Now that we’ve neared the middle of the season, it’s time for the spooky and scary to make their debut. Witches and wizards from the Harry Potter canon take over Chestnut Hill once again, and Boo at the Zoo returns with a trick-or-treat safari — just don’t tell the Sanderson sisters.
With a Halloween bar crawl across Center City on the calendar and Vegan Restaurant Week underway, it’s hard to imagine what life was like for Philly’s founder William Penn, but the city plans to shed some light on his life while celebrating his 375th birthday on Friday.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Chestnut Hill
DETAILS: A Quidditch tournament, a Harry Potter conference, a wizard’s warehouse and more awaits you at this festival. There will also be activities like bat pumpkin crafting, spooky spider making, face painting and a slow-motion photo booth. Check out the website for a full list of activities.
PRICE: Free to attend; some ticketed activities
EVENT: Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 1100 block of Filbert Street, Philadelphia
DETAILS: The festivities include a hay ride around Reading Terminal Market, live music, and animals from the Philadelphia Zoo. There will also be a fire truck to climb on, a beer garden and various foods to taste.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: Autumn Alive!
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Quakertown, 312 West Broad St.
DETAILS: Watch the Broad Street Pet Parade and shop local crafts and businesses during this fall festival. There will be live entertainment on two stages, a beer garden and activities for kids.
PRICE: Free to attend
DATE: Through Saturday
WHERE: Various restaurants across city
PRICE: Prices vary
EVENT: 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
DATE/TIME: Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 11:30 p.m.
WHERE: 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: There are three opportunities to celebrate at the fourth annual Armory Oktoberfest. The fortress-like structure will be transformed into an authentic Munich festival tent. There will be traditional food, beer and live music all weekend.
PRICE: General admission is $25; VIP is $70; UBER VIP is $85
EVENT: Philly Soca Wine Sampling and Pop-up
DATE/TIME: Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Philadelphia
DETAILS: Eat. Drink. Wine. Sample some new flavors, including coconut, dragon fruit, mango and guava. For $10, you can get samples and get the history of more than 10 different wines, as well as a souvenir wine glass.
PRICE: Pop-up is free to attend; wine sampling is $10
EVENT: Halloween Bar Crawl
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 3 to 11 p.m.
WHERE: First registration is 3 p.m. at Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St. Second registration is 4:30 p.m. at Voyeur, 1221 Saint James St.
DETAILS: Grab your costume and some friends for this festive bar crawl around Philadelphia. There will be a prize for the top costume and entertainment at select venues.
PRICE: Single-ticket general admission begins at $29.99; cheaper group rate is available
DATE/TIME: Sunday starting at 7 a.m.
WHERE: Kick-off begins at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
DETAILS: This 5K raises awareness that HIV and AIDS are still serious issues in our communities. Donations go toward assisting people living with HIV and organizations providing HIV services.
PRICE: Pre-registration is free; participants are encouraged to raise at least $50
EVENT: The Witch Market
DATE/TIME: Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Pretzel Park, 4300 Silverwood St., Manayunk
DETAILS: The intimate space brings together tarot and poetry readings, 15 strange shopping vendors, and sweet treats.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: Moonlit Fun
DATE/TIME: Friday and Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: The Market at DelVal, 2100 Lower State Road, Doylestown
DETAILS: Come out for a night of festivities including moonlit wagon rides, a giant corn maze, bonfires, s'mores kits — plus more food and beverages for purchase.
PRICE: Admission is $10
DATE/TIME: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 Girard Ave., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Put on your costume and get ready for a trick-or-treat safari. Take a walk through the zoo’s Extinction Graveyard and learn about the extinction of species around the world. There will be hot apple cider, a hay bale maze and more. If you can’t make it this weekend, Boo at the Zoo will be back Oct. 26 and 27.
PRICE: Included with zoo admission and free for zoo members
EVENT: William Penn’s 375th Birthday
DATE/TIME: Friday, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Philadelphia City Hall
DETAILS: Philadelphia is throwing a birthday party for its founder, and you’re invited. There will be music, handouts of historical information, a Mural Arts project and more.
PRICE: Free to attend
DATE: Friday to Sunday
WHERE: Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
PRICE: Prices vary from $45 to $129
EVENT: Twenty One Pilots
DATE/TIME: Sunday, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
PRICE: $39.50 to $89.50
EVENT: Live at the Library Vol. 2
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Join the Free Library of Philadelphia for the second installment of its new music series, featuring local, activist-led discussion with an intimate free concert. This week features guest speaker Mike O-Bryan of The Village of Arts and Humanities and a performance by ill Fated Natives.
PRICE: Pre-registration is free
EVENT: Stargaze Masquerade
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus is putting on their signature fundraiser for an evening of music in support of outreach. Your ticket gets you dinner, an open bar, silent and live auctions, a dance party and entertainment.
PRICE: $200