By: Taylor Clark
Crisp air, autumn leaves, and earlier nightfall’s mean one thing: fall has officially arrived here in Philly. As the city transforms into its autumnal beauty, it’s time to quit mourning summer and make the most of the new season. Ready to trade the stress of midterms for cozy adventures and seasonal celebrations? Between pumpkin picking, food festivals, spooky evening attractions, and foliage hikes, we’ve rounded up the most exciting spots in and around the city to help you build your ultimate fall bucket list!
Who’s Hungry?
● Philadelphia Street Food Festival: October 24 and 25th from 2 PM-8 PM for General Admission, and 12 PM-8 PM for VIP Admission
○ Stateside Live! (1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148) In what’s shaping up to be the premier food festival in Philadelphia this year, this event offers 30 food trucks, multiple contests, drumline performances, a general vendor market, live music, and a giant cheese fry bar. While guests require a valid 21+ ID to purchase alcoholic beverages, the event is open to patrons of all ages.
● Pierogi Festival: November 7 from 12 PM-8 PM and November 8 from 12 PM-5 PM
○ Saint Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Cathedral (817 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123) The long-awaited 2026 Pierogi Festival is back for another year of traditional Eastern European flavor. With lively folk music, outdoor seating to spare, and an assortment of Halupki, Kielbasa, Blini, and more, guests are welcome to indulge in this unique celebration of Polish heritage.
Festival Fever? Say no more.
● FallFest: September 11 through October 30 from 11 AM-8:30 PM
○ Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Rd, Yardley, PA 19067) Grab your pick of the patch at FallFest! From now until October 30th, head to Shady Brook Farm to experience their seasonal corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, barnyard animals, light show, campfires, and more. Don’t miss out on the ultimate fall celebration!
● Nor-View Farm Fall Festival: October 17 and 24th from 10 AM-6 PM
○ Nor-View Farm (686 North Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA) Squash your worries! Visitors are invited to enjoy nine festival foods, two local brewing companies, live music, and activities such as apple slingshots, cow milking, and wool yarn spinning demonstrations.
Feeling Bold? Enter at Your Own Risk.
● Halloween Nights: September 19 through November 8 from 7 PM-8:30 PM
○ Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130) ■ Prepare to be scared! Marked as a “Halloween festival of epic proportions,” visitors are taken through an immersive haunted house in America’s first-ever penitentiary, which has long been repurposed. The event boasts five terrifying rooms and live performances that are guaranteed to haunt your dreams.
● Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres: Weekends through October 31 from 6:30-9:30 PM
○ Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres (881 Highland Rd, Newtown, PA 18940) Back for another year of frights, this historic farm in Bucks County opens its fields once again to host a scream-worthy hayride, haunted house, and brand-new Field of Fright– so step right up if you dare!
● Pennhurst Asylum: Weekends through November 7 from 6:30-10:30 on Fri, Sat but 6:30-9:30 on Sun
○ Pennhurst Asylum (601 N Church St, Spring City, PA 19475) It isn’t Halloween without a little fear, and as one of America’s leading experts in terror, the Pennhurst Asylum does not disappoint. With four chilling attractions set inside of a real historic asylum, this horror venue delivers an unforgettable experience designed to test the strongest of wills.
Looking to Take the Scenic Route?
○ Central Area (Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19118)
○ Kitchen’s Lane Area (1000 Kitchens Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119)
○ Blue Bell Field (842 W Walnut Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19128)
○ Northwestern Stables (120 W Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118)
○ Ridge Avenue Trailhead (4901 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128) Chase the views at Wissahickon Valley Park! With over 50 miles of trails through forests, meadows, and along the sprawling Wissahickon Creek. Throw on a parka, grab your camera, and explore this vast and marvelous landscape as the leaves boast their autumn colors.
○ Morris Arboretum (100 E Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118) These striking grounds offer an unmatched perspective of the season’s bright foliage. Venture up to the canopy walk for the most panoramic views and be sure to check out their signature Katsura trees (near the Scenic Loop) for hues of orange and yellow.
○ Tyler State Park (101 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940) There’s an abundance to explore at Tyler State Park. With over 25 miles of hiking and multi-use trails, the vibrance of the woodlands extends as far as the eye can see. For breathtaking scenes, trek out to Neshaminy Creek for a gorgeous reflection of those colors on the water.
Honorable Mentions/Others:
● The Mütter Museum: Daily from 10 AM-5 PM
○ Mütter Museum (19 S 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) Keep your heads about you! To lean into the more unsettling side of the season, this is an absolute must-visit in Center City. This world-famous medical history museum features haunting collections that convey the history of medicine and pathology through skulls, bodily specimens, medical instruments, and more.
● We Walk PHL: September 1st through October 31st
○ 26 participating Philadelphia parks, each with their own schedules Searching for a way to keep active this month? Look no further than We Walk PHL! The organization involves 26 park locations that abide by different schedules, but each encompass a strong passion for fitness.
● Ghost Tours of Philadelphia: Year-round; Open nightly from March-November and weekends from December-February at 7:30 or 9:15 PM slots
○ Departs from Signers’ Garden at the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Discover the ghastly secrets that haunt the streets of Philadelphia during this candlelit evening stroll. You won’t find Casper here, but you’ll hear tales of mysterious and chilling paranormal experiences on the very streets that they allegedly occurred on.
While the aforementioned events are external, there is an abundance of fall-related activities offered on-campus as well! From movie nights to the highly anticipated TigerFest, this season brings plenty of ways to show some school spirit and connect with the Holy Family University community. During the 2026 Fall semester, HFU will be offering:
1. BSU Elections: October 23 from 1 PM-2 PM (CC 113)
2. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Halloween Pop-up Fair: October 28 from 11 AM-2 PM (CC Patio)
3. Living Fully Workshop: October 28 from 7 PM-8:30 PM (ETC 412)
4. Movie Night: October 29 from 7 PM-10 PM (ETC Auditorium)
5. Veterans Day Service: November 11 from 10 AM-2 PM (CC 115)
6. Movie Night: November 19 from 7 PM-10 PM (ETC Auditorium)
7. Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway: November 23 and 24th from 9 AM-5 PM (CC 115) 10. Showmance! Fall Theatre Club Production: December 4 and 5th from 7 PM-9 PM (ETC Auditorium)
School may be in full swing (hello, midterms), but your fall weekends don’t have to be confined to the library. From Old City to the suburbs, this season is packed with festivals, frights, flavors, and more to enjoy. So, swap out your iced coffee for something warm, choose a spot from this list, and go dive into autumn!
Taylor Clark is a Senior pursuing an English degree at Holy Family University. She is also a proud contributor for Tri-Lite, eager to exercise her creativity throughout the 2026-2027 school year. When she’s not writing, she’s reading— devouring intense psychological thrillers or real-world journalism stories whenever possible.
Leave a Reply