It’s not every day that you get to witness a dachshund parade or a dragon boat race, plus a cheese festival and intricate jack-o’-lanterns, all in one weekend.
As the temperature starts to drop, take advantage of last-chance events, like Oktoberfest, which wraps up across the globe this weekend.
In this autumnal edition of The KYW To-Do List, you'll find a wide variety of things to do in Philly and the burbs this weekend. Listen to our top picks below.
FESTIVALS
DATE/TIME: Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
WHERE: 1700 S. Ninth St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: The St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church’s annual festival falls on the first Sunday of October and has a packed lineup of musical acts and plenty of traditional food to try. The procession of saints begins at noon.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: Girard Avenue Street Fest
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.
WHERE: 2900 N. 29th St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Hear from neighborhood organizations while enjoying artisan vendor markets, listening to music, and experiencing more family fun.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: Midtown Village Fall Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Broad Street to 11th Street; Market Street to Spruce Street, Center City
DETAILS: Experience live entertainment, merchant and vendor displays, craftors, children’s activities, food and beverage samplings, and more at this festival in Center City.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: DesignPhiladelphia
DATE: Through Oct. 13
WHERE: Various locations
DETAILS: Philadelphia is celebrating design and innovation across the city with this 10-day festival. There will be workshops, exhibitions, studio tours, panels and more. Check out the schedule for specific events.
PRICE: Some events are free; other ticket prices vary
FOOD/DRINKS
DATE/TIME: Saturday, noon to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Memorial Park, Pottstown; enter on King Street
DETAILS: Sample gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and vote for your favorite from more than a dozen local restaurants. There will be cheese vendors, a beer garden and live music provided by Daisy Jug band.
PRICE: Wristbands for grilled cheese samples are $20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and younger; beer sold separately
EVENT: Oktoberfest at Morgan’s Pier
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Enjoy an open beer bar and unlimited soft pretzels along the Delaware River waterfront. There will also be live music and food specials.
PRICE: Tickets are $45 online, $50 at the door
GET OUTDOORS
DATE/TIME: Saturday and Sunday; parade starts at 2 p.m.; race starts at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks, 711 E. First Street, Bethlehem
DETAILS: The annual running of the wiener dogs will take place during this Oktoberfest in Bethlehem. A parade will be held before the race along with a crowning of the king and queen. The race will return next weekend with more parades and chances to win.
PRICE: Free to watch; $15 to register your dog
EVENT: Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Near the Gillin Boathouse, 2200 Kelly Drive, Philadelphia
DETAILS: This annual celebration of ancient Chinese dragon boat racing returns to the Schuylkill River with teams of 20 paddlers going head-to-head on colorful boats.
PRICE: Free to watch
EVENT: First Friday Movies Under the Stars and Stripes: Double Feature
DATE/TIME: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St., Old City
DETAILS: BYO food and drinks to the courtyard at the Betsy Ross House for the last time of the season. There will be a spooky double feature starting at 7 p.m. with "Bucket of Blood" and "Night of the Living Dead."
PRICE: $5 at the door or in advance
ATTRACTIONS
DATE/TIME: Oct. 5 to Nov. 3; times range from 6:15 to 10 p.m.
WHERE: West Fairmount Park, 5201 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Walk through a trail of intricately carved pumpkins that highlight iconic landmarks, musicians, movie stars, superheroes and princesses. There will be demos by master carvers, face painting, food and drink, and more.
EVENT: Night of Lights
DATE/TIME: Friday, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Germantown Avenue between Bethlehem Pike and Southampton Avenue, Chestnut Hill
DETAILS: This is an innovative public art exhibit that will transform Germantown Avenue into an interactive exhibit of local history and architecture. Historical images and films from the Conservancy’s archives will be projected through storefront windows and onto exterior walls and buildings will be illuminated with colored lights. Business owners will act as interpreters and share stories about their own history.
PRICE: Free to attend
EVENT: Early Childhood Fire Safety Series
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Fireman’s Hall Museum, 147 N. Second St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: This series is crafted for children ages 3 to 6 and is intended to help them understand what a fire is and how they can stay safe from its dangers.
PRICE: Free to attend