Have a scary good time in PA this fall! Pursue your happiness at these October events showcasing the state’s best spooktacular food, drinks, music, and Halloween happenings.
1. Fall Foliage Train Rides
All aboard fall in PA in York County! With three historic railroads offering scenic rides, you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful and vibrant colors of fall from the comfort of a rail car. Choose from rides on the Northern Central Railway, Ma and Pa Railroad, or Stewartstown Railroad. Gather together up to 20 of your favorite people and book Stewartstown Railroad’s iconic Blue Caboose to enjoy an unforgettable outing with friends and family this fall.
When: Now-Oct. (dates vary by railroad)
Where: York
Cost: Price varies
2. Philadelphia International Unity Cup
Celebrating and uniting Philadelphia’s many multicultural communities through soccer, the 7th Annual Philadelphia International Unity Cup is a months-long, World Cup-style elimination tournament. In August, dozens of teams representing different nations from around the globe began competing to be in October’s coveted championship match hosted at Subaru Park, home of Philly’s own American professional soccer club, the Philadelphia Union. Be sure to check their website for the latest info on dates and locations where all the soccer action is happening and attendance is free!
When: Now-Oct.
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Free
3. Delco Arts Week
Enjoy more than 50 events during the 5th Annual Delco Arts Week celebrating and showcasing the creative artists and vibrant cultural institutions of Delaware County. Featured events and activities include the performing, visual, and creative arts with classes, concerts, film, dance, exhibitions, festivals, workshops, and activities for kids with Delco artists and performers sharing their talents and love for the arts.
When: Now-Oct. 8
Where: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
4. Fall Harvest Festival
Equestrian House’s family-friendly Fall Harvest Festival is a certified pumpkin palooza. Pick your favorite pumpkin in the patch, face your fears in the haunted house, and take a tour of the bee farm to enjoy a raw honey tasting. An advocate for local agriculture and agritourism, you’ll also find a variety of local vendors selling fall decor, flowers, and locally grown produce during the Fall Harvest Festival.
When: Oct. 7-8
Where: Pleasant Mount
Cost: Free
5. 20th Anniversary Fall Film Festival
If movie marathons are your fall activity of choice, you must attend Dietrich Theater’s Fall Film Festival. This year, the historic theater and cultural center is celebrating 20 years of foreign independent and art films with 21 features over 21 days. Bring your friends to downtown Tunkhannock to enjoy food, beer, wine, and fabulous films like “Theatre Camp,” “Two Tickets to Greece,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
When: Now-Oct. 12
Where: Tunkhannock
Cost: Price varies
6. Fall Fest at Yenser’s Tree Farm
Revel in that crisp, fall-air feeling during Yenser’s Tree Farm’s annual Fall Fest. Offering beautiful views of the Mahoning Valley, Yenser’s is the perfect place to spend the day with the entire family enjoying the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and Farm Fun Kids Zone. For even more fall fun, check out the free hayrides that circle the property.
When: Now-Oct. 22
Where: Lehighton
Cost: Free
7. Port Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival
Celebrate the fall harvest season during Port Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival. While this family farm dates back to 1897, the festival features all the 21st century fun including an eight-acre corn maze, a slide mountain, apple cannons, and a low ropes adventure course. Bring the whole crew to take in the festival’s animal exhibits, pick out pumpkins, and search for fun fall decor.
When: Now-Oct. 29
Where: Waterford
Cost: Price varies
8. Asian Lantern Festival: World of Wonders at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Experience the wonder of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium at night with a trip around the world at their all new, 3rd Annual Asian Lantern Festival. Honoring the zoo’s 125th anniversary, the festival features more than 50 larger-than-life, luminous, handcrafted sculptures featuring Chinese symbols, terra cotta warriors, a variety of land, aquatic, and Chinese Zodiac animals, and even a three-story pagoda adorned in dazzling red and gold lights. As you stroll along the zoo’s walkways, you’ll learn about Asian history and culture. The festival also features delicious Asian delicacies and amazing entertainment.
When: Now-Oct. 29, (Thursdays- Sundays)
Where: Pittsburgh
Cost: Price varies
9. Scarecrows in the Village
Every fall for the past 44 years Peddler’s Village has hosted Scarecrows in the Village, one of the village’s most beloved traditions ushering in the change of seasons. Lining the winding brick pathways of the autumn-tinted Village, more than 100 family-friendly scarecrows are on display. Some are silly, some are scary, but all are homemade by Philly-area residents and organizations. Visit to vote for your favorite with the winners announced on Oct. 13 and on display through the end of October.
When: Now-Oct. 29
Where: New Hope
Cost: Free
10. FallFest at Shady Brook Farm
Shady Brook Farm’s annual FallFest provides loads of fall fun from day to night without the fright! Go pumpkin picking, hop on a scenic wagon ride, eat spooky snacks, feed barnyard animals, cozy up next to bonfires, and weave your way through the five-acre corn maze. Stick around at night for a not-too-spooky wagon ride through woods where you’ll find your favorite Halloween characters lit up and dancing to themed tunes at the farm’s Eerie Illuminations Halloween light show.
When: Now-Oct. 29
Where: Yardley
Cost: Price varies
11. Scary Harry’s Haunted Trail
Prepare yourself for a frighteningly good time at Scary Harry’s award-winning Haunted Trail! Located in Homer City, Scary Harry’s is back for its 14th season and bigger and better than ever with multi-level madness spread across a cemetery and five horrifying houses.
