Top 8 October Fest’s in Philly for your Fall Date!

North Eastern Fall is unlike anything else in the world.  Feelings of nostalgia sweep across the area with changing colors on treetops, sounds of crunching leaves underfoot, soft sweaters, hot apple cider and pumpkin flavored everything!  Autumn’s golden hours make anyone want to cozy up next to their special sweetheart while roaming through a picturesque cityscape.  Lucky enough, it’s the time of year where perfect outdoor weather and autumnal craft beer make for the ultimate festival season.  Mix a few spirits with Fall’s natural sentiment and Philadelphia Fall is for falling in love!

1. Dilworth Park’s October Fest

Dilworth-Park-M.Fischetti04-920VPPhoto: M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

Dilworth Park’s 5 day Fall festival kicks off October 21-25.  Frolic through the open space and find your excitement amplifying with the sounds of local live bands and DJ’s pumping tunes.  From indie, soul and hip hop to Latin-fusion, this party represents all the wonderful diversity that exists in the City of Brotherly Love. Follow your nose to the smokey aroma of Jose Garces’ cuban cafe Rosa Blanca for seasonal menu items on the grill and harvest craft beers in their Sauloberfest Beer Garden.

2. Roxtoberfest

Saturday, October 3 from noon-6pm, Roxborough will be having it’s third annual fall and beer-loving festival on Ridge Ave.  Live music from esteemed local performers will fill the crisp air for an awesome day of food trucks, carnival games and drunk tanks.  They’ll be hosting some of Philly’s best home-brewers in their HomeBrew competition for a unique beer tasting experience.

3. Midtown Village Fall Festival

MidtownFest032-900Photo: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

October 3rd from noon- 8pm, Philly’s largest festival will be taking place on 13th from Chestnut to Locust.  Inviting smells will line the streets, leading you directly to the heavenly foods like tacos, chicken drums, sausage, chocolate covered bacon and grilled pumpkin.  Drinks and fun will not run out with 8 beer garden stations, tons of vendors and multiple stages playing live music.

 4. Fall Fest at Morgan’s Pier

AerialView-FAll(1)Photo: Morgans Pier

For the first year ever, Philly’s most scenic backyard hangout is partying into the Fall!  The extended celebration goes through the month of October until it’s grand finale on Halloween.  Chef Nick Elmi has composed a symphony of Fall flavored dishes that harmonize with seasonal craft beers and specialty cocktails.  Free admission to Philly’s hottest DJ’s will keep the heat on the dance floor to battle the chilly weather.

5. Shacktoberfest

stein_group_800px-540x540Photo: Shake Shack

Nothing says “romantic date night” like seeing who can pack down the most bratwursts, burgers and brews.  Lucky for you meat-loving lovers, Shake Shack will be serving up a German inspired menu for a week long Fall celebration from Sept 24- Oct 3.  Come stuff yourself to the brim with the perfect meat on meat combo the Brat Burger, a Angus beef patty topped with bacon-cheddar stuffed brats and crispy ShackMeister Ale-marinated shallots.  (Drool.)  Top it off with sweet hand spun caramel apple shakes or wash it down with a selection of tasty Fall brews.

6. Oktober Festivus

October 24 from 4-10, one of Philadelphia’s most historic parks is bringing you a variety of Fall activities to tag along with their usual fun and games.  At Franklin Square there’s plenty of room for charming and adventurous romance playing minigolf, swirling around on a carousel or sharing ice cream by the Franklin Fountain.  Barren Hill Brewery will be hosting a beer garden while food trucks and vendors provide you with scrumptious bites.

7. Memphis Taproom Thirstoberfest

Memphis-Taproom-Northern-Liberties-1-600-vpPhoto: M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Port Richmond neighborhood bar will be tapping into their favorite local brewery’s limited release beers Saturday October 10 to compliment the season.  This divey delight is the perfect place for you and your date to kick back and experience real Philadelphia.  Enjoy mouth-watering grinders and burgers from the kitchen or grab a specialty Thirstobeer dog from their on-site food truck!  Hanging in the beer garden all day will give you authentic taste of everything that’s genuine and delicious about Fall in our great city.

8. Bloktoberfest

Bloktoberfest launches it’s annual Fall celebration noon Saturday, October 3 on the 18th block of South Street.   There will be a variety of international beers, delectable seasonal food from local restaurants and two stages to supply live entertainment.  There’s no better excuse to keep drinking either because all revenue made from beer sales filters right back into your community’s ecological and educational development.