The Spookiest Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Philadelphia This Year

Ghost tours by candlelight, bar crawls, and costume contests.

The countdown to Halloween is on. This year we’ll see the return of tried-and-true haunts, from spooky former prisons to terror-inducing warehouses and other haunted houses. If you’re just looking to soak up the festive ambiance without ruining your sleep cycle, there are more holiday destinations than ever this year, including several ‘80’s-themed parties, tons of Halloween-inspired menus, and plenty of festivities for showing off your costume. So whether you are in search of weekend plans or want to party all month long, here are 21 things to do to celebrate Halloween in Philadelphia this year.

Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin

Now through Sunday, October 30
Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin out on the Delaware River was built in 1794, and as such, it is rumored to be super haunted. Take an hour-long candlelit tour of the grounds and hear all the myths and legends of Fort’s longtime residents. Afterward, you can drown your fears at a pop-up bar courtesy of Warehouse on Watts. If you really want to test the limits of your sanity, you could even sleep over on Saturday, October 22 for the annual overnight paranormal investigation.
Cost: Varies

Wednesday, October 26
East Passyunk
Have your fix of craft drinks during a South Philly bar crawl. One $6.66 ticket gets you access to more than a dozen drink deals across East Passyunk’s best bars. Stamp your drink card every stop of the way to earn some bigger prizes, too. You’re sure to end the night with a nice buzz (and a free witch hat).
Cost: $6.66

Friday, October 28
Logan Circle
Kick off Halloweekend by visiting the Franklin Institute after hours for an adults-only party. Costumes are encouraged for programming including DJ Carl Michaels performing on the Fels Planetarium Dance Floor, stunt performances, a drag show, and even some live snakes.
Cost: Tickets start at $40 for the general public, $35 for members

East Passyunk Avenue
East Passyunk Avenue

Saturday, October 29
East Passyunk
Get your fix of all things autumnal and Halloween-adjacent during the annual Fall Fest & Spooky Saturday. Running from 11 am to 4 pm the weekend before Halloween, you can celebrate by donning a costume and enjoying grab-n-go pumpkins, trick or treating, shopping sidewalk sales, eating seasonal fare, and taking in all the live music.
Cost: Free to attend

Now through Monday, October 31
Center City
Uptown Beer Garden is getting a Halloween makeover inspired by Stranger Things, complete with demogorgons, Vecna, and a floating Sadie Sink lookalike that’ll have you singing Kate Bush all night. It makes for a spooky atmosphere at every corner, plus you can enjoy bar bites and cocktails to help quell your fear.
Cost: Varies

wilderphilly
wilderphilly

Monday, October 31
Rittenhouse
Wear your favorite costume and treat yourself to a three-course meal at Wilder, where you’ll get a live murder mystery show with the meal. Brace yourself for audience participation and take full advantage of your spooky-themed welcome cocktail upon arrival.
Cost: Tickets start at $125

Now through Monday, October 31
Market East
Craftsman Row Saloon is decked out in a Nightmare Before Christmas theme for the season. The restaurant’s makeover is complete with a Halloween menu of festive milkshakes, pumpkin mac n’ cheese, a candy corn martini, and cocktails served out of an actual pumpkin.
Cost: Varies

Now through Monday, October 31
Manayunk
Yet another Philly Halloween pop-up is taking a cue from ‘80s nostalgia via Stranger Things. Visit Taqueria Amor for seven specialty cocktails (like Eleven’s Maple Syrup Egg-o’le Fashion) fitting for an extra festive Upside Down atmosphere befitting the ultimate Halloween decade.
Cost: Varies

Lincoln Mill Haunted House
Lincoln Mill Haunted House

Now through Monday, October 31
Manayunk
After some cocktails and tacos, head down the street (or take the Manayunk Trick-or-Trolly) to the very freaky Lincoln Mill Haunted House, a new attraction in the former Mad River space. The new attraction is designed to be one of the scariest in the area, including dozens of live-scare actors and immersive production sets based on an interactive, and extra disturbing, story.
Cost: Tickets start at $29

Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

Friday, October 28
Rittenhouse Square
The Mütter Museum is already an ideal destination for Halloween, and things go up a notch during Mischief at the Mütter. The medical museum's after-hours party features dancing in the ballroom, a “Dracula’s Parlor” pop-up, Tarot card readings, an ‘80s-themed costume contest, and tons more.
Cost: Tickets start at $70

