Festival season is in full swing in Philly, and it’s bringing things to do both spooky and wholesome.

Philly Music Fest is ongoing all week. At Reading Terminal there’s the Apple and Scrapple Festival, Manayunk hosts its Fall Fest, East Falls hosts its own Festival as well, and the Museum of the American Revolution hosts its annual Revolutionary Philadelphia: 1776 in Old City. 

Reuben “Big Rube” Harley’s The Red Lipstick Diaries is a bold photography experience The Citizen absolutely recommends.

RUN BEN RUN is finishing its run this week, so don’t miss it. Trolley tours of Philly’s haunted places and true crime history are ongoing, and Vámonos Pa’l Monte culminates this weekend in a procession from Center City to Norris Square. 

Play for Parks celebrates our green spaces future at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain, and the Free Library Foundation Author Series continues this week.

For concert lovers we have Johnny Blue Eyes & The Dark Clouds at Xfinity Mobile Arena and Mike D at Union Transfer.

• • • • Things to do this week
      • Things to do this weekend
      • Ongoing things to do

Is that not enough? Thinking of things to do further ahead? Check out our year-round calendar about how to be a good citizen.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK IN PHILLY

RUN BEN RUN, Spirits of Philadelphia trolley tour, true crime trolley tour, Johnny Blue Eyes & The Dark Clouds, The Red Lipstick Diaries, Free Library Foundation Author Series, Play for Parks.

ATTEND PHILLY MUSIC FEST. Philly Music Fest is a nonprofit music festival benefitting Philly musicians and music education for kids happening now through October 18 with over two dozen bands performing at 6 venues over 7 nights. The Philadelphia Citizen and Philadelphia Magazine are proud media sponsors of Philly Music Fest.  Tickets vary by show, see the schedule here. $20-$77.63. Multiple locations.

SEE A WORLD PREMIERE SATIRE ABOUT AMERICAN “PROGRESS.” Philadelphia immersive theater company Applied Mechanics and the Christ Church Preservation Trust present the world premiere of RUN BEN RUN, a surreal satire of the stories America tells about itself using drag, choreography, pastiche and an absurd original script. Open through 18 with performances at 2 and 7pm. $16.30-$154. 20 N. American Street

GET YOUR BUZZ TOURING PHILLY’S HAUNTED PAST. Now through October 31, book a trip on Spirits of Philadelphia: A BYOB Trolley Tour Through Philly’s Haunted Past. Bring your friends and some drinks for a two-hour ghost hunting experience rooted in Philly’s supernatural history and haunted places. Tours meet at 7pm. $45+. 239 Arch Street

MUTINY WITH THE MASSES! With the support of  Johnny Blue Eyes & The Dark Clouds coming to Xfinity Mobile Arena on their Mutiny for the Masses 2026 Tour October 15 at 8pm (doors at 7pm).  Led by the legendary Sturgill Simpson, they’re one of the best live music acts out there right now. $42-$260. 3601 S. Broad Street

EXPLORE TRUE CRIME IN PHILLY. As it turns out, bad things do happen in Philadelphia. Learn all about it on the Philly True Crime BYOB Trolley Tour, running October 15 through 31, with tours at 6:30 and 8:30pm. Guests are treated to live music and chilling stories of Philadelphia’s sordid history. BYOB, 21+ only. $55. Tours depart from 239 Arch Street

LAUGH ABOUT OUR COMICALLY UN-MARTHA STEWART KITCHENS. Because let’s be real, it’s a kitchen. The Free Library Foundation Author Series presents Roz Chast | The Two Saddest Kitchens: A Comics Conversation, in Conversation with Jason Adam Katzenstein. The #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author talks kitchen reality with New Yorker cartoonist Katzenstein. Admission includes a copy of the book. $34.99. 1901 Vine Street

