Plan the perfect weekend with our picks!

 

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend.

All Weekend

Minefaire

October 13—14

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks

 

This epic Minecraft event features live shows, YouTuber appearances, costume contests, photo-ops, and much more!

Boo at the Elmwood Park Zoo

Weekends starting October 13 and continuing through October 28, noon — 3 pm
Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown

 

Free with regular admission, bring you little ones in costumes and with a treat bag. They will enjoy animal exhibits and find treat stations along the way.

Hayrides to the Witches’ House

October 5-30; Sunday to Thursday, 5:30—8 pm; Friday and Saturday, 5:30–8:30 pm

Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media

 

Geared towards children ten and under, this non-haunted adventure takes you on a 15- to 20-minute hayride to the Witches’ House. Once there, kids and their parents will enjoy a story, listen to jokes, and get a treat to take home. After the hayride, stay for apple cider and s’mores around the campfire. And while you’re there, enjoy Pumpkinland!

HaverTalian Festival

October 13, noon—9:30 pm, and October 14, noon—6 pm

300 E. Eagle Rd, Havertown

 

A weekend of food, arts, live music, and kids’ activities celebrating Italian heritage.

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Weekends through October 28

Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

 

Come in costume and enjoy three 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. This repeats every weekend through October, so if you can’t make it, there are more chances!

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Weekends through October 28

500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting

 

Brick-or-Treat throughout LEGOLAND as part of their Halloween scavenger hunt, build a LEGO pumpkin for their patch, enjoy themed builds and photo-ops, and more. Costumes encouraged!

Seussical: A Musical 

October 13, 7 pm; October 14, 11 am and 3 pm

Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Blvd., Swarthmore

 

All you favorite Dr. Seuss characters come together in one place for this fun and flashy musical geared for kids of all ages.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 

October 13—14, 2 pm

Delaware Children’s Theatre, 1014 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE

 

We all know this classic tale, but most kids love repetition so why not see it again? This version comes with a princess parade.

Fall Harvest Weekends at Highland Orchards

October 13—14

1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., West Chester

 

Celebrate the season with apple and pumpkin picking, a selection of fall décor and treats, food trucks, young kids’ activities, Harvest Ridge Winery, and more.

Saturday

Birding and Bagels

October 13, 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.

Bruncho with Elmo –SOLD OUT

October 13, 9:30 am—noon –SOLD OUT

Lulu’s Casita West Chester, 109 N. High St., West Chester

 

Enjoy brunch, mimosas, and a visit with Elmo. RSVP to luluscasitawestchester@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

CCAA Free Saturday Art Classes at Kennett Garage

October 13, 9:30 am for ages 4-9, 11 am—noon for ages 10-15

115 South Union Street, Kennett Square

 

Chester County Art Association offers free art classes on Saturdays during the school year. These free art classes are a drop-in format, so kids can join on any Saturday that they wish. There are themed projects adjusted for each age group! Ages 4-9 class is at 9:30 am, and ages 10-15 class is at 11 am.

cBOP’s First Birthday

October 12—13, 10 am—6 pm

393 Lancaster Ave., Haverford

 

cBOP is turning one! Celebrate its birthday with treats, kids’ activities, a visit from Gladwyne Montessori, and more surprises.

Hayride and Pumpkin Pick at Harriet Wetherill Park

October 13, 10 am—noon

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.

National Chess Day

October 13, 10 am—2 pm

Plum Street Mall, Plum and State Streets, Media

 

Play “Dr. Chess” (Dr. George Chressanthis) and win prizes! Chess prizes (books, travel pocket magnetic chess sets, and chess pins) will be donated to all kids who play.

Milk Jug Ghost Craft

October 13, 10—11 am

Ludington Library, 5 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr

 

Make a spooky craft for Halloween. Milk jugs will be provided. All ages welcome.

Once Upon a Garden

October 13, 10:30 am

Chanticleer, 786 Church Rd., Wayne

 

Nature storytime and craft for ages 3 and up. $5 admission with a Radnor Library card or free with a season pass, kids 12 and under are free.

Rock and Roll Playhouse Presents: Grateful Dead for Kids!

October 13, 11:30 am (doors at 11 am)

Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore

 

Using the songs from the most iconic musicians in rock history, the Rock and Roll Playhouse offers its core audience (typically kids ages 3-8 years old) games, movement, of course an opportunity to rock!

