☠️ Halloween fun, Philly films, and Día de los Muertos | Things to Do

I rolled up to opening night at the Philadelphia Film Festival last week, was welcomed with the scent of movie theater popcorn filled and the sounds of excited film-goers discussing this year’s lineup.

The 11-day festival kicked off on Oct. 15 at the Philadelphia Film Society Center with a screening of director Noah Segan’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, starring John Turturro as Henry Lehman, an aging pickpocket who steals from someone with far more connections than he realizes. Suddenly, he’s scrambling to protect his family.

Segan’s latest feature was a thrill ride rich with emotional depth, thanks to Turturro’s portrayal of the tactical, analog-obsessed protagonist and Tatiana Maslany’s compelling turn as his estranged daughter, Kelly.

But what I enjoyed just as much was being surrounded by people who were genuinely excited to be there, talking about the films they couldn’t wait to see. There’s something different about watching a movie with an audience that’s just as invested as you are.

And if you haven’t made it to the festival yet, you still have time. Screenings continue through Sunday, with a mix of independent films, international releases, and titles you might not otherwise catch on the big screen. I’d recommend taking a look at the lineup and making time for at least one.

Of course, there’s plenty happening outside the theater this weekend, too. From family-friendly Halloween celebrations to Día de los Muertos festivities and the start of Rocky Season, here’s what else is worth checking out.

— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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For families looking for Halloween fun without too many scares, Philadelphia has plenty of options this weekend.

At Franklin Square, kids can putt their way through a spooky mini golf course through Nov. 1, complete with fog, animated props, bone-chilling decor, and strobe lights.

Families can also explore Halloween-themed rooms at Halloween House Philly, located inside a former Forever 21 store in the Fashion District.

They can also trick-or-treat alongside animals at the Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo, and show off their costumes at parties across East Falls, Chestnut Hill, Manayunk, and other neighborhoods.

Click here for the full list of family-friendly Halloween events happening in Philadelphia.

Forget making dinner plans. The Inquirer Food Fest returns to the Fillmore in Fishtown on Nov. 14, bringing together some of the city’s best chefs for a day of eating.

The festival is a chance to sample dishes from Philly restaurants, discover new favorites, and spend the day celebrating the city’s food scene, all under one roof.

And you don’t have to settle for just one restaurant. That’s part of the fun.

Tickets are available now, so grab yours before the event.

Get your tickets to The Inquirer Food Fest.

🎞️ The final weekend of the Philadelphia Film Festival: After nearly two weeks of world premieres and East Coast debuts, the Philadelphia Film Festival will have its final screenings this Sunday. Pop into Philadelphia Film Society theaters to see films such as Ava DuVernay’s 14th, Alex Schulman’s Adult Supervision, Andrew Haigh’s A Long Winter, and others.

🎨 Illuminated Gardens: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens hosts its final Twilight in the Gardens of the year Friday, with live music, arts and crafts, and a chance to explore its mosaics and glass installations after dark.

🍷 Art and sounds galore!: Roll up to Germantown on Friday for a showcase of local creative talent. Our House Culture Center hosts Germantown Art & Sound. The free event will highlight works from Philly-based artists. There will also be complimentary wine, food trucks, and a DJ curating the tunes.

🇵🇭 A taste of cultural heritage: Cherry Street Pier hosts Taste of the Philippines as part of the PECO Multicultural Series, with live entertainment, traditional Filipino food, and shopping from local Filipino-owned businesses.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Head of the Schuylkill Regatta and the Pennsylvania Chocolate and Coffee Festival. Here’s our full list for the week.

This Saturday, celebrate the rich history and tradition behind Día de los Muertos, a.k.a. Day of the Dead, throughout the city.

The Latin American celebration will be on full display at Penn Museum’s CultureFest! from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with music, dance, decorating competitions, an artisan market, and other activities.

