There is so much to do to celebrate Halloween in Philadelphia.
From haunted houses and hayrides to boozy events where the only spirits are alcoholic, Philadelphia has something for everyone. Philly Views rounded up the top 25 haunted attractions, one-off events, and food and drink specials through the spookiest of seasons.
Haunted Houses & Hayrides
Terror Behind the Walls
Every October, historic heavyweight Eastern State Penitentiary turns to the dark side, transforming into one of Philly’s mega-haunts. This season has Fairmount Avenue crawling with live actors and chilling attractions, including the newly christened “Blood Yard” to serve up fresh carnage all season long. It’s open through the beginning of November.
Pennhurst Asylum
Originally an “Institute for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic,” the Pennhurst Asylum reimagines its past to be the main act: a hellish, high-tech hospital. Don’t leave before taking a self-guided tour of the Mayflower Building. Word on the street is its haunted. The asylum is open through November 4.
Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride
Staged on Arasapha Farms in Glen Mills, the Bates Motel experience is actually two separate experiences. Start with the motel. Creep from room to room, clutch your friends for support or use them for shields. You don’t know what’s behind door number four. Then, leave your creature-comforts for a haunted hayride into the abyss. Just keep your ears open for chainsaws, and fire. Bates Motel is open through October 31.
Fright Factory
Fright Factory, wrapped up in a South Philly warehouse, is all new for 2017 with inmates, butchers, and giant spiders. It’s up through November 4.
One-Time Events
Drink Philly’s Cocktails and Clue Party
October 20, 7 pm | Stotesbury Mansion
Feel like sipping a Maker’s Manhattan, mansion-side, dressed to the nines? Yeah you do. You’re a total Miss Scarlet. It’ll be murderous fun.
October Twilight in the Gardens
October 20, 7 to 10 pm | Magic Gardens
If you have not been to Magic Gardens, October is a fine time. For the final Twilight in the Gardens installation of the season, Not-So-Silent Cinema will be on the scene performing an original score accompaniment of the actually silent-film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”. You can make your own monster mask, courtesy of teaching artist Sam Heimer, or just lounge out and enjoy the night. Bring your own booze, blanket, and snacks.
Witch Craft Beer Crawl
October 25, 5:30 to 9:30 pm | East Passyunk Avenue
For $6.66 (heh) you can prowl Passyunk for $4 beer specials at 17 bars, sporting your own witch hat.
Prospero’s Ball
October 26, 7 to 11 pm | FringeArts
A highly exclusive party set to the tune of a Venetian Masquerade promises drinks, music, dining, and more, beneath the mask. Gather ye tickets while ye may.
Dracula: A Gothic Mystery
October 26 to 28, 7 pm | Laurel Hill Cemetary
As part of its Halloween programming, Laurel Hill presents three evening performances of Bram Stoker’s Dracula on hollowed ground. Settle in for the night on BYO blankets, chairs, and seasonal sweaters. Nothing like a ghost story to put a chill in the air.
Zombie Prom: A Night to Dismember!
October 27, 8 pm to midnight | Evil Genius Beer Company
The caption on this kind of says it all, but in case you were curious: get out your ghoul paint, shimmy into some red pleather, and rock that “Thriller” choreography like it’s 1982.
Halloween at the Market
October 28, 9:30 am | Reading Terminal Market
Cool, so after you zombie boogie your brains out at EG’s death dance, rectify and rise for Reading Terminal’s Halloween Market. If you’ve got kiddies, bring ’em, ’cause there’s pumpkin-carving, story time, and trick or treating for all.
Selma Mansion 1st Annual Psychic Fair
October 28, 11 am to 5 pm | Selma Mansion
This one’s a bit of a day trip, but we predict it’ll be worth the ride. Head to Norristown to meet readers, healers, and metaphysical vendors at this historic (supposedly haunted) mansion. Plus, there are psychic workshops for the practitioner in training.
Halloween Horcrux Hunt
October 28, 2 to 5 pm | Victoria Freehouse
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Just the scavenger hunt of your Harry Potter dreams. Yes, dress up, and do bring your mates, because vanquishing Voldemort bit by bit is best done with friends.
JAPAS Horror Show Halloween Party
October 28 and 31 | Yakitori Boy
Two Halloween parties with drink specials and costume contests. Five top costumes will win $25 gift cards during Saturday’s event, and will be invited back Tuesday for an opportunity to win bigger prizes.
Fall Family Day: Halloween Picnic and Parade
October 29, 1 to 3 pm | Laurel Hill Cemetary
Whether you’re going for the kids or yourself, Laurel Hill offers some prime views of PA foliage at peak palette. Take a pre-mischief afternoon to picnic hillside with loved ones, present and past.
JAWN of the DEAD! – Vegan Halloween Event
October 29, noon to 6 pm | The Rotunda
Kid-friendly, free, and full of vegan delights, make it over to West Philly to snag samples of the first annual.
Dia de los Meurtos Altar Celebration and Procession
October 29, 4 to 9:30 pm | South Philly
This year’s celebration is themed for the Mayan Afterworld. Expect workshops focused on the Mexican holiday, to-die-for costumes, and performances wrapping up at the historic sanctuary space.
Science After Hours: Spirits
October 31, 7 to 10 pm | Franklin Institute
Looking to learn while you party? Don a wig, let loose, and lecture up. Featured programming includes Insect Sex, or how to navigate a friend’s exoskeleton, and The Science of Seance: how Victorian-era mediums manifested the more-or-less dead. Sounds wicked fun.
2nd Annual ’90s Halloween Party
October 31, 8 to 11 pm | World Cafe Live
Last year’s rager was so rad they’re doing it again. World Cafe wants you, Zombie Kurt, you, Jagged Little Alanis, to wow in their costume competition. Re-do the nineties right, or for the first time, whatever’s cool.
Lore Podcast Live in Philadelphia
October 31, 8 to 9 pm | The Trocadero
The true-horror podcast is coming to Philly this Halloween for a live rendition of its scary story telling. Held in The Troc’s historic auditorium, the twisted tales should feel right at home.
Ongoing Seasonal Events
Adult Trick or Treat
Weekends through October 29 | Chaddsford Winery
Nope, you’re definitely not too old. Chaddsford Winery, located just west of Philly, will be pairing five wines with treats from now through the 29th.
Boo at the Zoo
October 21 to 29 | Philadelphia Zoo
Come out before things turn cold for costumes, cider, and trick or treating for the whole family. Or, book a daring Overnight Experience where you come early, stay late, and hike the zoo by night. Make sure to catch up with your nocturnal animal buds.
Haunted Food Tours
Through October 29 | Manayunk
Halloween screams the start of eating season. Lap up those fall flavors, cinnamon, pumpkin, spice, and a grab a helping of haunted history from your costumed guide. All for just $36 while this spooky-good promo lasts.
Haunted Pub Crawl
Through November 18 | Independence Visitors Center
This creepy crawl airs out Old City’s dirty laundry, from the sites of real witch hangings to colonial cottages secretly holding high body counts. Plus, the second round is on Paranormal pub visits, with a beer and snack on the house, while you hear more spooky tales of our haunted hometown
Midnight Madness at the Ritz
Fridays Through October 27 | Ritz at the Bourse
The Halloween line-up is bringing Rocky Horror to the screen with on October 20. So, Dammit! Janet! Do not forget the rice. Then, bring it back Hallo-weekend for a Halloween screening that’d make Jaime Lee scream with John Carpenter’s Halloween on October 27.
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Harvey
October 15, 2017Definitely want to check out some of these spooky events. Clue mystery and the FringeArts sound especially cool.