20 Fun Things to do in Orlando in October
As the autumn air brings a refreshing change, you might be looking for fun activities to fill your calendar. Whether you’re searching for a lively Oktoberfest celebration, a family-friendly festival, or a spooky haunted house, you’ll find it all right here in Orlando. October in Central Florida is buzzing with energy, offering a perfect blend of seasonal charm and theme park magic.
This guide is your go-to resource for the best things to do in Orlando in October. We’ve organized everything to help you plan the perfect month.
1. Oktoberfest at Avalon Park
- Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 5-10 pm
- Address: 3651 Avalon Park E Blvd, Orlando, FL 32828
- Best for: A traditional, family-friendly Oktoberfest experience.
Get ready for a fantastic community celebration at Oktoberfest at Avalon Park. This annual event is perfect for the whole family, featuring live music, traditional Alpine dancing, and a bustling beer garden for the adults. Kids can enjoy a variety of games and activities. With an array of food trucks on-site, you’ll have plenty of delicious options to choose from.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to find a good parking spot and stake out a place near the stage to enjoy the live performances.
2. Oktoberfest – Celebration Town Center
- Dates: October 17 & 18, 2025
- Address: 610 Sycamore St, Celebration, FL 34747
- Best for: A picturesque lakeside festival with a unique “falling leaves” spectacle.
If one Oktoberfest isn’t enough, head over to the scenic Celebration Town Center. This two-day festival offers a charming, lakeside atmosphere with live music and family fun. You can take a hayride, listen to different bands, and browse the quaint shops around the town center. The highlight for many is the unique experience of leaves falling over Market Street every hour.
Insider Tip: The event is free to enter, but bring cash for food, drinks, and vendors, as not all may accept cards.
3. Sanford Oktoberfest
- Dates: October 17, 2025 – 5pm to 10pm; October 18 – 12pm to 10pm
- Address: 201-205 E 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
- Best for: An authentic German cultural experience with great food.
Head to historic downtown Sanford for an authentic celebration of German culture. Hosted by the famous Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, this Oktoberfest is all about Gemütlichkeit—good cheer and friendliness! Enjoy traditional German food, beer, live music, and dancing. The event expands from the Sanford Civic Center into the surrounding streets, creating a massive street party atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Plan to eat at Hollerbach’s either before or after the festival, but be prepared for a wait—it’s popular for a reason!
4. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
- Dates: August 29 to November 23, 2025
- Best for: Globetrotting foodies and Disney fans.
One of the longest and most beloved events of the year, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs through all of October. Taste your way through delicious cuisine and drinks from six continents at the various marketplace booths. Beyond the food, you can enjoy live music from well-known artists at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series and participate in kid-friendly activities like a scavenger hunt.
Insider Tip: Pick up a festival passport upon entering to track your culinary journey. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
5. Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms
- Dates: Thursdays-Sundays, September 27 to November 16, 2025
- Best for: A full-day farm experience with activities for all ages.
This seventh-annual fall festival in Clermont is a must-do. Southern Hill Farms offers a huge pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and delicious seasonal treats like apple cider donuts and s’mores. There are also rides, a small climbing wall, and a market where you can buy local goodies to take home.
Insider Tip: Tickets often sell out on weekends. Buy them online in advance to guarantee your spot and save a few dollars.
6. Fiesta Calle Orange 2025
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Location: Downtown Orlando (N Orange Ave & E Livingston St)
- Tickets: $10–$20
- Best for: A vibrant celebration of Latin culture filled with music, food, and community spirit.
Mark your calendar for Fiesta Calle Orange, Central Florida’s hottest Latin festival and official Hispanic Heritage Month celebration! Now in its 27th year, this energetic event transforms downtown Orlando into a lively fiesta featuring top Latin musical acts like Toño Rosario, Tony Vega, Raulin Rosendo, Hildemaro, and Yan Collazo. Enjoy classic hits on the Throwback Stage, sample delicious Latin cuisine, sip festive drinks, and experience the warmth and pride of the local community. It’s a fantastic day of entertainment, dancing, and family fun representing the cultures of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and more.