FDR Park will also host Gran Fiesta de los Muertos, a sunset celebration along the Gateway Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition to music, dance performances, and DJ sets, artist Cesar Viveros’ latest installation will be on view all weekend.

For those looking to celebrate over dinner, Aqimero is offering a three-course menu from chefs Richard and Giancarlo Sandoval in honor of the holiday.

🎃 Halloween festival in Fairmount: Swing by my neck of the woods for the 20th Annual Halloween Festival & Parade in Fairmount this Sunday. The free event will feature art-making stations, music, an activity zone for all ages, and a parade to Eastern State Penitentiary.

🥘 A food lover’s dream: Philly’s best food trucks and restaurants will be serving plates for $5 or less this weekend at the Philadelphia Street Food Festival. Enjoy these savory bites with live music, entertainment, and kid-friendly activities at Stateside Live!.

🎭 The Great Gatsby has arrived: The Broadway musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is playing at the Academy of Music through Nov. 1.

🥊 Yo, Adrian! It’s Rocky Season: Rocky Season kicks off Saturday with the Meat Market Challenge at Reading Terminal Market. The market will be filled with hanging frozen beef for photo ops, along with Rocky-inspired bites, limited-edition RTM merch, and live DJ sets. A Rocky lookalike contest will take place outside the market, with bus tours and other events continuing through Dec. 3.

Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.

🎸 Thursday: L7, the all-female band that was a key player in the alt-rock scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s, will hit the stage at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday for “The Last Hurrah Tour.”

🔊 Friday: Folk singer Jesse Welles played at the Fillmore earlier this year, and now he’s headlining the Met on Friday. Hudson Freeman will serve as his opener.

🎵 Saturday: New York-born, Puerto Rico-raised rapper and singer Austin Agustin Santos, better known as Arcángel, is bringing his reggaeton and Latin trap records to the Met on Saturday.

🎤 Tuesday: John Oates, best known as one half of pop music’s best-selling duo, Hall & Oates, returns to his hometown for a performance at City Winery.

Check out Dan’s full concert list here.

According to Visit Pennsylvania, what’s the most haunted place in Philadelphia?

A) Eastern State Penitentiary

B) Carpenter’s Hall

C) City Tavern

D) Betsy Ross House

Here’s the answer to last week’s question: Where was the first Philadelphia Film Festival held in 1992? Answer: International House Philadelphia

Last week, I asked how you’d spend $50 on a Saturday night in Philly. Where would you eat? What would you see? And how far could you stretch that money?

Several of you wrote back with your plans. As some of you pointed out, $50 doesn’t go particularly far these days. But these two readers found ways to make it work, even if one bent the rules a little.

Michael L, Abington Township, Pa.:

“Fifty dollars doesn’t buy much in today’s economy. But if I had two twenties and a ten to spend, I’d have to start with a cheesesteak from Geno’s, Pat’s, or Angelo’s, followed by some public transit/parking money to get to Center City. Then, I’d walk around to see several Philly sights on a Saturday night in autumn. That includes a walk in the glow of the Art Museum and City Hall , with all of the excitement of a fall weekend that simply cannot be beat. I’d end the night with a hot chocolate from one of the many Market Street or Chestnut Street coffee houses to take out the chill of the night air . It’s as satisfying an evening as any for me.”

Jeffrey W, Feasterville, Pa.:

“I am going to bend the rules slightly to change to a Friday night so that I can do happy hour. Wilder on Sansom Street would be my first stop for a $6 non-alcoholic drink called Bitter Symphony, plus a snack in the $5-$8 range. Next stop would be the bar at Butcher & Singer on Walnut Street for a baked Alaska ($16) and a glass of prosecco ($15).”

Think you can do better? Email me your $50 Saturday night itinerary. I might feature it in an upcoming newsletter.

That’s all for this week. Whether you’re heading to a Halloween parade, celebrating Día de los Muertos, or catching one last film at the Philadelphia Film Festival, I hope you find something worth getting out for.

See you around Philly!

– Earl Hopkins

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