Looking for some last-minute plans for Halloween in Philly this year? We’ve got you covered.
Nightmare Before Tinsel
The annual return of this popular destination will be in full swing on Halloween. Philadelphians will be entering into a vampire carnival-themed activation, chock full of different Halloween drinks (some of which come in souvenir cups), seasonal craft beers, photo stations, and much more. Hours for Halloween are 4 p.m. to midnight.
116 S. 12th St., facebook.com/Tinselphilly
Henri David’s Halloween Ball
Now in its 55th year, the 2023 Henri David Halloween Ball will be back on the big night (Tuesday, Oct. 31) to offer Philadelphians a grand chance to enjoy the holiday. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the evening will feature plenty of themed fare, plus, a costume contest (10 p.m.) with multiple categories to choose from.
The event will take place at The Kimmel Center (Broad and Spruce streets) and tickets run for $25 for those in costume and $75 for anyone just watching. Further information can be found at 215-732-7711.
Craftsman Row Saloon’s Halloween Pop-Up
Food and drinks-wise Craftsman Row Saloon’s Halloween menu will feature butternut squash bisque, an Autumn salad, “haunted” mac and cheese (made with pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and bread crumbs), “spooghetti” and meatballs, the spooky birthday French toast, plus some handhelds like the mummy stromboli, all hallow’s eve chicken sandwich and monster burger.
Sweets-wise, the new milkshake offerings will span the “This is Halloween” ($18), made with local chocolate ice cream with a blended sugar cookie, house-made Jack cookies, black rock candy, plus black and white sprinkles, and then the “Halloween Basket” ($19), made with local vanilla ice cream with blended Kit Kats, Reese’s-Twix-chocolate candy toppings, sugar candy wedges, rope candy, Halloween sprinkles and a keepsake pumpkin basket.
There’s also an adult milkshake added to the pop-up, the “Apple Pickin’” ($17), made with local vanilla ice cream, Fireball, Buttershots, apple, caramel and a graham crumble topping, plus plenty of themed cocktail options to try. The pop-up will be at Craftsman until Oct. 31.
112 S. 8th St., craftsmanrowsaloon.com
Uptown Upside Down
Back for another year, Uptown Beer Garden has transformed into the Upside Down, and locals can experience it for themselves for Halloween in Philly. Themed around the hit Netflix show, Philadelphians can look for notable scenes, custom-made props, authentic art pieces and hand-sculpted monsters. Plus on the cocktail menu, there will be show-inspired cocktails and potions, along with a new menu of hearty fall favorites from the kitchen.
Uptown is family-friendly for Halloween this year—children and teens are welcome when accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight.
1500 John F Kennedy Blvd., uptownbeer.com
Taqueria NeverAMOR
Manayunk is home to the NeverAMOR Pop Up, aka Taqueria Amor’s Wednesday Addams-inspired activation, which features themed drinks and decor on the menu, spanning the Once Upon a Midnight Dreary, Festering Woes, Pirhanas in the Pool, Handy Apple, Night Shade and fare like birria tacos and chicken tamales. And Philadelphians can check it all out now through Halloween, Oct. 31.
4410 Main St., taqueriaamor.com
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Halloween Nights in 2023 features three new reimagined experiences, on top of all of the fan favorites coming back from last year. A huge part of the activation is the haunted houses—five to be exact—plus historic tours, museum experiences and seasonal activations in the form of a s’mores lounge, themed bars and performances.
When inside of the ESP, those brave enough to participate can make their way through the Big Top Terror, Nightmares, The Crypt, Machine Shop and Delirium. With Big Top, which was new last year, Philadelphians will find themselves behind the scenes at a sinister carnival, and for Nightmares, also new last year, the scares come in the form of sleep paralysis demons and The Sandman.
However, as a release states, Halloween Nights has also expanded several scare zones throughout the festival for the 2023 season, including a courtyard in the northwest corner of the Penitentiary complex that now allows two paths for visitors to choose from with scary, or less scary as choices.
The Bizarre Bar features some off-the-clock performers from the Big Top, while also sporting carnival-themed food and drinks. At The Bloodline Lounge on the other hand, guests can indulge in vampire-themed food and drinks in this darkly styled watering hole. There’s also the Fair Chance Beer Garden, and it features interactive/educational programs, Detroit-styled pizza from Down North, beer from Triple Bottom Brewery and soft drinks.
For a full list of offerings for Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, visit their website.
2027 Fairmount Ave., easternstate.org