Insider Tip: Buy your tickets in advance for the best price, and come early to catch the full lineup of live music! Wear comfortable shoes—there’s a lot of ground (and dancing) to cover.
7. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Dates: Select nights from August 8 to October 31, 2025
- Location: Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort
- Best for: Families with young children who want Halloween fun without the frights.
If intense scares aren’t for your family, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the perfect alternative. This special ticketed event lets you enjoy Magic Kingdom after hours. Everyone, including adults, can wear costumes! Enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the park, see characters in their Halloween best, and watch the Boo-To-You Halloween Parade and the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show.
Insider Tip: Tickets for this event sell out fast, especially for dates closer to Halloween. Purchase them well in advance.
8. SeaWorld Spooktacular
- Dates: Select dates from August 30 to November 2, 2025
- Location: SeaWorld Orlando
- Best for: An underwater-themed Halloween event included with park admission.
Dive into an ocean of Halloween fun at SeaWorld’s Spooktacular. This family-friendly daytime event is included with your park ticket and features costumes, trick-or-treating, and whimsical characters. Meet mermaids on the Trick-or-Treat Trail, explore a pumpkin garden, and enjoy a Halloween dance party. It’s a great way to celebrate the season with a unique aquatic twist.
Insider Tip: The trick-or-treat trail is very popular. To avoid long lines, try going early in the day or during one of the main animal shows.
9. Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida
- Dates: Weekends in October
- Location: LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Winter Haven
- Best for: Young builders and LEGO enthusiasts.
Head to LEGOLAND on select weekends for their signature Brick or Treat event. This Halloween party offers tons of fun with live entertainment, a costume parade, and, of course, trick-or-treating. You can meet exclusive LEGO Halloween characters, watch a special 4D movie, and join a monster dance party.
Insider Tip: The event is included with park admission. Check the schedule for character meet-and-greet times so you don’t miss your favorites.
10. Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
- Dates: October 11-12, 2025
- Best for: A relaxed, high-quality art experience in a beautiful setting.
Art lovers will enjoy this juried art show set along the sidewalks of Central Park in beautiful Winter Park. This free festival showcases the work of outstanding local artists. As you browse the art, you can also enjoy live music and family-friendly activities in a charming and historic atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Parking can be challenging. Consider using the SunRail train, which has a stop right at Central Park.
11. Mount Dora Craft Fair
- Dates: October 25 & 26, 2025
- Best for: Discovering a huge variety of crafts from artisans across the country.
Located in historic downtown Mount Dora, this massive craft fair is recognized as one of the best in the nation. It features over 400 exhibitors from all over the country. You can spend the day browsing unique creations, enjoying live music, and sampling food, beer, and wine.
Insider Tip: Wear comfortable shoes! The festival is expansive, covering many streets in the downtown area.
12. Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms
- Dates: Thursdays-Sundays, September 27 to November 16, 2025
- Best for: A full-day farm experience with activities for all ages.
This seventh-annual fall festival in Clermont is a must-do. Southern Hill Farms offers a huge pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and delicious seasonal treats like apple cider donuts and s’mores. There are also rides, a small climbing wall, and a market where you can buy local goodies to take home.
Insider Tip: Tickets often sell out on weekends. Buy them online in advance to guarantee your spot and save a few dollars.
13. Mount Dora Craft Fair
Dates: October 25 & 26, 2025, 9am-5pm
Location: 230 W. 4th Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Ranked consistently in the TOP 5 by Sunshine Artist Magazine in their annual ranking of the Best 200 Classic/Contemporary Craft Festivals in America, the Mount Dora Craft Festival is a must-visit event. It even earned the #1 spot in the magazine’s 50th-anniversary special ranking edition of ALL TIME FAVORITE Events in 2021.
