Explore the events of the Northwest and eastern Montgomery County! From traditional NW autumn fare to special America 250 themed events...it's all here in our Explore listings. (250 events are highlighted in red)
A special America 250 themed Garden Railway draws visitors into our history as the iconic trains travel through the scenes and events of 18th century Philadelphia. A self-guided walking tour, “Plants from the Colonial Era”, runs concurrently with the Railway for a fully-immersive trip back to colonial times. 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, morrisarboretum.org (free with general admission to the Arboretum)
A children’s favorite! Straw Maze hours are 10 am-5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, woodmereartmuseum.org, (tickets required, includes admission to museum)
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Arc of Promise explores how Philadelphia’s artists have envisioned “America”. Exhibition pieces span from the late 18th century to the present. Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, woodmereartmuseum.org (tickets required)
Inspired by the nation’s 250th anniversary, this exhibit honors the history of Northwest Philadelphia through photos and other archived pieces about its celebrations and milestones. Chestnut Hill Conservancy, 8708 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chconservancy.org, (free admission, $10 donation suggested)
Over 15 participating restaurants in Conshohocken and West Conshohocken offering a variety of prix-fixe menus. For menus, visit morethanthecurve.com/Conshohocken-restaurant-week
Inaugural retrospective dedicated to the work of Moe Brooker, one of Philadelphia’s most beloved and visionary artists. Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, woodmereartmuseum.org (tickets required)
Annual arts festival featuring unique artwork and handcrafted items from local artisans. Live music and entertainment, interactive demonstrations, food, drink and more! Rain date: Sun. Oct. 11. Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chestnuthillpa.com (free admission)
The Morris Pumpkin Cottage will be the meeting place for multiple events throughout the month. Included are: story time for kids on Fri. Oct. 2 at 11 am and Wed. Oct. 21 at 10:30 am, making magical wands and potions on the weekend of Oct. 3 & 4 and creating a plant monster and trick-or-treating on Thurs. Oct. 29 at 11 am. For event details, visit morrisarboretum.org. Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill (all events free with general admission)
The scarecrows are here! More than 40 scarecrows will be on display throughout the Morris during the month. The theme is the ’70s! See scarecrows inspired by the 1770s, 1970s, or any decade ending in “70.” Be sure to vote for your favorite, which will determine the top prize winners. Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, morrisarboretum.org, (free with general admission)
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy presents this free, innovative public streetscape exhibition where history lights up one of America’s iconic main streets, Germantown Avenue. Opening night starts at the Conservancy (8708 Germantown Ave) with activities and giveaways at 6:30 pm, followed by the “Flip the Switch” ceremony at 7 pm, which is the official lighting of the Avenue. Visitors can visit the lighted exhibitions each night from Friday to Monday from 7-9 pm. Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chconservancy.org/nol, (free admission)
A First Friday fusion of Chestnut Hill’s artistic and culinary scenes. Check the website for specials from galleries, restaurants and retail shops. Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chestnuthillpa.com (free admission)
The streets of Ambler transform into an Oktoberfest celebration with over 75 vendors and food trucks, kids’ activities, a beer garden and musical performances. Butler Avenue, Ambler, amblermainstreet.org, (free admission)
Weekends at the Elmwood Park Zoo through October. Carnival games, live music, face painting and more. Games and activities may be an additional cost. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, elmwoodparkzoo.org, (free with zoo admission)
The zoo is transformed for a kooky, spooky Halloween adventure. Trick-or-treating, straw maze, live music and more. Costumes are encouraged! Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, elmwoodparkzoo.org, (free with zoo admission)
Haunted textile mill in the heart of Manayunk. Multiple tours per day. 4100 Main Street, Manayunk, lincolnmillhaunt.com, (tickets required)
Commemorating the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Germantown, the Revolutionary Germantown Festival is an annual, free community event. This is a rain or shine event. Cliveden of the National Trust, 6401 Germantown Ave., Germantown, cliveden.org/revolutionary-germantown-festival, (free admission)
