Celebrate fall with harvest festivals, craft fairs, apple cider, pumpkin painting, and more.
This October, Parks & Rec’s staff and partners are hosting an abundance of autumn events. Enjoy a flurry of fall festivals, honor Indigenous peoples, bundle-up to watch a movie under the stars, and much more. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening at our parks and rec centers over the next month.
Events listed in chronological order. Be sure to check the links provided to view more information and in case of inclement weather.
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS
Sayre Morris Trunk or Treat
October 28, 2022
3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sayre Morris Recreation Center –5835 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Come out to Sayre Morris for a fun, safe, and active Halloween celebration! Featuring knockerball, axe throwing, field games, music, food, and dancing, this event is sure to be a treat!
Haunted Horses
October 29, 2022
4 p.m.
Northwestern Stables – 120 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
This event delights young and old alike with dozens of horses in costume alongside equally decked-out riders. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume and trick or treat. This is a family event and is appropriate for children of all ages. Read more information and purchase tickets here.
Halloween in the Park
October 29, 2022
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Campbell Square – 2525 E. Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134
Friends of Campbell Square invite you to wear a costume, eat, shop, and have a great time. Come make a scarecrow and display it in the park the week of the event to partake in their annual scarecrow contest. Learn more about this fun community event.
Barely Scary Halloween Spooktacular
October 29, 2022
12 p.m. to 2 p.m
Smith Memorial Playground – 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Families are welcome to come in costume and enjoy a (hardly) haunted house, spider scavenger hunt, costume parade, fun with pumpkins, a slingshot contest, free giveaways, healthy and sweet treats, and other family fun in the 6 ½ acre playground. Read more information and purchase tickets here.
Halloween in Pretzel Park
October 29, 2022
10:30 a.m.
Pretzel Park –4300 Silverwood Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
The annual Halloween in Pretzel Park: costume parade for children and parents as well as pets; children’s activities; music; and the Pretzel Park Farmers Market. View more event info.
Scanlon Tent or Treat
Halloween Contest
October 29, 2022
2 p.m.
Bridesburg Recreation Center – 4625 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19137
Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Come enjoy treats and other fun activities at this Free event. There will be a 50/50. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary. more information on Facebook.
Cobbs Creek Environmental Center Candy Crawl
October 29, 2022
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cobbs Creek Recreational Center – 280 Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, 19139
Families will be able to enjoy all types of Halloween fun, including activities like archery, arts and crafts, storytelling, and a scavenger hunt, alongside your more traditional Halloween classics. View more on Facebook.
Halloween Skate
October 29, 20224 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Laura Sims Skate House – 200 S. 63rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19139
Come in costume for free admission and free skate rental! Read more on Facebook.
Cherashore Gators Boo Bash
October 31, 2022
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cherashore Playground – 851-951 W. Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141
Come join us for a spooktacular family-friendly party hosted in partnership with City Youth Association Gators. Bring your own bag and get some candy, participate in a costume contest, and celebrate with cherished friends at Cherashore!
Pennypack Halloween Campfire and Party (SOLD OUT)
October 25, 2022
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center – 8600a Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Young adults in their 20s and 30s can join us for an evening hike that ends with a campfire and smores. Don’t forget to wear a Halloween costume. Register for this event.
Movies By The River – “Hocus Pocus”
October 25, 2022
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Glen Foerd – 5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Time to get spooky at Glen Foerd. Join us along with our partner, RiverFront North, for a night of family fun with pumpkin painting starting at 6 p.m. “Hocus Pocus” will begin playing at 7 p.m. Costumes are optional. Read more and register for this event.
FALL FESTIVALS
Fall Harvest Fest
October 29, 2022
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nelson Recreation Center – 2500-34 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19133
Come enjoy live music, moon bounces, games, and food. This free, family-friendly event has something for everyone. View more.
Roosevelt Fall Festival
November 4, 2022
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Playground – 6455 Walker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19135
Make scarecrows, paint pumpkins, play fun games, and eat BBQ and ice cream for dessert. A firetruck and DJ will also be on site.
Fine Craft Fair at Rittenhouse Square
October 7-9, 2022
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rittenhouse Square – 1800 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
More than 100 member artisans of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will exhibit around the Square. This free event is rain or shine. View more details.
Slide-A-Thon
October 8, 2022
Morning Kids Division (relay races, crafts, games) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Afternoon Team Division (adults and kids) 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Smith Memorial Playground – 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Children ages 4-12 and adults of all ages are invited to enter the Slide-A-Thon fundraiser. Compete in timed slides and relay races with the fastest times taking top honors. When they’re not competing, sliders can participate in games, crafts, burlap sack decorating, and more. Every child gets a prize! Read more and register here.
12th Annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration
October 9, 2022
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Bartram’s Garden – 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Bartram’s Garden invites you to honor Indigenous heritage past, present, and future. This free, outdoor, and family-friendly event will feature dancers, drummers, speakers, vendors, children’s activities, and more. Learn more about this event.
Horses and the History of the Wissahickon
October 9, 2022
Rain date October 16, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monastery Stables – 1000 Kitchens Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Join Monastery Stables for a free day of fall fun. Explore the history of the Monastery Mansion and stables. Visit their 22 horses, ponies, and mini-donkeys. Watch carriage driving demonstrations. Enjoy horseback riding exhibitions. Learn about horse anatomy and pet a horse. Read more about this free event.
Senior Strut and Health Fair
October 14, 2022
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Llyod Hall –1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA 19130
After a two-year hiatus, it’s time to Strut again! PCA’s annual Senior Strut, presented by PA Health & Wellness, will kick-off with a one-mile walk along Kelly Drive/Boathouse Row led by musicians in colorful costumes, playing lively music. This event is made possible through a partnership between Fairmount Park Conservancy, The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Read more here.
Fifth Annual CiderFest
October 15 and October 16, 2022
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Woodford Mansion – 2300 N. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132
Enjoy a fall afternoon sipping on local ciders, listening to live music, and touring the inside of the mansion. Upgrade your basic ticket to enjoy a picnic prepared by Liberty Kitchen filled with charcuterie, cheese, and more. Purchase tickets.
Gold Star Park Fall Festival 2022
October 15, 2022
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Gold Star Park – 613 Wharton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Crafts, music, balloon animals, and trick-or-treating stations. Volunteers are needed on the day of the event. Learn more about the event and how to volunteer.
Cider for Seniors
October 18, 2022
1:30 p.m.
Pennypack Environmental Center – 8600a Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Seniors are invited to make fresh apple cider. There will also be a short hike to identify trees. Participants are asked to bring five apples per person. Read more and register here.
11th Annual Community Bazaar and Flea Market
October 22, 2022
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vernon Park – 5710-18 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Come meet your neighbors, learn about community organizations and enjoy great finds for great deals. View more event info.
PHonk! Philly 2022
October 23, 2022
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
FDR Park – Broad St. And Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Free, all ages arts and music festival. The main stage will host performances from Afro-Latinx, Chinese, Chilean, Brazilian, Klezmer, Korean, Filipino, and LGBTQ+ community groups. There will be art and crafts, a live mural painting, and an Asian Food Market. Read more about this free event here.
West Park Harvest Festival
October 23, 2022
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
West Fairmount Park – John Welsh Memorial Fountain, W. Memorial Hall Drive, and S. Concourse Drive, Philadelphia.
Celebrate health, healing, and pedestrian improvements safely connecting Parkside to West Park. This free event will include healthy food vendors, wellness and nature-oriented activities, pumpkin decorating, and entertainment for the whole family. Register for this event.
