Family Halloween Events in Philadelphia (Map + Calendar)

For over 40 years, Colonial Gardens has hosted family-friendly fall events every October. Whether you’re looking for a pumpkin-picking adventure or a scare, they have something for you! :

The Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride boasts amazing props, digital FX, great actors and extraordinary professional makeup. The Hayride has been featured several times on the Travel Channel and has been ranked as a top haunted attraction in the US. This is a great activity for tweens and teens!

Enjoy family-friendly Halloween festivities at the Franklin Institute! Get ready for spooky science exhibits and decorated areas, scary live science shows, indoor trick-or-treating, and more!

Tweens and teens can take the No Hope After Dark haunted train ride. Unearth sinister characters, navigate immersive sets, and succumb to heart-pounding fear on this electrifying journey into the heart of Halloween, where the celebration takes a haunting turn, and nightmares come alive.

Children of all ages are welcome to enjoy the Trick or Treat Train Excursion. Relish the journey as they bring to life the tale of Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Be entertained by the jovial, festive tunes performed live by one of the onboard musicians. Kids will also trick or treat around the New Hope train station.

Join a fun Halloween Festival at the Upper Main Line YMCA! Families can enjoy a treat trail, performers, pumpkin decorating, spooky carnival games, a haunted carriage house, and so much more!

Come in costume and celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place! The park will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven and guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed shows and parades, participating in their Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and unique photo opportunities with everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume!

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Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This family-favorite event includes spooktacular mystery-filled hikes, friendly costumed critters, nature-inspired crafts and activities, hayrides through the forest, and s'mores by the campfire.

6pm-10pm

Erin P. said:  Bring your ghost and goblins out for trick or treating and yummy treats all provided by participating Ambler businesses.

11am-2pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Dress up the kids and take them to a super fun high energy Halloween Parade throughout the streets of West Chester.

7pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Celebrate fall and Halloween during Diggerfest at Diggerland. Your family can enjoy hayrides, pumpkin decorating, live music, parades, and much more. While you're there, enjoy the many rides and attractions that Diggerland has to offer. As an added bonus, their restaurants are offering special themed Fall foods for purchase.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Music Mountain Theatre boasts high quality Children's Theatre performances throughout the year. This annual, interactive Halloween event features silly skits and spooky songs, and a chance to meet The Great Pumpkin.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This is a fun family night to celebrate Halloween with lots of floats, bands, walkers, fire trucks and candy.

7pm-9pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade is traditionally held on Halloween day. Dress the kids (and adults) in costume and trick-or-treat along the parade route. The event ends with a neighborly Halloween block party with cider and baked goods for the kids.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  At Independence Seaport Museum, visitors can join the education staff each Sunday to explore special ghoulish themes.

12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm

Erin P. said:  Follow the trail in Franklin Square and get some sweets on Trick-or-Treat Street.

12-2pm

Erin P. said:  Bring the whole family - pets, too - to Manayunk for a spooky Halloween celebration all month long. Thursdays through Saturdays in October, visitors can get around Main Street on the free Trick-or-Trolley! The Trick-or-Trolley will stop at several spots including the Lincoln Mill Haunted House. This month-long event will culminate with the annual Pretzel Park Farmers Market Kid and Pet Costume Parade and other family-friendly activities.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland is a family event in the fall that is included with admission. Special features include themed rides, special entertainment, spooky treats, and a nightly dance party.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Enjoy Storybook Land for Fall and Halloween fun! In addition to the fun amusement rides and attractions, kids can ride the Happy Hayride, find their way through Elmer's Hay-Mazin' Maze and decorate their own pumpkin! On special Trick or Treat Weekends, kid can dress in costume and trick or treat through the park. They can also take part in the hayride and maze but there is no pumpkin decorating on those days.

Erin P. said:  The Penn Museum celebrates Día de los Muertos, where they honor departed family and friends. 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.

