Depending on what’s on your calendar in October, you might want to grab a Phillies cap, cowboy hat, or your scariest costume. From Halloween haunts to street fests, we have you covered with the best events to keep you busy this month.
⏰ Last Chance
With over 70 vendors to pick from, grab a bite at the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park. The last day of the season is Oct. 25.
🍁 Celebrate the Fall Harvest or Get Spooked
This month is jam-packed with so many fall festivals, Oktoberfests, and Halloween parties that we can’t name them all. But we at least tried. If you’re stuck deciding where to go, be sure not to miss:
- East Passyunk’s Fall Fest on Oct. 25 and Witch Craft Crawl on Oct. 26
- Halloween bars at Craftsman Row Saloon, Tinsel, the Halloween Haunt Bar at Bridget Foy’s, and Freakshow at Uptown Beer Garden
If you’re up for a roadtrip, you can also visit some haunting sites just right outside the city.
🎸 Rock Out
Bust out your moves and dancing shoes, because there’s plenty of live music to hear this month.
The city has launched a new initiative, Tuesday Nights Live, to boost nightlife and support the city’s hospitality industry. Now until Jan. 20, free performances will take place in the lobbies of select Center City hotels.
On Oct. 4, the Tacony Creek Park Music & Arts and Music Festival will be jamming in Olney from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take bike rides on the trail, stock up on seasonal veggies from the farmer’s market, and enjoy live music.
You don’t even have to leave your porch to attend a concert. The RoxYunk Porchfest is a DIY music festival taking place in the Roxborough and Manayunk neighborhoods. A Porchfest Eve party will be at Fat Lady Brewing on Oct. 10 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. No cover to enter. The neighborhood-wide event is on Oct. 11, with a rain date on Oct. 12.
Philly Music Fest is a non-profit music festival supporting Philly musicians and youth music education programs. The festival takes place Oct. 13-15 with performances at Ardmore Music Hall the first two days and at Johnny Brenda’s on the last day.
Travel back to medieval times and channel the “dancing mania” that took over European towns. Instead of dancing in Strausburg, France, dance the night away at the Mütter Museum for Choreomania on Oct. 30. Dress up in themed costumes and enjoy rare collections, specialty cocktails, and surprise performances.
📖 Get Lit(erature)
Add more reads to your bookshelf at the Latin American Book Fair at the Kimmel Center. The fair will feature authors representing several Latin American countries, along with live music and family-friendly activities. The event takes place Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
🏳️🌈 Loud & Proud
National Coming Out Day is Oct. 11, supporting anyone in the LGBTQ+ community “coming out of the closet.” This year’s OURFest will commemorate the day with an inaugural parade, a resource fair, and a festival. Events will take place Oct. 10-12.
🎶 Celebrate Indigenous History and Culture
Indigenous People’s Day Philly is back at Penn Treaty Park, where Lenape leader Tamanend signed the 1682 Treaty of Shackamaxon with William Penn. The pan-Indigenous celebration on Oct. 13 will feature both traditional and contemporary Indigenous dances, music, art, and food.
👟 Take to the Streets
Open Streets West Walnut continues for two more Sundays, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12. Walnut Street (between 15th and 19th Streets) and 18th Street (between Locust and Chestnut Streets) will be closed to traffic to make way for easy strolls to shops and restaurants with special deals, street performances, and Eagles watch parties.
Queen Village is hosting its first-ever Open Streets on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 along 4th Street, between Bainbridge and Catherine streets. Not sure what to check out? From Oct. 17-19, Tattooed Mom is hosting an International Sticker Art Show. Need more recs? Listen to our guide to Queen Village.
🎨 Get Crafty
As the weather cools down and we spend more time inside, picking up a new hobby is a great way to pass the time. Find what works for you at the Craft Coven Convention at Fleisher Art Memorial on Oct. 19. Participate in workshops on stained glass, weaving, and charm-making, and check out the vendor market and supply swap.
