16 family-friendly Halloween events in Philly, from trick-or-treating to spooky mini golf

Halloween doesn’t have to mean haunted houses and jump scares. For families looking for something a little less frightening, Philadelphia has plenty of ways to celebrate.

Kids can putt their way through a spooky mini golf course, explore Halloween-themed rooms inside a former Forever 21 store, trick-or-treat alongside animals at the zoo, or show off their costumes at neighborhood parades and parties.

From pumpkin displays and science experiments to candy crawls and costume contests, here are 16 family-friendly Halloween events around Philadelphia that deliver the fun without too many frights.

Mount Airy will be the site of a community-wide trick-or-treating adventure on Oct. 22. Local businesses along the 6600 and 6900 on Germantown Avenue will hand out treats to costumed trick-or-treaters at the free event.

🕒 Oct. 22, 3:30 to 6 p.m., 💵 Free, 📍6600 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119, 🌐 mtairycdc.org, 📞 215-844-6021

The annual Halloween weekend experience is back at the Philadelphia Zoo. Grab a costume and basket, and step inside for a view of 12-foot skeletons, the new Trick-or-Tree House, and the zoo’s many familiar attractions. Guests can feed pumpkins to the zoo’s giant tortoises, birds, and hippos while enjoying “Boo Bites” such as a pumpkin cheesecake parfait and apple pie made with cinnamon apples, vanilla ice cream, and a crumble topping. Children 2 and younger are free.

🕒 Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 💵 $24-$29, 📍3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, 🌐 philadelphiazoo.org, 📞 215-243-1100

Tee it up at Franklin Square for a day of Spooky Mini Golf. The fog-filled course is covered in animated props, bone-chilling decor, and strobe lights. Costumed guests have a chance to win a Boo Basket, filled with assorted goods, by sharing a photo of themselves on the course. Winners are selected each week through October. Children 2 and younger are free with a paying adult. From Thursday to Sunday, the Boo-zy Bar offers themed cocktails and brews, plus sodas and child-friendly beverages for younger golfers.

🕒 Through Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 💵 $12-$15 (mini golf), 📍200 N. Sixth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org

Housed inside of a former Forever 21 store in the Fashion District is Halloween House Philly. The attraction is filled with dimly lit rooms, each with a distinct theme for those who enjoy a lighthearted scare. No costumed actors fill the halls, and there’s no manufactured gore throughout the venue. Instead, rooms inspired by classic films like Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, plus others like the “Glow Room”, “Graveyard Movie Theater,” and “Zombie Bunker,” offer plenty of spooky sights.

🕒 Through Nov. 1, 💵 $24.52-$50.44, 📍1001 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 halloweenhousephilly.com, ✉️ info@halloweenhousephilly.com

It’s a short drive from Philadelphia, but the Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium is worth the trip. Across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Camden, guests can take part in an underwater experience filled with glowing aquatic displays, both on and off the surface. The experience includes a deep-sea pumpkin patch, illuminated sea turtles, frogs, and octopuses, and other Halloween-themed fixtures.

🕒 Through Nov. 1 💵 $32.99 📍1 Riverside Dr, Camden, N.J. 08103 🌐 adventureaquarium.com 📞 88-474-3474

Roll up to the Please Touch Museum for a sensory-driven Halloween experience. Young guests can enjoy trick-or-treating and slime-making stations, meet creepy crawlies, dance to music from The Plants, and show off their costumes at the Monster Mash Fashion Show.

🕒 Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 💵 $5-24, 📍4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131, 🌐 pleasetouchmuseum.org, 📞 215-581-3181

Science After Hours: Fright Nite may be reserved for parents, but Spooky Science Day is one for the family. On Saturday, the Franklin Institute invites guests of all ages for a day of trick-or-treating and Halloween-themed activities. Among them are live pumpkin carving, a squid dissection, and a slime demonstration. There’s also a hands-on play led by the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.

