Things to do in Philadelphia ~ Harvest Festival, DesignPhiladelphia Festival, Pirate Battles and More!

Things To Do In Philadelphia in October

‘Great Festival Foods & Scary Attractions Invade Philadelphia’

Halloween is in full swing. Check out our Halloween guide to all things spooky in the city.

Love great local foods? Check out the Harvest Festival this weekend or Beck’s Cajun Cafe’s Cook-Off next week, both at the Reading Terminal Market. How about creative designs at the DesignPhiladelphia Festival or family fun at Sister Cities Park or Franklin Square. Want to see tall ships and a pirate battle, head on over to the Old City Seaport Festival at the Independence Seaport Museum.

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

Did you know : Philadelphia was named 1 of the top 10 US travel destinations for 2013. Also named for having the best sandwich in America, #2 in best burgers in the country by Travel + Leisure and in the last 8 months, the city has been recognized for top 10 parks in the world, best cheesesteaks, and #1 in Culture. We can feel that the list will be growing in 2013.

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ October 11 – 17 ~

  • Halloween Guide to All Things Spooky in Philadelphia ~ Month of October ~ A fun & scary list of Halloween events & activities! ~ Things to do for Halloween in Philadelphia ~
  • Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of October ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for October 2013 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
  • DesignPhiladelphia Festival ~ Now until October 18 ~ Welcome to the ninth annual DesignPhiladelphia Festival!  This year’s theme, EXPERIENCEdesign!, showcases the experiential and emotional aspects of design by engaging festival goers’ five senses. More than 120 events are held in a variety of locales across the city, including boutiques, museums, warehouses and public spaces. ~ DesignPhiladelphia Festival ~
  • Annual Scarecrow Competition & Display Now until October 27  ~ FREE – At Peddler’s Village there will be bigger than life scarecrow creations that will be displayed outdoors and compete for over $5000 in cash prizes. Be sure to vote for your favorites! Don’t forget to visit the shops at the Village. ~ Scarecrow Competition at Peddler’s Village ~
  • Oktoberfest 2013 ~ Now until October 27 ~ Oktoberfest invades Philadelphia. Check out our list of events for Oktoberfest. ~ Oktoberfest 2013 in Philly ~
  • Terror Behind the Walls ~ Now until November 9 ~ This massive retired prison, Eastern State Penitentiary, is rated as one of the top 10 haunted houses in the country. There are 6 attractions inside the cell blocks of scary prison. ~ Terror Behind the Walls ~
  • Art After 5 ~ October 11Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Motown Meets Jazz –  “Heat Wave,” “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “My Girl,” and other Motown favorites get jazzed up by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
  • Old City Seaport Festival ~ October 11 – 13 ~  Come enjoy ship tours, a sunset river tour, food, beer, live music and an actual pirate battle at the Independence Seaport Museum. ~ Old City Seaport Festival ~
  • Fall Family Fun Days ~ October 12 ~ Held at Sister Cities Park every Saturday in October from 11 am – 2 pm.  Enjoy family-friendly activities, music and you can purchase pumpkins from Urban Jungle. ~ Fall Family Fun Days ~
  • Harvest Festival ~ October 12 ~ From 10 am to 4 pm at the Reading Terminal Market, come enjoy delicious treats from local vendors from RTM, pony rides, a pumpkin patch and much more. ~ Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market ~
  • Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~  October 12 & 16 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~
  • Old City Seaport Festival ~ October 13 ~  Come enjoy ship tours, a sunset river tour, food, beer, live music and an actual pirate battle at the Independence Seaport Museum. ~ Old City Seaport Festival ~
  • Celebrity-Judged Cook-Off ~ October 16 ~ From 11 am to 12:30 pm at La Cucina at the Reading Terminal Market, come watch 3 contestants create their Cajun meals from their winning recipes with one of Beck’s spices or flavors. There will be a few celebrity judges & the proceeds of Beck’s spices sold that day will go to Manna.org. ~ Best of Beck’s Recipe Contest ~
  • Target Community Nights at Franklin Institute ~ October 16 ~ FREE fun at the Franklin Institute from 5 pm – 8 pm on the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise specified (until January 22, 2014). Tonight’s theme is Construction, Build It! ~ Free Fun at Franklin Institute ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ October 16 ~ (Wednesdays) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
  • Yoga on the Race Street Pier ~ October 17FREE – From 6 pm to 7:30 pm, come experience yoga with Dhyana Yoga Studios on the Race Street Pier. Donations accepted. ~ Yoga on the Race Street Pier ~
  • Twilight Tour of the Battleship ~ October 17 ~ Starting at 6 pm on the Battleship New Jersey, experience the more adult-side of the ship. The Curator-led tour will show adults some artwork created by sailors, and discuss some of the more adult stories, including the visit by the Playboy Bunny. You can even enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, or soft drink on the Main Deck after the tour. ~ Twilight Tour of the Battleship ~
  • Movie Night in the Park ~ October 17 ~ FREE – Starting time unknown, come watch the Hunger Games at Penn Treaty Park. ~ Events at Penn Treaty Park ~
  • 22nd Annual Philadelphia Film Festival ~ October 17 ~ The Philadelphia Film Festival is presented by the Philadelphia Film Society and celebrates the art of cinema with more than 100 films from around the world. The festival also includes industry panels, post-screening Q&As and special events with filmmakers at venues across the region. ~ 22nd Annual Philadelphia Film Festival ~
  • Cemetery, Serial Killers; Blood & Beer! ~ Now thru November ~This tour takes you from grave robbers to psychopathic killers, and to the pub at the end of the tour. Check out Grim Philly’s other tours also. ~ Cemetery, Serial Killers, Blood & Beer! ~
  • The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~
  • Franklin Square ~ Now Open for 2013 Season ~ Enjoy miniature golf, take a spin on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, enjoy food at Square Burger and special weekend events for the kids. ~ Franklin Square ~
  • Special Information! – Do you know that Philadelphia has its own slide? Yes, the Philly Slide. With Jaye Moore & Tony Luke Jr, to help support Little Kids Rock. Check it out. ~ The Philly Slide~
  • Stop Hunger Now Packaging Event ~ October 26 ~ From 9 am – 2 pm, help Stop Hunger Now & MyPhillyAlive, in packaging meals for those who are hungry or make a donation.  ~ Stop Hunger Now ~