The historic downtown streets come alive with over 350 of the best exhibitors in the country, showcasing and selling fine art and crafts. Festival-goers can also enjoy delicious food, live music, beer, wine, cocktails, and even special guest appearances. Entertainers and buskers are welcome to apply for approval at no charge.
14. Polk City Pumpkin Patch
- Dates: October 1-31, 2025 (Wednesdays-Sundays)
- Best for: A relaxed, family-run farm visit with adorable animals.
Bring the family to Bell Family Farm and Apiary in Polk City for a classic pumpkin patch experience. In addition to picking out pumpkins, you can meet friendly farm animals. The farm even offers goat yoga sessions for a truly unique activity!
Insider Tip: No reservations are needed, making it a great spontaneous outing.
15. Whisper Creek Farm Fall Fun
- Dates: Weekends in October (Check website for specifics)
- Best for: An upscale farm festival with unique workshops.
Celebrate fall on the farm at Grande Lakes Orlando. This event at Whisper Creek Farm offers hayrides, pumpkin picking, pumpkin carving, and even painting workshops. You can also meet a Master Falconer, navigate a corn maze, and enjoy local food options.
Insider Tip: This event is part of the offerings at the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott, so expect a more curated and polished experience.
16. Orlando Corn Maze
- Dates: Throughout October and November
- Best for: A challenging and fun corn maze adventure.
Corn Maze Orlando is a fall staple. Each year features a new theme for the maze, offering a fresh challenge. Besides the main attraction, you’ll find a pumpkin patch and friendly farm animals. It’s a great outdoor activity for the whole family.
Insider Tip: The maze can be tricky! Snap a picture of the map at the entrance before you start.
17. Zombiefest
- Date: October 12, 2025 – 11am to 5pm
- Address: Audubon Park Garden District, Orlando
- Best for: A quirky, costume-friendly night market with a local vibe.
Get into the Halloween spirit at Zombietoberfest in the Audubon Park Garden District. This large outdoor night market features craft beer gardens, live music, a DJ, and plenty of spooky fun. It’s a great local event that encourages costumes, and there’s even a pet costume contest, so feel free to bring your furry friends along!
Insider Tip: This event is very popular with locals. Use a rideshare service to avoid parking headaches.
17. A Petrified Forest
- Dates: Select nights starting October 3, 2025
- Best for: Teens and adults seeking intense outdoor scares.
Located in Altamonte Springs, A Petrified Forest is a premier haunted attraction featuring three terrifying outdoor trails. As you make your way through the woods, you’ll encounter swamp monsters, creepy dolls, and other creatures of the night. You can even purchase a backstage pass to learn the art of the scare.
Insider Tip: The trails are through a natural forest, so wear closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
18. Mortem Manor Haunted Attraction
- Dates: Open year-round
- Best for: A scary movie-level haunted house experience.
Why wait for October? Mortem Manor in Kissimmee is open year-round to satisfy your craving for fear. This two-story Victorian-themed haunted house uses a mix of live actors, animatronics, and special effects to create a terrifying experience. For the truly brave, there’s also a Burial Simulator.
Insider Tip: The actors can and will get close. It’s an intense, in-your-face style of haunt.
19. The Escape Game Orlando
- Dates: Open year-round
- Best for: A cooperative challenge away from the crowds and the heat.
If you need a break from the fall festivals, an escape room is a perfect choice. The Escape Game Orlando offers a variety of themed rooms, from breaking out of a prison to completing a mission on Mars. It’s a fantastic way for your family or friends to work together, communicate, and solve puzzles in a fun, immersive setting.
Insider Tip: Book your time slot online in advance, especially on weekends, as popular rooms fill up quickly.
Orlando Is The Place To Be This October
As you can see, there is no shortage of amazing things to do in Orlando in October. From thrilling haunted houses to cheerful, family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Which of these fall events are you most excited to check out? Let us know in the comments below.
