Are you looking for the best October events in Florida?
You’ve come to the right place!
I love when October in Florida rolls around! There are wild parties like Fantasy Fest in Key West, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, food fests and fall festivals around every corner.
The Sunshine State really knows how to celebrate the Florida fall season!
So, let’s go through the top October events in Florida that will have you falling in love with Florida all over again!
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Key Takeaways
- Celebrate the season at the Fall Festival at Great Scott Farms in Mount Dora
- Go nuts at the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston
- Pull on your lederhosen and raise a stein at one of Florida’s famous Oktoberfest’s
- Let loose and get wild at Fantasy Fest in Key West
Keep reading for a full guide to the best things to do in Florida in October.
1. Taste of the Beach in Pensacola Beach
The family-friendly Taste of the Beach festival has free admission and fun activities for the kids like hermit crab races and kids’ cooking classes.
For the big kids, there is live music, cooking demonstrations, interactive presentations, and of course adult beverages and fun frozen cocktails.
But if you want to taste your way through the Gulf, then the small plates are priced around $5 to $10.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Celebrate incredible food and great Chefs during a lively waterfront culinary showcase
- Go on a culinary adventure on the VIP Trolley Dinner Tour with wine pairings, or you can upgrade to the ultimate VIP Party Dinner Trolley Tour
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 29th to November 1st, 2026 with the main event on October 31st
- Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: Main event is free
- Location: Casino Beach’s Gulfside Pavilion at 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 (Location still to be confirmed for 2026)
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2. Fantasy Fest in Key West
It’s time for the grownups to play and let loose with the famous Key West free-spirited vibe!
Let me warn you this 10-day Florida festival in October is not for the timid.
There will be body art, themed parties, outrageous costumes, contests, and lots of booze at Fantasy Fest in Key West.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- The famous Pet Masquerade takes center stage with four competition categories: Junior, Pet/Owner Lookalike, Most Exotic, and Best Theme Adaptation, plus the coveted Overall Winner/Best in Show title on October 21st
- March through Old Town in costumes and bring the noisemakers to The Captain Morgan Masquerade March on October 23rd
- Stroll through the Fantasy Fest Street Fair and Costume Promenade on October 24th
- Join over 70,000 partygoers as they flood Duval Street at the Fantasy Fest Parade on October 24th
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 16th to 25th, 2026
- Time: Check out the schedule of events here
- Cost: Events vary, but there is a free Duval Loop that can drop you off at your favorite party
- Location: Key West, Florida
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3. Raise Your Steins to Florida’s Oktoberfests
It’s time to party Bavarian style this October in Florida with the famous Oktoberfest!
Florida is brewing with festive Biergarten tents and delicious German bier, authentic German food, lively party bands, and traditional dances.
Put on your lederhosen and get in on the Best Dressed contests, or try out the Stein Hoisting and Alp Horn Blowing competitions.
During the day, there will be play zones and bounce houses for the kids, plus carnivals, face painting, and photo booths for everyone to enjoy.
Florida Oktoberfests Events and Dates:
- Sarasota Oktoberfest: October 10th and 11th, 2026
- Flora-Bama’s Oktoberfest in Pensacola: October 11th, 2026
- Panama City Beach: October 16th to October 18th, 2026
- Avalon Park Oktoberfest in Orlando: October 9th and 10th, 2026
- Oktoberfest Tampa: October 9th to 11th, 2026
- Oktoberfest Miami: October 9th to 11th and October 16th to 18th, 2026
- Oktoberfest of the Palm Beaches (Lake Worth Beach): October 9th to 11th and October 16th to 18th, 2026
- Vero Beach Oktoberfest: October 16th and 18th, 2026
- Annual Beaches Oktoberfest in Jacksonville Beach: October 16th to 17th, 2026
4. Great Scott Farms Fall Festival in Mount Dora
Great Scott Farms is one of the most popular and famous October events in Florida and a fall annual tradition that everyone should visit, in my opinion.
For the young ones there is super slide and castle playground, gem mining and a corn pit.
Then for the big kids you can shop at the farm market for some homemade goodies and farm-fresh produce, hang out at the café on site, listen to live entertainment and enjoy some adult bevies with a beer or wine.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Check out the vintage trucks and tractors
- Try to find your way out of the labyrinth, corn maze and even a night maze
- Go on a hayride and enjoy a farm tour
- Have fun in the pumpkin patch and find your perfect gourd
- Take lots of photos at all the photo ops on site
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: September 26th until November 15th
- Time: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: Adults start at $16.99; children under 3 are free (Buying your ticket online will save you a few dollars)
- Location: 26216 County Road 448A Mount Dora, FL 32757
5. Central Florida Veg Fest in Orlando
This is the perfect October event in Florida for anyone curious about vegetarian or vegan living, a full-time vegan, or just loves good food.
Central Florida Veg Fest is one of the biggest and best vegan festivals in the country!
There will be educational exhibits and activities; it’s family and dog-friendly, and so much delicious vegan food you can stay and eat the day away.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Listen to the music on the acoustic stage
- Shop from veg-friendly vendors
- Watch cooking demos from expert chefs
- Check out the animal haven
- Explore the kids’ veggie zone
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 24th, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Location: Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando at 2911 E. Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32803
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6. Fall Festival in Orange Park
The Fall Festival in Orange Park has roots dating back to 1982, beginning with only twelve craft booths and a couple of guitar players.