SEE BIG RUBE’S NEW EXHIBITION. On Thursday, October 15 from 6 to 9:30pm, The Stable at Crane Arts hosts the launch of The Red Lipstick Diaries, a photography Exhibition & Print Sale featuring the “Lipheele” collection by Reuben “Big Rube” Harley. Proceeds will go toward Big Rube’s medical expenses. This event is 21+ only. Pick up your tickets here! $27.72-$53.64. 1431 Cadwallader Street

PLAY FOR PARKS. Join Fairmount Park Conservancy October 16 from 7 to 9pm at the Welsh Fountain in West Fairmount Park for Play for Parks, a free, one-night only celebration of the Fair Play Campaign and the future of Philadelphia’s parks. Enjoy live music featuring Chill Moody and special guests, food & drinks from local vendors, and a spectacular fireworks finale. Bring a blanket!  Free. John Welsh Memorial Fountain, Avenue of the Republic  

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN PHILLY

Apple and Scrapple Festival, Manayunk Fall Fest, East Falls Fest, Vámonos Pa’l Monte, Revolutionary Philadelphia, Mike D at Union Transfer.

LIKE APPLES? LIKE SCRAPPLE? WELL GUESS WHAT … On October 17 from 10am to 5pm, Reading Terminal hosts the Apple and Scrapple Festival, a day of tastings, specials, sculpting contests, kids activities, and entertainment. Pay as you go. 1136 Arch Street

HANG OUT IN EAST FALLS FOR A FALL FEST. Come to East Falls for a fun-for-all-ages day of food, brews, live music, local artisans, pumpkin-decorating, and more at East FallsFest on October 17 from 11am to 5pm. Pay as you go. Ridge and Midvale avenues at Kelly Drive

ATTEND THE CULMINATION OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PUBLIC ART AND ENGAGEMENT PROJECT. After two years of field research, listening sessions, and relationship building, in Puerto Rico and with residents, artists, and culture workers of Norris Square, a neighborhood long at the heart of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican population, Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz and partner organizations Norris Square Neighborhood Project and Taller Puertorriqueño cap Vámonos Pa’l Monte October 17 from 10am to 4pm with a four-mile processional performance from Center City to Norris Square followed by a short film capturing the artists’ and participants’ creative journey throughout the life of the project, developed by filmmaker Jon Kaufman. Free. Procession begins at 599 Market Street. 

CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN MANAYUNK. The 2nd Annual Manayunk Fall Festival happens October 17 from 11am to 4pm on Main Street with local vendors and artisans, food trucks, family friendly games, live music, and a ticketed Mac n’ Cheese Crawl! Pay as you go. Main Street

BE IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY ERA. On October 17 and 18 from 10am to 5pm, the Museum of the American Revolution presents Revolutionary Philadelphia: 1776, a living history experience that brings you back to the fall of 1776 in the heart of the Revolution. Check out the daily schedule of events here. $14-$25+. 101 S. 3rd Street

SEE THE METROPOLITICIAN LIVE. On October 19 at 8pm (doors at 7) WXPN 88.5 Welcomes Mike D 5D to Union Transfer.  The legendary Beastie Boys member is promoting his new album Thank You. $119.22+. 1026 Spring Garden Street

ONGOING EVENTS

Art exhibitions, live shows, outdoor activities, and more things to do, until you can’t anymore.

SEE A MOVIE IN THE PARK. More than 20 Philly parks will host Park Friends Movie Nights this summer and fall through October 16. Bring a blanket, snacks, and arrive before dusk. Check with your local Park Friends Group for updates and schedule changes. Free. Various locations

SEE ART THAT REMINDS US WE ARE STILL CONFINED TO A SINGLE PLANET. No Other Place to Go puts the psychological weight of climate change on display through the lenses of five artists. On view at InLiquid Gallery through October 17; gallery hours are noon to 6pm Wednesday through Saturday. Free. 1400 N American Street

STROLL THE STREETS OF CENTER CITY. Open Streets: West Walnut returns for the fall on Sundays through October 25 from 10am to 5pm. In addition to shopping and eating, Center City District provides free entertainment with buskers, strolling performers, dance groups, a family-friendly zone, games and activities for kids, and more. Pay as you go. Walnut Street between Broad and 19th streets and S. 18th Street between Locust and Chestnut streets.

