The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend

Happy Friday! Below are some of our favorite things to do in the Philadelphia area this weekend. We put out new Philly weekend plans for you every week, so you’ll always have something to do on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

You can always find our favorite activities of the weekend at inquirer.com/things-to-do. Have an event you’d like to feature in the Inquirer? Submit an event to our calendar.

(Music) No one does live music and entertainment quite like Philadelphia. Philly Music Fest was founded to shine a light on all of the music talent that Philly’s local music scene has to offer. Spend the week enjoying local music favorites like Amos Lee and Slaughter Beach at great venues across the city.

⌚️ Oct. 21-27, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 phillymusicfest.com, 💵 $30-65

(Community) This 21+ Halloween-inspired event promised more tricks than treats, but be prepared for a few surprises. Costumes embracing “the glitch” are encouraged, however you interpret it. Your ticket includes access to all core exhibits and galleries, a limited edition lapel pin, roof deck access and more.

⌚️Oct. 25, 7:3-11:30p.m., 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 💵 $35-40

(Community) This full-day festival celebrates Día de los Muertos, or day of the dead, which honors indigenous Mexican beliefs and other traditions. Bring the entire family for a day of music, art activities, performances and a huge traditional art installation by the Mexican Cultural Center.

⌚️ Oct. 25, 11a.m.-4p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 $13-18

(Community) Celebrate Filipino American History month with a taste of true Filipino culture including food, music, entertainment and more. This event is open to all who want to learn about and experience another culture.

⌚️ Oct. 26, 1-5p.m., 📍121 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com, 💵 Free

(Music) Silent Philly is bringing an epic Halloween party right to City Hall. There will be food trucks, great music and plenty of dancing. Come dressed in your best costume for the chance to win a cash prize.

⌚️ Oct. 26, 8p.m., 📍1400 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa, 19107, 🌐 silentoutings.com, 💵 $10-17

(Community) Head to the Schuylkill for two days of non-stop competition. Rowers of all levels, including highschool and elite world champions, will take to the river to compete in one of the largest rowing events in the country. Grab a viewing spot along Kelly Drive so you don’t miss the action.

⌚️Oct. 26-27, 📍Kelly Drive & Fountain Green Dr., Philadelphia, Pa, 19121, 🌐 hosr.org, 💵 Free

(POST) (Art) Don’t miss out on the largest-self guided tour of studios and artists spaces in the regions. Dozens of studios and art spaces will open their doors to make workshops, galleries and creative space more accessible. This round of the festival features studios east of Broad Street.

⌚️Oct. 26-27, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 cfeva.org, 💵 Free

(Community) Franklin Square is embracing Spooky Season for the month of October. Come play a round or two of spooky themed mini golf complete with haunting lights, music and atmosphere.

⌚️Oct 1-31, 6-9p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa, 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org, 💵 $12-15

(Movies) This celebration of the best in cinema is back for it’s 33rd year. This year’s festival will feature over 100 features, shorts, and documentaries from all over the global, including some local collections. Grab a ticket or festival badge and take a journey around the world through film.

⌚️Oct. 17-27, 📍Various Locations, 🌐 filmadelphia.org, 💵 $15-500

As Halloween approaches, Philadelphia and its surrounding areas come alive with festive events for all ages. From spooky movie nights to haunted circus performances, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. Beyond these highlights, neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Row, East Falls, Manayunk, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown are also offering early treats and costume-filled fun.

(Movie / free) The charming borough of Haddonfield sets up families for an early night out with hot chocolate, popcorn, and an outdoor screening of The Addams Family. Bring your own chair — and the dog, too. Ages 6 and up.

⌚October 25, 6-8 p.m., 📍51 Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, NJ, 08108, 🌐 shophaddon.com, 💵 Free

(Seasonal) Now located in a big, old church in Mount Airy, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts dresses the place up for Halloween and hosts a 6 p.m. workshop and a slightly spooky 7 p.m. interactive show for younger acrobats, clowns, and fans. On October 26 at 2:30 p.m., the family haunted circus is rated PG-13. Ages 5-12.

⌚October 25, 6-8 p.m., 📍6452 Greene St., Philadelphia, PA, 19119, 🌐 phillycircus.com, 💵 $10-$20

(Seasonal) Held at the Pennypack Environmental Center in Philadelphia, this event requires advanced registration and no costumes. It includes a slightly scary guided hike through the woods to a campfire for storytelling, snacks, crafts, and more. Ages 6 and up.

⌚October 25, 7 p.m., 📍8600 Veree Rd., Philadelphia, PA, 19115, 🌐eventbrite.com, 💵 $5)

(Culture) The Penn Museum in Philadelphia partners with the Mexican Cultural Center for a five-hour celebration featuring live dance and music performances, a giant ofrenda, arts and crafts, and Mexican hot chocolate and pastry. All ages.

⌚October 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 📍3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 🌐 penn.museum, 💵 $13-$18, $2 ACCESS cardholder, free age 5 and under

(Seasonal / free) In South Philadelphia, merchants and neighborhood kids get a head start on the holiday with treats, pumpkin carving, and local vendors. All ages.

⌚October 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 📍E. Passyunk Ave. and Dickinson St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / free) In Franklin Square, Center City, kids can enjoy candy-centric stations courtesy of Mars Wrigley, plus giant bubbles, games, and movement. First come, first served. Ages 2-10.

⌚October 26, noon-2 p.m., 📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 🌐, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / free) Held at Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville, William Penn’s farming estate, this event includes more than 600 costumed kids accepting candy from volunteers dressed in 17th-century costumes. Expect a “kid-friendly” witch trial, a carnival, a talking pumpkin, and a 17th-century dance performance. Ages 2-12.

⌚October 27, 1-4 p.m., 📍400 Pennsbury Memorial Rd., Morrisville, PA, 19067, 🌐 pennsburymanor.org, 💵 Free

(Seasonal / Free) No need to hoof it to the countryside for a pay-to-enter fall agritainment experience. Dilworth Park brings in hay bales and adds storytimes, pumpkin carving, and goats, depending when you drop by. All ages.

⌚October 18-27, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., 📍1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 centercityphila.org , 💵 Free

(Community / multiday) Can you teach toddlers and elementary school-age kids empathy? It’s certainly worth trying. The Please Touch Museum’s visiting exhibit aims to help children express feelings and understand others’ through lightbox silhouette-making, playing with empathy blocks, and negotiating a seesaw. Ages 2-10.

⌚September 27-January 12, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays,📍4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa, 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org , 💵$22, $2 ACCESS cardholder

(Science / multiday) Animatronic dinos from chillier climes, like the fearsome, feathered Troodon raptors, represent Late Cretaceous creatures who inhabited the Arctic. Hands-on exhibits show off ice-proof teeth and eggs at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Ages 2 and up.

⌚September 28-May 4, 📍1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 ansp.org, 💵 $16-$22, $2 ACCESS cardholder, free under age 2

(Seasonal) The Philadelphia Zoo’s three-weekend pre-Halloween tradition packs the place with costumed kiddos, who BYOB (treat bags) and trick-or-treat among the lowland gorillas, big cats, giant giraffes, goats, etc.. Advance reservations required. October 19, the zoo opens early (8:30-9:30 a.m.) for a sensory-friendly Boo. All ages.

⌚October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 📍3400 Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐philadelphiazoo.org , 💵 $25 ages 12 and up, $20 ages 2-11, free under age 2