The City of Brotherly Love is in full fall effect! We’re celebrating the season of pumpkin patches, haunted hayrides, and festivals. Philadelphia hosts some of the largest festivals full of music, live entertainment, delicious food, local brews, and more. Each one lives up to the city’s festive reputation as they stay true to their unique themes and neighborhoods. Check out our list of fall festivals that you don’t want to miss.
Fishtown RiverCity Festival
When: October 14
Location: Penn Treaty Park
The fall festival frenzy is making its way to Fishtown for the 10th Annual Rivercity Festival. The full lineup includes multiple live music acts, local brews and food, kid friendly activities, a 5K run, and so much more. The free event attracts more than 10,000 visitors to this buzzing neighborhood for the entire family to enjoy.
Bonus: Pets are allowed and encouraged! Stop by the Pet Tent to visit friends from the PSPCA, ACCT Philly, and many more organizations dedicated to helping out furry friends.
Bloktoberfest
When: October 14
Location: South Street, West of Broad
Thanks to several neighborhood organizations partnering with local business, Bloktoberfest has been a huge success each and every year. The all-ages celebration features four blocks of food, beer, and entertainment. For a total of eight hours, you can partake in one of the largest block parties of the year.
Pro tip: Save $5 by buying your beer bracelet in advance online. Beer proceeds are reinvested into community education, green space and safety projects, so drink up!
Harvest Festivals in Philadelphia
When: Ongoing
Location: Multiple Locations
It’s everything that we love about the fall season; hayrides, apple picking and pumpkin carving sessions are happening throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. In honor of this jubilant time of the year, a multitude of parks, markets and farms are hosting harvest festivals. Experience the crisp air, taste and sights that autumn has to offer.
Our favorites: Travel to Media, PA for Pumpkinfest and fresh, hot apple cider doughnuts at Linvilla Orchards. Don’t forget their annual costume parade is on Sunday, October 29. To view the ultimate fall colors, visit Longwood Gardens for the Chrysanthemum Festival with rainbow shades of mums and the kid-friendly Pumpkin Playground. On October 21, the famous Reading Terminal Market will turn into a fall wonderland with live music, a beer garden, and an authentic tractor offering hayrides around the market.
Philadelphia Film Festival
When: October 19-29
Location: 2023 Sansom Street
The Philadelphia Film Society hosts their annual festival showcasing the best independent and foreign cinema throughout the city. For nearly two weeks, the festival will premiere dozens of films from around the globe. Come to experience the world of filmmaking like you’ve never seen it before, along with special appearances, thought-provoking conversation, and more.
From Executive Director, J. Andrew Greenblatt: Kicking off with I, Tonya, the Festival will once again offer a dramatic range of content, from highly-anticipated, Oscar-buzzworthy films to diverse, challenging, and educational narrative and documentary films from all over the globe.
Harry Potter Festival
When: October 20-21
Neighborhood: Chestnut Hill
Grab your wands and cloaks as Chestnut Hill transforms into Hogwarts! For its seventh annual celebration, the massive festival has expanded to 12 full blocks throughout the neighborhood. The celebration includes dance parties, potion making, wizard demonstrations, and much more magical fun. Plus, don’t miss the Brotherly Love Cup Quidditch Tournament. This highlight event returns with teams from the local community team competing with visiting schools.
New this year: The previously-ticketed pub crawl is now a pay-as-you-go option for more flexibility during the festival. Additionally, The Franklin Institute brings an “out of this world experience” for Astronomy Night on Friday at Jenks Memorial Playground.
South Street Fall Pumpkin Fest
When: October 28th
Location: Headhouse Plaza
South Street’s Fall Pumpkin Fest is an afternoon filled with music, shopping, activities, and entertainment. The Halloween festivities will be in full effect with trick-or-treating and scary movies for all ages to enjoy. Come on down to Headhouse Plaza to put you in the spooky fall spirit. New this year, the celebration starts early with a trio of scary movies at Headhouse Shambles. Screenings start at 6 p.m. with the classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” followed by “Young Frankenstein,” and a late night showing of “Night of the Living Dead.”
A good time with a good cause: In advance of the winter season, bring gently-used winter coats, shoes and other donations for Broad Street Mission to provide for those in need.
Which fall festival are you looking forward to in October? Let us know in the comments & social media!
