Top 10 ways to celebrate Halloween in NW Philly

The time has come for all Halloween enthusiasts to bust out their masks and wigs. Or maybe the nurse uniform, complete with white stockings and a hat. Referee? Pumpkin? One final hurrah for Harry Potter? Dare I mention Twilight?

Whatever you’re into, wear it proudly at one of these events in Manayunk, Roxborough and East Falls. Just please don’t dress as Lady Gaga — yet again. Or Snooki for that matter.

 

– Laurel Hill Cemetery Dining with the Dead

Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. – $50

3822 Ridge Avenue

Dine buffet-style, catered, candlelit dinner and dessert inside Laurel Hill’s historic Gatehouse. Take a flashlight walking tour through the National Historic Landmark Cemetery afterward and meet a few restless souls. Bring your own beer, wine and flashlights.

Advance Registration is required. 7 p.m. seating is SOLD OUT. 8:30 seating is still open. Purchase your tickets here.

 

– Halloween Hikes & Hayrides at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

Friday, Oct. 28 & Saturday, Oct. 29, 6-10 p.m. – $6 members/ $8 non-members

8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd.

Experience the Schuylkill Center’s woodlands for a night hike, hayride, and chance to meet nocturnal animals. Paint pumpkins and roast marshmallows around the campfire.

Space is limited and pre-registration required. Call 215-482-7300 x 110.

Contact: scee@schuylkillcenter.org, 215.482.7300×110, www.schuylkillcenter.org.

 

– Laurel Hill Cemetery Flashlight Tours

Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. – $20

3822 Ridge Avenue

Bring a flashlight for this dark travel along the cemetery. Learn the history of the site while passing gravestones, sculptures and meeting ghosts played by local talent, the Not Ready for Afterlife Players. Enjoy warm cookies and hot apple cider aside fire pits after the tour. End the night with a visit to the Phantom Photo Booth.

Hour-long tours will depart approximately every half-hour beginning at 7 p.m., and continuing until 9:30 p.m.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

– Philadelphia University Halloween Carnival

Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m., Kanbar Center, 4201 Henry Avenue

First to sixth graders are in for a party filled with games, stories, contests, pumpkins, food, prizes, and more. Reservations required: communityservice@phila.edu or 215-951-2634

 

– Scary Halloween Stories at Stagecrafters Theater

Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

8130 Germantown Avenue

Bring the little ones for treats, spooky stories, a mystery magic show, costume contests and prizes at the theater’s 9th annual “Halloween Scary Stories.” Evening performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday are for children up to 12-years-old. The 2 p.m. Saturday matinee will be a shorter program for children 7 and under.

Admission: children 12 and under are free (children must be accompanied by an adult), adults: $5. Reservations are recommended. To reserve, call 215-247-8881.

 

– Halloween in Manayunk

Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

9 a.m. – HallowYunk 5k

Register online for a costume run down Main Street. Meet at Bryn Mawr Running Co. Join everyone for a reception at Kildare’s Irish Pub afterward. Proceeds go to the DePaul Catholic Church.

12-4 p.m.- Trick or Treat costume parade on Main Street

Visit stores along Main Street for a treat. Participating merchants will display a bale of hay, a potted mum or a small pumpkin.

12-4 p.m.- Pumpkin carving contest in Canal View Park

Intersection of Main and Gay streets

$- Costs a pumpkin just to enter. Purchase one at the Main Street Market during the event or bring your own for a chance to craft a masterpiece and win cash prizes!

 

– Halloween at Pretzel Park

Saturday, October 29, 12-4 p.m.

12-3 p.m. – Halloween Songs

Musicians, Cris Valkyria and Lou Paglione, will play from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Cris, popular on Main Street, describes her music as “adult alternative, with a rock drive, elven flares and ethereal undertones,” according to her website. Valkyria will team up with Paglione for a Halloween-themed performance, featuring a child-friendly set. For more information visit: www.crisandlou.com.

12-4 p.m. – Pumpkin Painting

Pretzel Park will provide the pumpkins and supplies.

3-4 p.m. – Scary Stories

The Spiral Bookcase’s scary story hour will feature classic campfire stories, urban legends, and other frightening tales.

Contact: Ann Tetreault, 215-482-0704 or for more information, visit www.manayunk.com.

 

– Northlight Community Center’s Boo Fest

Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. – $10

Scanlon’s Saloon, 4201 Manayunk Avenue

Celebrate Halloween with drink specials, karaoke, a DJ, food and snacks. For information call North Light Community Center, 175 Green Lane, at 215-483-4800 ext. 106.

 

– Kids’ Halloween Party at the Falls of Schuylkill Library

Monday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. – FREE

Midvale and Warden Drive

Wear your costume to the library for trick-or-treating, music and a costume parade. For more information call: 215-685-2063.

 

– Trick or Treating at Doggie Style

Monday, Oct. 31, 4361 Main Street, 5-8 p.m.

Doggie style on Main Street in Manayunk will host a trick-or-teating for dogs in costume Monday night. Doggie Style will choose first, second and third place winners and notify their owners by email. All three will receive gift baskets filled with dog treats and toys.