6 fall festivals in Philadelphia

Summer may be just about officially over, but we refuse to go back inside. Here are six not-to-miss outdoor fall festivals.

1.Mid-AutumnFestival

Sept. 19, from 12:45 p.m.
Pay as you go
AsianAmericans United hosts the 20th annual fall festival in Chinatown, under the China Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch. The daylong cultural celebration includes carnival games, arts and crafts, music, dancing and even a mooncake-eating contest. Make sure to stay until 6 p.m. to see the dragon dance, lion dance and lantern parade.

2.Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village

Sept. 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pay as you go
It doesn’t get more fall-tastic than a scarecrow-making competition. Vote for your favorite straw-stuffed gentleman during the Scarecrow Festival in quaint Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Bucks County. Learn to make your own scarecrow in a hands-on workshop, sign up for the pumpkin pie-eating contest and decorate jack-o-lanterns. The weekend also includes live music for both grown-ups and kids and food from Cock ’n Bull, Earl’s and Giggleberry Fair.

3.Craft Phila

Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pay as you go
Liberty Bell Fairs hosts this artwork, fashion and crafts fair with local and visiting artists selling handmade ceramics, clothes, jewelry,
soaps, candles and more on historic Independence Mall, between Sixth and Seventh streets and Chestnut and Market. Bring the kids, because there will be activities for them too, plus food trucks and music.

4.Midtown VillageFall Festival

Oct. 3, noon to 8 p.m.
Pay as you go
It’s the 10th year for this oversized block party in Midtown Village, a lively section of Center City that runs from 11th Street up to Broad and from Market to Spruce. The hub of the festival is the restaurant-lined corner of 13th and Sansom, but with tens of thousands of people showing up it spreads out through the neighborhood. Come for the music, food and multiple beer gardens.

5.Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival

Oct. 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pay as you go
The charming neighborhood of Chestnut Hill turns into an outdoor arts and crafts market, with 150 artists selling paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry and more. Vendors will be set up on the main drag, Germantown Avenue, from Willow Grove to Rex avenues. While you stroll and browse, there will be live music playing and activities to keep the kids entertained. Come back to Chestnut Hill Oct. 16 and 17 for the annual Harry Potter Festival, complete with pub crawl and Quidditch tournament.

6.PhiladelphiaCheesesteakFestival

Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lincoln Financial Field
$20-$60
While we’ll proclaim far and wide that the Philly food scene has way more to offer than cheesesteaks, we’re also secretly proud we make them better than anyone else — and kind of surprised this will be the city’s first-ever cheesesteak fest. Head to the stadium to try over 40 different local versions of our oft-imitated, never-duplicated sandwich, along with beer, music, an eating competition and a cook-off, onsite radio hosts from 97.5 the Fanatic, WMMR, MGK and Ben-FM, an appearance by former Phillie Darren Daulton, carnival games and a mechanical bull, which should be extra fun to ride after you’ve stuffed yourself with meat and cheese.