From spooky sights to fashion shows, the city’s hottest happenings are sure to keep you busy.
John Mayer is a seven-time Grammy Award winner.
Through 11/11
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Spooky season is upon us, which means checking out some of the city’s scariest attractions. For a bit of boo, head to the renowned Eastern State Penitentiary during their Halloween festival, where five haunts (The Crypt, Delirium, Nightmares, Machine Shop and Big Top Terror) are sure to frighten. 2027 Fairmount Ave., halloweennights.org
10/21/23-2/11/24
The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989
A picture is worth a thousand words, and contemporary artists of Korean descent are sharing a lot about their homeland in this Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit. Each piece expresses the rapid urbanization, unresolved political tensions and pressure to conform to societal norms through fiber, painting, ceramics, photography, embroidery, installation, lacquer, video, metalwork or performance. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, philamuseum.org
10/3-10/8
Mean Girls at Miller Theater
On Wednesdays, we wear pink, and this month, we watch Mean Girls at Miller Theater. Kicking off on “National Mean Girls Day,” the show welcomes fans to watch the cult classic come to life. Expect dark humor, high school dramatics and more from director Casey Hushion. 250 S. Broad St., kimmelculturalcampus.org
10/5-10/15
DesignPhiladelphia
Looking for a dose of design inspiration? Check out DesignPhiladelphia, featuring over 60 events throughout the festival. Attendees can explore Philly’s top residential architecture with AIA Philadelphia Home Tours, learn more about the works of MillerKnoll in celebration of the brand’s centennial and more. festival.designphiladelphia.org
10/6
Philadelphia Ballet Opening Night & Gala
Philadelphia Ballet is kicking off their 2023/24 season with fanfare—you only celebrate 60 years once. Don your most whimsical attire for the world premiere of Angel Corella’s Carmen, followed by the Bellevue Hotel gala. 200 S. Broad St., philadelphiaballet.org
10/7
John Mayer at Wells Fargo Center
Before you take the “Last Train Home,” fulfill your early 2000s dreams of seeing John Mayer perform his greatest hits. Canadian singer JP Saxe, renowned for his Grammy nomination, “If the World Was Ending (feat. Julia Michaels),” will also join the ranks of the esteemed singer-songwriter on stage. 3601 S. Broad St., wellsfargocenterphilly.com
10/15
Fall Fest at the Horsham Farmer’s Market
Enjoy the fruits of peak harvest season at Horsham Farmer’s Market. The annual fall fest features local, organic produce vendors alongside local food trucks, such as Cousins Maine Lobster and Fruits of Our Labor Smoothies. It’s a celebration of the changing seasons that you won’t want to miss. 1025 Horsham Road, Horsham, allevents.in
10/18
Faces of Adoption Fall Gala & Auction
Help families struggling with adoption costs so they can bring their children home at the Faces of Adoption’s Fall Gala & Auction—one of Helpusadopt.org’s largest fundraising events of the year. The evening, hosted by Jessica Kartalija from CBS News Philadelphia, will feature touching stories from Helpusadopt.org grant recipients, in addition to an online auction and cocktail reception at Villanova’s Overbrook Golf Club. 799 Godfrey Road, Villanova, one. bidpal.net
10/19-10/29
Philadelphia Film Festival
The City of Brotherly Love has become a backdrop for many iconic movies—we’ve all jogged up the Rocky steps. Celebrate the power of film at the 32nd annual festival. Every year, The Philadelphia Film Society selects over 100 of the most highly anticipated, critically acclaimed films from festivals like Sundance and Cannes. 1412 Chestnut St., filmadelphia.org
10/20-22
Mirga Conducts Bruckner
Classical music enthusiasts—this one’s for you. Watch the former famed music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conduct The Philadelphia Orchestra through Haydn’s First Horn Concerto, showcasing principal horn Jennifer Montone. 300 S. Broad St., philorch.org
10/26
Rajant’s World Music Benefit
Support the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) this month with Rajant’s World Music Benefit at World Cafe Live, headlined by The Mavericks. This year’s proceeds go toward CHOP’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation—a life support technique used for children with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems. 3025 Walnut St., rajant.com
Photography by: FRANK W. OCKENFELS
