Fall is now upon us, and the season of colored leaves, orchard trips, spooky decorations, and family events is about to be in full effect. Let’s take a look at what’s going on in Germantown and in nearby communities throughout October to see where one can enjoy a day out with family and friends.
Cliveden Revolutionary Germantown Festival
Cliveden of the National Trust, located at 6401 Germantown Avenue, will host their Revolutionary Germantown Festival on Saturday, October 5, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The historical property, alongside other Historic Germantown sites, will bring an immersive experience that tells the stories of people who lived through the American Revolution and the Battle of Germantown.
There will be re-enactors portraying British and Continental soldiers, interpreters sharing experiences of soldiers and women during the Revolution, costumed interpreters from the Museum of the American Revolution, tours of the house, and food will be available.
The day’s activities include candle dipping, basket weaving, blacksmith demonstrations, and upholstery, which will be offered in 18th-century style. Activities and exhibits will also be available at collaborating historical sites, with locations consisting of the ACES Veteran Museum, Lest We Forget Slavery Museum, The Johnson House, and many more. For the full list of the other sites involved, more details about the day’s schedule are on the festival’s webpage.
Artisan Street Boutique Holiday Market
Cliveden of the National Trust will also host an Artisan Street Boutique Holiday Market highlighting over 25 local Philly artisans of all ages. The event, sponsored by Cliveden, Concept Studio Artisan Boutique, and Germantown United CDC, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Come out to shop at a variety of artisan vendors, get an opportunity to tour the historical house and the greenery of the grounds and engage in arts and craft activities with the kids while enjoying food and music.
Wyck’s Screening of Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, The Wyck Historic House, Garden, & Farm, at 6026 Germantown Avenue, will be hosting a Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project screening from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The 2019 documentary centers on the life of Marion Stokes, a Germantown native and Philadelphia activist, who recorded televised news every day for 30 years from 1975 until her death in 2012.
The screening will be on the property’s lawn. Organizers encourage attendees to bring a blanket or a chair to sit on. Food and drinks will be provided. Tickets are currently available at $10 on the event’s registration page.
Vernon Park Community Bazaar and Flea MarketÂ
The Friends of Vernon Park at 5800 Germantown Avenue will hold their 13th Annual Community Bazaar and Flea Market on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Vendor Registration is still open, and it costs $12 for a space to hold a table when buying in advance and $20 the day of. Come out to engage with a variety of artists, creators, and community organizations.
“It’s the best kaleidoscope of treasures Germantown has to offer with plenty of folks coming through,” said park organizers in the event description. “Meet neighbors, learn about local resources and organizations, make art, fun and finds and enjoy the beauty of Autumn in Germantown.”
Germantown Literacy Fair
The Natural Creativity Center at 5534-46 Pulaski Avenue will host the Germantown Literary Fair on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be engaging literacy activities for all ages, free books, special training for parents on supporting literacy at home, vendors, food, and opportunities to interact with literacy organizations such as Mighty Writers, Treehouse Books, and Children’s Literacy Initiative.
To RSVP, visit the event’s Eventbrite page. On that same page, details are provided on how to become a volunteer or a vendor to showcase their products.
Harvest Festival at AwburyÂ
Awbury Awboretum’s annual Harvest Fest will be on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on The Farm at Awbury at 6336 Ardleigh Avenue. There will be live music, hayrides, smore pits, food, brew gardens, crafts and games, local apples and pumpkins, and many vendors & exhibitors. Email harvest@awbury.org or call 215-849-2855 for additional questions.
Stenton Halloween Harvest Festival
On Saturday, Oct. 26, The Stenton Museum located at 4601 N 18th Street, will be hosting a Halloween Harvest Festival from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m . Join Stenton for an afternoon of family-friendly fall activities where all ages are welcome. There will be games, crafts, face-painting, pumpkin painting, storytime, a petting zoo, and a spooky cellar tour. Light refreshments and cider will be served, and the event is free.
Honorable mentions in nearby communitiesÂ
Chestnut Hill Halloween on the Hill
The Chestnut Hill business district will be sponsoring the annual Halloween on the Hill, where the community’s businesses will be decorated in spooky fashion across Germantown Avenue while giving out candy on Sunday. Oct. 27 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Families are invited to stroll Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike in costume, while visiting shops and restaurants that will have a “Treats Here” poster.
Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Night of Lights
On Thursday, Oct. 4, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy will kick off its 7th Annual Night of Lights, where they will transform Germantown Avenue into a vibrant streetscape exhibition of local histories and illuminated architecture.
A preview of lights will begin to shine on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, then the main festivities kick off on Oct. 4 with the “Flip the Switch” ceremony at 6:45 pm around 8318 Germantown Avenue. This year’s Night of Lights will also feature a new digital laser show on the 8300 block of Germantown Avenue by Mid Atlantic FX. The projections on the main street will then run every night until Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Malelani Cafe Spooky Stanzas Open Mic
The Malelani Cafe, at 6734 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy, will be hosting their Spooky Stanzas Open Mic on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9:00 to 11:00 pm. The event will consist of a variety of music and poetry performances, and more performers are encouraged to join.
Costumes are encouraged, the kitchen will be open late for the event, and there will be an outdoor fire pit for smores. There is a $10 entry fee for all attendees.
The Dare to Imagine Church Harvest FestivalÂ
The Dare to Imagine Church, at 6610 Anderson Street in Mt. Airy, will be bringing the community their annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. The family fun event will consist of games, crafts, snacks, and lots of candy, while costumes are encouraged. Registration is currently available here.