Come Back later this afternoon or evening for more things added to the Philly to do list!

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Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

  • The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
  • Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
  • Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell~
  • Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
  • Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall~
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
  • Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House~
  • Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
  • National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
  • Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

  • LivingSocial’s Beer Fest ~ October 18 & 19 ~  Head to The Piazza at Schmidt’s for 2-days of fun and excellent beers. Starting 10/18 at 6 pm and 10/19 from 11 am to 6 pm, there will be 80 craft beers to taste, live music, food, backyard lawn games & activities and BeerFest mini stein to take home ~ LivingSocial’s Beer Fest at The Piazza at Schmidt’s ~
  • Bloktoberfest ~ October 19 ~ From noon until 8 pm, this free event to attend is a four-block festival on South Street, from Broad to 18th Streets. In its 5th year, there will be German beer, food, live music, with food trucks and much more. ~ Bloktoberfest ~
  • Halloween Hoedown ~ October 26 ~ Starting time unknown, come play in the Pumpkin Patch at Penn Treat Park. ~ Events at Penn Treaty Park ~
  • Stop Hunger Now Packaging Event ~ October 26 ~ From 9 am – 2 pm, help Stop Hunger Now & MyPhillyAlive, in packaging meals for those who are hungry or make a donation.  ~ Stop Hunger Now ~
  • Philadelphia Union vs Sporting Kansas City ~ October 26 ~ Come to PPL Park as the Union take on Sporting Kansas City at 3:00 pm. ~ Philadelphia Union Tickets ~
  • 2013 Apple Festival ~ November 2 & 3 ~  FREE – From 10 am to 6 pm at Peddler’s Village, enjoy scrumptious apple treats, live entertainment, apple pie-eating contests & more. ~ 2013 Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ November 3 ~ (1st Sundays of each month) Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out.

If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive

If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of October 11 – 13

 

Friday  |  Showers  |  High 63°  | Low 57°

Saturday  |  Few Showers |  High 68° | Low 57°

Sunday  | Few Showers  |  High 65° |  Low 52°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

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