Fall Fest Fundraiser at Suburban Square

October 13, noon—5 pm

Anderson and Coulter Avenues, Ardmore

 

Enjoy an afternoon of games, face painting, teddy bear building, live music, and mini fire truck rides. Proceeds benefit Merion Fire Company of Ardmore and CHOP.

Family Pumpkin Painting

October 13, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm

Media-Upper Providence Free Library, 1 E. Front St., Media

 

The library will provide the paints, brushes, and one large pumpkin per family. Registration is required. Email Vicki at mecsd@delcolibraries.org  with your family’s name, number of seats needed, and your desired time slot.

Family Sewing Day: Fabric Pumpkin Decoration

October 13, 1—3 pm

Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne

 

Learn the basics of fabric cutting, hand and machine sewing. Each member will create a unique fabric pumpkin to display. Ages 8-13. Pre-register online, $25 per person.

Saturday Family Drop-In at Main Line Art Center

October 13, 2—4 pm

746 Panmure Road, Haverford

 

These classes are geared for children (ages 3-10) to attend alongside their guardian. 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.

Magic, Myth, and Monsters with Steve Woyce

October 13, 3 pm

Radnor Memorial Library, 114 West Wayne Avenue, Wayne

 

A colorful comedy magic show with tons of audience participation for ages 3 and up. Come meet silly monsters, a friendly witch, appearing ghosts, and more. Costumes are encouraged, no registration required.

Main Line Fire Prevention Expo 2018

October 13, 3—6 pm

Devon Horse Show, 23 Dorset Rd., Devon

 

This event hosted by Berwyn and Radnor Fire Companies features exciting rescue demos, antique fire engine rides for families, giveaways, moon bounce, face painting, hands-on activities, and more.

Longwood Gardens Illuminated Fountain Performance: Broadway

October 13, 8:15 pm

1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square

 

Watch Longwood’s spectacular fountain display, set to the music of Broadway. Pre-register for tickets in advance.

Sunday

Little Sprouts Pumpkin Decorating

October 14, 11 am—noon

Terrain, 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills

 

Kids will decorate mini baby boo pumpkins or gourds with natural embellishments in this fun workshop. Pre-registration is required.

Union Fire Association 115th Birthday Open House

October 14, 11 am—2 pm

149 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd

 

Celebrate with food, games, activities, and fire prevention presentations.

Kid’s Bonsai Workshop

October 14, 11:30 am—12:30 pm

Mr. A’s Martial Arts, 31 South Eagle Road, Havertown

 

Kids age 6 and up will learn the art of bonsai and take home their very own plant to nurture. Pre-registration required online.

East Brandywine Fall Festival

October 14, noon – 3 pm

Easy Brandywine Community Park, Downingtown

 

Put your kids in their Halloween costumes and head to this community celebration. There will be all the fall favorites: pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, hayrides, games, food, and a costume parade.

Hayride and Pumpkin Pick at Harriet Wetherill Park

October 14, 1—3 pm

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.

Scarecrow Making

October 14, 2 pm

Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Rd., Norristown

 

Come to the park to make your fall scarecrow. They’re having a contest to see who can make the scariest, the most original, and the best overall scarecrow. Bring the clothes you want to use, something to make a head with, and a hat for your creation. They’ll supply the straw. Pre-registration is required.

Jenkins Arboretum Fall Festival and Picnic

October 14, 3—6 pm

631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon

 

Bring your own picnic, and enjoy an afternoon of free programming including themed nature crafts, a tree ID program, a honey trail, and a sing along in the Children’s Garden. No registration required, just show up.

Book Launch: ‘Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle’

October 14, 3 pm

Children’s Book World, 17 Haverford Station Rd., Haverford

 

Middle-grade book debut about a young Dominican American girl in New York City.

Family Mindfulness Muscle Training

October 14, 3—4 pm

Tribe Fitness Main Line, 396 Lancaster Ave., Wayne

 

These $20 weekly family drop-in mindfulness sessions use neuroscience, games, movement, and of course bubbles and flashlights! Families will learn skills and practices to be more present, aware, and mindful in their daily lives. Email bubblesflashlights@gmail.com or call 610-357-1975 to register.

 

Looking for more? Here’s what’s going on in Philly!

Photograph by Laura Swartz.