The fall months are full of events honoring seasonal celebrations such as the autumn harvest, Halloween, and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
The best way to celebrate is with the community. Several neighborhood organizations and businesses are hosting events to provide accessible, safe spaces for residents and families.
We’ve compiled a list of events from late October to early November in Kensington and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Saturday, Oct. 22
By Faith, Health and Healing
By Faith, Health and Healing is a neighborhood organization led by community leader Brenda Mosley, providing trauma-informed workshops and resources through art-based activities.
On Oct. 22, By Faith, Health and Healing is hosting its Harvest Healing Through Arts Festival at the Community Center at Visitation at 2646 Kensington Ave. from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event will consist of book bag giveaways, face painting, wreath making, and Halloween arts and crafts. Catered food will be provided.
For more information, contact Brenda Mosley at 215-397-0431 or byfaithenternal@gmail.com
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse provides educational, recreational, cultural, and economic services in the Kensington area.
To celebrate Halloween, the organization is hosting a Fright Fest at its recently renovated sports and entertainment complex. The event will take place on Oct. 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 199 E. Erie Ave. There will be games, hayrides, and candy.
Monday, Oct. 24
Kensington Library
The Kensington Library Branch is hosting “A Spooky Spectacular: Petrifying Poetry Plus” on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m over Zoom. Participants can submit original work or read a favorite poem or story. If interested, register here. For more information, contact KensingtonPoetry@gmail.com
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden & Da Vinci Art Alliance
Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden, a green space with upcycled art, and Da Vinci Art Alliance, an art gallery, are teaming up to host “Fright Night: A Halloween Party.”
The event will take place at the garden at 2241 N. Philip St. on Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy the haunted photo booth, interactive artwork, costume contest, and more.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Proceeds will benefit both hosts. Click here to purchase tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 27
McPherson Square Park
Join neighbors for a Halloween parade organized by Philadelphia Parks & Rec, McPherson Square Library, and Impact Services. The parade will take place on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. There will be lawn games, candy, and a selfie booth.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Community Center at Visitation
The Community Center at Visitation (CCV) is a neighborhood center providing educational, wellness, and social services.
The community center is hosting its annual Harvest Fest on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The outdoor event will have free food, health services, resource tables, art activities, and a 50/50 raffle benefiting the CCV Scholars Family Association, a program providing Kensington students with scholarships to attend Visitation BVM School.
The festival will take place on Potter Street, directly behind the center. There will be a check-in upon arrival.
For more information, email admin@communitycenteratvis.org
McPherson Square Library
The McPherson Fall Festival will take place on Oct. 29 from noon to 3 p.m at McPherson Square Library. There will be a photo booth, hayrides, face painting, haunted houses, lawn games, and more.
McPherson Square Library is hosting the fall festival with the support of several other community organizations and leaders in collaboration with Impact Services and Philadelphia Parks & Rec.
Safe Hub
Safe Hub, an organization providing after-school soccer programming, is hosting a Tent or Treat at Scanlon Recreation Center at 1099 E. Venango St.
The event will kick off with trick or treating at tables set up by participating community organizations from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Meanwhile, families can enter (if they dare) a mini haunted house inside the rec center.
There will also be a free screening of Hocus Pocus 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Free hot chocolate, coffee, and popcorn will be provided, but attendees must bring a blanket or chair.
For more information, contact Safe Hub on Instagram.
Rebel Arts Movement
Rebel Arts Movement is a local center instructing youth and adults in acrobatics, tumbling, and aerial arts.
The gym is hosting its annual Community Halloween Party on Oct. 29. The event will take place at 3400 J St., G26 beginning at 2 p.m. Wear your favorite costume and enjoy free candy, games, and tumbling sessions.
To register, click here. Select community outreach as the category and scroll down to select the Halloween Party for free registration. For more information, call 267-483-7157.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Coral Street Fridge
The Coral Street Fridge is a free community fridge and pantry open 24/7 at 2670 Coral St. The fridge organizers are looking for volunteers to help fill trick-or-treat bags, which will be distributed through the fridge on Halloween. The volunteer session will take place on Oct. 30 at noon at Kensington Voice at 3237 Amber Street.
If interested in volunteering, message the fridge on Instagram or email CoralStreetFridge@gmail.com. If you’d like to contribute in some way to the event, you can drop off candy at the pantry or donate funds through the following platforms:
- CashApp: $CoralStreetFridge
- PayPal: CoralStreetFridge@gmail.com
- Venmo: @CoralStreetFridge
Monday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)
NKCDC Community Health Workers & Friends
The New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) offers direct services related to housing, business, and health. Its Community Health Workers (CHW) initiative trains residents to become CHWs and improve health outcomes in the neighborhood.
On Halloween, the Community Health Workers are hosting a Spooktacular Fall Fest in partnership with other local organizations. The festival will take place on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2200 E. Auburn St. Costumes are encouraged but not required to participate.
For more information, contact 267-606-3951 or email gcollier-jefferson@nkcdc.org
Friends of Norris Square Park
Friends of Norris Square Park, a group dedicated to the beautification of the park, is hosting a “Scare in the Square” celebration on Halloween from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The trick-or-treating event will have snacks, candy, and s’mores.
Wednesday, Nov. 2 (Día de los Muertos)
Cantina La Martina
Cantina La Martina is a Mexican restaurant located at 2800 D St. In honor of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the restaurant is hosting its first annual Day of the Dead Celebration of Life event.
The event will take place on Nov. 2 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be live music from Mariachi Ángeles, traditional dances from Ñuxacum, and a best-dressed Catrina costume contest. La Catrina is a colorful, elegantly-dressed skeletal woman who has become a symbolic figure representing Día de los Muertos.
The restaurant’s new fall menu will also be available for guests. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Leading up to the event, Cantina La Martina is building a public ofrenda (altar) for community member contributions. Residents can honor their loved ones who have passed away by putting a photo of them on the altar. The public ofrenda will be available from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Veronica’s Mexican Art
Veronica’s Mexican Art is a local, handcrafted art shop run by Veronica Ponce de Leon. The artist is hosting “Honoring Edgar Allan Poe,” an event celebrating the Day of the Dead and the late poet.
The free event will take place on Nov. 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden at 2241 N. Philip St. The ceremony will have a live reading circle, music, poetry, and a community altar to honor both people and pets.
Ongoing
Circle Thrift
Circle Thrift is a local thrift shop selling donated clothing and housewares at 2233 Frankford Ave. The shop is selling full, gently used Halloween costumes at affordable prices.
You can find costumes, wigs, and accessories at discounted rates, too. Each week, a selection of clothing with the designated color tag is eligible for a special discount.
Store and donation hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Editors: Zari Tarazona / Designer: Siani Colón
