Your guide to a spooky and family-friendly Halloween in Northwest Philly

If you’re looking for Halloween events to get you in the holiday mood, here’s a round-up of the events and festivities happening in Northwest Philly for adults, kids and teenagers.

The 10th Annual Gravediggers’ Ball at the Wanamaker Building Fri., Oct. 24, 7 p.m. to midnightSupport a good cause at the ghostly black-tie fundraising ball. Show up in formal wear, in costume, or a combination. Costume contests, music, dancing and silent auctions add to the sublimely creepy event.

Halloween Scary Stories at Stagecrafters TheaterOct. 24, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Stagecrafters will present its 12th Annual “Halloween Scary Stories,” featuring a cast of talented actors performing stories and poems. The event will include a mystery magic show and a costume contests.

Historic Stenton’s Halloween Harvest FestivalSat., Oct. 25, 1 to 3 p.m.Historic Germantown will be home to the Halloween Harvest Festival which will include crafts, games, pumpkin painting and a spooky cellar tour. All ages are welcome and the event is free, but reservations are requested! Call 215-329-7312.

Dog Costume Contest McMichael ParkSat., Oct. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.For those willing to trade scary for cute this Halloween, The East Fall Community Council’s Fall Festival will host a dog costume contest for a second year held at McMichael Park on the corners of Midvale and Henry Avenues. The event this year is a dog-friendly picnic and a “Pooch Parade” that benefits the construction of a dog park. Guests are invited to bring blankets, treats and non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, there’s a raffle!

16th annual Halloween Soccer Party at Vernon ParkSat. Oct. 25, 4 to 6 p.m.Watch Soccer Sisters United play in a Halloween-themed game on a haunted soccer field this weekend. The players will be decked out in costumes and the field will feature “ghoulies” instead of goalies, cornstalks for corner flags and other holiday decorations. 

Halloweekend in ManayunkVarious events from Thurs. Oct. 23 through Sat., Oct. 25

On Friday, the Halloween Family Movie Night kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in the new state-of-the-art Performing Arts & Recreation Center on Venice Island.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday the Philadelphia Flea Market, running from Rector to Lock streets, kicks off the festivities for adults and families to browse. Later in the day a doggie costume parade will provide a sweet overload for both adults and kids.

From noon to 4 p.m. trick or treating along Main Street (follow the Scarecrows) is a safe way for kids to satisfy their sweet tooths.

The night ends at 6 p.m. with a Halloween Fire where visitors can see lit barrels float down the canal for a scene that will be both hauntingly beautiful and will hopefully calm the kids down from their sugar intake.

Click here for a full schedule.

Ghost Tales and Goosebumps: Local Legends by Firelight at Laurel Hill CemeteryThurs., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Tours will depart every 30 min with the last tour departing at 9:30 p.m.Storytellers will gather around campfires at Laurel Hill Cemetery for blood-curdling Ghost Tales and Goosebumps. Be sure to pack a flashlight, but don’t worry — warm cider and snacks will be served. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at the door, via phone or online. Reservations are suggested for groups.

Theater of the Macabre! at FUMCOGOct. 30, 8 to 11 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m.The gothic-revival First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG) will be decorated as an haunting and eerie venue for a screening of the silent 1920 film “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” starring John Barrymore, who is buried in East Falls. A live score will be improvised on a four manual pipe organ by the church’s music director, Kevin O’Malia. A donation of $10 is suggested. Proceeds go towards the music ministry at FUMCOG.

East Falls Fall FestivalVarious events running through Oct. 31This festival has numerous events leading up to Halloween night.

Bring kids, family and friends (along with your own pumpkin) Pumpkin Painting in the garden at Ridge Ave. and Scotts Lane on Sun. Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon

On Wed. Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. well-known Philadelphians, including City Councilman Curtis Jones, will be reading at the Spooky Scary Story Time at the Falls of Schuylkill branch of the Free Library. Kids are allowed to come in costumes or pajamas.

The Fall Festival rounds out with a Haunted House on Halloween from 4 to 6 p.m at Chuck’s Garage to prepare everyone for the night of trick-or-treating.

Final-ly Friday Monster Mash on the 7100 block of Germantown Avenue in Mt. AiryFri. Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.This month’s Final-ly Friday in Mt. Airy will host a Monster Mash party. In addition to craft vendors and food specials, there will be a Halloween dance, a costume contest and other Halloween activities.

Mt. Airy Village Halloween Parade Join the annual parade of costumed children around C.W. Henry School in Mt. Airy Village. The Samba Drum class at Moving Arts of Mt Airy will play music starting at 6:30 p.m. Gather at Greene Street & Carpenter Lane, across from the Nesting House and Weavers Way Co-op starting at 6 p.m.

Straw Maze at the Woodmere Art MuseumWeekends through Nov. 2; Fri. 6 to 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.The Straw Maze: Bales of Cornwall is inspired this year by Philadelphia artist Walter Elmer Schofield’s Morning Tide-Coast of Cornwall painting (currently on display at the museum). Made from the typical massive straw bales, this year it doubles as a sculpture and a structure for kids to climb on. Created by a local architect and designer Peter Brown and Barbara Ann Sprague (BrownSprague LLC), the atmosphere is sure to bring a sense of outdoor fall adventure. On Saturdays, crafts for kids are also offered.