Morgan's Pier
Morgan's Pier

Saturday, October 29
Penn’s Landing
Before Morgan’s Pier closes for the winter, head over for one last big dance party—Halloween style. A ticket gets you all-you-can-drink until the wee hours of the morning, plus entertainment from DJ Menace Cartel. If you’re rolling with a group, go big on the costume front—there are awards for best individual and best group costumes.
Cost: Tickets start at $60

Now through Monday, October 31
Rittenhouse
Just in case you haven’t reached your ‘80s Halloween nostalgia quota yet, head to Little Blume of Horrors for a festive bar experience filled with horror film Easter eggs. Step into the spooky red lighting and snag a seasonal cocktail and burger in between frights.
Cost: Varies

Saturday, October 29
Midtown Village
Kitschy playground Franky Bradley’s is hosting the THICKBXTCH Ball in honor of Halloween, featuring a plus-size burlesque and variety show. After the show, the floor opens up so attendees can dance the night away. Dress to impress and you may be crowned the costume contest winner. If that’s not enough celebration, come back on Halloween night for Disco Zombé, another night of festive live music, enchanting cocktails, and more.
Cost: Varies

 tinselphilly
tinselphilly

Now through Monday, October 31
Midtown Village
One of Philly’s first pop-up Halloween bars is back for the season, this time with a zombie-themed makeover. Head to the spooky bar, rich with Instagram-worthy backdrops and Blood Bag cocktails. Keep an eye out for the zombie versions of Gritty and the Phanatic lurking in dark corners.
Cost: Varies

Weekends through Halloween
Philadelphia Zoo
For a celebration that’s more cute than creepy, look no further than the Philadelphia Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo. The family-friendly event encourages costumes for trick-or-treating your way around the zoo, and you can also check out a great pumpkin wall, sip hot cider, and see other seasonal surprises.
Cost: Tickets start at $24

Saturday, October 29
Allegheny West
For something a little more low key but no less spooky, check out True Tales from the Tombs at Laurel Hill Cemetery. After dusk you’re invited to wander the cemetery and hear about those buried there—from the ghouls themselves. Once you survive the hour-long tour, chill in the observatory with some provided refreshments.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Philly Cider Week
Philly Cider Week

Sunday, October 30
Queen Village
Philly Cider Week runs during the week leading to Halloween, with tons of great programming to explore throughout the city. The grand finale is the Carnival of Thirsty Souls, a block party taking over 7th Street between South and Bainbridge featuring live music, cideries, and a costume contest catwalk.
Cost: Varies

Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride
Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride

Now through Monday, October 31
Glen Mills
A visit to the Bates Motel is a must for any Halloween horror junkie. Located about an hour outside Philly at Arasapha Farms, a visit can include a trip through the hotel, a Haunted Hayride, and the Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Trail. Expect crazy visual effects, tons of pyrotechnics, and a staff very dedicated to terrifying you.
Cost: Tickets start at $45

All month long
Old City
Considering how old Philadelphia is, one could argue that every tour here is a haunted one. Grim Philly Tours leans into this quite a bit, with pub-focused bar crawls and spine-shivering nighttime tours focused on serial killers, ghosts, and the like. You’ll never see Old City quite the same again.
Cost: Tickets start at $38

Tuesday, October 25 – Tuesday, November 1
Logan Circle
Head to the top floor of the Logan Hotel to celebrate Halloween in style, with a side of stunning Parkway views. The Haunted Heights at Assembly pop-up features decor, scary movies on repeat, and Halloween-inspired food and drinks, including the Bloody Frosé garnished with candy corn. On October 28 and 29, expect spooky-themed DJ sets for dancing the night away.
Cost: Varies

Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary | Flickr/Peter Miller

Now through Saturday, November 12
Fairmount
Halloween Nights are back at Eastern State Penitentiary. The spooky abandoned prison is offering three brand new attractions this year including a Nightmares scene à la Mr. Sandman, and the Bizarre Bar where you can catch some spooky performances. For maximum fear, you can elect to have the monsters take you away from your group for extra frights. Or if you’re feeling more chill than thrill, there are plenty of other spaces to enjoy, including the Fair Chance Beer Garden, nighttime flashlight tour, and the Speakeasy at Al Capone’s Cell.
Cost: Tickets start at $34

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Marielle Mondon is a writer from Philadelphia. Follow her @MarielleMondon on Twitter and Instagram.