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5 can't-miss Philly events in October

Break out the sweaters, dust off your boots. October brings with it some of the best clothing options and some of the best events, too. Philadelphia, as always, is chock-full of the good stuff - from Kanye West's Wells Fargo Center show to the Philadelphia Film Festival's celebrating its 25th year - and you can attend each and everyone one of them wearing your most stylish cable-knit.

Break out the sweaters, dust off your boots. October brings with it some of the best clothing options and some of the best events, too. Philadelphia, as always, is chock-full of the good stuff - from Kanye West's Wells Fargo Center show to the Philadelphia Film Festival's celebrating its 25th year - and you can attend each and everyone one of them wearing your most stylish cable-knit.

» READ MORE: Terror Behind the Walls

Through Nov. 5, Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd Street & Fairmount Avenue, $19-$45, 215-236-3300.

It's not really October without a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary for the annual undead takeover of the defunct prison. Been there, done that? Why not try out Night of Terror (Creamy Acres Greenhouses, 448 Lincoln Mill Rd., Mullica Hill, nightofterror.com) or the Bates Motel (Arasapha Farm, 1835 Middletown Rd., Glen Mills, thebatesmotel.com)?

» READ MORE: Kanye West

8 p.m. Tuesday, Well Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St. $29.50-$199, 215-336-3600.

Yeezy hits up Philly on his Saint Pablo tour. Say what you will about West as a celebrity, he's a compelling live performer who appreciates both showmanship and musicianship. He was the perfect headliner for the 2014 edition of Made in America festival - that's the last time he performed a full set within city limits - because he was big enough and bold enough to rev up a crowd that had been rocking out since the early afternoon. But his music is only half the draw: Sometimes, it's just fun to hear Kanye rant. And with a live Kanye show, a rant is inevitable.

And, hey, who knows? Maybe Kim will show up.

» READ MORE: 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest

7-11 p.m. next Friday; 1-5 p.m. & 7-11 p.m. Oct. 8; Noon-4 p.m. & 6-10 p.m. Oct. 9, 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd St., $45-$65, 267-909-8814.

For three days in October, the 23rd Street Armory will undergo a total Bavarian transformation for the first Armory Oktoberfest - an event that its organizers have called the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the area. Blue-and-white canvas tenting will take over the building for a day of German food, entertainment, and beer from the Munich Oktoberfest mainstay Hofbräuhaus.

» READ MORE: Philadelphia Film Festival

Oct. 20-30, various venues, 267-239-2941, filmadelphia.org.

Start studying for your Oscar pool. The Philadelphia Film Society brings in awards bait before it hits theaters (or doesn't come to the city at all) for 10 straight days of cinematic goodness. This year marks the 25th anniversary of film nerds' fave fest.

» READ MORE: Harry Potter Festival

Harry Potter conference, Oct. 20 & 21, $10, Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Ave..

Harry Potter Festival, Oct. 22, Germantown Avenue from Rex to Willow Grove Avenues. Free.

Chestnut Hill gets a magical makeover for a weekend, complete with a Friday night bar crawl (tickets went on sale Wednesday, so get them soon: This part always sells out), owl meet-and-greets, Quidditch tournament, special shopping opportunities, and Defense of the Dark Arts classes. For the first time this year, Chestnut Hill will close off six blocks to cars for the Potter festivities.

If you're looking for something a bit more academic, Chestnut Hill College hosts a Harry Potter-themed conference Oct. 20-21, expanding to two days to accommodate a new high school portion of the conference Thursday.

meichel@phillynews.com

215-854-5909

@mollyeichel