This October, the National Constitution Center is turning spooky season into a celebration of history, family fun, and civic spirit. “Founders and Frights: Halloween at the National Constitution Center” runs all month long, from October 1 through October 31, filling America’s most historic square mile with ghostly tales, outdoor movies, and hands-on activities for all ages.
History lovers can join “Ghosts of the Founding Era,” a haunted walking tour through Old City on select October evenings, where guides share spine-tingling stories of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and the legends of revolutionary Philadelphia. The tour is free, though advance registration is required.
On Friday, October 16, bring a blanket and settle in under the stars for “Movies on the Mall,” a free outdoor screening of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. Pre-movie activities start at 5:30 p.m. with 18th-century games, arts and crafts, and Park Ranger programs, and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Then on Sunday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can enjoy “Halloween in the Historic District,” with a trick-or-treat station in the Center’s lobby, a Halloween trivia wheel, and festive crafts.
Prefer to celebrate at home? Download the Center’s free printable pumpkin carving and decorating templates inspired by American history and the Constitution, and share your creations by tagging @constitutionctr. All Halloween activities are free and open to everyone; a museum ticket is required only to explore the exhibits, including Signers’ Hall.
Photo: Ziko van Dijk / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
