17 Things to Do in Philly On Halloween Weekend: Rocky Horror Live with Mimi Imfurst, Ghost Stories in Laurel Hill, Dia De Los Muertos Festivals, and More

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Thursday, October 30th

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.
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street.
Admission: $25

Ghost Tales and Goosebumps: Local Legends by Firelight at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Gather around the campfire at the Laurel Hill Cemetery for a spooky night of storytelling! Tour guides will show you around, all while telling only the creepiest of ghost stories. Tours depart every half hour to tour the grounds and mausoleums. Enjoy hot cider and cookies afterward. This event is BYOF: bring your own flashlight! Tickets can be purchased online.
When: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue
Admission: $20

Friday, October 31st

The Please Touch Museum will be full of kid-friendly fun for Halloween |Photo via Facebook

Halloween at the Please Touch Museum
Wear your best costume and say hello to friendly puppet pal Buster The Ghost and animal character Little Critter. Play dress up at Halloween-themed story times, wiggle at a dance party, and get treats for the whole family. All activities free with general admission.
When: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Admission: Free with general admission

Spruce Hill Halloween Parade
Watch the neighborhood kids get all decked out in their favorite costumes and try to count how many Frozen characters you see. The parade departs from 45th Street North of Baltimore Avenue and kids can make their way to the Spruce Hill Center at 257 45th Street to grab some goodies.
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Spruce Hill (45th Street & Baltimore Avenue)
Admission: Free

Art After 5: Halloween Edition
Every Friday the PMA transforms its Grand Stair Hall into a cabaret, spotlighting eclectic musicians. This week Philly R&B/soul band Natural Selection will provide the Halloween soundtrack. Have a few drinks and a light dinner, then go on a spooky art tour and check out local design students’ art-inspired costumes. Wear your own and get your face painted…if you dare.
When: 5:00-8:45 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Admission: Free with general admission

Final-ly Friday Monster Mash in Mt. Airy
The last Friday of every month sees Germantown Avenue come alive in Mt. Airy. The business stay open a little later, vendors come out to show off their wares and everyone has a good time. This month, Final-ly Friday gets a boo-tiful makeover, featuring a Halloween dance, a costume contest, and more. This is a great way to enjoy the night with the little ones without soliciting for candy.
When: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: 7100 Block of Germantown Avenue, Mt. Airy
Admission: Pay-as-you-go

The Thrill: A Tribute to Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Philly act Soulidified wants to get you dancing this Halloween. As a tribute to MJ’s killer album, Soulidified will be performing hits from Thriller. Oh, but they’re not alone. Special guests The Dox and DJ Ambush will provide the tunes and Range Da Messenga is hosting. Costumes are encouraged (naturally) and the show is all ages.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street
Admission: $15

P.S. & Co.’s All Hallows Bash
The Rittenhouse cafe is getting into the Halloween spirit for a good cause. This Prohibition-themed party will feature live jazz/swing music from Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society, a costume contest, organic and vegan eats, and cocktails made with cold-pressed juices. All proceeds from the all-inclusive tickets benefit the Humane League of Philadelphia and Red Paw Emergency Relief Team.
When: 7:30-10:00 p.m.
Where: P.S. & Co., 1706 Locust Street
Admission: $45 in advance, $55 at the door

Henri David’s Halloween Ball
Philly’s one and only Halloween Ball is celebrating its 46th year, and it’s sure to be as entertaining as ever If you don’t wear a costume to this event, you’ll feel quite left out – not to mention, it’ll cost you extra! And why would you skip dressing up? You could win the title of Most Sensual Fantasy, Most Hysterical, or Most Unbelievably Spectacular! Tickets can be purchased at the door.
When: 9:00 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, 201 North 17th Street
Admission: $25 in costume, $60 for those without!

Mimi Imfurst is ready to do the Time Warp…again. | Photo via Facebook

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live at Voyeur
Let’s do the time warp again! (Sorry, we had to.) Join the Dollhouse Revue and the iconic Mimi Imfurst starring as Dr. Frank N. Furter in this live, interactive production of everyone’s favorite rock and roll musical. Come in costume and enjoy a special pre-show with Satine Harlow.
When: Doors open 9:00 p.m.
Where: Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 Saint James Street
Admission: $10 (table reservations can be made by messaging Dollhouse Revue on Facebook)

Saturday, November 1st

Peddler’s Village 41st Annual Apple Festival
If you’re tired of the Halloween scene but aren’t ready to let go of fall fests, check out this two-day event. You’ll see the usual goods, of course: local vendors with food and art, crafters doing demonstrations, live music and children’s activities. But you’ll also see a pie eating contest (three guesses what kind of pie), apple cider, apple cakes, caramel apples, apple butter and more.
When: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Where: Peddler’s Village, 41 Peddler’s Village Road, Lahaska, PA
Admission: Free parking & admission, goodies are pay-as-you-go

Day of the Dead Celebration at Penn Museum
Head to the Penn Museum for a full afternoon of Day of the Dead activities. There will be songs and dancing in the Dia de lose Muertos tradition, puppetry, arts and crafts, and storytelling. A special altar created for the holiday by artists from the Mexican Consulate and Mexican Cultural Center will be on view, while smaller groups will create their own altars in hopes of winning a prize. Don’t miss it this celebration of Mexican culture.
When: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Where: The Penn Museum, 3260 South Street
Admission: Free with general admission

Distrito’s Day of the Dead Bash
If you’re looking for more grown-up Dia de los Muertos fun, then look no further than Jose Garces’ Distrito in University City. Enjoy food and drink specials downstairs or check out their themed cocktails and special menu upstairs. Wait until 8:00 p.m. and you’ll hear three hours of live music from a DJ.
When: 5:00-11:00 p.m.
Where: Distrito, 3945 Chestnut Street
Admission: Pay-as-you-go

The Mutter Museum will celebrate Dia de los Muertos this weekend | Photo via Facebook

Dia De Los Muertos at The Mütter Museum
Of all the creepy places in Philadelphia, the Mütter Museum may be the ideal spot for a Day of the Dead celebration. They’ll be serving up a full day of activities, including traditional food and drinks and a chance to decorate your own sugar skull and make paper flowers. Plus you’ll be, you know, surrounded by skulls.
When: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: The Mütter Museum, 19 South 22nd Street
Admission: Free with general admission

Sunday, November 2nd

“War of the Worlds” On Stage
This weekend, 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. Catch the last showing this Sunday before it’s gone for good.
When: 2:00 p.m.
Where: Drexel’s URBN Center Annex’s Black Box Theater, 3401 Filbert Street
Admission: $15 for the general public, $5 with Drexel ID

South Street Headhouse District’s Day of the Dead Parade and Festival
If Saturday’s events didn’t satisfy your craving for Mexican culture, join South Street in a massive festival, complete with a parade procession. There will be plenty of activities like sugar skull crafts, local vendors, and food and drink specials. The parade leaves from Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens at 1:45 p.m. – don’t forget your deadliest duds!
When: 2:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: South Street Headhouse District, at 4th and South Streets
Admission: Pay-as-you-go

Fleisher Art Memorial’s Dia de los Muertos
End the weekend – and Fleisher Art Memorial’s Dia de los Muertos activities – by remembering those who have passed on and celebrating this Mexican holiday. Sunday will feature an altar celebration with Fleisher’s ColorWheels mobile art studio and special performances by Aztec dance group, Cenzontle Cuicatl.
When: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: 9th and Ellsworth Streets
Admission: Free