Philadelphia, PA - Halloween in Philadelphia. From haunted houses to Boozy events where the spirits mostly drink, Philadelphia has something for everyone to do, and even a Halloween costume party for your four-legged friends
Philadelphia was made for Halloween. With its narrow cobblestone streets, centuries-old graveyards, and historic, haunted buildings, the city is the perfect backdrop for a spooky celebration. As the Halloween season peaks, the entire region is buzzing with terrifying haunts, family-friendly festivals, and epic costume parties.
Whether you're looking for a world-class scare, a place to take the kids trick-or-treating, or an all-night party, here’s where to celebrate Halloween in Philadelphia.
The Ultimate Scares (For Thrill-Seekers)
- Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. This is the gold standard of Philly haunts, located in the Fairmount neighborhood. A massive, crumbling, real-life abandoned prison is transformed into a festival of fear. It’s not just one haunted house—it's an enormous event with multiple high-intensity attractions, immersive themed bars, live performances, and historical tours. It's consistently ranked among the best haunts in America.
- Pennhurst Asylum. For those willing to drive to Spring City for a genuinely unsettling experience, Pennhurst is legendary. This is a real, sprawling, abandoned asylum with a dark history. The attraction combines this genuinely creepy atmosphere with high-tech scares, haunted attractions, and historical tours.
- Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride A Philadelphia-area classic for decades, this Glen Mills destination features three top-tier attractions. The Bates Motel is famous for its action-packed, high-intensity haunted hayride, but it also features a terrifying corn maze and the infamous Bates Motel haunted house.
Family-Friendly Fun & Spooky Delights
- Boo at the Zoo: A Halloween tradition for families at the Philadelphia Zoo. Kids can trick-or-treat through the zoo, surrounded by their favorite animals. The event features festive decorations, photo opportunities, and a "spooky" (but not scary) extinction graveyard. Costumes are highly encouraged.
- Spooky Mini Golf at Franklin Square in Old City. Franklin Square’s popular mini-golf course gets a Halloween makeover. "Spooky Mini Golf" is decorated with fog, lights, and festive frights, making it the perfect all-ages activity, day or night.
- Mischief at the Museum. The Please Touch Museum hosts its annual Halloween party designed for the youngest ghouls and goblins. Kids can trick-or-treat through the museum's exhibits, enjoy monster-themed music, and participate in spooky-fun activities.
- Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating On Halloween night, many Philly neighborhoods go all out. South Philadelphia is particularly famous for its elaborate, block-by-block decorations. Head to streets like the 2400 block of S. 13th Street for a festive, community-driven experience.
Adults-Only: Parties, Pop-Ups & Bar Crawls
- Halloween Pop-Up Bars Philadelphia loves a theme, and several bars in Center City and Fishtown transform into full-blown Halloween spectacles. Look for pop-ups offering festive cocktails in an incredibly immersive setting.
- Nightmare on Main Street Manayunk is famous for its massive Halloween bar crawl. Thousands of costumed revelers take over Main Street, with dozens of bars offering drink specials and costume contests. Similar large-scale crawls also take over Center City.
- The Henri David Ball, A true Philadelphia institution, is one of the city's most elaborate and longest-running Halloween parties. Held in Center City, this iconic costume ball is known for its flamboyant, creative, and jaw-dropping costumes.
Uniquely Philly: Haunted History & Quirky Events
- Ghost Tour of Philadelphia: What better time to learn about Philly's haunted past? Take a candlelit walking tour through the historic streets of Old City, Independence Hall, and Society Hill. You'll hear the real-life ghost stories and dark legends that haunt the city's most famous landmarks.
- Tours at Laurel Hill Cemetery: Explore one of America's most beautiful and historic Victorian cemeteries in East Falls... after dark. Laurel Hill Cemetery hosts a variety of Halloween-themed events, including flashlight tours, that let you explore the stunning crypts and mausoleums under the moonlight.
- Visit The Mütter Museum.m While not a "Halloween" attraction, it's arguably the spookiest museum in the city. Located in Center City, the Mütter Museum of medical oddities is filled with real human skulls, anatomical specimens, and historical medical instruments. It's the perfect place to get in a creepy, intellectual mood.
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Written By: Philly Bite Magazines Staff
Philadelphia Best Of Series consists of a round-up of the best places in Philly for great food, entertainment, and more.