When: Now-Oct. 29 (Fridays-Sundays)
Where: Homer City
Cost: $20 general admission
12. Fair Haven Farms Fall Festival
Fair Haven Farms Fall Festival rings in autumn each year with loads of fun. Spend a splendid fall afternoon picking pumpkins, riding the hayride, and navigating the corn maze then try your hand at some Punkin’ Chunkin’. Little ones will love exploring the mini maze and saying hello to very special hen friends Snowflake, Batman, and Optimus Prime.
When: Now-Oct. 29 (weekends)
Where: Grove City
Cost: $15 general admission; Free for children ages 2 and under
13. The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival takes place each year at Country Junction, the world’s largest general store. While the festival takes place daily, weekends are extra special, filled with live entertainment, fair food, and carnival rides. Festival highlights include a hayride, 3-D fun house, paintball, gourd grenades, pony rides, and gem mining, culminating with the Kids Costume Party, Oct. 28 -29, when little ghouls and goblins parade through the festival collecting tasty treats.
When: Now-Oct. 29
Where: Lehighton
Cost: Free
14. Morris ArBOOretum & Gardens
The Morris Arboretum & Gardens magically transforms into the ArBOOretum during the month of October to deliver visitors Halloween delights! In celebration of the arboretum’s 90th anniversary as a beautiful public garden at the University of Pennsylvania, this year’s annual Scarecrow Walk pays homage to the 1990s. Bring the kids to vote for their favorite designs online, and don’t miss the family-friendly pumpkin carving party and trick-or-treat trail!
When: Now-Oct. 31
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Price varies
15. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular
Come in costume and join in on all the silly, not-too-spooky fun during The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place! Bring a basket for trick-or-treating around the park, holler during Halloween-themed shows and parades, have fun at the interactive Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and snap a few photos with everyone’s favorite furry friends who will be decked out in their best costumes.
When: Now-Nov. 5
Where: Langhorne
Cost: Price varies
16. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Always a scary good time, Halloween Nights uses all ten acres of the abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary, the country’s most historic prison, for its Halloween extravaganza. Where else can you find five haunted houses all in the same locale, along with themed bars and lounges, live performances, and historic tours with a super creepy feel! Be sure to stop in the Halloween Tribute, Eastern State Penitentiary, and Tricks & Treats stores where you’ll find great Halloween-themed merch and tasty treats!
When: Now-Nov. 11
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Price varies
17. Longwood Gardens Chrysanthemum Festival
Longwood Gardens invites you to “fall in love with fall’s favorite flower” at this year’s Chrysanthemum Festival. Cherished for their exquisite beauty and distinct colors, forms, and varieties, chrysanthemums or simply “mums” take center stage in vibrant shades of pinks, oranges, and reds during the autumn season. As you stroll through the gardens, see if you can find chrysanthemums that match each of the flower’s 13 different classifications according to the unique shape of its bloom.
When: Now-Nov. 12
Where: Kennett Square
Cost: Included with admission
18. Hollabaugh Bros. Lil. Dumplings Program
Specifically designed for little munchkins between the ages of two and five years of age, Hollabaugh Bros. farm’s Lil. Dumplings themed story times teach little ones about various aspects of farming in a fun and engaging way. Each session has a specific theme, including bees, butterflies, soil, various fruits, and the moon, with a story, hands-on activities, and take-home treat tied to each theme.
When: Every Tuesday in Oct.
Where: Biglerville
Cost: $8 general admission
19. Cheeseman Fright Farm
Just a short drive from Pittsburgh, Cheeseman Fright Farm is home to all things that go bump in the night. The isolated 300-acre farm’s haunted hayride, corn maze, and other hair-raising attractions are teeming with more than 100 actors hiding behind every corner. Book a private bonfire to continue the scary-good fun as you swap ghost stories with your crew.
When: Weekends in Oct.
Where: Portersville
Cost: Price varies
20. Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival
Enjoy downtown Jim Thorpe in all its autumn splendor during weekends at the town’s Fall Foliage Festival. Take a scenic train ride, create your very own homemade arts and crafts, savor delicious foods, dance to live music, experience a spooky ghost tour, and enjoy seasonal specials from local restaurants, shops, and galleries.
When: Weekends in Oct.
Where: Jim Thorpe
Cost: Free
21. Pumpkin Festival at Reeger’s Farm
Spend a perfect fall day in PA at Reeger’s Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival. With a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, hayrides, barnyard, children’s activities, corn maze, delicious food, and, new this year, corn cannon and pumpkin bowling, one day might not be enough to fit in all the fun!
When: Weekends in Oct.
Where: Shelocta
Cost: Price varies
22. The Rustic Ranch Fall Fun Days
Enjoy the corn maze, hayride, corn pit, pumpkin patch, and tube slides during Rustic Ranch’s Fall Fun Days. Little ones will love the We ‘Dig’ Halloween Zone, kiddie farm, petting zoo, and kid’s farm-to-table play center, while kids of all ages will enjoy a rousing game of nerf wars and gravity wagon basketball or football. Be sure to snap some family photos against the fantastic fall backdrop at the various photo displays!
When: Weekends in Oct.
Where: Indiana
Cost: $7 general admission; Free for children ages 3 and under
23. Eerie Horror Fest
Vampire slayers and ghosthunters, grab your popcorn – the annual Eerie Horror Fest is back! This four-day film festival features screenings of frightening short and feature-length films including “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead.” Beyond scream-inducing screenings, the film festival hosts celebrity guests, film workshops, panelist discussions, and networking opportunities for filmmakers looking to break into the industry.
When: Oct. 4-7
Where: Erie
Cost: Price varies