17 Halloween Happenings In Philly: Haunted Attractions, Horror Film Fests, Hayrides, Ghost Tours, And More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
The Valley of Fear
Think you're brave enough to trek through the deep, dark, ghost-infested woods of Bucks County? The Valley of Fear offers four haunted attractions for the ultimate fright seekers: ScaryTales Haunted Forest Walk, Zombie Escape Maze, Operation Z: Zombie Paintball Hunt, and the "original" Haunted Hayride, described as "absolutely amazing" by the folks at FrightTour. Tickets can be purchased online. Thursday-Sunday through November 1st, 6:45 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $35 for Fear Pass for all attractions or $45 VIP pass, The Valley of Fear, 301 W. Bristol Road, Feasterville, PA.
Hayride to the Witches' House
If you're searching for the perfect Halloween festivity for your little pumpkins, this is for you. Linvilla Orchard's hayrides are spook-free, so no need to fret about ensuing tears and nightmares. Take a ride to the (friendly!) witches' house, where stories, jokes, and treats await, followed by a campfire with cider and marshmallow roasting. Ideal for kids ten and younger. Friday, October 10th-Thursday, October 30th, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays), $9, Linvilla Orchard, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA.
HorrorFest at Shady Brook Farm
Terror awaits you in the fields of Shady Brook Farm. Prepare yourself for the horrors hiding in the farmland as you explore four attractions: the Hayride of Horror, the Barn of Horror, a 3-D Alien Encounter, and the Carnage Corn Maze. Plus, enjoy nightly entertainment, like live music, bonfires, and "Scare-ee-okee." Friday, October 10th-Saturday, November 1st, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. (closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays), $20-50, Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA.
Soul Crawl: Haunted Halloween History Tours
Creep atop the bones buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery as you tour the graveyard by flashlight, learning about the site's unique history and those who call it their final resting place. Flashlights are B.Y.O., unless you're brave enough to explore in the dark. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th, 7 p.m., $20, Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue.
Sinister Cinema: Halloween at the PFS Roxy
Head to the PFS Theater at the Roxy to get your fill of retro horror flicks, including Dracula, House of Usher, Night of the Living Dead, Halloween, and more. Literary buffs can immerse themselves in the haunting tales of Bram Stoker and the creepy world of Edgar Allen Poe with special events (sponsored by Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia) that preface screenings. Tickets and showtimes are available online. Wednesday, October 29th-Sunday, November 2nd, various times, $6.66 general admission or $5 for members, PFS Theater at the Roxy, 2023 Sansom Street.
Fright Factory
Located in a South Philadelphia building over 105 years old, Fright Factory is described as a "high startle" attraction, with three haunted houses in one: The Asylum, Pitch Black, and Village of the Damned. To preview the impending doom, click here. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday-Sunday through November 1st and Thursday, October 30th until 10 p.m., 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. (10 p.m. on Sundays), $30-55, Fright Factory, 2200 S. Swanson Street.
Pennhurst Asylum
Originally named the Pennhurst State School for the mentally and physically disabled, the hospital shut it doors in 1987 after allegations of abuse and mistreatment of its patients. Scared yet? The Pennhurt Asylum offers three haunted attractions that use dedicated actors, high tech animatronics, and digital sound for an ultimate and realistic fright fest. Enter at your own risk. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday-Sunday through November 1st & Thursdays, October 16th-30th, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. on Fridays, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays, $16-78, Pennhurst Asylum, Church Street & Bridge Road, Spring City, PA.
Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary
The ever-popular Terror Behind the Walls (America's largest haunted house) is back, and it's more spine-chilling than ever. The cellblocks of the penitentiary are packed with six scream-worthy attractions, including the Machine Shop, a brand new section of Philly's most frightening prison. Watch a preview video of the terror that awaits you right here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Tuesday-Sunday through November 2nd, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. (12 a.m. on Fridays & 12:30 a.m. on Saturdays), $19-39 when purchased in advance, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.
Ghost Ship Terror Cruise: Pirates & The Jersey Devil
Join the Grim Philly crew for a "irreverently uncensored R-Rated" cruise on the Delaware. Sip cocktails as you sail the dark waters and hear legends of ghoulish pirates and the Jersey Devil from the Grim guides. Tickets can be purchased online. Fridays & Saturdays, October 17th-31st, various departure times, Independence Seaport Museum Dock, 221 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
The Bates Motel
Lurking just outside the city is a world of horror, anxiously awaiting your arrival. Explore the rooms of The Bates Motel, ride through dark forest of Arasapha Farm, and outrun your scariest nightmares in the haunted corn maze. Considered one of the best haunted attractions in America, the motel and hayride are "guaranteed to wow the experienced haunted house enthusiast." Check-in if you dare. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday, October 10th-Sunday, November 2nd, various times, $15-100, The Bates Motel, 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills, PA.
24-Hour Horror-Thon
Exhumed Films will celebrate the scariest month of the year by screening 24 straight hours of classic cult and horror films. Although the lineup of films is kept secret until that day, the show promises "a combination of some of the biggest horror titles of the last 30 years or so mixed with some really rare gems." Tickets can be purchased online. Saturday, October 27th-Sunday, October 28th, doors open at 11 a.m., $35, International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut Street.
Boo at the Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo will host two weekends of creepy, crawly (but not too scary!) fun, fit for the whole family. Wear your costume and celebrate Halloween with games, live music, food, and your favorite zoo inhabitants. All activities are included with the zoo's general admission. Tickets can be purchased online. Saturday & Sunday, October 18th-26th, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Philadelphia Zoo, 34th Street & Girard Avenue.
Fall Fest & Spooky Saturday
East Passyunk will embrace October's spooky vibes with a Halloween-themed fall festival. Guests can look forward to dozens of craft vendors, live music, drinks and popular street eats. Dress up your little ones (and furry friends!) for the costume contest, while they enjoy pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, and trick-or-treating down the avenue. The festival is free and open to the public. Saturday, October 25th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., East Passyunk.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Join Philly's own Rocky Horror cast, Transylvania Nipple Productions for two interactive performances of the longest-running midnight movie of all time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Ritz at the Bourse will feature two late-night screenings of the hollywood horror spoof to help you get into the Halloween spirit. Start brushing up on your Time Warp now. Tickets can be purchased online. Friday, October 17th & Friday, October 24th, 12 a.m., $10, Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street.
Peek-A-Boooooo Halloween Revue
Get spooked (in a good way) by this burlesque show full of tricks and treats. The ladies of The Boo, with Joey Martini and Count Scotchula, host an evening of adults-only fun with dancing Martians, a corpse bride, a GLAMpire Queen tribute, and tunes from The Striptease Orchestra. If you’re feeling especially spirited, get dressed up in your own costume – you could win a prize! Tickets can be purchased online. Thursday, October 30th, 7 p.m., $25, Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street.
“War of the Worlds” On Stage
This Halloween, Drexel Co-op Theatre Company will present a special staging of Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds.” Over 75 years after the original radio broadcast made listeners believe aliens were really invading earth, Drexel’s Black Box Theater will transform into a radio station. Props will be used to create sound effects the old fashioned way by two Drexel students. Attendees to the October 31st show who come in costume will receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased online. Thursday, October 30th-Sunday, November 2nd, 8 p.m., 2 p.m. on Sunday, $15 for general public and $5 with Drexel ID, URBN Center Annex’s Black Box Theater, 3401 Filbert Street.
