Philadelphia and its surrounding counties always have something going on. Autumn is in the air with the Scarecrow and Harvest Brew festivals this weekend. Families can bounce at Sky Zone or get their hands dirty at Clay Fest. Fill your bellies at the Burger Brawl or Mexican Independence Day. And then work off those calories at Atlantic City’s Ironman or the Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon. The area is full of fall fun this weekend. We’ve found the top (and affordable) choices of what to do this weekend, Sept. 13-15, in Philly and New Jersey.
What: Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village
Celebrate fall at this annual Bucks County event. There will be scarecrow making workshops, pumpkin painting, food, live music and lots of shopping opportunities.
Where: Peddler’s Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope, Pa.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Harvest Brew Fest
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Taste craft beers at this annual event that also includes food, local artists and live music.
Where: Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
What: Sky Zone Philadelphia’s Birthday
To celebrate its birthday, Sky Zone Philadelphia will be giving away free, 30-minute jump passes.
Where: Sky Zone, 9490 Blue Grass Rd., Philadelphia (Also at the Glen Mills, Levittown and Chalfont locations)
When: Friday
Cost: Free for 30-minutes
What: Fall Family Festival Weekend
This two-day family friendly festival features crafts, food, live music, children’s activities and amusement rides.
Where: JFK Blvd. and the Promenade, Sea Isle, NJ
When: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show
For decades, the outdoor art show, claiming to be the oldest in the country, has bought artists to the tony Center City square. Tents surround the park this weekend as artists show off their work.
Where: Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
When: Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free to browse
What: Woof Wag + Walk
West Laurel Hill Cemetery is hosting a morning of fun for people and pets alike that features a special tour.
Where: West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA
When: Saturday at 10 a.m.
Cost: $10 per dog
What: Civil War Weekend
Visitors can tour Civil War camps, visit with reenactors and watch a battle reenactment.
Where: Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Rt 9 S, Cape May, NJ
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $14, free for members
What: 65th Annual Hero Thrill Show
Experience the thrills of Philadelphia police officers doing motorcycle formations. Proceeds go to pay for the college tuition of children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
Where: Wells Fargo Center parking lot, Broad and Pattison streets in South Philadelphia
When: Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 per individual, $25 per family
What: Village Renaissance Faire
Performers will entertain on 10 stages with aerialist shows, live music, archery, juggling and comedy. There will be a petting zoo, pony rides, games, crafts, food and more.
Where: Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, 576 Penns Park Rd., Wrightstown, Pa.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $10
What: Clay Fest
Get your hands muddy at this free hands-on clay making fest for all ages. There will be wheel throwing, demos and ice cream.
Where: The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American St., Philadelphia
When: Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Varies
What: Burger Brawl
Taste all the burgers (and cocktails) you desire from more than 60 restaurants as the top chef compete for burger supremacy.
Where: Navy Yard, Philadelphia
When: Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost: $45, children under 10 are free
What: Rock N Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
All skill levels are invited to participate in a half marathon, 10K or 5K that features live music as the backdrop to the races.
Where: Various locations
When: Half Marathon starts Sunday at 7:30 a.m.
Cost: Free to Watch
What: Mexican Independence Day
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and presented by the Mexican Cultural Center of Philadelphia, Mexico’s independence will be celebrated in Philadelphia with food, face painting, live music and more.
Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
When: Sunday, from 2 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Hispanic Heritage Month
Philadelphia will honor and celebrate the Hispanic culture and heritage at a variety of events, including Mexican Independence Day and the Puerto Rican Day Parade, this month.
Where: Varies locations
When: Sunday through Oct. 15
What: Center City District Restaurant Week
Enjoy awesome deals for a three-course lunch or dinner at more than 120 restaurants.
Where: Participating restaurants in Center City, Philadelphia
When: Sunday through Sept. 27
Cost: $20 for lunch, $35 for dinner
What: Ironman 70.3 Atlantic City
The race begins at sunrise with a 1.2-mile swim, then a 2.5-mile bike loop and ends with a 13.1-mile run.
Where: Bader Field, 601 N. Albany Ave., Atlantic City, NJ
When: Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free to watch
What: Fringe Festival
This citywide performance festival takes place over two weeks and is a cross between avant-garde, professional and street theater performers.
Where: Various locations around Philadelphia
When: through Sept. 22
Cost: Varies
What: Spruce Street Harbor Park
Enjoy lawn games, hammocks, food, floating gardens are more at this summer park filled with fun.
Where: Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
When: Through Sept. 29
Cost: Free
What: Festival of Fountains
This fantastic fountain show features more than 1,000 jets, vibrant colors, music and more.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
When: Through Sept. 29
Cost: Varies
What: Creatures of Habitat: A Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure
Life-size LEGO brick animals will fill the Philadelphia Zoo during this event in order to tell the story of endangered wildlife. Visitors can learn how human behavior impacts endangered species and be inspired to take action to stem the global change. The Zoo Key, a former local tradition, will also make its return with this exhibit. The Zoo Key will unlock secrets and stories about animals throughout the zoo.
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia
When: Through Sept. 30
Cost: Zoo admission is $16 for child ages 2 to 11 and $19 for any 12 or older
What: PHS Pop Up Garden
Throughout the summer this garden will host creative events, planet exchanges, arts and crafts for the kids and flower crown Fridays.
Where: 15th and South Street, Philadelphia
When: Open through October, Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to midnight and on Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free to enter
What: Dinosaurs Around the World
Visit with dozens of animatronic dinosaurs as you discover and learn about things like volcano activity and fossils.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences
When: Through Jan. 20
Cost: From $7 in addition to general admission