Looking to enjoy fall and Halloween festivities in University City? You're in luck! In addition to the many blocks participating in trick-or-treating, there are also some great community events for those looking to celebrate and have some fun. See our community calendar for a comprehensive list of neighborhood offerings and check out these highlights. 

Séance Evenings at Cornerstone B&B

The new owners of Cornerstone B&B at Head to Cornerstone B&B at 3300 Baring Street invite you to an evening of ghoulish fun at their Halloween Séance Nights! They proudly house 17 friendly spirits in their B&B and have invited Philly Ghost Hunt to lead guests in attempting to communicate with them using radio frequency devices, dowsing rods, and more. They will also be offering tarot card readings, pumpkin carving, and apple bobbing on their porch. Please BYOG (Bring Your Own Ghost)! Period inspired dress is encouraged, but not required. The events will run from 7 pm - 9 pm on October 18th and October 25th. Advance ticket purchase required. Please contact them at 215-387-6065 or [email protected] to reserve your space.

Historic Homes of University City Tour

Join the University City Historical Society on Saturday, October 19th from 11 am to 3 pm for a tour of a delightful assortment of homes listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. This self-guided tour will provide an inside look into some of West Philadelphia’s most beloved properties, including those on St. Mark’s Square, Woodland Terrace, and the newly created Chester Regent Historic District. The curated collection of homes will feature interiors both beautifully preserved and imaginatively adapted, challenging the notion of what it may be like to live in a listed property.

The tour will begin at The Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut Street. This tour is $25 for members of the University City Historical Society, and $35 for non-members. Get your tickets here. 

Halloween Family Fun Day at The Woodlands

Enjoy a fun and free day of festivities on October 20th at The Woodlands! The day will include a site-wide scavenger hunt, activities, the Mini Mutter Museum and more! 

Community Family Harvest Fest

Head to the Holy Apostles & the Mediator Episcopal Church on Friday, October 25th beginning at 6pm for a Community Family Harvest Fest! The event will feature movies, dancing, arts & crafts, cupcake decorating, candy, slime, contests, prizes and refreshments. Find the event at 260 South 51st Street. Everyone is welcome! 

October Events at City Tap House

City Tap House is getting into the Halloween spirit with multiple fun and spooky events. 

• Horror Movies Quizzo on October 23rd
  • ​Test your knowledge of chilling movies new and old while enjoying food and drink specials
• Bloodied Brunch on October 26th
  • ​Are you ready to eat, drink, and be scary? Join a spooky brunch party featuring specials, free face-painting, and scary tunes
• Howloween on October 30th
  • Pints and pus in adorable costumes! Bring your dog in his cutest get-up and you might just win sweet prizes in our costume contest

Trunk or Treat at uSciences

Join student organizations from University of the Sciences for a Trunk or Treat on Thursday, Oct 31, 6-7:30p.m.. USciences student organizations will be handing out treats to children dressed up for trick or treating in the USciences parking lot. Perfect for the whole family! Location – USciences Main Parking Lot (Enter at 42nd St. and Woodland Ave)

Community Cleanup Day

Help keep your neighborhood clean by joining a community cleanup on Saturday, October 26th from 9am to 2pm. UCD is partnering with the City of Philadelphia to assist block captains, students, volunteer groups and neighbors by providing trash bags, brooms, work gloves, and trash pickup. Due to community input, this will be the first of two fall cleanups we will organize. Please stay tuned for details on the second cleanup, which will occur near the end of November or early December.

To sign up and join the effort, please contact us via email or by calling 215-243-0555. 

Dia del los Muertos at the Penn Museum

Now in its eighth year, ​CultureFest! Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration welcomes you to experience Mexican culture and its rich traditions at this family-friendly afternoon filled with music and dance performances, puppetry and storytelling, face painting, sugar skulls, and arts & crafts on Saturday, October 26th.  

The centerpiece of the celebration, presented in the Rotunda, is an elaborate Day of the Dead altar created by artists from the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia and the Mexican Cultural Center, built just for ​CultureFest! Día de los Muertos​. Everyone is invited to bring a photo or memento to place at a communal altar, to remember the passing of a loved one. Click this link for more information. 

Spruce Hill Tot Parade

The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade returns for the 23rd year to Spruce Hill! on Thursday, October 31st. Local tots are invited to gather beginning at 45th and Larchwood beginning at 4 PM for a parade through the neighborhood. The parade begins at 4:30, and will conclude at the 4200 block of Osage Avenue. After the parade, families will be treated to baked goods and cider courtesy of neighbors and local businesses, plus fun activities. 

The Woodlands Gobble Wobble 5k

This 5K wobble takes you through the historic grounds of William Hamilton's 18th century estate, 19th century cemetery and modern day urban oasis. Outrun the West Philly Turkey and support the neighborhood's best running spot. The race takes place on the paved road within The Woodlands Cemetery, with the start and finish line near the Hamilton Mansion. The first place runners for Women and Men will win a turkey or (tofurkey!) from Mariposa Co-op. All proceeds from this race go towards the continued improvement of The Woodlands for our community. Please plan to bring non-perishable food items for a food drive for the Friends of Kingsessing Library. 

Details and registration here: https://www.runtheday.com/register/detail/the-woodlands-gobble-wobble-5k-2019