Family Activities, Local Vendors, Live Music, Food Trucks, and a Mac and Cheese Crawl Take Over Main Street for One Day Only
Philadelphia, PA – Manayunk Development Corporation is thrilled to announce another new block buster event this fall. Following the runaway success of Manayunk Restaurant Week and Stroll After Hours, MDC will debut Manayunk Fall Fest and Mac N Cheese Crawl on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, along historic Main Street. This one day celebration takes place during one of the best times of year to visit Manayunk, as the leaves are changing overhead, the towpath and trails never looked prettier, decorations are popping up at local businesses and seasonal flavors take over food and drink menus. Festival goers can expect family-friendly activities, 14+ food trucks and vendors, 50+ local vendors and artists, seasonal fare, autumn sips, live outdoor music, 2 stages, and a tasty crawl to pick the best Mac N Cheese in Manayunk.
Participating restaurants so far include Bayou Bar & Grill, Cactus Cantina, Blondie , Canalside Beer Garden , Chabaa Thai Bistro, JD McGillicuddys , Lucky’s Last Chance – Manayunk, Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, Mia Ragazza, Ryan’s Pub, Sophie’s BBQ, Taqueria Amor/Riptide Tavern, The Brass Tap- Philly, The Cresson Inn, The Goats Beard, The Tomato Shack – Manayunk, US Hotel Bar & Grill and Yanako. Manayunk Fall Festival is no charge and open to the public, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. Manayunk Mac N Cheese Crawl is $20 per person and tickets are on sale through manayunk.com/mnyk-events/manayunk-fall-fest/
“Manayunk Fall Fest and Mac N Cheese Crawl is the perfect way to celebrate fall in the city,” said Manayunk Development Corporation Branding & Digital Marketing Manager Julia Caterino. “We’re bringing together the best of Manayunk – our small businesses, culinary talent, and vibrant community – all in one place for a fun and festive day on Main Street.”
Fall Fest is designed for all ages, whether you’re looking to enjoy live music, indulge in fall-inspired treats, or simply enjoy a crisp October afternoon in Manayunk’s historic district. Many shops and restaurants will offer special deals and activities for the day.
Main Street will be transformed into a festive fall destination, filled with artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, and interactive fun for all ages. Shoppers can browse local goods, enjoy bites from neighborhood eateries, and take part in curated seasonal experiences only available during Fall Fest. The highlight of the event is the debut of the Mac and Cheese Crawl, a ticketed tasting tour showcasing creative takes on the classic comfort food by participating restaurants throughout the district.
MANAYUNK FALL FEST HIGHLIGHTS:
* Outdoor event from 11:00am to 4:00pm on Main Street
* 50+ local vendors and artisan makers
* 30+ kids vendors located at Venice Island PAF
* Family-friendly games and seasonal activities
* Food trucks and seasonal treats
* Mac and Cheese Crawl (ticketed event)
* Caricatures
* Face Painting
* Fall Fest Photobooth
* Pop-up Pumpkin Patch
* Special promotions from participating Manayunk shops and restaurants
MAC AND CHEESE CRAWL
The Mac and Cheese Crawl invites guests to taste their way through Manayunk with creative and delicious mac and cheese dishes from participating restaurants on Saturday, October 17th, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Presale tickets are $20 each and include samples from each stop, an event map, and exclusive crawl-day offers. Participating Manayunk restaurants so far include:
* Bar Jawn
* Bayou Bar & Grill
* Cactus Cantina
* Blondie
* Canalside Beer Garden
* Chabaa Thai Bistro
* JD McGillicuddy’s
* Lucky’s Last Chance- Manayunk
* Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
* Mia Ragazza
* Ryan’s Pub
* Sophie’s BBQ
* Taqueria Amor/Riptide Tavern
* The Brass Tap- Philly
* The Cresson Inn
* The Goats Beard
* The Tomato Shack – Manayunk
* US Hotel Bar & Grill
* Yanako
THREE LIVE MUSIC SOUND STAGES
Cotton Street Stage
* 11:00am: Street Beans
* 12:15pm: Kat Rivers and the Second Sight
* 1:30pm: Rowdy Cowboys Line Dancing Demonstration
* 3:00pm: Chris Rafter
Grape Street Stage
* 12:00pm: Huston West
* 2:30pm: Slim Chance
FALL FEST ACTIVITIES
* 11:00am to 4:00pm at Gay St: Face Painting – by Fabulous Face Painting
* 11:00am to 4:00pm at RichardsApex: Pop-up Pumpkin Patch w/ Pumpkin Decorating & Carnival Games
* 11:00am to 4:00pm at Grape St: Caricatures by Dan’s Toonz
* 11:00am to 4:00pm at Canal View Park: Fall Fun Photo Booth by Doc Rob Entertainment
* 11:00am to 4pm on the Venice Island PAF Basketball Courts: Kids Market
* 11:00am to 4:00pm at Roxborough Ave: Glass Blowing Demonstration by Levelthal Glass
* 12:15-1:15pm on Cotton St: Rowdy Cowboys Line Dancing Demonstration
KIDS MARKET
For the first time ever, Fall Fest will host Kids Market at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center Basketball Courts (access via Cotton st or Lock St). Kids Markets is a non-pro fit organization with the goal of bringing the entrepreneurial experience to kids ages 5-17 across the country. Kids create their own products, set their pricing, and do all the work of selling on market day. Parents get to sit back and watch as their child builds confidence, independence, and important life skills that they will carry with them into adulthood. There will be 40 kid vendors set-up for the event.
