Autumn is the best time of the year.
That’s, um, not an opinion.
Think about it. It’s cool enough to be outside without insects or reptiles ruining your life, but not so cold you mistake yourself for one of Shackleton’s crew.
Halloween and Thanksgiving glint on the horizon, with the winter holidays warmly on their heels.
Everything turns that toasty russet, gourds grow, and Sundays become just about right for that chili cooking all day on the stove.
You’re ready for it now, aren’t you?
Well then. Let’s get together a list of things you can do this fall. By yourself, with other adults, with your kids, or just your dog — it’s all up to you.
Thirsty?
Then let’s talk about booze.
Parks on Tap is a traveling beer garden rotating through the city’s parks.
No. You haven’t died and gone to heaven.
Also, it gets better.
Parks on Tap benefits the Fairmount Park Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Philadelphia’s parks.
It’s hard to imagine an autumnal activity topping that.
Unless you can bring your dog.
Fortunately, that’s where Well Crafted Beer Company comes in. Weather permitting, the non-Marley dogs of the universe can get a pup cup while you get your brew on at Well Crafted’s Lansdale or Ambler locations.
Yappy Hour — that’s actually, brilliantly what it’s called — runs from 1-3:00 PM every Sunday through December.
Yeah. December!
Let’s Party
Autumn isn’t autumn without a good festival. Fortunately, the Philly area has a fine selection. Pick one or hit ‘em all, you little overachiever.
The Downingtown Fall Fest, on Sunday, Oct. 5, promises food, crafts, and a little Victory Brewing.
No, it doesn’t belong with the first heading. Didn’t you hear me? Crafts?
C’mon. That’s totally different.
The following week, get a little culture with Chestnut Hill’s annual Fall for the Arts Festival. With Germantown Avenue shut down, you, the kids, and your pet can enjoy art, food, and activities.
So help me — you bring a snake and we’re done.
Over at Radnor Fall Festival, a $10 all-day fun pass gets you rides and face painting. Enter your dog in their Top Dog contest.
And keep your snake at home.
If your kids, like mine, are college-bound, have them check out Eastern State Penitentiary’s CollegeFest. Part of the larger Campus Philly’s CollegeFest, registrants of that event can get free daytime admission to the jail.
Yeah, I know. Technically, that all happens on the eve of autumn. But Eastern State holds tours in American Sign Language throughout the fall. So it totally counts.
Moving on.
Let’s Do Something!
There’s so much to do in Philly and its surrounding area in the fall, my editor might take an ax to this list.
Don’t do it, dude. This list rocks.
The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park runs through Oct. 25. From 10:00 AM-6:00 PM, rain or shine, the market hosts a selection of vendors each weekend. Bring cash.
Running through Oct. 26, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire features themed weekends and a weekly photo contest. And yes, for the love of all that’s holy, you can bring your dog and get a brewski.
I’m noticing a theme.
Ensemble Arts Philly has an impressive lineup of Broadway shows coming to Philadelphia in the fall.
Six makes history fun by molding Henry VIII’s wives into pop stars — “Don’t Lose Ur Head” is an epic play on words — and Back to the Future is every 80s kid’s dream. The musical fun starts Sept. 30 — Oct. 5 for Six, and Nov. 18-30 for Back to the Future.
Back to the Future, by the way, is shuttered on Broadway. Grab your tickets before you’re, well, out of time.
That’s a little cinephile humor for you.
The Navy and Marines celebrate their semiquincentennial anniversary this year. Visit Philly was kind enough to curate their events.
As the proud daughter of a Marine, I’m obligated to tell you about their 250th anniversary activities before I tell you about the Navy’s, even though the Marines celebrate a month later.
I mean, they were founded right here in Philly. We have to give that some props.
The Marine Corps anniversary is Monday, Nov. 10 — something I’m well-versed with because I was married the day before, and my father tried walking me down the aisle to “From the Halls of Montezuma.”
True story.
You can celebrate by watching the parade on JFK Boulevard or by catching a toast to the still-being-built Tun Tavern.
Not to be outdone, the Navy is celebrating from Oct. 9-13.
Hey. It’s not their fault the Marines are more efficient.
Catch a parade of ships from the Navy Yard or an outdoor screening of Ken Burns’ documentary on the American Revolution.
For fall fun and food trucks in Peddler’s Village, hit their OctoberFeast on Oct. 11-12. Historic Bristol Day, on Saturday, Oct. 18, has a car show and house tours, and the Colebrookdale Railroad runs its Autumn Cider and Donut Express from September through the weekend before Thanksgiving.
When you’re ready to work off the donuts and food truck fare, hit the Philly Bike Ride or Third Saturday Birding Tour at the John James Audubon Center, both on Oct. 18.
I don’t really know if birding requires exercise, but it’s outside.
So probably.
Art, Culture, and Education — The Fun Way
If you’re in the mood to elevate your autumn, you’ve found the right nerd. Unless you know someone else who is always carrying binder clips, highlighters, pens, and a notebook.
For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, check out Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, Inc.’s event in Shackamaxon (Penn Treaty) Park on Oct. 13. Beginning at 10:30 AM, experience Indigenous culture and history at this Indigenous, female-founded event.
Perhaps my favorite on this list is the Fall Open House at the Rosenbach Museum and Library. A hidden Philly gem and book lover’s dream, the Rosenbach’s open house is free and, with its vampire and Gothic objects and books, is the perfect kickoff to Halloween.
While you’re there, check out their online events and a portrait of one of those royal wives you learned about at Six.
PECO runs its Multicultural Festivals through Oct. 25. Check out the Delaware River Waterfront and Visit Philly websites to catch celebrations of Mexican and Filipino culture.
Beginning Oct. 19, the Barnes starts its four-month engagement with Henri Rousseau. The Barnes — already the holder of the largest collection of Rousseau’s work — is bringing in more paintings from other collections for this exhibit.
Don’t worry. I don’t know who he is, either. But we can learn together.
Yes, we can get a drink after.
No, your snake can’t come.
Kennett Underground Railroad Heritage continues its bus tours of the area’s Underground Railroad sites through Oct. 19. Tickets are still available for Sept. 21, but October is sold out.
Halloween!
The best night of the year demands ample lead-up. So let’s get to it.
Join a coven with Graeme Park’s Witches’ Tea Party on Sunday, Oct. 5. Dress like a witch, learn about the maligned ladies, and find out what you call a witch living at the beach.
That is to say, Graeme Park is serving sand-witches.
No. They’re not catering to beachy witches. They’re serving sand-witches.
No. Not witches as food or —
Never mind.
On Friday, Oct. 10, take a haunted tour with Pottsgrove Manor’s Bump in the Night. For a $2 suggested donation, learn by lanternlight how American colonists spent their darker hours. Make sure you pre-register or you’ll never know why that doorknob is rattling …
Starting Oct. 1, make your way out to the Colonial Theatre for a fine selection of horror films. Catch 1922’s Nosferatu with live organ music, newer classics like John Carpenter’s flawless Halloween and local fella M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense, and fabulous remakes like 2020’s The Invisible Man, which would be my power, by the way, if I could pick one.
For something a bit more kid-friendly, Chadds Ford Historical Society is hosting its Great Pumpkin Carve Oct. 16-18. Kids six and under get in free, but don’t let Top Dog Concessions fool you — no pets are permitted at this event.
Someone probably brought a snake once, and that was the end of that.
This being Chadds Ford, the winery is selling its wares, and Revolution Bees is offering — wait for it — mead! And don’t forget Sly Fox, whose Pikeland Pils is just about perfect.
And that, my friends, brings us back around to the beer and the only question left.
Who’s buying?