Imagination and creativity are on display as children build their own fairy house and search the enchanting Whimsical Woods to unique natural decorations. Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, morrisarboretum.org (tickets/registration required)
Arts and crafts market, art making activities, live music, food trucks and more! Allens Lane Art Center, 601 W. Allens Lane, Mt. Airy, allenslane.org (free admission)
In celebration of October’s National Coming Out Day, Manayunk will host a series of events to celebrate on Gay St! The day will include drag story time, live performances by Philly Drag Mafia, and a free drag show followed by a Karaoke Dance Party. Stick around into the evening for the annual live shadow casting of Rocky Horror Picture Show by the Transylvanian Nipple Production at Venice Island- tickets available online. For more info, visit manayunk.com (free daytime events, tickets required for Rocky Horror show at Venice Island)
Think Golden Girls meets Halloween meets a drag show and they all come together at a brunch in Manayunk! Dress as your favorite Ghoulish Golden Girl. The Brass Tap, 177 Markle Street, Manayunk. For tickets, visit Eventbrite Philadelphia and search Golden Ghouls
One of Philly’s oldest Oktoberfests with so much to do it’s hard to fit it all in one day! Three stages of live entertainment, multiple beer gardens, food and vendors are just part of the festivities. There is a classic car show, a dog costume parade, a Scarecrow Walk in Gorgas Park, a community wellness village, a tour of historic Leverington Cemetery and more. Ridge Avenue between Lyceum Ave and Leverington Ave, Roxborough, roxboroughpa.com, (free admission)
Costumes are encouraged at the Rest in Peace 5K Run through Laurel Hill Cemetery. After-Run party with DJ, snacks and drinks. Prizes for top runners and costumes. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Laurel Hill. Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., laurelhillphl.com/events, (registration is required)
A day of family fun! Fishing at Hillcrest Pond, face painting, inflatables, music, games, free food are just a few of the planned events. James A. Cisco Park, 199 Montgomery Avenue, Erdenheim, erdenheimcivic.org, (free admission)
Annual fundraising event for the Chestnut Hill Community Association. This year’s theme is An Evening in the French Quarter featuring music by Joe Block and his Jazz Quintet, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, drinks and dinner stations. Escape to NOLA in the Rotunda at Chestnut Hill College, Saint Joseph’s Hall, 9601 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, www.chestnuthill.org (tickets required)
This exhibition presents the work of the prizewinners of the 2026 International Photography Competition. Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill, woodmereartmuseum.org, (tickets required)
4th annual do-it-yourself music festival on the streets of Roxborough and Manayunk. Homes play host to local bands in this open air event. For more information, visit roxyunkporchfest.com
Theatrical walking tours with true stories of murder and mystery. Led by a local cast of the Not Ready for After-Life Players. Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., laurelhillphl.com/events, (tickets required)
Seasonal street festival with local vendors, food, live entertainment, kids’ activities. Rain date: 10/18/26. Keswick Village, Glenside, keswickvillage.org (free admission)
Celebrate the season at our newest outdoor event in the heart of Manayunk! Bring your friends, family, and love for all things autumn for a day full of local vendors & artisans. tasty treats & food trucks, family-friendly activities, live music and a Mac n’ Cheese Crawl. Visit manayunk.com for more details. (free admission)
Enjoy the East Falls River Landing, all day music, food, drink, vendors, family fun and more. Ridge and Midvale, East Falls, discovereastfalls.org, (free admission)
Family-friendly tours from Chestnut Hill Library to Hilltop Books with stops along the way to hear ghost stories. Tours leave from the library every half hour. Proceeds benefit the library. Chestnut Hill Library, 8711 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill, chlibraryfriends.org (tickets required)
A family-friendly day of outdoor activities. A scavenger hunt, mini-tours, games, story time, prizes and crafts are all on the schedule. Costumes are encouraged! Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., laurelhillphl.com/event, (free admission)
Awbury Arboretum hosts this annual family event. Music, hayrides, crafts, farm market and beer garden are just some of the attractions. The Farm at Awbury, 6336 Ardleigh St., Germantown, awbury.org, (free admission)
This tour has become a popular event, returning for its third year in 2026. This is a self-guided, self-paced tour where visitors get to experience and learn the history of the tour homes. Presented by Mt. Airy Learning Tree ad West Mt. Airy Neighbors. Tickets available at mtairylearningtree.org.
