Every year, Morgan’s Pier really lights up in the chillier season. The waterfront destination might be a staple in the summer, but its Fall Fest is really where the unique activations occur.
In 2022, the popular venue has five weeks of pumpkin carving, a completely new fall food and drink menu, and festival decor all over. The fun officially began last week on Sept. 22, and now will run through Oct. 29.
During Fall Fest, visitors who head to Morgan’s Pier can pick a pumpkin from their patch with pumpkin carving kits on-site for use. Pumpkin carving is available Monday to Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. And every Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in October, the venue is also partnering with Tito’s Handmade Vodka for a Yappy Hour fundraiser to raise funds and awareness of the Pennsylvania SPCA. A portion of proceeds from the Yappy Hour specials will be donated.
Additional entertainment, including live acoustic music and a DJ is also scheduled every week on Thursday nights, Friday happy hour and night, Saturday day and night, and Sunday during the day.
Morgan’s Pier Oktoberfest will also kick off Saturday, Oct. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. While there, visitors can indulge in free-flowing beer and pretzels, plus live music from Dub C. And for $50 early bird and $60 general admission, guests will receive an open beer bar, unlimited soft pretzels, German-inspired food specials, and a Morgan’s Pier stein for the first 200 attendees through the door. After Oktoberfest, Philadelphians can stick around for DJ Xtina from 6 to 10 p.m. and DJ Menace Cartel from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Morgan’s Pier will end their biggest season yet with their annual Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 29. The party will be hosted by Brittany Lynn, the Don of the Philly Drag Mafia. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale in mid-October, starting at $60, and entry includes admission to the event, all-you-can-drink from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., musical entertainment by DJ Menace Cartel, free hot dogs, and the ability to enter the cash prize costume contest, with winners for both individual and group ensembles.
But while waiting for the special events, Morgan’s Pier menu is also chock full of seasonal food and drink options. Menu highlights include poutine, short rib fried rice, crab mac n’ cheese, pumpkin toast, shrimp and grits, plus an assortment of flatbreads (think mushroom, pepperoni and more) and sandwiches (fried fish po’boy, pork belly bahn mi, tuna melt and more).
Sweets include a pumpkin parfait and churro cup.
Libation wise, there’s also a lot to look forward too. The venue is featuring a Spiked S’mores which includes vanilla vodka, hot chocolate, honey cinnamon syrup and is topped with gooey marshmallows and drizzled with chocolate syrup and a graham cracker rim. There’s also a pumpkin spice treat, which guests can indulge in with an adult twist. The Spiked Pumpkin Latte will include Tito’s vodka, pumpkin puree, RumChata and coffee. As always, the venue will show off their season selections as well by offering Mainstay Octoberfest, Yuengling Hershey Porter, Sam Adam Oktoberfest and Downeast Craft Cider.
There will also be canned beers, and plenty to choose from in both the hot and warm cocktail list (with a pear spritz, Bloody Mary, apple spiced toddy, margarita, candied apple and more on the docket).
Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday to Sunday noon to 2:00am, weather permitting. For more information on Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.), visit morganspier.com.
