East Passyunk Fall Fest gives South Philadelphia a Halloween where the street belongs to trick-or-treaters, makers and dogs in costume. On Saturday, October 31, East Passyunk Avenue closes to traffic from Morris to Dickinson streets, with the Singing Fountain at the center and activity reaching up to Mifflin Triangle, the Gateway and Broad Street. It runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., it is free, and it goes on rain or shine.

Artist and shop owner Elissa Kara started it in 2012 at Nice Things Handmade, her gift boutique and gallery at 1731 East Passyunk Avenue. “I just wanted to bring artists and neighbors together,” she said. That is still the best description of what East Passyunk Fall Fest looks like by noon.

East Passyunk Fall Fest Schedule: Trick-or-Treating, Dogs and Hocus Pocus

The Creepy Crawl trick-or-treating starts at 11 a.m. and runs while supplies last, with candy from FCCB. Look for spiders in business windows along the Avenue. Pumpkin carving runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gateway, Broad and Tasker, with tools and pumpkins provided while supplies last, courtesy of the South Broad Neighborhood Association.

The East Passyunk Fall Fest dog costume contest starts at noon at the Singing Fountain, hosted by Monster Minders, with registration opening at 11. Registered dogs get a pup-cup while they last. Categories are Best Overall, Best Foodie Costume, Best Pop Culture Icon and Best Dog/Human Duo. Street Tails Animal Rescue brings adoptable dogs to meet the crowd.

Hocus Pocus plays outdoors on a movie truck at Tasker and 11th streets at 12:30 p.m. Four artists paint live by the fountain from noon to 4. Batala brings two dozen drummers to the fountain and down the Avenue at 1:15, and live music runs from 2 to 4. DJ Linz X Mars plays the PPA lot from 11 to 4.

East Passyunk Fall Fest Makers and Pop-Ups

East Passyunk Fall Fest fills the street with more than 110 artists, makers, vintage vendors and Avenue businesses. The Avenue has hosted big days before, including the World Cup block party series this summer. The list includes Philly Candles, Witchy Philly Candle Co, Winton Glass, Tiger Snake Vintage, Old City Canning Co, Carnivorous Houseplants and Art of Jeff Cunningham, with ceramics, jewelry, prints and soap in every block.

The Drunken Knitwits and South Philly Yarn set up a Halloween yarn pop-up at the fountain, with a make-and-take station from 11 to 4. South Philly Time Capsules runs a Halloween Polaroid booth in the PPA lot, and Mendel Productions shoots portraits at East Passyunk and Morris, near Cantina.

East Passyunk Fall Fest Specials Up and Down the Avenue

Little Yenta Books hosts cartoonist Natalie Horberg for free live portrait drawing. A Novel Idea has Halloween books for all ages and, from 3 to 6, astrology readings at $25 for 15 minutes and tarot at $20 for 10. Eastern Pass Tattoo Co discounts its Halloween flash and gives out free temporary tattoos.

P’unk Burger has $6 Nadia’s Single Smashburgers, $6 Beyond Cheeseburgers and $7 select milkshakes, plus Pumpkin Spice Latte shakes. Lucky 13 Pub offers a flatbread special at lunch, Superette sets up a hot cider table in the street, and The Bottle Shop puts up a tent with beer, wine and drafts.

Good Buy Supply goes spooky with poison apple candles and witches’ brooms, and Frame Fatale runs a “Dead Frames” sale. At East Passyunk Fall Fest the fun runs past 4 p.m. After dark, Cantina Los Caballitos starts its costume party at 10 p.m. with prizes all night and a grand prize at midnight. Pub on Passyunk East holds a costume party for its 20th anniversary.

Kara calls Fall Fest the grand finale to the Avenue’s season, and it plays like one, with candy, drummers and a movie on a truck. Traditions last when neighbors keep showing up in costume, and East Passyunk has kept doing it since 2012.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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