Harry Potter and festivals galore: 5 weekend activities for families

Autumn months offer so many kid-friendly activities in Philadelphia, and this weekend is no exception. Take a look at a few events in Northwest Philly and beyond.

Friday and Saturday: Harry Potter Weekend in Chestnut Hill

The magical time of year when Muggles and Wizards unite in Chestnut Hill for the annual Harry Potter Festival is baaaaaak!

Even if your little ones are a wee bit young for the Harry Potter conference and Pub Crawl, but there’s still plenty of ways to entertain them.

On Friday night, young wizards can take a Defense Against the Dark Arts class or watch a viewing of a certain relevant movie.

Saturday allows kids from any of the four houses to run in the Friends of J.S. Jenks 5K Run/1 Mile Walk, watch the train arrive from Station 9 & 1/2, check out Quidditch games, explore the straw maze, play Wizard’s Chess, Hunt for the Horcrux, experience the Sorting Hat and enjoy readings, potions, films, spells and more!

Saturday: Greene Street Friends Annual Fall Fair

Have fun while contributing to a worthy cause.

The Greene Street Friends School Annual Fall Fair offers fun for the whole family from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Offerings include a Haunted House, dunk tank, live music, food, craft vendors, mums and pumpkin sale, facet painting, games and prizes.

Proceeds go to help fund the Costa Rica Exchange Program. Rain date is Sunday.

Saturday: Harvest on Henry Festival

Celebrate the end of the main growing season with food, ice cream and a pie-baking contest, live music, hay rides, the petting barnyard and the ever-famous Cow Plop Bingo featuring Nina the Cow.

Oh, there’s pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf and pumpkin painting, too.

The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Saul farm, across from W.B. Saul High School, 7100 Henry Ave. Admission is free, there’s plenty of street parking, the Route 27 bus stops right at the gate and the rain date is Sunday.

Saturday: Fall Family Fun Days with Furry Friends

Head over to Sister Cities Park at 18th St. and the Ben Franklin Parkway for a fall celebration.

Music from DJ Patty Pat, free hayrides, animal-themed face-painting, storytelling, hula-hooping and animal-care information will be on hand.

Be sure to check out the scarecrow festival while you’re there (decorated by the talented kiddos from the Parks and Rec after-school program).

Can’t make it this weekend? That’s fine. Next Saturday, the WHYY Kids Club will present Buddy the Dinosaur at the fest.

Sunday: Queen Village Art Center Fall Festival

From 3 to 5 p.m., the Queen Village Art Center (514 Bainbridge St.) will host a fall festival celebrating arts and community.

In coordination with Mural Arts Month, families can enjoy mural-themed arts-making stations for all ages, artist demonstrations, food trucks and Mural Arts Trolley Tours.

Kids can also get fresh-off-the-press copies of “Let’s Draw, Philly,” a beyond-coloring book inspired by six city murals.

In conclusion

There’s so much to choose from, yet so little time.

But did I mention the HARRY POTTER FESTIVAL is this weekend?