High Five! Main Line Family-Friendly Weekend Events: October 12–13
Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Happy weekend! Plan the perfect weekend with our picks.
Looking for more? Here’s what’s going on in Philly!
All Weekend
Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum
October 12—13, 10 am—5 pm
515 Painter Rd., Media
Celebrate fall with two days of family fun. Make your own scarecrow, take a hayride, jump into inflatable fun, watch wildlife demonstrations, and enjoy kids’ activities like crafts, games, and face painting. Tickets and parking passes available online.
Comic Con for Kids
October 12—13, 9 am—5 pm
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks
A one-of-a-kind family-friendly pop culture event that brings social media celebrities, gaming, cosplay, and tech together under one roof. Includes Marvel character meet-and-greets, superhero sciences, slime lab, Fortnite dance contest, and more. Kids 2 and under are free.
Fall Harvest Fest at Plymouth Meeting Mall
October 11—13
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
Welcome the fall season with crafts, fun and games, music, balloon twisting, and more all weekend.
Hayride and Pumpkin Pick at Harriet Wetherill Park
October 11–13
2639 Narcissa Rd., Plymouth Meeting
Join Plymouth Township Parks and Recreation and Maple Acres Farm for a hayride and pumpkin pick. Purchasing a pumpkin is optional.
Cirque Italia Water Circus
October 10—20
King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia
Cirque Italia presents “Aquatic Spectacular,” featuring a custom-designed water stage that performers dazzle over while thrilling the audience with aerial acts, hand balancing, and more.
Mamma Mia!
October 11—27
SALT Performing Arts, 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
This fun musical set to the songs of ABBA hits the stage!
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Weekends through November 3
Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne
Come in costume and enjoy special Halloween-themed shows; soar, swing, fly, and cruise on three Count von Count themed mechanical rides, and see everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume. There will be special Halloween parades (including a special night one on Saturday), trick-or-treating, and more.
‘Matilda: The Musical’
October 2–27
The Media Theatre, 104 E. State Street, Media
Inspired by the genius of Roald Dahl, this Tony Award-winning musical is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life–and is packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs! Tickets available online.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s Brick or Treat
September 28–October 31
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
LEGO lovers unite for a scavenger hunt, a life-size hayride in the LEGO pumpkin patch, four-foot-tall LEGO wit
Junie B. Jones the Musical
October 5—13 (weekends)
The Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore
A delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books brought to life in a lively and funny musical! Tickets available online.
Pumpkinland and Haunted Gardens at Colonial Gardens
September 28—October 31
745 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville
Enjoy family-friendly fall fun through October. Activities include hayrides, corn maze, and a Halloween funhouse. Plus, Pumpkinland—a Halloween display of colorful cartoon characters, scarecrows, hay hutch, and over ten tons of pumpkins—is always a hit!
Harvest Fest and Boo at the Zoo at Elmwood Park Zoo
Weekends in October, noon–4 pm
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
Weekends this fall, come to Elmwood Park Zoo to participate in themed activities, navigate your way through a corn maze, play carnival-style games, paint a pumpkin, and enjoy live entertainment. Bring your little ones in costumes and with a treat bag to trick-or-treat around the zoo!
Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards
Through November 10
137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media
Linvilla has brought out the piles and piles of pumpkins! Plus, enjoy live music and entertainment, hayrides, train rides, pony rides, face painting, and so much more.
Fall Harvest Celebration Weekend
Weekends through October 27, noon—5 pm
Highland Orchards, 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., West Chester
Pick your own apples or take a hayride around the farm. Plus, shop for locally grown produce, treats, and hand-crafted merchandise.
Blooms & Bamboo at Longwood Gardens
October 3 — November 17
1001 Longwood Dr., Kennett Square
Autumn is here … and with it comes a debut exhibit, the masterful Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry. Prepare to be wowed by towering bamboo art forms and enchanting arrangements by international artists. Autumn also brings a painted landscape of ever-changing color, imaginative play with pumpkins and the Garden Railway, and creative chrysanthemums meticulously grown into gorgeous forms throughout the Conservatory.
Saturday
Birding and Bagels
October 12, 9–10:30 am
Riverbend Environmental Education Center, 1950 Spring Mill Rd., Gladwyne
Search for resident birds as well as the birds stopping through as they travel south for the winter. Bird walks are open to all ages. Pre-register online. A limited number of binoculars will be available for shared use, so bring your own if you have them.
The West Hill School Fall Festival
October 12, 10:30 am—1:30 pm
The West Hill School, 1455 West Hill Road, Rosemont
Enjoy a great autumn day with a bounce house, face painting, a balloon artist, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, and pony rides too! Tickets available online. Food and drinks provided.
Matilda Sneak Peek
October 12, 10:30—11:15 am
Media-Upper Providence Free Library, 1 E. Front St., Media
Join two young Matildas at the library for a sneak peek into their new show at Media Theatre based on the classic Roald Dahl novel.
Descendants Event at Sweet and Sassy
October 12, 10:30 am
250 Plaza Drive Providence Town Center, Collegeville
Get ‘Descendants’ makeovers, sing and dance, and more. You’ll be chillin’ like a villain! Book online.
