The spookiest of seasons has arrived. If you’re looking for frightful fun this Halloween, look no further than the local neighborhoods of Northwest Philly. From pet parades to trick-or-treating, these events are sure to delight families and individuals alike.
Chestnut Hill
The Chestnut Hill Business District will host Halloween on the Hill, Oct. 26 to 31, turning the Germantown Avenue corridor into an enchanted version of Halloweentown. The festivities will also include the District’s inaugural Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Sun., Oct. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. Participants must visit stores along the Avenue, locate the hidden treasure in each store and when they find it, they’ll receive a sticker to be attached to the event brochure. Scavenger hunters who find all of the stickers will be entered in a drawing to win a special prize. For rules and registration, visit chestnuthillpa.com/events.
Morris Arboretum Arboretum & Gardens (ArBOOretum if it’s Halloween) will host events, including the return of the 17th Annual Scarecrow Walk. This year, the scarecrows portray deliciously malicious movie villains, including Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” Lord Farquaad from “Shrek,” and the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland.” Visitors will be able to see these villainous scarecrows on display throughout the arboretum until Oct. 31. From now until Oct. 17, guests can cast their votes for the best scarecrow during Morris’ annual scarecrow contest to determine the winners.The arboretum is at 100 E Northwestern Ave.
The Woodmere Art Museum hosts its annual straw maze for children ages 4-11 through Dec. 1. Families can explore the maze’s zigzagging paths and tunnels, designed by local architects, while taking in the crisp fall weather. The maze is open Saturdays and Sundays. The museum is at 9201 Germantown Ave.
Mt. Airy
The Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation will host Autumn on the Avenue, Thurs., Oct. 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids are invited to dress up in their costumes for a pre-Halloween trick-or-treat at local businesses on the 6600 through 6900 blocks of Germantown Avenue. But adults are not left out! Tired Hands Beer Garden will be on hand to serve adult beverages.
In addition to trick-or-treating at the local Germantown Avenue businesses between Grocery Outlet at 25 W. Hortter and Mt. Airy Playground (at Germantown & Sedgwick), there will be hands-on kids’ crafts from ARTrageous Brush & Flow and Tired Hands Mt. Airy Beer Garden, fire trucks on display by the Philadelphia Fire Department, and other fun activities. Children’s author Thembi Palmer will host a spooky storytime from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in St. Michael’s Lutheran Church graveyard at the corner of Germantown Avenue and East Phil Ellena Street. Normal traffic will be flowing down the Avenue, so families should be careful when crossing the street during this event.
Germantown
The Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion will host a new production of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” starring Steven Bray. The show times are Oct. 25, from 7 to 8 p.m.; Oct. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m., and 7 to 8 p.m.; and Oct. 27, from 2 to 3 p.m. The mansion is at 200 W. Tulpehocken St.
ARTrageous Brush & Flow will host a Kids Halloween Paint & Costume Party on Oct. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ARTrageous is at 6345 Germantown Ave
Manayunk
The Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) is hosting a free Trick-or-Trolley that will escort guests to their favorite Main Street haunts. But this is no ordinary trolley. It will be decked out with lights, spooky decorations, music, movies and more. The Trick-or-Trolley will run Fri., Oct. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 26 from noon to 10 p.m. Riders can pick up the trolley at Regal UA Main Street (3720 Main St.), Shurs Lane (across from Lincoln Mill Haunted House), Cactus Cantina & Bayou Bar & Grill (4369 Main St.), Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory (4369 Main St.), Ivy Ridge train station, Canal View Park (4418 Main St.), and Lincoln Mill Haunted House (4100 Main St.).
Speaking of Lincoln Mill Haunted House, the spookiest attraction in Manayunk has been featuring over 40 live scare actors, production-quality sets, props, animatronics, and special effects such as fog, strobes and flashing lights all month long. The haunted house is open on weekends through Nov. 2 and select Thursdays throughout the season.
On Sat., Oct. 26, Manayunk will host its annual Main Street Trick-or-Treating event and the Pretzel Park Farmers Market’s Costume Parade. Kids, adults, and dogs are all invited to dress to impress as the parade marches down Main Street starting at 10:30 a.m. Select small businesses will then host trick-or-treating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afterwards, stop by the farmers market for kids’ activities such as face painting, pumpkin painting, and a witch’s brew snack.
