A Grand Celebration Along the Avenue
Hosted by Nice Things Handmade in partnership with the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, Fall Fest will close East Passyunk Avenue to traffic from Morris to Dickinson Streets, centering around the iconic Singing Fountain and extending all the way to Broad Street. This expansion ensures ample space for a sprawling festival that perfectly captures the cozy, creative, and slightly spooky spirit of South Philly in the fall.
"When I started Fall Fest back in 2012, I just wanted to bring artists and neighbors together to celebrate creativity and community," said Elissa Kara, owner of Nice Things Handmade and founder of Fall Fest. "Thirteen years later, it’s grown into one of South Philly’s favorite traditions — full of art, small business, families, and a lot of heart."
Highlights You Won't Want to Miss:
The 2025 East Passyunk Fall Fest is packed with activities and attractions:
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110+ Artists, Makers & Vintage Vendors: Explore a vast marketplace featuring the region’s top talent, offering everything from handmade ceramics and jewelry to prints, clothing, and unique artwork. It's the perfect opportunity to discover local treasures and kickstart your holiday shopping.
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Costume Contests Galore:
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South Philly-Themed Costume Contest: Hosted by South Fellini at the Singing Fountain, show off your most creative "South Philly-inspired" attire – think food, sports, lawn chairs, or even parking cones! Kicking off at 11:00 AM for under 18s and 11:45 AM for adults.
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Dog Costume Contest: Bring your furry friends in their Halloween best! Hosted by Monster Minders at 12:30 PM at the Singing Fountain, with "paw-some" prizes and a chance to meet adoptable dogs from Street Tails Animal Rescue.
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Trick-or-Treating & Pumpkin Carving: Kids can enjoy the Creepy Crawl Trick-or-Treating starting at 11:00 AM at participating businesses (look for spiders in windows!), with candy provided by Acme Markets. Head to The Gateway at Broad and Tasker for pumpkin carving from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with all tools and pumpkins provided (while supplies last).
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Live Music & Entertainment: Groove to the beats of DJ Linz X Mars at the PPA Parking Lot and enjoy live music at the Singing Fountain from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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Unique Pop-Ups & Activations:
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Halloween Yarn Pop-Up: Drunken Knitwits & South Philly Yarn will host a viral yarn bomb and pop-up at the Singing Fountain, complete with a make-and-take craft station.
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Avenue Business Pop-ups: Local favorites like P’unk Burger, NRS Boutique, Spellbound Studio (offering tinsel extensions/braids), August Moon (permanent jewelry), and Creations by Coppola (design-your-own dried flower crowns) will have special offerings and activities within the festival footprint.
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Exclusive Deals: Various businesses along the Avenue will feature special deals, drinks like mulled cider, pumpkin spice lattes, tattoo flash specials, and even drag sideshows at Nutmeg!
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A Community-Centric Celebration
The East Passyunk Fall Fest is a testament to the vibrant community spirit of South Philly. It's a no-charge, rain-or-shine event, encouraging everyone to come out and celebrate. While food, drinks, and select activities are pay-as-you-go, the atmosphere of creativity, family fun, and neighborhood charm is priceless. Costumes are highly encouraged for both humans and pups, making it a truly Fido-friendly affair.
Conclusion:
East Passyunk Fall Fest has grown from a simple idea into a cornerstone of South Philly's autumn celebrations. This year promises to be the biggest and best yet, offering a perfect blend of spooky thrills, artistic discovery, and community camaraderie. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 25th, and join the thousands who flock to East Passyunk Avenue to experience the heart and soul of South Philadelphia's most beloved Halloween tradition. For more information, visit visiteastpassyunk.com/events/fall-fest.
