Family fun for the weekend: Halloween, Harry Potter and The Sphinx
The annual Harry Potter festival returns to Chestnut Hill this weekend. (Jen Bradley/for NewsWorks)
Here’s a look at fun family activities taking place throughout the city.
Harry Potter WeekendChestnut Hill Neighborhood
Potter fans, enthusiasts and the like, let your inner wizard and witch loose for the long-awaited weekend of magic, mystery and sorcery. All the creativity and excitement takes place in Diagon Alley, formerly known as Chestnut Hill. Parade, hunt, crawl the pub, ride the Knight Bus… all in the comfort of your coolest costume. Make your powers official with wand making at the Ollivander’s Wand Shop and cast away!Oct. 18-19Some activities are free and other requires a nominal fee.
Scarecrow WalkMorris Arboretum100 E. Northwestern Ave.
Come check out more than 20 scarecrows on display along Oak Allee. Vote for your favorite and help choose this year’s prizewinner.
Oct. 18-20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $16, children (3-7) $7, children under 3 are free!
Fun for Everyone- Family FUN! StationsSponsored by Let’s Go OutdoorsAwbury Arboretum1 Awbury Rd.Take a 60 minutes time out this weekend and take the kids out for a day of play, interaction and laughter. Get in on the relay game, make a creative craft and get your brain twisted in the Trivia Challenge.
Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m.
Philadelphia Zoo3400 W. Girard Avenue
Get a head start to the spirit of Halloween at the Zoo’s Annual Halloween Extravaganza this Saturday. Kids won’t want to miss out on the Masquerade party. There will be trick-or-treating, storytelling and live music.
Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m.Free with admission$18-20 per person/kids under 2 free
ArtSee ActivitiesThe Barnes Foundation2025 Ben Franklin Parkway
Join art lovers, wear your costume in celebrating October’s theme: Costumes & Camouflage. Make paper masks, paper puppet costumes and a collage cam bag.
Oct. 18-20, Friday: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Free with ticket pick-up at the front desk.
Sleepover Program: 40 Winks with the SphinxPenn Museum3260 South St.
For kids 6-12 years and their chaperones, this museum expedition is like none other. Become an explorer and journey through time and the globe. Travel to Egypt, Greece and South America via interactive games and crafts.
Oct. 18-19, 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 for regular admission/$40 for members; $45 for groups of 20 or more
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