you’re nearby. The festival is on October 4, 2025.
- Bavarian food, German-inspired brews, and even a stein-holding competition are a big draw at Evil Genius Oktoberfest on October 4, 2025. Enjoy it all alongside music from Polkadelphia.
- Attending Oktoberfest at the 23rd Street Armory feels a lot like stepping into the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The tables are straight from Germany, and the space sports the famous blue and white decorations. Enjoy the German beer, giant pretzels, and steins that take two hands to lift. The event is October 10-11, 2025.