Celebrate autumn at Parks & Rec sites across the city! Enjoy the many fall festivals, cheer on your team at the Unity Cup championship, listen to some groovy tunes, watch a movie under the stars, and much more. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening at our parks and rec centers each weekend in October:
Friday, October 4
Farmers’ Market at Gorgas Park
Time: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Gorgas Park (6300 Ridge Ave., 19128)
The Gorgas Park weekly farmers’ market is the perfect place to get fresh, local produce. Spice up your meals with the fruits, vegetables, and other goodies you will find. Try something new or stick to your favorites!
Cops & Rec movie night: Creed
Time: Movie begins at dusk
Where: Stenton Park (4600 N. 16th St., 19140)
Parks & Rec is partnering with the Philadelphia Police Department to present a series of free outdoor movie nights. Before the start of each movie you can meet representatives from other City agencies. They’ll share helpful information and resources to keep you and your neighbors safe and healthy.
Saturday, October 5
Pretzel Park Participatory Percussion 2019
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Pretzel Park (4300 Silverwood St., 19127)
Join world-famous Joseph Tayoun as he leads a participatory drum circle in Pretzel Park. Drums will be supplied, but you can bring your own. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. New to drumming? Joseph will teach you!
The GLOW: A Pumpkin Wonderland 2019
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Where: West Fairmount Park (5201 Parkside Ave., 19131)
Visit West Fairmount Park to experience over 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins! This pumpkin wonderland is fun for people of all ages. Enjoy traditional Halloween experiences without any frights or scares.
Sunday, October 6
Boat to Bartram’s Garden Riverboat Tours
Time: 12-3 p.m.
Where: Schuylkill Banks (2500 Walnut St., 19103)
Hop aboard the riverboat cruise to Bartram’s Garden. This three-hour tour includes a guided boat ride and walking tour of the beautiful gardens. Did you know that Bartram’s Garden was home to America’s first great botanist, John Bartram, and is a National Historic Landmark? Learn more on the tour!
Friday, October 11
Senior Strut: A Health Event in the Park
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Lloyd Hall (1 Boathouse Row, 19130)
Join over 500 older adults as they take part in Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Senior Strut: A Health Event in the Park, presented by Pennsylvania Health and Wellness in partnership with Parks & Rec. Led by the Mummers, seniors will walk a one-mile loop down scenic Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive. In addition to the walk, PCA’s annual health and information fair will feature free health screenings inside Lloyd Hall.
Star Players- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center (1 Rector St., 19127)
Enjoy this classic story from October 11- 13 at the beautiful Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center in Manayunk. Did you know that the auditorium has 250 seats? Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Saturday, October 12
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2019
Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where: Penn Treaty Park (Columbia Ave. & Beach St., 19125)
Learn about indigenous traditions and culture through performances, presentations, and educational experiences. The festival honors the Lenni-Lenape people, “whose traditional homelands are where Philadelphia now stands.”
10th Annual Mums and Mutts Fall Festival
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Burke Playground (200 Snyder Ave., 19148)
Looking for a new pet? These adoptable mutts are looking for a new home–and ready to steal your heart! Besides the pets, there will be music, Mummers, raffles, food, drinks, and more.
Unity Cup Championship Day
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Where: Talen Energy Stadium (1 Stadium Dr., 19013)
Teams have been competing for weeks, and this is the final showdown! Team U.S.A. and Team Liberia will go head-to-head for the trophy, the bragging rights, and the coveted title of 2019 Philadelphia International Unity Cup Champions. Festivities kick off at 2 p.m., with an array of activities leading up to the final showdown at 6 p.m. Join us for a day of free fun, celebrating soccer and Philadelphia’s diverse immigrant communities.
Second Saturdays: Service Day at the Horticulture Center
Time: 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Where: Fairmount Park Horticulture Center (4180 Horticulture Dr., 19131)
Join volunteers to help replant the forest in the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center’s “Michaux Grove” section. The grove is part of a project to restore a diverse forest on the site. We bring all the tools and guidance; you bring the energy. Second Saturday volunteers work in our parks every month, and in every season. We hope you’ll join us! Read what our volunteers have accomplished over the last year.
Sunday, October 13
Harvest Festival
Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where: Gorgas Park (6300 Ridge Ave., 19128)
Join this event family-friendly festival. From pumpkin painting to caramel apples, face painting to funnel cake, there’s fall fun for everyone. Hosted by the Friends of Gorgas Park.
Friday, October 18
Olney Community Yoga Class
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Where: Olney Recreation Center (100 E. Godfrey Ave., 19120)
Join Roots2Rise every Friday evening at the Olney Rec Center. Classes are BYOM (bring your own mat) and all levels are welcome! Relax after a long week with some gentle exercise.
Saturday, October 19
AppleFest
Time: 12-4 p.m.
Where: Fox Chase Farm (8500 Pine Rd., 19111)
Enjoy a day of cider pressing, apple butter making, hayrides, seasonal games, pumpkin painting, music and more. Pumpkins, apples, apple butter and cider for sale. After the festival, take a leisurely hike down Pine Road to see some beautiful fall foliage!
Pop-up Saturday
Time: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Where: LOVE Park (1501 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 19102)
Join us in LOVE Park for a free monthly Saturday pop-up event! Various artists, DJs, and musicians will perform throughout the afternoon. Enjoy the event as an audience member, or participate in the performances!
Sunday, October 20
Auntie & FUNcle Adventures: Sip & Paint
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Where: Wissahickon Environmental Center (300 W Northwestern Ave., 19118)
Aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews can enjoy time together at this fun event! Munch on provided snacks and paint nature-themed masterpieces. Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance.
Friday, October 25
Cops & Rec movie night: The Emoji Movie
Time: Movie begins at dusk
Where: Cibotti Playground (7700 Elmwood Ave., 19153)
Parks & Rec is partnering with the Philadelphia Police Department to present a series of free outdoor movie nights. Before the start of each movie you can meet representatives from other City agencies. They’ll share helpful information and resources to keep you and your neighbors safe and healthy.
Saturday, October 26
Nature’s Hidden Surprises
Time: 10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Where: Tacony Creek Park (Tacony Creek, 19120)
This series of nature walks are led by environmental educator Dallas Cederberg every third Saturday of the month from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. Meet at Tacony Creek Park’s Tabor Gateway. Enjoy nature and learn about Philly’s green spaces.
Sunday, October 27
Celebration of the Great Beech
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Where: Wissahickon Environmental Center (300 W. Northwestern Ave., 19128)
Visit the Wissahickon Environmental Center to celebrate the last season of The Great Beech. This Champion Tree has lived a long, healthy life and it’s time to celebrate its beauty and strength! Crafts, art, love letters, and more will be available.
Book Talk: Author Stephanie Hoover
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Where: Ryerss Museum & Library (7370 Central Ave., 19111)
Get in the mood for a spooky Halloween with this book talk! Author Stephanie Hoover will talk about her new book Spiritualism and the Supernatural. After, Hoover will host a Q&A session.
