Top Ten Things To Do For Halloween in the Philadelphia Area

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Image Credit: Eastern State Penitentiary

Halloween is the one time of year when people can dress however they want — from cute couple costumes to terrifying creatures. Although the holiday is mainly for young children to go up to strangers’ porches and collect enough candy to leave them in a sugar coma, adults love to participate too. Philadelphia is a big city with countless things to do on Halloween night, from college parties to haunted ghost tours. This article lists the top ten things to do in Philly on Halloween night, with links to each.

10. Halloween Parties

Cost: depends on the party

As the first option on this list, Halloween parties are the most common way for college students to celebrate the holiday. Philadelphia is at the epicenter of various colleges, from Rutgers to Penn-State, meaning there will be dozens of parties the week of Halloween. Even if you’re looking for parties outside of college, various parties and other events throughout the city are perfect for party-hopping with your friends. By asking around, searching on Instagram, or visiting sites like Eventbrite, you’re bound to find a good time.

9. Glow at Washington Township

Cost: $30 plus various add-ons

If you have a car, Glow is an event at Washington Township where you drive along Route 66 to experience various Halloween-themed light shows and attractions. Although it is a non-jump scare event, Glow is a perfect option for photo-lovers or a date idea.

https://www.visitglow.com

8. Philadelphia’s Nightly Ghost Tours

Cost: $27 ($24 if booking online or by phone)

Named one of the top fifteen “must-see” attractions in the country, Philadelphia’s Nightly Ghost Tours is a year-round tour available for all ages and lasts between 75-90 minutes. There isn’t

much information about the tour online, but it begins in Signers’ Garden where you learn about various locations around Philadelphia. Although not as scary as the next tour higher up on the list, Philadelphia’s Nightly Ghost Tour is an informative experience that’ll leave you with more knowledge about Philly than you previously had.

https://www.ghosttour.com/philadelphia.html

7. Spooky Twosome

Cost: $15 for mini golf and $20 for the tour

This year, Franklin Square offers Spooky Mini Golf as part of Philadelphia’s “Spooky Twosome” event with the Betsy Ross House, which offers the Bloodletting & Burials event, a haunted house tour. However, you don’t have to attend both events if you’re only interested in one. https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/spooky-twosome/

6. Murder Mystery at Without a Cue

Cost: $35 ($25 on Groupon)

Although considered an unconventional Halloween activity, Without a Cue hosts an unforgettable Murder Mystery game at Red Rum Theater. The current game is based on the Brady Bunch sitcom, called “The Very Brady Murder,” or you can also participate in themed bingo on “Freaky Fridays.” The game lasts between 90-120 minutes and runs on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, perfect for a pre-game if you want to check out any of the night attractions on this list as well.

Red Rum Home

5. Dark Philly Adult Night Tour

Cost: $38-$48 (depending on the day)

Considered the best haunted tour in Philadelphia, Dark Philly Adult Night Tour is a Rated-R tour strictly for adults that provides uncensored stories about vampires, pirate ghost ships, haunted attractions, torture, executions, and the red light district. The tour begins at the Liberty Bell Center and ends at the Library Company, where you’ll pass by 12 other locations during the tour. It’s also open all year round, so even if you’re unable to make the tour on Halloween, you can go any day!

https://www.grimphilly.com/ghosts

4. Fright Factory

Cost: $35-40 (depending on the day) plus an additional $15 if interested in VIP

Fright Factory is a fairly well-known attraction and is arguably the best attraction in Southern Philadelphia. Located in the basement of an old factory, this 25,000-square-foot attraction is split into three themes: Industrial Nightmare, South Side Sanatorium, and Fright Factory Unholy. There are various special effects and a physically demanding environment seeing as you might get touched by the various actors and effects, but this only adds to the thrill. Although the factory seems like a fun time, this is the lowest haunted house on the list based on the fact that it only lasts between 30-40 minutes. However, if you’re okay with a short-lasting fright, this is still a great place to check out.

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3. Lincoln Mill

Cost: Starting at $35

As the third attraction on this list, Lincoln Mill is a real haunted location that was discovered after 2021’s Hurricane Ida damaged the basement and revealed a hidden chamber. The mill’s owner, Viktor Kane, committed atrocities on his workers during the Great Depression, and legend says that the dark entity that possessed him inhabits the mill to this day. Lincoln Mill is now a haunted house that is described as “a fully immersive horror experience featuring live scare-actors, production quality sets, animatronics, and special effects,” according to the website, and the attractions change every year. If you’re looking for a thrill in a real haunted house, this is the perfect place!

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2. Eastern State Penitentiary

Cost: $40-$60 online (price differs by date), not including any additional add-ons

Eastern State Penitentiary is arguably the most famous attraction in Philadelphia, where tourists come from all over just to spend a night inside the haunted prison. The 10-acre prison contains a variety of attractions, including five haunted houses, five live entertainment lounges, four

separate tours, and nine themed bars and eateries. Unlike many of the other attractions on this list, you can spend your entire Halloween here and still not have time to experience everything Eastern State has to offer. The only reason why Eastern State Penitentiary isn’t number one on this list is because everyone knows it’s a must-see attraction and frankly, anyone who has lived in the Philadelphia area probably won’t visit the penitentiary more than a couple of times. However, if you’ve never been or don’t mind seeing the same attractions again, Eastern State Penitentiary is still a must-see attraction.

https://www.easternstate.org

1. Night of Terror

Cost: $40+ (VIP and other upgrades available) online not including any additional add-ons

As the number one attraction on this list, Night of Terror was named the second-best Halloween Attraction in the Northeast for a good reason. Located at Creamy Acres Farm, the park has five

attractions: the Ride of Terror hayride, the Haunted Paintball Hayride, an immersive haunted house called “Dark Dreams,” a haunted walk through the farmlands called the “Harvest”, and the newest attraction called “The Playground.” General admission covers every attraction except the Haunted Paintball Hayride. Still, if you’re willing to pay an additional $30 (plus $5 if you want extra paintballs) on top of your $40 ticket, the added cost is worth the opportunity to shoot live paintball rounds at moving actors and props. Since Night of Terror is located on a farm, the website recommends that you only wear shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty in, so refrain from wearing bright colors or anything else you don’t want potentially stained. Although the attraction is not technically in Philadelphia, Night of Terror is the largest Halloween Park in New Jersey and is a must-see for anyone who loves Halloween.

http://www.nightofterror.com/index_default.html

Honorable Mentions

Before revealing number one on this list, there are two attractions that are a must-see but couldn’t make the list because they are pretty far from the city and only accessible by 1-2 hour car rides. However, if you’re up for a drive, you should definitely consider visiting Field of Screams and Pennhurst Asylum.

Located in Lancaster, PA, Field of Screams is a thrilling attraction with two haunted houses, a haunted hayride, and an immersive experience in their haunted woods. For $40, you can experience all four attractions and are guaranteed a scaringly fun time!

https://fieldofscreams.com

Located in Spring City, PA, Pennhurst Asylum is rated one of the best Haunted Houses in the country, with four attractions that will “push you to the limits of your sanity,” according to the website. The attractions include asylum, tunnels, morgue, and catacombs, and can all be experienced by purchasing their all-access pass for $62. Although on the pricier side, this is a great experience for any horror fan.