Things To Do In Philadelphia – Philly Arts, Halloween & More

‘Halloween in Philly, End of Mural Arts Month, & More’

It’s Halloween weekend in Philadelphia. Who gets spooked very easily. Who loves Halloween! So many attractions that will scare the bejesus out of you. Have you been to Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary? Don’t miss this attraction, that’s if you dare. There is an article mentioned below that gives you a complete run down of the many Halloween activities for this weekend.

Love the arts? Mural Arts Month ends soon and ends with a bang. Check out the many events sponsored by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and some of the artsy festivals throughout the city.

Did you know : Philadelphia was named 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 these events and attractions with you. Here are a few highlighted events or attractions for this weekend in Philly and some upcoming attractions or events to put on your calendar. Please don’t hesitate to stop by here tomorrow for any new updates of what is going on this weekend or during the week.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ October 26 – November 1 ~

• Halloween in Philadelphia ~ October 12 – November 4 ~ MyPhillyAlive’s guide to Halloween activities & events in Philly. ~ Things to do in Philadelphia for Halloween ~
• Mural Arts Month ~ Whole month of October 2012 ~ There will be events that will include exhibitions, mural dedications, celebrity mural tours, murals and meals tours, book signings, lectures and much more. Stay tune for more information by this weekend. ~ Mural Arts Month on Philly ~
• Annual Scarecrow Competition ~ Now until October 28 ~ Bigger than life scarecrow creations are displayed outdoors and compete for over $5000 in cash prizes. ~ Scarecrow Competition at Peddler’s Village ~
• Oktoberfest in Philadelphia ~ Now to October 29 ~ Our guide to all things Oktoberfest in Philly. ~ Oktoberfest in Philadelphia ~
• Art After 5 ~ October 26 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm. Cage: Music for Film – Performed by Margaret Leng Tan, piano – Pre-eminent Cage interpreter Margaret Leng Tan performs film music by John Cage live to projected videos of the original films. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall, starting at 5 pm. ~ Art After 5 ~
• Spooky Saturday & Fall Fest at East Passyunk ~ October 27 ~ Free. From 11am – 4pm at the Singing Fountain in East Passyunk. Annual costume contest for kids and grown ups, including live music, fun activities for kids, and a craft show produced by Nice Things Handmade featuring local artists! Young Rembrandt’s will be there, teaching art to kids. Activities for the kids includes pumpkin decorating, crafts, and trick or treating. ~ East Passyunk Event ~
• Ritz Mural Arts Project with The Roots ~ October 27 ~ From 1pm – 3pm at 512 S. Broad St. Come watch this mural go up, with musicians, artists, live music, giveaways, and more. ~ Mural Arts Project ~
• Halloween in Manayunk ~ October 27 ~ From 8 am to 8 pm, 5k Halloween run, flea market, trick-or-treating for the kids, food, live music, games, and much more. ~ Halloween in Manayunk ~
• Sculptures and Murals (SAM) Tour ~ October 27 ~ Starts at Sister Cities Park, leaving at 2 pm. This tour takes guests for a walk around the Avenue of the Arts, City Hall, through Love Park, and along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to view artistic treasures such as Robert Indiana’s LOVE, Rodin’s The Thinker, The Secret Journey mural, and a dozen more public art gems. ~ Sculpture & Murals Tour ~
• Fun at Sister Cities Park ~ October 27 ~ Art in the Park for ages 6 to 14 from 11 am-1pm. Create nature-inspired art projects this fall in beautiful Sister Cities Park. And food & drinks at Milk & Honey Cafe; open 7 am-7pm. ~ Art in the Park ~ ~ info on Sister Cities Park ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ October 27 & 31 ~ 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 ~
• Yellow Fever Tour at Elfreth’s Alley ~ October 28 ~ Events at 1 pm, 2 pm, & 4 pm. Looking much like it did in the 1793 epidemic, Elfreth’s Alley was the home of countless fever victims. Come hear their stories of fear and courage, despair and self-sacrifice from actor Trish Troilo. $10 admission.  ~ Yellow Fever event info & tickets ~ ~ Info about Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Tailgating Philly Style ~ October 28 ~ Come tailgate at One Crazy Fan prior to the Philadelphia Eagles game vs the Atlanta Falcons with Butz & Butz doing a live sports broadcast, a live DJ – Mike Rossi of East Coast Group, and those crazy Eagles fans. For ticket info, go to the main site. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday prior to game. ~ One Crazy Fan Tailgating ~
• Philadelphia Eagles Game 7 ~ October 28 ~ The Philadelphia Eagles play the Atlanta Falcons. If not going to the game, then head on over to XFinityLive, Philadelphia’s main sports entertainment complex to watch the game. ~ Info about XFinity Live ~
• Philadelphia Film Festival ~Now to October 28 ~ 21st Philadelphia Film Festival. Come check out Independent Films, sneak previews, meet the actors & film makers, and attend parties.  ~Philadelphia Film Festival ~
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ Now until November 10 ~ There are 6 scary attractions inside the cell blocks of Eastern State Penitentiary which should put a little fear in your shoes. Do you dare? ~ Terror Behind the Walls ~
• Ghost Tour of Philadelphia ~ Now until November 10 ~ This company has 3 main types of Ghost tours to choose from. Either way, you are bound to be spooked. Keep in mind that these tours run all year round, but are mostly concentrated around Halloween, so you need to check their calendar of events for dates. ~ The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia ~
• 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 ~
• Barnes Foundation ~ Now Open ~  The new building finally opened May 19th. You get to explore the world’s largest collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings–including tons of works by Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, van Gogh and Renoir—inside this new 12,000 square-foot gallery. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• Maya 2012 – Lords of Time Exhibit at Penn’s Museum ~ Now until January 13, 2013 ~ Learn more about that superstition and the culture behind the Mayan prophecy. This exhibit will showcase the fascinating and mysterious Mayan people.~ Maya 2012 Exhibit ~
• The Swedish American Line Exhibition ~ Now until February 24 ~ From the early days as a passenger fleet for immigrants to its lavish cruises, visitors will get a look into the fleet’s history, exquisite style and personal stories and anecdotes from former passengers. Taking place at The American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philly. ~ The Swedish American Line Exhibit ~
• 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~

