Things To Do In Philadelphia – Spooks, Food, Parades & more

 ‘Craziness in Philly with Restaurant Week, Spooky Events, & Food Festivals’

What does October in Philadelphia mean to you. It could mean many different things. The start of fall and cooler weather. Halloween and the many activities and events that surround Halloween. The end of Oktoberfest celebrations, food festivals, parades, and football. What is your favorite part of Fall and October.

MyPhillyAlive’s Halloween special spooky guide will be out by tomorrow, Saturday, September 29, so check back with us. We’ll showcase all of the fun and thrilling activities and events leading up to Halloween in Philadelphia.

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  ~ September 28 – October 4 ~

• Oktoberfest in Philadelphia ~ September 15 to October 29 ~ Our guide to all things Oktoberfest in Philly. ~ Oktoberfest in Philadelphia ~
• Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary ~ September 21 to 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 ~
• Art After 5 ~ September 28 ~ Free with admission, from 5pm to 12 am. Philadelphia DJ Dance Party with DJ Rich Medina – Come listen to all types of music and dance the night away. For specific details, click on the Art After 5 link. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall, starting at 5 pm. ~ Art After 5 ~
• 4th Annual Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest ~ September 29 ~ Come hang as a VIP for 3 hours with access to great food and beers from noon to 3 pm. Event is from noon until 8 pm for the general public. Brauhaus Schmitz Event ~
• Smithsonian Museum Day ~ September 29 ~ Across the country, select museums will be FREE to the public. In Philadelphia, there are 20 select museums. Pick one and enjoy your time. ~ Smithsonian Museum Day ~
• Manayunk Street Food Festival ~ September 29 ~ From 10 am to 5 pm. Food trucks, gourmet foods & crafts, restaurant tours, and festival shopping. ~ Manayunk Street Food Festival ~
• The Bazar at the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~ September 29 & 30 ~ Starts at noon both days. The Bazaar at The Piazza at Schmidts transforms The Piazza into a bustling marketplace. Shopping, food, drinks, and much more. ~ The Bazar at the Piazza ~ ~ Info about the Piazza at Schmidt’s ~
• Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ September 29 & October 3 ~ 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 ~
• Fun Dance, Music, & Art Party with Young Rembrandt’s ~ September 30 ~ From noon to 3 pm at Shampoo Night Club. Come out with your kids while they learn to draw and have fun at the same time, listening to music and dancing. $20 admission for many activities. ~ Info on Young Rembrandt’s ~
• Puerto Rican Day Parade ~ September 30 ~ Free, from noon until 5 pm.  Starts at 16th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, ends at Eakins Oval with a festive celebration of fun. ~ Puerto Rican Day Parade ~
• Tailgating Philly Style ~ September 30 ~ Come tailgate at One Crazy Fan prior to the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday Night game 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. ~ One Crazy Fan Tailgating ~
• Philadelphia Eagles Game 4 ~ September 30 ~ The Philadelphia Eagles play the New York Giants Sunday Night. 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 Restaurant Week ~ September 30 to October 12 ~ Your chance to enjoy some excellent meals at fine restaurants at a discounted price.  ~ Restaurant Week in Philadelphia ~
• Manayunk Restaurant Week ~ September 30 to October 5 ~ Your chance to enjoy some excellent meals at fine restaurants at a discounted price.  ~ Restaurant Week in Manayunk ~
• Light Installations By Bruce Munro ~ Now until September 29 ~ This will allow visitors to explore Longwood Gardens after-hours, while giving you a different perspective with cool displays of lights & more. ~ Light Installations by Bruce Munro ~
• Free Play on the Parkway ~ Now until September 30; except Mondays ~ Play In between recognizes the need for free play in children’s education. Come check out what it’s all about. ~Free Play on the Parkway ~
• Dead Sea Scrolls ~ Now until October 14 ~ The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit arrives at The Franklin Institute. Get a glimpse of ancient Israeli culture with more than 600 artifacts and 20 of the rarest scroll. ~ Dead Sea Scrolls ~
• Open Air on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway ~ Now until October 16 ~  How awesome is this! How about interactive spotlights making light patterns by using your voice messages and GPS location. Check it out.  ~ Open Air Light exhibit ~
• 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 ~
• 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

• 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.
• Old City Seaport Festival ~ October 5 – 7 ~ There will be a beer garden, food, live music, craft vendors, land and in-water activities, river tours, and a pirate battle on the 7th.  ~ Old City Seaport Festival ~
• Revolutionary Germantown Festival ~ October 6 ~ A day-long festival that celebrates the rich history of Germantown and features the annual reenactment of the Battle of Germantown. ~Revolutionary Day ~
• “Stoker’s Dracula” is coming to Elfreth’s Alley ~ October 13 ~ The count is coming… Come see the bloodthirsty fiend of legend as he stalks through America’s longest lived-on street, Elfreth’s Alley. Doors open at 7:30 pm and starts at 8 pm and is $15 per person.  ~ Dracula comes to Elfreth’s Alley & tickets ~ ~ Info about Elfreth’s Alley ~
• Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market ~ October 13 ~ Come out to the Market from 10 am to 4 pm and enjoy great food, music, and a hayride. ~ Harvest Festival ~
• Philadelphia Film Festival ~ October 18 – 28 ~ 21st Philadelphia Film Festival. Come check out Independent Films, sneak previews, meet the actors & film makers, and attend parties.  ~ Philadelphia Film Festival ~
• Shakespeare in the World comes to the Barnes Foundation ~ October 19, 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 ~
• Ghost Hunting 101 at Elfreth’s Alley ~ October 20 ~ Starts at 8 pm. Join the Elfreth’s Alley Museum and the Oakford Paranormal Society for a special investigation of America’s longest lived on street. Get hands-on training with state of the art equipment led by a team of experienced paranormal investigators. $20 admission. ~ Ghost Hunting 101 info & tickets ~ ~ Info about Elfreth’s Alley ~
• 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 ~
• 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 ~
• 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 September 28 – 30

 

Friday  |  60% Scattered Thunrderstorms |  High 77°  | Low 56°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy |  High 71° | Low 53°

Sunday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 71° |  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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