Now it hosts over 200 artisans and more than 30 food vendors and two stages with incredible entertainment over two days.
It is considered Clay County’s oldest and largest Arts and Crafts Festival and is a must-visit this October in Florida.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Buy wristbands for the kids, and they can bounce on inflatables in the Kids Zone, climb the rock wall, go on pony rides, and dare to try the Atomic Bungee
- Shop for art, unique gifts, handmade quilts, jewelry, pottery, and special finds for your pets
- Fill your bellies with finger-lickin’ barbecue, succulent local seafood, sweet funnel cakes, and big ol’ turkey legs
- Listen to live music on two different stages
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 17th and 18th, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days
- Cost: Free
- Location: 2042 Park Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073
7. Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston
Some say peanut butter makes everything better; well, you can find out for yourself at the Central Florida Peanut Festival in Williston!
Peanut fans will flip their lids for the pumpkin pie peanut butter, while others will have a shell of a good time celebrating the peanut harvest with the never-ending peanuts available.
The food trucks will keep you fueled, the contests and games will entertain you, and the endless vendors will keep you in awe.
There is everything from arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, BBQ goodies and homemade beef jerky, dips and mixes, sourdough breads, scrumptious sweet treats and so much more.
This festival is peanut-perfect for everyone!
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Browse over 100 vendors offering everything from artsy creations to tasty treats
- Jam to the musical entertainment
- Snap lots of peanut-themed photo ops
- Go nuts tasting all the peanut treats from boiled, roasted, to mixed into the foods and desserts
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 3rd, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Location: Williston’s Heritage Park, NW 1st Ave, Williston, FL 32696
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8. The Berry Farm Harvest Festival in Miami
If you’re looking for something fun to do in Florida in October, you’ve just hit the pumpkin patch jackpot.
This family-owned and operated farm in Miami’s countryside is hosting its annual Berry Farm Harvest Festival across 40 sprawling acres.
But it’s not all about berries here! Their giant pumpkin patch is sprawling with seasonal photo opps and plenty of pumpkins to bring home.
Plus their iconic 5-acre corn maze and hayrides through the farm are back again for this year and gorgeous sunflower fields for even more perfect instaworthy photos.
Then from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, grab a partner (or make a new one) and dance the night away with salsa and line dancing.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Make your way through a 5-acre corn maze
- Have fun in the pumpkin patch filled with countryside and fun photo ops
- Kick back on a fun hayride
- Enjoy the music on the weekends in October and explore the weekend market
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: September 16th, to November 15th, 2026
- Time: On weekends in October, they have extended hours until 9 pm with music on select Fridays and Sundays and select days in November (1, 6, 8, 23, 15)
- Cost: Salsa and Line dancing is $16.48
- Location: The Berry Farm 13720 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33170
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9. Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest in Panama City Beach
Fall brings the annual Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest to Panama City Beach for another swashbuckling year!
The schedule is packed with events like a treasure drop, float tours, fire circus, knight training, and sword fights, it is a full-on pirate-themed weekend.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Start your morning with The Pirate Breakfast Experience
- Watch live mermaid shows and meet and greets, Ghost Pirate Fire Performances, live entertainment and fireworks
- Raise a pint at the Pirate’s Pub
- Explore the enchanted marketplace with sword and whip demonstrations
- Check out the Pirate Flotilla at Capt. Andersons Marina
- Enjoy action-packed medieval combat at the Knights at the Beach Tournament of Champions
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
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10. Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach
Biketoberfest is rolling back into Daytona Beach and it’s going to be 4 full throttle days of action and events!
Fuel your weekend with live music, exciting motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway, demo rides, custom bike builds and shows throughout Volusia County.
What makes it special?
Here you’ll get to:
- Cruise miles of scenic rides along Florida’s famous A1A, historic Main Street or the Scenic Loop
- Rock out at outdoor concerts
- Explore the largest motorcycle marketplace with displays and live entertainment
- Check out the Fall Cycle Scene at Daytona International Speedway
- Swing by the Annual Cruisin’ the Hill Car Show with live music, awards, and food trucks at the Holly Hill City Hall Front Lawn
Event Details of this October Florida Festival:
- Date: October 15th to 18th, 2026
- Time: Download the Biketoberfest App to stay up to date with events and times
- Cost: Varies on event
- Location: The Welcome Center will be trackside in Daytona International Speedway at 1801 West International Speedway Blvd and events throughout Volusia County
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Wrapping Up Best Things to Do in Florida in October
Well, there you have it, Hipsters! You’ve got no excuse not to get out and experience Florida in October.
With nearly every type of festival and event you can imagine happening in October in Florida, the Sunshine State is where fall memories are made!
If you are looking for Halloween fun, check out the Florida Hipster blog post here for the 35 Scary and Fun Things to Do in Florida for Halloween.
Until next time, Happy Florida Travels Hipster!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.
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(Original Article Date: October 11, 2025/Updated by Editor on July 31, 2026)