Little Sprouts Pumpkin Decorating
October 12, 11 am—noon
Terrain, 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills
Bring along the little ones for a special kids pumpkin decorating workshop, where kids will decorate mini baby boo pumpkins or gourds with natural embellishments. Reservations are required, online.
BMFI Family Saturday Matinee: ‘James and the Giant Peach’
October 12, 11 am
Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
Live action and stop-motion animation combine to bring Roald Dahl’s epic adventure to life. Tickets available online. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
Haver-talian Festival
October 12, noon—9:30 pm
Cardinal Foley School, 300 E. Eagle Road, Havertown
Celebrate Italian heritage with food, wine, music, arts and fun for the whole family including live music, arts, and children’s activities. Free; rain or shine.
Wild Neighbors
October 12, noon—1 pm
Harriet Wetherill Park, 2642 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting
Meet animals and learn about the work wildlife rehabilitators do to help animals and support vital wildlife habitats. Free; pre-registration required.
Philly Family Fall Fun at Craft Hall
October 12, 1–3 pm
Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia
Join the Philly Family/Main Line Parent team as we celebrate the release of our Fall issue, raise a glass to it finally being sweater weather, and carve some pumpkins! Costumes are highly encouraged for our Fall celebration at the best place to drink with kids, Craft Hall! You might even win a free week of Winter Break Camp from Music Theatre Philly, some goodies from Nest Center City, or even tickets to Candytopia while you’re at it! Plus, you can pick out a pumpkin and carve it to really get in the spooky spirit!
Meet the Masters: Pablo Picasso
October 12, 1—3 pm
Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
Children ages 8 and up will experiment with color, shape, and composition as they channel the spirit of Picasso in this workshop. Pre-register online.
‘Hocus Pocus’ Showing and Costume Contest
October 12, 1—3 pm
Penn Wynne Library, 130 Overbrook Pkwy, Wynnewood
Come dressed in costume for a contest and showing of Hocus Pocus! Popcorn will be provided to the first 30 attendees. Registration required; call or stop by the library to register.
Saturday Family Drop-In at Main Line Art Center
October 12, 2—4 pm
746 Panmure Road, Haverford
These classes are geared for children (ages 3-10) to attend alongside their guardians. Each class will begin with a tour of Main Line Art Center’s facilities, followed by a story that will relate to a craft. Media will vary weekly, ranging from painting, to mixed media, to printmaking. Register online.
Outdoor Movie Night: ‘Hocus Pocus’
October 12, 6:15 pm
Suburban Square, Anderson and Coulter avenues, Ardmore
Run amok, amok, amok with the Sanderson Sisters with a free screening of this Halloween classic!
Mystery Madness
October 12, 7—8 pm
Harriet Wetherill Park, 2642 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting
Get ready for Halloween with a flashlight scavenger hunt, Halloween crafts, snacks, and prizes. Best for kids age 5 and up. Pre-registration required.
Full Moon Hike
October 12, 7:30 pm
Upper Main Line YMCA, 1416 Berwyn Paoli Road, Berwyn
Take advantage of the extra moonlight to hike through the Cassatt Preserve to look and listen for nocturnal wildlife, and do some stargazing along the way. Pre-registration required. Each family member must be registered individually. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the program.
‘Be Our Guest’ Fountain Performance at Longwood Gardens
October 12, 8:15 pm
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square
Reserve your tickets now for a special Disney-themed illuminated fountain performance, featuring songs from all your favorite classics.
Sunday
Funky Brunch and Market
October 13, 10:30 am
Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore
Stop by for a free indoor craft fair and vendor market at Ardmore Music Hall featuring local vendors, a brunch menu, and live music. Plus, the Eagles game will be on the 150-inch projector screen during the event.
West Chester Chili Cook-Off
October 13, noon—3:30 pm
Downtown West Chester
More than 50 chili teams, comprised of restaurants, businesses, hometown cooks and non-profit organizations, set up shop right on the street and cook chili, all vying for the coveted People’s Choice Award. Chili fans can taste and vote, and then shop artisan vendors and visit the kid zone! Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of West Chester. Wristbands available online if you want to save time in line!
Fall Foliage Express at West Chester Railroad
October 13, noon and 2 pm
230 E Market St., West Chester
Climb aboard the West Chester Railroad chain for the Fall Foliage Express and enjoy a 90-minute ride along the picturesque Chester Creek Valley. You can order lunch to enjoy ahead of time online! Sit back and enjoy the ride with the family. Don’t forget your camera!
Pumpkin Painting at Color Me Mine
October 13, 2—6 pm
109 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
Paint your Halloween decorations, gifts, and scary stoop pumpkins. $25 includes a small jack-o-lantern to paint and complimentary pumpkin spiced coffee, hot cocoa, and cookies. Book online.
Pizza & Pumpkins in the Park
October 13, 4—6 pm
Burke Park, 26 S. Warren St., Malvern
Celebrate fall with free pizza, pumpkin decorating, and music in the park.
Photograph by Pamela Badolato.
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