The friendly Witch of Whitemarsh shares Halloween stories and a treat, making this perfect for the kids. Pre-registration is required. Cedar Grove Park, 100 Cedar Grove Road, Conshohocken. whitemarshparks.org. (tickets required)
Pre-Halloween trick-or-treating at over 30 businesses, kids’ crafts, story time in St. Michael’s graveyard, fire trucks on display, adult beverages and the Philly Rhythm Youth Drum Line are featured at this event. 6600-6900 blocks of Germantown Avenue, Mt. Airy, mtairycdc.org, (free admission)
An evening of autumn adventures that supports the Schuylkill Environment Center. Take a hayride, make s’mores by the fire, craft magical creations, watch Halloween classics on the big outdoor screen and more. Schuylkill Environmental Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Roxborough, schuylkillcenter.org, (tickets required)
Two enchanting nights of bewitching acts, coven callings and spellbinding circus for adults only. Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6462 Greene Street, Mt. Airy, phillycircus.com (tickets required)
Celebrate spooky season in style with Halloween in Manayunk! From trick-or-treating on Main Street to festive events and themed activities for all ages, this annual celebration brings the whole community together for a frightfully fun time. For event details, visit manayunk.com (free admission)
Haunted Horses is a unique trick-or-treating experience for the whole family. Horses and riders wear creative costumes and hand-out treats to visiting ghosts, goblins and superheroes. Northwestern Stables, 120 W. Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill, northwesternstables.com, (tickets required)
Designed specifically for families. Circus performers fill the air and stage with daring circus acts and spooky surprises. Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6462 Greene Street, Mt. Airy, phillycircus.com (tickets required)
Explore Hope Lodge by lantern light and participate in a spooky adventure. Reservations are required. Historic Hope Lodge, 553 S. Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, historichopelodge.org. (tickets required)
After-dark tour of Laurel Hill East, complete with tales of restless spirits and festive beverages at the fire pits at the conclusion of the tour. Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., laurelhillphl.com/events (registration is required)
Springfield Township pets decked out in their Halloween best for this annual parade. Entry is free and prizes are awarded. For more info, visit erdenheimcivic.org/howl-o-ween-pet-parade.
The fun begins in the lobby of the Ambler Theater with pumpkin decorating, entertainment and activities for the kids. From there, go on the Halloween walk for trick-or-treating at businesses along Butler Avenue. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Ambler Theater, 108 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, amblermainstreet.org, (free admission)
Grab your flannel and go hang out for the afternoon with your people! Music, food, drinks, crafts and community mark this day of relaxation and connection. The Braid Mill, 441 High Street, Germantown, phillyflannelfest.com, (tickets required)
Families are invited to don their customers and visit Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike for the annual Trick-or-Treat Stroll. Participating businesses will display a “Treats Here” sign. Look for businesses displaying a teal pumpkin, indicating safe, non-food treats for children with food allergies or other conditions. Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chestnuthillpa.com (free admission)
Stroll down the Avenue from Evergreen Avenue to Buckley Park with a parade of perfectly costumed pets. Trick or treating and photos at the park along with prizes from the costume contest including pet/owner look-alike honors. Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, chestnuthill.org (free admission)
Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, keswicktheatre.com, (tickets required)
Traditional trick-or-treat event complete with animal encounters, treat stations and a free carousel ride. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, elmwoodparkzoo.org, (tickets required)
With Yarden Shalev. Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, comicure.com/philly, (tickets required)