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.

Are you Visiting Philadelphia and need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more. Try the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours Company~ Philly Sightseeing Company ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

• 2012 Apple Festival ~ November 3 & 4 ~ Scrumptious apple treats including country apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and everyone’s favorite — apples dipped in caramel! Held at Peddler’s Village. ~ Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village ~
• First Glance Philly Film Festival ~ November 9 to 11 ~ Held at the Franklin Institute.  Independent Film Festival bringing you many great films, movie producers, and actors. ~ First Glance 15th Annual Film Festival ~
• Titanic Exhibit ~ November 10 – April 7, 2013 ~ The Titanic exhibit arrives at The Franklin Institute. Get a glimpse of 300 + artifacts from after the Titanic was sunk. This is the 100th anniversary of the tragic story of 1,502 people that lost their lives. ~ Titanic Exhibit ~
• Shakespeare in the World comes to the Barnes Foundation ~ November 16 & December 21 ~ From 6:30 pm to 8 pm, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre partner with the Barnes Foundation with a critical discussion around Shakespeare with guest speakers, live performances and plenty of audience participation. Tickets are $30 General Admission & $20 members and can be reserved online or via phone at (866) 849-7056. ~ Barnes Foundation ~
• Deck the Alley 2012 at Elfreth’s Alley ~ December 1 ~ From 4 pm to 7 pm. Come celebrate  a Colonial Christmas on Elfreth’s Alley. Featuring: tours of Elfreth’s Alley’s private historic homes, holiday treats, caroling in the alley, colonial artisans, and a one-of-a-kind raffle! ~ What is Deck the Alley at Elfreth’s Alley ~ ~ Deck the Alley tickets ~

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 Weekend Weather for the weekend of October 26-28

 

Friday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 71°  | Low 54°

Saturday  |  Mostly Cloudy |  High 66° | Low 53°

Sunday  |  60% Showers & Wind  |  High 56° |  Low 49°

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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picture above: top right photo is the Aqui y Alla mural by Michelle Ortiz & bottom left photo: Mural Love Letter created by Steve Powers and photo by Adam Wallacavage