SEE A POWERFUL MEMORY PLAY ABOUT WHAT FREEDOM REALLY LOOKS LIKE FOR WOMEN. Liberation, set in small-town Ohio in the early 1970s, follows a group of women gathering together at a consciousness-raising meeting and asks, What does freedom really look like? Who gets to claim it? And what do we inherit from the generations who came before us? Open at the Suzanne Roberts Theater through October 25 with afternoon and evening performances. $32-$72. 480 S. Broad Street

CONSIDER HOW MUCH YOUR SOUL IS WORTH. Jen Silverman’s Witch comes to Quintessence Theater for evening and matinee performances through October 25. Everything in little Edmonton village changes when a charming devil comes to town. $30-$65. 7137 Germantown Avenue

SEE A BOB DYLAN MUSICAL. An American story of resilience in uncertain times adapts songs by Bob Dylan in Girl from the North Country, open at the Arden theater through October 25. $42-$72. 40 N. 2nd Street

THINK SAW WAS HILARIOUS? THIS MUSICAL IS FOR YOU! Now through October, SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw is live at the Walnut Street Theater through October 25 for afternoon and evening performances. $35-$177. 825 Walnut Street

CATCH THE GREAT PUMPKIN! Cityside Pumpkin Patch returns to Liberty Point through November 1 from noon to 10pm Thursday through Sunday and 5 to 10pm Wednesdays. Bring the family to pick out the perfect locally-sourced pumpkin amidst spooky decor, scarecrow archery, carnival games, Halloween treats, and a SMASHING ZONE! $13.90-$22.50.  211 S. Columbus Boulevard

DON’T SETTLE FOR REGULAR OLD MINI GOLF. PLAY SPOOKY MINI GOLF! Franklin Square’s putt-putt course transforms for the season into Spooky Mini Golf  through November 1 from 10am to 10pm with strobes, animated props, and fog for variable day time and nighttime levels of spookiness, a month-long costume contest, and The Boo-zy Bar. $12-$15. 200 N. 6th Street  

GO TO SCARY JAIL. Philly’s landmark prison transforms annually into “a Halloween festival of epic proportions” complete with Al Capone’s Speakeasy, eerie flashlight hospital tour, and frightening performances. Check out Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, open through November 7. $49-$149. Parking and shuttle: $22 ($30 on site so buy online!) 2027 Fairmount Avenue

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GRASSROOTS ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION. Through November 15, Philadelphia’s network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-based initiatives hosts Collective Futures, a collaboratively organized project bringing together more than 40 independent spaces and organizations across the city through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public programs citywide. Many events are free; locations citywide. 

FIND MAGIC IN OLD CITY. The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour returns for the 2026 season through the fall tours at 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Attendees are treated to fun, mind-bending magic relevant to the historic and off-beat Old City locations on the tour. Philly Magic tours also partners with local charities on passes and group outings for fundraisers and free tours for deserving school classes. $32.40. Tours meet behind the Bourse near 4th and Ranstead streets

EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street

COME TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLAY STUDIO’S BELOVED EXHIBITION. The Clay Studio celebrates the opening of 20th annual Small Favors, an exhibition of unique art in four-inch cubes, with a reception The exhibit runs through January 3, 2027. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11am to 5:30pm and 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Free. 1425 N. American Street  

LEARN TAI CHI. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30am, Franklin Square Tai Chi Group meets next to the fountain (or in the Pavilion on chilly or wet days) for the ancient practice during Tai Chi in the Square. Free. 200 N. 6th Street

TAKE A FOOD JOURNEY THROUGH SOUTHWEST PHILLY. Stuff your face with Jamaican, West African, and Southern African American cuisines while walking it off on Woodland Avenue during your Africatown Food Tour, scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 10:30am and 1:30pm. $56. 5741 Woodland Avenue

MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO IN PHILLY