BENNETT’S BUDDYS
“Paws for a Cause” to benefit the PSPCA
Join Bennett from The NEW 96.5 and the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) at Richard’s Apex Lot, 4202 Main Street, during the Manayunk Fall Festival for Paws for a Cause! For 13 years, Bennett’s Buddies has helped connect adoptable pets with loving homes, and this year that mission expands with a special three-day live broadcast supporting the PSPCA. Stop by to meet adorable adoptable animals, support the PSPCA’s lifesaving work, and drop off much-needed pet food, blankets, towels and other supplies. Come celebrate, lend a paw and help make a difference for pets in need!
FALL FEST FOOD TRUCKS
* 2 Street Sammies
* Babalouie BBQ
* Bacon on a Stick
* Beck’s Cajun Cafe
* Cada Mañana Café
* Fiesta Churros LLC
* Humpty’s Dumplings
* Los Gallos Restaurant & Taqueria
* Moocheeze
* MOZZAREPAS
FALL FEST VENDORS
ArtByAlicia LLC
Auntie M’s
Bizbeadz
BLACK WHITE GRAY, LLC
Brixxy & Co.
Color Nest
Cracked Bell
Crochet2theMax
DD Collectibles
Edna Rambo Pottery
Fairy Hair Events
Folia Green
From Mine, to Yours
Harleysville Beekeeper
its a janda
Jerry’s Pickles
Kani Kouture
Kelly Schanes Designs
Kids Kases
Kids Sweet Repeats
Laevera
Lady Art
Let’s Get Spooky
Lily Lough Jewelry
Little Big Stories Co
Luvumuchcandles
Made Sweet Co
Mag Hugg
Maker Missya
Mount Airy Candle Co.
MR. Big Stuff Cookie Co.
Not So Normal Ceramics
Oby Found Vintage
Manayunk Fall Fest is no charge to attend. Mac N Cheese Crawl is $20 tickets are on pace to sell out for the debut year.
FALL FEST MERCHANT SPECIALS/PROMO
* BabyFace Studio: Fall Market & pottery sale
* Blondie: Drink specials
* City of Paws: In-store sale and pumpkin pup cups
* Mia Ragazza: Drink & food Specials
* Sophie’s BBQ: Food special
* Taqueria Amor: Taq-Area 51 Halloween Pop-up
* The Goat’s Beard: Drink & food Specials
* Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory: Specialty ice cream & sundae: Harvest Apple ice cream and our Hot Apple A La Mode Sundae
OTHER OCTOBER HAPPENINGS
Manayunk Fall Fest and Mac N Cheese Crawl is one of many events in Manayunk this October.
Haunted House on Main Street!
Lincoln Mill Haunted House is now open at 4100 Main Street as one of the region’s scariest and well done haunted houses.
