Contact:  
Giavana Suraci  
T 215.440.5516  
gsuraci@centercityphila.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Weekend-long festival with live entertainment, a hay maze and activities for families! 

PHILADELPHIA (September 19, 2023) – Hay bales, corn stalks and pumpkins aplenty; Center City District prepares to host Dilworth Park’s annual fall festival with entertainment for guests of all ages. Beginning Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8, Harvest Weekend will feature live music, seasonal food and beverage items and activities for families. Attendance is free for everyone. 

Dilworth Park’s popular Hay Maze on the Greenfield Lawn will also return on Friday, September 29 ahead of Harvest Weekend. Located on the west side of historic City Hall, the family-friendly attraction brings fall-on-the farm fun to the center of the city. It will be open to the public from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through October 7, and will close for the season at 6 p.m. on October 8. 

In addition to the Hay Maze, Harvest Weekend guests can expect a weekend-long schedule of free activities and entertainment, including local bands and DJs, live pumpkin carving demonstrations and pumpkin painting for children. Strolling performers, including scarecrow stilt walkers and magicians, will also make an appearance throughout the weekend. On Friday evening at 5:30 p.m., the Philly Goat Project will host a meet and greet with goats for guests of all ages.

On Saturday afternoon, Maker’s Mark® Diplomat, Mai Jeans, will be onsite from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. with customized tote bag giveaways, and at 4:15 p.m., visitors 21 and older are invited to participate in a stein-hoisting contest presented by Tröegs Independent Brewing. Festivities will continue on Sunday with live apple cider making at 3 p.m. Also on Sunday, everyone is invited to explore the park’s City Pickle pickle ball courts. From 1 p.m.-3 p.m., there will be fun pickle ball activities and prizes!

Familiar fall flavors will be offered at multiple locations throughout the park, such as seasonal staples like bratwurst and Bavarian pretzels. A full selection of local and craft beer brands will also be available, including Tröegs and Michelob Ultra. Tasty cocktails made with Maker’s Mark® bourbon and Haku® Vodka will also be featured. 

Planned in conjunction with Harvest Weekend, the Made in Philadelphia Fall Market will return with more than 60 local vendors. Treats, trinkets, handmade artwork and more will be showcased. Guests are encouraged to support these vendors while enjoying the weekend’s festivities. 

Harvest Weekend and the Made in Philadelphia Fall Market hours are: 

Friday, October 6: Noon-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 7: Noon-8 p.m.
Sunday, October 8: Noon-6 p.m. 

The schedule of entertainment includes:  

Friday, October 6:  
2 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Hosted by DJ justSANTI

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration

4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Strolling Circus Arts

5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Visit with the Philly Goat Project  

Saturday, October 7: 
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.:  Pumpkin Painting for Kids  

1 p.m.-4 p.m.:  Maker’s Mark® Tote Bag Making

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration  

2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.: Live Music: The Last Generation on Film

2 p.m.-4:45 p.m.: Strolling Circus Arts 

3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.: Live Music: Zeek Burse

4:15 p.m.:  Stein Holding Contest presented by Tröegs Independent Brewing

5 p.m.-5:45 p.m.: Live Music: TBA

6:15 p.m.-7 p.m.: Live Music: Christian Crosby

 Sunday, October 8: 
Hosted by DJ Kendollaz

12:30 p.m.-2:30pm: Pumpkin Painting Activity

1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Live Music: Ikechi Onyenaka  

1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Pickle Ball

1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Strolling Circus Arts 

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Pumpkin Carving Demonstration  

2:15 p.m.-3 p.m.: Live Music: Scarlet Fiorella

3 p.m.-4 p.m.: Apple Cider Making

3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.: Live Music: TBA

4:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Live Music: Gabrielle Chapman & the Vortex

The fall season at Dilworth Park is supported by Temple University. All programs are weather permitting and subject to change. Learn more at DilworthPark.org. 

                                                                                                  ###

The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.