Top Fall Activities in Philadelphia

Visiting Philadelphia in the fall? The city’s autumn calendar is full of festive events and activities.

As the seasons change, Philadelphia’s beloved icons, like the Rocky Steps and LOVE Statue, exude an autumnal elegance adored by the falling leaves. Enjoy the crisp, cool air while exploring the top things to do in Philadelphia this fall.  

Enjoy Halloween-themed Activities

Philadelphia is calling you to celebrate spooky season in the city. Visit America’s most historic prison and the world’s first true penitentiary during  Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. The festival-style event features different attractions spread throughout the historic cellblocks. Enjoy spine-chilling haunted houses and mazes, themed bars and lounges, and live performances. The annual event runs on select evenings from October into early November. 

If you’re looking for family-friendly spooky daytime fun, head to the Philadelphia Zoo for Boo at the Zoo. America’s first zoo hosts the festival every October during the weekends leading up to Halloween. Costumed ghosts and goblins of all ages can explore the zoo’s grounds for special treats — bring a bag for trick-or-treating — photo opportunities, and not-so-scary  exhibits. 

Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square is another great family-friendly activity full of frightful delight. Every October, the historic square’s miniature golf course, which features miniature iconic city landmarks, gets an eerie makeover. Putt your way through 18 holes surrounded by ghosts, creepy cobwebs, and other spooky seasonal décor. Nighttime tee times are best only for older visitors as the course features strobe lighting, animated props, and fog as spooky music plays. 

For a ghostly good time, check out Spooky Twilight Tours at Betsy Ross House. Visitors can navigate the 18th-century former home of the patriotic seamstress and learn more about Philadelphia’s macabre past. Inside visitors will hear chilling true stories about the bloodletting horrors of living in Philadelphia during the Revolution. 

Discover the eerie past of Philadelphia’s most historic sites on a Ghost Tour of Philadelphia. These candlelit walking tours are led by knowledgeable guides who will take you through the historic streets at night. Visit eerie graveyards, historic houses — believed to have a spiritual presence — while hearing ghost stories and creepy tales from Philadelphia’s past. 

@discoverphl This #spookyseason, join #GhostTours of #Philadelphia to explore the haunted stories of America’s most historic square mile. #discoverPHL #october #spooky #ghost #ghosts #spooky ♬ Fall October Halloween horror classic(177261) – rareNote

Other attractions featuring Halloween season fun include the Franklin Institute, the Morris ArBOOretum & Gardens (the Chestnut Hill arboretum’s festive October transformation), and Halloween House Philly — a family-friendly, fully immersive experience focused more on fun than fright. 

Admire the Fall Foliage

Philadelphia is home to many visually stunning places where you can admire the fall foliage as the leaves turn bright colors. Embrace the cooler temperatures in Fairmount Park, one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world. The 2,000+ acre (830-hectare)  outdoor playground is made up of tree-lined parks, historic buildings, and art. 

While in Fairmount Park peeping leaves, visit historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a replica of a traditional 17th-century Japanese home. Then head to the Horticulture Center, where you can explore the vast outdoors or learn more in the center’s greenhouse. Or venture to Morris Arboretum & Gardens a nearly 100-acre (44-hectare) property in Chestnut Hill that’s home to some of Philadelphia’s oldest and rarest trees. 

Visit The Countryside of Philadelphia to admire even more fall foliage. Flowers and fountains await at Longwood Gardens, a world-renowned 1,100-acre (445- hectare) estate blooming with memorable gardens and a breathtaking conservatory. Don’t miss Longwood Gardens’ annual fall-themed events.    

Take a trip to Bucks Count to visit Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum. This is the ancestral home of the Biddle family and a National Historic Landmark. This riverfront estate has abundant yellows, browns, reds, and greens throughout its gorgeous gardens. 

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15, celebrating Philadelphia’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino communities through dynamic events featuring traditional Latin music, poetry readings, fine art exhibits, and dancing across the city.  

A major centerpiece of the month is the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Featuring nearly 1,500 participants and thousands of spectators, this high-energy procession showcases colorful floats, live music, marching drill teams, and cultural performances. 

@discoverphl Celebrate Philadelphia’s Hispanic communities this #HispanicHeritageMonth and beyond. #PHLDiversity #hispanic #hispanictiktok #hispanicheritage #philadelphia #philly #phillytiktok ♬ original sound – Philadelphia CVB

Food lovers can also take part in Dine Latino Restaurant Week. This weeklong culinary celebration highlights Latino-owned restaurants and food trucks across the region, giving diners the chance to sample authentic Latin American cuisine through exclusive curated menus and promotional dining deals. 

Immerse Yourself in the City’s Sports Scene

Celebrating Philadelphia sports is always in season, but fall is arguably the best time to jump on the bandwagon. 

Fall is the time to watch the Philadelphia Phillies fight their way toward a World Series trophy and the Philadelphia Union go for an MLS Cup. It’s also the start of the season for the city’s beloved National Football League team, the Philadelphia Eagles. And shortly after the Eagles’ season gets going, so do the seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers.  

Attending a live sporting event is a great way to get a taste of the city’s renowned sports culture. But if you can’t get tickets to a game, don’t worry. Philadelphia is also home to many lively sports bars that are great places to catch a game.

Attend Seasonal Events

Get some fresh air while getting into the fall spirit by attending one of Philadelphia’s seasonal events. A Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier, sip hot cider and carve pumpkins along the Delaware River waterfront while enjoying unbeatable views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from the spacious deck. Oktoberfest is hosted each year by Brauhaus Schmitz, an authentic German restaurant on South Street. Enjoy live entertainment, German food, and plenty of beer.  Finally, two of the city’s most charming neighborhoods host beloved annual fall celebrations: the Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts and Manayunk Fall Festival, both offering local crafts, pumpkin carving, and seasonal eats along historic main streets. 

For movie enthusiasts, each October the Philadelphia Film Society hosts its annual Philadelphia Film Festival, featuring special screenings at theaters throughout the city. Every year, the society scouts the globe’s top-tier film festivals, seeking out the year’s most eagerly awaited, critically acclaimed, and stimulating films to bring to Philadelphia. The festival also offers a range of other activities and opportunities to interact with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. 

Looking for more activities in Philadelphia? Check out our things to do page.