Lincoln Mill Haunted House
4100 Main Street, Manayunk
September 26 to November 7, 2026
lincolnmillhaunt dot com/
Give years ago Hurricane Ida devastated the region and shuttered the famous Mad River in Manayunk. The building owner has joined forces with a local artist and designer to take back the story and debut Philadelphia’s scariest and largest new haunted house – and they are back for season five in 2026! After sold out haunts for Valentine’s, St. Paddy’s and May the 4th inspired Haunted House, the region’s most buzzed about and story-driven Haunted House returns for Spooky SZN. Lincoln Mill Haunted House will open this year from September 26 to November 7 at 4100 Main Street for six weekends this year. Lincoln Mill will feature over 40 live scare-actors, production quality sets, props, animatronics, and special effects such as fog, strobes, and flashing lights. The attraction is intended to be VERY scary. In fact, the owners want it to be the scariest haunted house in the greater Philadelphia region. The main haunted house event will run hours on Fridays and Saturdays for the first two weeks, then expand to Thursdays to Sundays, check website for actual schedule. For those that aren’t into very scary attractions, there will be a more family-oriented event on select Saturdays during the daytime. Tickets are officially on sale now. Tickets for this year start at $25 each and up. Look for news of food trucks, local breweries and more to be announced in coming weeks. Plus stay tuned for the 2026 upgrades, theme and story, and other surprises. For more information, visit www dot lincolnmillhaunt dot com.
Lincoln Mill Ghost Tours
4100 Main Street, Manayunk
Dates may vary
lincolnmillhaunt dot com/
Explore the haunted history and ghostly legends of Manayunk after dark. This interactive paranormal experience puts EMF readers in your hands as you investigate unexplained activity, uncover chilling local legend and search for signs that you may not be alone… Check website for dates and availability.
Halloween Pop-up Bar on Main Street!
Taqueria Amor is decked out for spooky season as a Halloween pop-up bar, with the 2026 theme being Taq Area 51.
Taq Area 51 – Halloween Pop-up Bar
Taqueria Amor
4410 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
September 10 to November 1, 2026
Taqueria Amor debuts Halloween Theme Taq-Area 51, from Thursday September 10th through November 1st! This will be the fun and all-encompassing theme for the Manayunk restaurant and bar. Themed cocktails and food menu will be available, decor crafted by Manager Max and other vignettes. Expect your experience to be out of this world.
FearLit 2026 by Thrillerdelphia
Venice Island PAC
Lock St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
October 31, 2026
fearlit dot com/
Be a part of the first ever FearLit event hosted by Thrillerdelphia. 25 authors. 4 hours. Horror takes Center stage. This event will host a variety of authors including Keith Rosson, local best seller Jason Rekulek, and many more. Festivities will include author panels and signings, performances and programing, as well as books, film, physical media, and horror culture available on-site.
Halloween in Manayunk
Presented by Manayunk Development Corporation
See below for individual dates from September 10 to November 7, 2026
Celebrate spooky season in style with Halloween in Manayunk! From trick-or-treating on Main Street to festive events and themed activities for all ages, this annual celebration brings the whole community together for a frightfully fun time.
FESTIVE HAPPENINGS
Taqueria Amor transforms into one of the region’s top Halloween themed bars from September 10 to November 1, 2026. Lincoln Mill Haunted House runs scares up frights and fun on Main Street from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, November 7, 2026. Rocky Horror Picture Show takes over Venice Island Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and Manayunk Fall Festival and Mac N Cheese Crawl debuts on Saturday, October 16, 2026.
Main Street Trick or Treating:
Come out for trick-or-treating in Manayunk on Sunday, October 24, 2026. Join us on Main Street for community trick-or-treating from 11:00am to 2:00pm at participating local businesses. Stop into City of Paws with your furry friends to participate in their Pet Costume Contest.
MERCHANTS SPECIALS PROMO/HAPPENINGS
* Blondie: Halloween Party Oct. 31
* City of Paws: Pet Costume Contest Oct. 24th
* Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant: Live music + food/drink specials Oct. 31
* Philadelphia Runner: Halloween Run on Oct. 29 & All City 20 Miler on Oct. 31
* Taqueria Amor: Taq Area 51 Themed Pop-Up
* The Brass Tap Philly: Harry Potter trivia Oct. 6 | Pumpkin Painting Oct. 10 (kid friendly) | Halloween Drag Bingo Oct. 29 | Halloween Party Oct. 31
* The Little Apple: Full Jellycat Halloween collection in-stock
* Thrillerdelphia: FearLit at Venice Island Oct. 31
* US Hotel Bar & Grill: Halloween Fancy Dress Party w/ Prizes on Oct. 31
ABOUT MANAYUNK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
The Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) is a charitable organization with both a primary business development mission and a cooperating community development mission. As a business development organization, MDC takes primary responsibility for the management, promotion, and positive business development of the Main Street business district. As a community development corporation, MDC cooperates with other civic and community organizations in the Manayunk area to plan and carry out community programming and physical improvement projects of interest to both businesses and residents in Manayunk.