October Events and Festivals in PA (2024)

10/03/24

CultureFest! Día de Los Muertos | Credit: Penn Museum via Facebook

Find all of October’s offerings throughout Pennsylvania. From frightful festivals to events that embrace the ambiance of the season, discover what treats – and a few tricks – are happening in PA this month. Looking for an upcoming fall festival or seeking the thrill of fear at one of our haunted attractions? Check out other happenings across the state.

Scary Harry’s Haunted Trails – Retribution 2024

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Scary Harry’s Haunted Trails are sure to spook even the bravest. Prepare to be haunted at the three haunted houses, which are interconnected with terrifying trails through the woods of Indiana County.

When: Weekends in October
Where: Homer City
Cost: $20

Reel Q Pittsburgh LGBTQ Film Festival

Celebrate the 39th annual Reel Q LGBTQ Film Festival in Pittsburgh, where diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community take center stage. This festival features a selection of films that highlight unique experiences, promote inclusivity, and provide a forum on identity, love, and resiliency.

When: Now- Oct. 12
Where: Pittsburgh
Cost: Price varies

Celebration! / Celebración! Art Exhibit

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Immerse yourself in the vibrant expressions of York County’s Hispanic and Latino community at the Celebration Art Exhibit in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This showcase captures the diverse ways artists commemorate events and milestones through art. Experience colorful displays, traditional crafts, and cultural storytelling that highlight the rich heritage and celebrations unique to the Latino community.

When: Now-Oct. 26
Where: York
Cost: Free

Bloodletting & Burials

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Travel back to 1760 to learn about Philadelphia’s haunted history at Bloodletting & Burials. Begin your journey at Betsy Ross’s grave where you’ll uncover chilling tales of ghoulish medical experiences. Along the way, meet figures who lived during some of the most infectious times of our nation in the 18th century.

When: Saturday evenings in October
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: $20

Cheeseman Fright Farm

If you love a fright, add Cheeseman Fright Farm to your fall to-do list. Hop on the haunted hayride or walk through the corn maze and prepare to be spooked across the 100 acres of frightening farm.

When: Weekends now-Nov. 2
Where: Portersville
Cost: $25

Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza

Visit the iconic Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium at night this fall season and experience the magic of the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza, where thousands of intricately carved pumpkins illuminate the night. This “gourd-geous” display features zoo animals and iconic characters enhanced by sound, light, and special effects.

When: Now-Nov. 3
Where: Pittsburgh
Cost: Price varies

Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride

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Arasapha Farm is a charming family-owned farm for most of the year, but as autumn arrives, it transforms into one of the nation’s scariest Halloween attractions. Check into the Bates Motel, where you'll encounter some playful surprises. Wander through a moonlit corn maze filled with whimsical characters, and wrap up your evening with the haunted hayride - a favorite attraction for all ages.

When: Now-Nov. 3
Where: Glen Mills
Cost: Price varies

The Count’s Spooktacular

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From Elmo to Cookie Monster to Big Bird, watch as your Sesame Street favorites embrace haunts and Halloween festivities this fall season. Have the whole family come in costume to celebrate silly and family-friendly spooky fun at The Count’s Spooktacular. Enjoy trick-or-treating in Big Bird’s Beach, Halloween-themed shows, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, dance parties, the Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and Sesame Street-themed rides for a day of tricks, but mostly treats.

When: Now-Nov. 6
Where: Langhorne
Cost: Price varies

ReadingFilmFEST

Discover emerging talent at the 10th Annual ReadingFilmFEST, an event created by filmmakers for filmmakers that welcomes filmmakers from the Mid-Atlantic region and around the world. Experience an exciting lineup of independent entertainment, including student films, shorts, documentaries, feature films, and panel discussions, and don’t miss the awards that highlight the best in local filmmaking.

When: Oct. 10-13
Where: Reading
Cost: Price varies

Carriage House Collective Fall Barn Sale

Discover trinkets and treasures at the Carriage House Collective Fall Barn Sale. Shop in the 150-year-old family barn where you will find all sorts of locally made goods. Browse a delightful array of items crafted by more than 40 curated local makers, featuring vintage and reimagined home decor, hand-painted furniture, handmade jewelry, and artisanal gifts.

When: Oct. 11-12
Where: Lebanon
Cost: Free

Tioga County Early Days

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Celebrate the Tioga County Early Days featuring the “International Farmall.” This family-friendly event features a flea market, tractor pulls, barn quilt paintings, and wood carving. See how a saw mill built in 1889 operates and enjoy fresh cider from the cider press at this fun fall event.

When: Oct. 11-13
Where: Wellsboro
Cost: Free

2024 Girls with Game Experience

Swing into the softball season as Williamsport hosts the NCAA Division I College Softball for the third year in a row at Little League Baseball®’s Girls With Game Experience event. Get a front row seat to watch a Division I doubleheader with Maryland University vs. University of Virginia and in-state rivals University of Pittsburgh taking on Penn State. Fellow softball players have the opportunity to sign up for a clinic prior to the game and spectators can stick around for a post-game meet and greet with some of the teams.