10am-4pm

Erin P. said:  Halloween Nights transforms Eastern State Penitentiary into a festival featuring haunted houses, historic tours, immersive walkthroughs, themed bars, and more. Halloween Nights is recommended for kids 12 and older. Children under the age of 7 are not permitted.

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Shila said:  Dating back to the 1700s, Fort Mifflin is one of the only intact Revolutionary War battlefields in Philadelphia. During October, Fort Mifflin hosts many exciting, educational and paranormal events. Experience Fort Mifflin after hours on one of their popular candlelight walking tours through the site.

Enjoy this three day 'Chadds Ford tradition' where over 70 giant pumpkins are carved & lit by local artists on Thursday and will be lit and displayed on Friday & Saturday. All three nights include a kid-friendly haunted trail, raffle prizes and live music.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  A fun Halloween exhibit awaits at the Da Vinci Science Center with Jack-O-Lantern Lane! Step right into the heart of Halloween with hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, not-so-spooky houses, hands-on activities, and more! Don't forget to check out the Live Spooky Science Show on weekends!

Shila said:  Philadelphia School of Circus Arts transforms their 26,000sq/ft building into an amazing haunted circus experience. The evening begins outdoors on their circus campus lawn with ambient fire performances. The pre-show features you trying your hands at our various circus stations (learn to juggle, walk the tightwire, and hang on the aerial sling). Followed by the main performance of their talented adult & youth student circus variety show.

6:30-9:30pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Hay wagons at Prophecy Creek Park take passengers to the upper field for a bonfire, a spooky storyteller, and a witch serving up hot cider out of a cauldron!

6-9pm

Erin P. said:  Families can walk the parade route together and stop at spooky spots along the way. Activities include a smores station, story telling, cookie decorating, trunk or treat, bouncy house and much more! Prepaid residents only.

6-8pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:   Merrymead Farm welcomes all ages to come and enjoy the storytelling of Merry The Pumpkin at their annual pumpkin lighting. Music and Storytelling will take place in the front lawn of the farm. You can also take a scenic hayride around the farm and venture through the cornstalk tunnel!

Erin P. said:  Bring your little ones out to pick a pumpkin from the Franklin Square Pumpkin Patch. They can decorate it with fun Halloween designs and take it home. Pre-registration is recommended as capacity is limited.

11am-1pm

Erin P. said:  Trick or treat your way through Treatville at Hersheypark. Get your groove on during the Hershey Character Glow Dance Parties. Feel the rushing thrill of iconic coasters, and even ride some in the dark. And dare to face the frightening terrors of Dark Nights that lurk in the shadows.

Your family can choose to either participate in the scarecrow competition, or just enjoy viewing the creative designs that others present for the competition when you take the scarecrow walk!

Frame, straw, burlap and twine are provided with your registration, the rest is up to you! This is a popular contest, so if you would like to participate, get your entry in early!

Erin P. said:  Come dressed in your favorite costume, trick-or-treat around the Zoo, and enjoy seasonal décor, photo opportunities, festive fall offerings, fun children’s activities, and more! Advance online reservations required for general admission for non-members.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The Crayola Experience is hosting Screamin' Green Hauntoween to celebrate Halloween all month long! They will feature spooky and non-scary activities such as a themed scavenger hunt, Halloween crafts for kids, character photo ops, and add-on activities like pumpkin decorating, glitter tattoos, and slime making! Kids will also love the Trick-or-Treating every weekend!

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Join in the Halloween festivities with Boo at the Zoo at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the Zoo. Check out themed crafts and activities plus pumpkin patch and more!

10am-3:30pm

Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  Gather the kids and head to the Brandywine Zoo for some non-spooky Halloween fun! The kids are invited to dress in their costumes, visit the animals, and enjoy plenty of treats and activities!

10am-3pm

Michele Barrett said:  Enjoy cider and donuts and get a pumpkin on the Great Pumpkin Patch Express! The kids get their own pumpkin to decorate! Each child gets one pumpkin, and there will be photo opportunities in the Boyertown yard.