There’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of autumn than with a fall festival. From harvest traditions to live entertainment and mouth–watering seasonal dishes, these celebrations have a little something for everyone to enjoy. So break out your favorite sweater and head to one of these fall festivals to ring in the cooler temperatures.
Midtown Village Fall Festival
Attracting thousands of visitors every year, the Midtown Village Fall Festival takes the term neighborhood block party to the next level. Explore the variety of unique boutiques and restaurants that call Midtown Village home (including Bella Turka’s globally sourced jewelry and Duross & Langel’s beauty products) at this free to walk through festival. You don’t want to miss out on all of the outdoor live entertainment, food and beverage samplings from local eateries, and vendor displays that this event has to offer.
When: October 5, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.
Where: Broad to 11th Street and Market to Spruce Street
Octoberfest and Made in Philadelphia Fall Market
Make your way over to Dilworth Park for not one, but two lively fall festivals. Start your day off at Octoberfest and sample some tasty seasonal foods. As far as beverages go, sip on some Maker’s Mark bourbon cocktails and craft beers like Victory Brewing Company's Festbier and Goose Island while watching live music from local bands and DJs at a stage sponsored by The Met Philadelphia.
For those of you interested in exploring Philly’s arts scene, the Made in Philadelphia Fall Market is the place to be. Show your support for locally based vendors displaying their original art, photos, accessories, and more. And don’t forget to stop by the west side of City Hall before you leave to check out seasonal vendors selling some farmers market favorites, like tiny pumpkins and oversized jugs of apple cider. Doughnuts, anyone?
Octoberfest
October 11, 12 p.m.–9 p.m.
October 12, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.
October 13, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Made in Philadelphia Fall Market
October 11, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
October 12, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
October 13, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Dilworth Park (1 S. 15th St.)
23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
Experience all the fun of a traditional Munich style Oktoberfest without having to splurge on a plane ticket at the 23rd Street Armory. The 16,000 square–foot space will be transformed this October into bona fide German festival tent decked out in Bavarian blue and white and filled with those iconic wood, communal tables. And like any Oktoberfest event, 23rd Street Armory’s Oktoberfest wouldn’t be complete without traditional dishes, beer from Hofbräuhaus München, and a whole lot of dancing.
Buy your tickets today and choose from three different four–hour sessions. You can purchase general admission for $25 which will get you entry into the festival, a liter of beer, and a German–style pretzel. Or if you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the Oktoberfest experience, take a look at the two VIP options they offer.
When: October 18, 7:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
October 19, 1 p.m.–5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
Where: 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd St.
Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market
Escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a day at the Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market. Every year, the Market’s annual Harvest Festival transforms Filbert Street into an urban farm complete with hay bales and corn stalks ripped straight from the country. Swap Uber rides for hay rides on an authentic farm tractor, snap some photos with your friends in the Market’s pumpkin patch, jam to live music, and chow down on delicious fall foods and treats. At this annual festival, you can take part in all your favorite traditional harvest celebrations without stepping foot outside of the city.
Where: October 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
When: Filbert Street
Whether you’re mourning summer's slow end or yearning for sweater and cider weather, living out your wildest fall fantasies at one of these Philly festivals will leave you ready to take on autumn.
