Fun fall things to do in Philly this weekend

Looking for some fun and unique fall things to do in Philly this week? We’ve got you covered.

Philadelphia Marketplace Fall Market

Taking place Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 8, this Dilworth Park pop-up will coincide with Center City District’s Harvest Weekend, which also encompasses Dilworth and the West side of City Hall —so there’s going to be a lot to see and do.

Local craftsmen, designers, merchants, and small businesses will offer their mostly handmade goods at the Philadelphia Marketplace Fall Market. Philadelphians can find items like pumpkin spiced candles of all kinds, locally made apparel and skin care, dog treats, unique jewelry, art and crafts, and much more, a release states. The Market will also feature vendors selling treats like freshly roasted nuts, homemade pound cakes and cupcakes, Boa Buns, custard, and other desserts.

 madeinphila.com

Old City Fest

Kicking off on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the annual activation will feature live music, artists, pop-up street performances, and a wide array of food and beverage options, plus craft and retail shopping with over 100 local vendors participating in the fun.

All the action can be found along N. 3rd Street (from Market to Race streets) and Arch Street (from 2nd to 4th streets) with a Family Fun Zone presented by WSFS Bank and Main Stage presented by City Winery holding most of the performances scheduled—including magician/entertainer Doug Wonder, plus an activation by the Philadelphia Union.

Food and drink wise, there is also a lot to see at Old City Fest — over a dozen local vendors to be exact, plus in addition to restaurants, shops, fashion, family fun, music, artists, and makers, visitors can also look for booths by local businesses, non-profits, sponsors, and other vendors spanning different Old City retailers. 

 oldcitydistrict.org

Slide-A-Thon 

Taking place on Oct. 6 (for corporate teams) and Oct. 7 (for families and friends), Philadelphians can head to Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse for its 4th annual Slide-A-Thon. 

The event will feature opportunities for all ages to participate in slide games, partake in challenging obstacle courses, and take part in team activities. And as a release states, the little ones will also have a chance to showcase their creativity through engaging arts and crafts. The Slide-A-Thon will act as a fundraiser to support Smith and the beloved Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, situated within Smith’s historic 16,000-square-foot Playhouse and 6.5-acre Playground in East Fairmount Park. 

Registration is open for the event now. 

3500 Reservoir Dr., smithplayground.org

Chestnut Hill’s Night of Lights 

The annual event from Chestnut Hill Conservancy lets visitors learn about architecture, archives, and local history along Germantown Avenue between Willow Grove Avenue and Bethlehem Pike. The official kick-off will include a Flip the Switch ceremony starting at 6:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, held in the outdoor open space on East Hartwell next to the Foliage Plant Boutique.

Following that, Philadelphians can stick around for storytellers at each themed projection window, music from various local acts like from MilkBoy co-founder Tommy Joyner’s Pep Rally, plus entertainment from Maplewood Music Studios (including performances by Maplewood Music Studios teachers Rich Rudin, Larry Cohen, John “Jocko” MacNelly, and Ralph Salerno), a release states.

chconservancy.org

Camden Adventure Aquarium Fintastic Fall Days 

This new activation at the CAA kicked off last month and will run until Nov. 5. Fintastic Fall Days features aquatically-themed displays of lit-up gourds showcased throughout the Aquarium, both floating on the surface and sunken deep below among sharks, rays, and other aquatic animals, a release states.

Additionally, Philadelphians can also find hands-on activities for kids like pumpkin slime and other hands-on sensory experiences included with admission, plus a $5 option to paint and take home their own pumpkin masterpieces. The activation will also feature some new food on the menu including sweet potato tots, a smoked maple sausage pizza, a pumpkin fish cone (aka a pumpkin-flavored waffle cone served with vanilla or chocolate soft serve), plus some new pumpkin drinks options served at the Flying Fish beer garden among some of the options. 

1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey, adventureaquarium.com

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Reading Terminal Market’s Harvest Festival will be in full swing on Filbert Street. The family-friendly event will feature a bluegrass band, line dancing, a scarecrow stilt walker, axe throwing, pumpkin painting, a pretzel twisting demonstration and contest hosted by Miller’s Twist, and a beer garden hosted by Molly Malloy’s.

And as always, the annual event will also feature specials and fall favorites throughout the Market like pumpkin ice cream from Bassett’s, mini churros from El Merkury and more. 

1136 Arch St., readingterminalmarket.org