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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 check out the amazing flower exhibit at the long-shuttered Lynnewood Hall. For something scarier, head to one of the many incredible haunted houses in the area.
Experience the Gilded Age at Lynnewood Hall
It’s been over 80 years since Lynnewood Hall in Elkins Park was open to the public, and until October 4, 2026, it’s open in grand style. After decades of disrepair, the 1899 mansion that belonged to the Widener family is hosting an outstanding (and fragrant!) floral display in the partially-renovated space. The exhibit showcases local floral designers’ creations that are inspired by the characters in the HBO series The Gilded Age. Visitors can also enjoy music and food, and the Preservation Tour is a must. My expectations of the visit were high, and the creativity and uniqueness of the experience still blew me away.
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, slides, and a tractor tire playground. In Landsdale, Merrymead Farm has a pumpkin patch and giant illuminated “Great Pumpkin” as well as a cool 5-acre 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, 2026.
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 the ’70s, whether that’s the 1770s (a nod to America 250), the disco era of the 1970s, or an imagined 2070. You can vote on your top pick, and they’re all on display from through November 1, 2026.
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 crypt to a speakeasy in Al Capone’s cell. 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 nights through November 7, 2026.
- Pennhurst Asylum spent decades as a psychiatric hospital, and the massive complex now hosts four terrifying haunted locations, including a morgue. For an extra $10, you can get even more close up with death in the Catacombs. The attraction is open Fridays and Saturdays through November 7, 2026.
- 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 through November 7, 2026.
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 haunted mansion theme this year plus plenty of smoking cocktails.
- A skeleton chair, bubbling drinks, 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, extraterrestrials and spooky creatures make this otherwise light and airy Mexican spot super creepy through Halloween.
Enjoy the Revolutionary Germantown Festival
On October 3, 2026, 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.
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 3, 2026.
- 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 9-10, 2026.
Visit a neighborhood fall festival
October is the month for fun neighborhood festivals. Check out these events around the city:
- On October 17, 2026, East FallsFest returns with food and live music all day. There is also pumpkin decorating and more family-friendly activities plus a beer garden from Wissahickon Brewing.
- Manayunk Fall Fest returns to Main Street on October 17, 2026. See the local artists, excellent food trucks, music, and games for all ages. Don’t miss the Mac n’ Cheese Crawl.
- Music, pumpkin carving, a costume contest, and lots of local vendors make the East Passyunk Fall Fest hard to beat. And, yes, there will be trick-or-treating. Find it all on East Passyunk Avenue between Morris & Dickinson on October 31, 2026.