🕒 Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 💵 $23-29, 📍222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 fi.edu, 📞 215-448-1200

Morris Arboretum & Gardens won’t just focus on the beautiful fall foliage on its grounds this season. For ArBOOretum Month, guests can snap selfies at the Pumpkin Cottage or take a stroll along the ’70s-themed Scarecrow Walk, where a scarecrow dressed as Elvis Presley can be found along the path.

🕒 Through Nov. 1, 💵 $12-$22, 📍100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 morrisarboretum.org, 📞 215-247-5777

The Halloween spirit is high in Northwest Philly Oct. 24. The eighth annual East Falls Halloween Parade and Block Party kicks off at Rutabaga Toy Library. The day will be filled with games, food from local favorites such as Dottie’s Donuts, Frios Popsicles, and Franks Pizza, and a beer garden for adults. There will also be live performances by The Blumbellies, Rawk U, and Philly Rhythm Drumline.

🕒 Oct. 24, 3 to 6 p.m., 💵 Free, 📍3301 Scotts Ln, Philadelphia, Pa. 19129, 🌐 rutabagatoylibrary.com, 📞 267-297-5293

Saddle up at Northwestern Stables for a trick-or-treating experience on horseback. Visiting ghosts, goblins, and ghouls will be treated to horseback riders, candy, and refreshments throughout the themed event.

🕒 Oct. 24, 4:30 to 7 p.m., 💵 $9.85 📍120 W. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 northwesternstables.com, 📞 215-242-8892

Halloween on the Hill makes its spooky return this month. On Sunday, the Halloween Pet Parade kicks off at 12:30 p.m. There will be a costume contest with categorizes for scariest, cutest, most creative, and the best look-alike between pets and owners. From 1 to 3 p.m., costumed guests are invited to Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike for the Trick-or-Treat Stroll. Participating shops and restaurants will hand out candy and other goodies. Non-food treats will also be available as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project.

🕒 Oct. 25, noon-3 p.m., 💵 Free, 📍Germantown Avenue and East Hartwell Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19118, 🌐 chestnuthillpa.com, 📞 215-247-6696

Celebrate Halloween in the center of Manayunk’s bustling commercial district Oct. 24. Costumed families and pets are welcome to trick-or-treat along Main Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participating businesses such as Ryan’s Pub, Blondie, Sophie’s BBQ, and others will hand out treats. The City of Paws: Pet Costume Contest will also take place at Matthias Baldwin Park.

🕒 Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 💵 Free/Pay as you go, 📍4100 Main St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19127 and 423 N. 19th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19130, 🌐 manayunk.com, 📞 215-482-9565

Have a spooktacular day on South Street this Halloween. The daylong event begins with a candy crawl, followed by a vintage car and costume promenade at Fifth and South Street. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a trunk-or-treat event at Headhouse Plaza, and the celebration will end with a stroll through the Headhouse Shambles and a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Show at Theatre of the Living Arts. Throughout the evening, spots like Tattooed Mom, Le Caveau, MilkBoy, and others will offer Halloween specials on cocktails and brews.

🕒 Oct. 31, noon to midnight, 💵 Free/Pay as you go, 📍Sixth and South Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 southstreet.com, 📞 215-413-3713

East Passyunk will be a jam-packed Halloween affair. More than 80 vendors will line East Passyunk Avenue for Fall Fest. The celebration will include pumpkin carving, live music, trick-or-treating, and a costume contest.

🕒 Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 💵 Free, 📍East Passyunk Avenue between Morris and Dickinson Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com, 📞 215-336-1455

Through the end of October, Halloween lovers of all ages can step into a reflective bat cave, spot Albert Einstein in disguise, and explore the surrounding wonders at the Museum of Illusions. All available Halloween packages for families include a complimentary 3D puzzle.

🕒 Through Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 💵 $53.81-$107.61, 📍401 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 moiphilly.com, 📞 267-703-2270

A not-so-scary party is happening at Cherry Street Pier on Halloween. The celebration will include trick-or-treating, monster karaoke, float designing for PopUpPlay’s Halloween parade, and other hands-on activities.

🕒 October 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 💵 $20 📍121 N. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106 🌐 cherrystreetpier.com 📞 215-923-0818