The ghouls, ghosts and goblins are lurking out there.

It’s that time of year for the haunting, howling Halloween madness. Get your party vibe on and make a ghost appearance with your own HPC (Halloween Party Crawl) to explore the area’s kookiest and spookiest fright-fests. Just be ware of the scare! But first, one party that kicks off this column is not frightening. It’s the FunTimes 30th Anniversary Celebration, which is less about haunted and more about history. Check it out! And remember, before venturing out to any of these in-person activities, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers. As a general rule: If you feel unwell, please do not attend in person.

October 29, 2022. We never like to brag, but sometimes milestones just make you boastful. FunTimes is celebrating 30 years as a trusted source of information and engagement in the local and international community. To mark the big occasion, FunTimes will throw a party at ShopRite this Saturday. The get-together will be a showcase of African and Caribbean culture, community and tradition, and includes a special ceremonial program. That’s when we’ll have our anniversary cake – and eat it, too! And that’s not all. Enjoy fabulous small plates, anniversary goodies, African music, plus more surprises and delights. Local elected leaders will be on hand to present congratulatory proclamations to the magazine and Publisher Eric Nzeribe whose vision has made FunTimes a rousing success. Where there is FunTimes, there is unity in the community! Check out the festivities on Facebook Live, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Free, In-person, from noon to 2 p.m. (Program:12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.). Inside Brown’s ShopRite, 2946 Island Ave., Penrose Plaza Shopping Center, Southwest Philadelphia, funtimesmagazine.com or to pre-register: eventbrite.com.

 

Halloween for the hounds

 

October 29, 2022. Who will win best of show? Billed as Philly’s largest Halloween pet costume contest, check out the 8th Annual Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival and Pet Costume Contest hosted by the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District partners and Street Tails Animal Rescue. The cutest canines will battle for winnings including a $500 cash grand prize courtesy of Wilson’s Estate Jewelry. All proceeds benefit Street Tails Animal Rescue to help homeless and unwanted animals in the Philadelphia area. Like prized show dogs, costumed pets will compete in five categories including Best Puppy, Best Adult Dog, Best Group and Best Pet and Human Combo. Noon to 5 p.m., registration $30 per pet. 700 Block of N. 2nd St., Northern Liberties, 267-761-9434, streettails.org.

 

Mt. Airy turns scary in artistic student production

October 26, 2022. Fright Night with Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden promises to be a Halloween blast with the goal of having “a creepy crawly good time.“ Enjoy costume contests, interactive artwork, a haunted photo booth, witches brews and spooky cocktails.” Wear your best Dracula, Ghostbusters or any reasonable costume that gets you noticed. Suggested donations will be posted for continued drink tickets. All proceeds go to DVAA and Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden: $25 in advance, $30 at the door (includes one drink ticket, food); 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden, 2241 N Philip St,  267-850-5445, eventbrite.com.

Ghouls dance with the ghosts and goblins

October 27, 2022. It’s a mouthful: MONSTER MASH Live Not-So-Scary SING-A-LONG +Pictures with Dracula & Friends. It’s advertised as “the Ultimate Halloween Stage Show.” Either way, if it’s anything like the classic “Monster Mash” song, get ready for a kooky, spooky good time. Meet Dracula, Wolfman and Frankenstein. Come in costume and enjoy The Not-So-Scary Spooky Sing-A-Long and get a Count Dracula’s candy bag to die for. 4 p.m., $13-$23, Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St., 215-567-2848, patch.com.

 

Whacky warehouse of horrors haunts

 

Al Capone was a boarder in this joint 

Through November 22, 2022. The Eastern State Penitentiary gets a lot of attention this time of year, and rightfully so. The first real penitentiary in the U.S., dating to 1829, is fraught with fear. Are the ghosts of prisoners’ past looming? Get lost literally in Halloween Nights featuring five impressive haunted houses, a campfire, food, a speakeasy in gangster Al Capone’s old prison crib (let’s call it a “cell reception”) and a beer garden (hey, witches like brews), $34-$60, 2027 Fairmount Ave., 215-236-3300, easternstate.org/halloween.