When: Oct. 11-12
Where: Williamsport
Cost: Free

Fall Antique Show & Sawmill Run

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Visit the Fall Antique Show and Sawmill Run during peak fall foliage in PA. The event features antique vendors selling vintage clothing, collectibles, and antiques. Enjoy local food and beverages while the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum comes alive with historic trade demonstrations. This year, author Joyce Kieffer will present her fiction trilogy, “The Trees Remember,” inspired by the forests ofJuniata County.

When: Oct. 12-13
Where: Ulysses
Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-11

PA Cowboy Weekend

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Step into the Wild West at the PA Cowboy Weekend! Hop aboard York’s Northern Central Railway locomotive alongside “the most reckless class of outlaws in the wild country.” Experience train robberies, dramatic shootouts, and live performances that evoke the excitement of classic cowboy films.

When: Oct. 12-13
Where: New Freedom
Cost: Price varies

Upper Merion Township’s Nor-View Farm Fall Fun Festival

Experience a multi-weekend fall event at the Fall Fun Festival at Nor-View Farm! Pick fresh-cut flowers to fill your mason jar while indulging in delicious Amish treats, like whoopie pies. Sample sesasonal beer, wine, cider, and cocktails as you soak in the atmosphere. The entire family will enjoy the apple slingshot, cow milking, and the straw bale mountain. Come dressed as a cowboy, cowgirl, or farmer for a $2 discount on admission.

When: Oct. 12, 19, 26
Where: King of Prussia
Cost: Adults $7, Children $12

Easton Book Festival

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Calling all bookworms! Discover literary wonders at the 6th Annual Easton Book Festival. Venture around the town of Easton at a variety of venues during this week-long event to participate in readings, story times, and panel discussions for all book lovers. Visit the Small Press Expo and Young Adult Fest and attend programs on a range of literary themes including mystery, romance, sports, history, nature, and social justice.

When: Oct. 13-20
Where: Easton
Cost: Free

Spooky Fest

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Have a fun and frightful Halloween season at the first ever Spooky Fest in Tunkhannock, a movie festival featuring 13 Halloween movies in fourteen days. A mix of classics, horror flicks, and children’s favorites will broadcast on the big screen in the town’s historic Dietrich Theater.

When: Oct. 18-31
Where: Tunkhannock
Cost: Free

Erie ZooBoo

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Head to the Erie ZooBoo for a Halloween event that's delightfully spooky and perfect for the entire family! Known as one of the best kid-friendly events in the tri-state area, visitors can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the Erie Zoo, while the Talking Pumpkins entertain with songs, jokes, and stories. Do the Monster Mash with DJ Bill Page’s Spooky Jukebox and ride the Eerie Train Express.

When: Oct. 17-30
Where: Erie
Cost: Price varies

TCA York Train Meet

Discover the magic of model trains at the World’s Greatest Train Meet in York! The York Train Meet invites members and guests to immerse themselves in the captivating world of model railroading. Enjoy seasonal seminars and special exhibits that showcase the artistry of this beloved hobby, all set against a charming autumn backdrop.

When: Oct. 18-20
Where: York
Cost: $10

Scary Tales Tours at the Hoyt

Take a journey through dimly lit rooms on a Scary Tales Tour at the historic Hoyt Period House in Lawrence County. Each room comes alive with eerie tales of fact and fiction, intricately staged to enhance the chilling stories being told throughout the tour. This year’s event will include legends of witches, werewolves, vampires, and ghosts.

When: Oct. 24-27
Where: New Castle
Cost: $10

Market of Magick

Step into a world of wonder at the Market of Magick! This fantastical festival features a curated selection of enchanting vendors, artists, and small businesses from the Mid-Atlantic region awaits. Explore a trove of mystical delights, including crystals, whimsical art, and handmade jewelry.

When: Oct. 26-27
Where: Lebanon
Cost: $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12, children under 5 are free

CultureFest! Día de Los Muertos

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Celebrate the 13th annual CultureFest! Día de Los Muertos at the Penn Museum! Also known as the Day of the Dead, this vibrant holiday blends Indigenous Mexican beliefs and traditions. Discover the origins of the iconic calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls) that adorn candy, masks, and dolls at parades, vigils, and gatherings. Enjoy dance and music performances throughout the day, and don’t miss the highlight: a stunning ofrenda installation by acclaimed artists José Martín Anguiano Hermosillo and Maria Felix.

When: Oct. 26
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: $18 for adults, $13 for youth and college students, $16 for seniors

To learn about more fall festivities in Pennsylvania, check out the VISIT PA website. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay up to date on even more great trip ideas and places to visit around the state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.

October Events and Festivals in PA (2024)

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