Our top 9 family-friendly Halloween events in the Philly region
Dress up your kiddos (and furry family members) for a weekend of sweets and autumn memory-making.
You can always find the calendar at inquirer.com/kidscalendar.
Halloween falling on a weekend means by the time Monday comes around, families are going to consider Twizzlers to be a member of the fruits and vegetable group, and peanut butter cups a significant source of healthy protein. Enjoy. Consider befriending a pediatric dentist.
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‘Hocus Pocus,’ Movies by the River, Glen Foerd
(Movies / free) The 1993 Disney original featuring the three Sanderson sisters and slightly dated special effects screens on the grounds of Northeast Philly’s finest Italianate mansion, but not until after pumpkin painting. (Film at 7 p.m.) Costumes welcome. Registration requested. Ages 8-14. (Free, Oct. 25, 6-9 p.m., 5001 Grant Ave., glenfoerd.org)
Disney Junior Live On Tour, ‘Costume Palooza,’ Academy of Music
(Theater) The plot of this just-for-kids musical: Marvel heroes, Mickey, and Minnie try to throw a costume party but oddly inclement weather and/or other funnily freakish phenomena try to get in the way. Ages 3-8. ($35-$255, Oct. 28, 6 p.m., 240 S. Broad St., kimmelculturalcampus.org)
Rittenhouse Row Trick-or-Treat Trail
(Seasonal / free) If your kids like candy with a side of fancy, dress ‘em up and cart ‘em over to Rittenhouse Square, where shops, restaurants, banks, and such will be doling out treats — including goodies from the Frankford Candy Company — pretty much all day. There’s a costume contest (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), at Firstrust Bank. All ages. (Free, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., from 19th & Walnut Streets., rittenhouserow.org)
Fall Fest & Spooky Saturday, East Passyunk Ave.
(Seasonal / free) Mini Mirabels, CoComelons, Hellfire Club members, and other characters kids know better than adults can pop into shops along a South Philly corridor for treats. Along the way, there’s music by Snacktime, bubbles by the Bubble Queen, and pop-up vendors selling all kinds of handmade, vintage, and other goods. All ages. (Free, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., East Passyunk between Dickinson & Broad Streets, visiteastpassyunk.com)
South Street PumpkinFest, Headhouse Shambles
(Seasonal / free) Society Hill’s erstwhile market welcomes kids in dress-up for an annual affair that includes wagon rides, circus performances, pumpkin decorating, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating. All ages. (Free, Oct. 29, noon-4 p.m., South 2nd Street, between Pine and Lombard Streets, southstreet.com)
Discovery Day: Nature in the Dark, Discovery Center
(Nature / free) As if zip-lining weren’t already enough of a thrill, try doing it in costume at a nature refuge tucked away in Strawberry Mansion. After, join a flashlight tour of the reservoir as dusk falls (5-6:30 p.m.). Ages 8 and up. (Free, Oct. 29, noon-6:30 p.m., 3401 Reservoir Dr., discoveryphila.org)
Not-So-Spooky Costume Party and Parade, Craft Hall
(Seasonal) The whole fam can get dressed up — doggo included — and vie for prizes at this favorite family-friendly taproom. There’s a pirate ship to play aboard, and pumpkins to purchase and decorate. All ages (Oct. 29, noon-2 p.m. [doors at 11 a.m.], 901 N. Delaware Ave., crafthallphilly.com)
Witches of Narberth
(Seasonal / free) Find a witch, get a treat. This Main Line tradition posts sweet-doling-out sorcerers and such along Haverford Avenue, for costumed and play-clothed kids who dare to sidle up to them. Ages 0-12. (Free, Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m., from Forrest & Haverford Avenues, narberthonline.com)
Harvest Fest, Awbury Arboretum
(Seasonal / free) Farmers, beekeepers, handweavers, hayrides, food foresters, s’mores, batala drummers, a Rolling Stones cover band, and parading goats come together for an all-natural, in-city celebration on Germantown’s eastern edge. All ages. (Free, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 6336 Ardleigh St., awbury.org)