18 Fun Things to do in Orlando in October
As fall approaches, you may wonder what activities to add to your calendar. Whether you want a location to enjoy Oktoberfest or a family-friendly event, you’ll find it all in Orlando, Florida!
This guide is jam-packed with the best things to do in Orlando in October. Continue reading so you can start planning for the month of October.
Fall Festivals and Oktoberfest
There are several fantastic breweries in Orlando as well as Tampa Bay so check in with your favorites to see what events they have going on this fall!
1. Oktoberfest at Avalon Park
- Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024, 5-10 pm
- Address: 3651 Avalon Park E Blvd, Orlando, FL 32828
Want a fun way to celebrate October with the whole family? Oktoberfest at Avalon Park is set to occur from 5-10 pm on October 8 this year.
There’s quite a lot to do at this event, including listening to live music, hanging out at the beer garden, and watching Alpine dancing.
Kids can participate in the children’s games or enjoy the tethered hot air balloon rides. There’s also food onsite, with various food trucks available.
2. Oktoberfest – Celebration Town Center
- Date: October 18th and 19th, 2024
- Address: 610 Sycamore St Suite 220, Celebration, FL 34747
If you can’t get enough Oktoberfest celebrations, you can head to the Oktoberfest at Celebration Town Center.
This celebration includes a long list of live performances from various musicians and bands.
This festival occurs nearby the lake, offering a relaxed atmosphere for family fun. You can ride on a fall-themed hayride, enjoy live music, or browse the shops around the town center.
3. Sanford Oktoberfest
- Date: Begins on September 16, 2024
- Address: 201-205 E 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
Head to the Sanford Oktoberfest to celebrate German culture through tasty traditional meals, beer, live music, and dancing.
Included in this celebration is Gemütlichkeit, meaning good cheer and friendliness! You’ll also see folk costumes worn during the celebration, making the event even more festive.
This festival extends from the Sanford Civic Center to the surrounding streets, providing plenty of space for the attendees to spread out.
Nearby the festival is Hollerbach’s German restaurant, offering delicious food to fill up on between dancing and drinking.
4. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
- Dates: August 29 to November 23, 2024
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is one of the longest events on this list, running from July through November annually.
You can celebrate this Lake Buena Vista event by tasting delicious cuisine from six continents. You’ll find everything from German eats to Canadian bites and Chinese cuisine at Disney, one of many of Orlando’s theme parks.
Throughout the event, there are kid-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt. You can enjoy live entertainment with well-known musical artists while you taste international cuisine.
You can also purchase merch as a souvenir while at the festival. This Epcot festival occurs daily through November 19.
Don’t forget to stop by Disney Springs for additional shopping opportunities after visiting the festival!
5. Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms
- Dates: September 28, 2024 until November 17, 2024
- This fall festival occurs Thursdays through Sundays weekly.
- Price range is $21.95 to $24.95, depending on the day.
Found in Clermont, Florida, the Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms is not to be missed. This year marks the seventh annual fall festival, with delicious eats, including apple cider donuts and smores.
There’s also a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and even a small climbing wall to keep kids occupied.
A market barn and food truck barn ensure you head home with a bag full of goodies.
6. Zombietoberfest
- Date: TBA
Get in the spirit by visiting Zombietoberfest in the Orlando area during the month of Halloween, held in the Audubon Park Garden District.
This large festival typically occurs mid-month, with the 2022 date yet to be announced. This festival includes a large outdoor night market with three beer gardens, all serving craft beer options.
You’ll also find live music and a DJ at this event. Bring your pet along, as there will be a pet-friendly costume contest. This event occurs from 5 pm – 10 pm each year.
7. Calle Orange Festival
Date: October 30
The Calle Orange Festival celebrates the diversity in the local Hispanic community.
This one-day event runs from 1 pm to 9 pm in downtown Orlando. The Calle Orange Festival has been occurring for 30 years and brings in thousands of people annually.
During the event, ten streets are closed off from vehicle usage and packed with vendors offering mouthwatering food options. Four stages also spread throughout the festival grounds with 40 musicians performing.
Art Festivals
8. Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
- Date: October 8-9
- This festival runs from 9 am to 5 pm each day and is free to attend.
This Winter Park festival will appeal to all art lovers, including pieces from local artists. The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival is hosted this year by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.
While attending, you can browse art set up along the sidewalk near historic Park Avenue in Central Park.
As you explore the art, you’ll find live music and family-friendly activities occurring.
9. Mount Dora Craft Fair
- Date: October 28 & 29, 2023, 9am to 5pm
Situated in historic downtown Mount Dora less than an hour from historic downtown Clermont, this craft fair is one of the best Orlando events for creative people.
It’s even received multiple recognition from the Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the best classic craft festivals. The Mount Dora Craft Fair includes 400 exhibitors from around the U.S., some of which are local vendors.
You can browse and purchase the offerings from the exhibitors. Or, head to the festival to enjoy the music and the food.
Beer and wine tastings are also available at the Mount Dora Craft Fair. There’s a kid-free zone at the fair for those who want a night out without the kids.
Local Farms
10. Polk City Pumpkin Patch
- October 1-31
- The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday every week.
Bring the kids to this family pumpkin patch and farm in Polk City! Here, you’ll find pumpkins and an array of friendly farm animals ready to pick. Visiting Bell Family Farm and Apiary requires no reservations, so you can head straight to the farm to learn more about the adorable animals.
You can even participate in goat yoga while at the farm. As a tip, if you purchase your tickets beforehand, you’ll receive a few dollars off per person.
11. Whisper Creek Farm
Celebrate Fall on the Farm in Grande Lakes, Orlando. This event offers fall fun on the Whisper Creek Farm with an array of activities for the entire family.
You can take a hayride, go pumpkin picking, carve pumpkins, and even join two-time Olympic medalist Victor Dagatan in his painting workshops.
Expect to spend at least half a day at this festival, as there are shops to browse, local food options, and even a Master Falconer teaching attendees about falcons.
This event also has a corn maze, corn hole, games, and more.
12. Orlando Corn Maze
October + November
Regardless of when you visit Orlando in the fall, you can head to Corn Maze Orlando, open every day in October and November. This corn maze’s current theme is Mission to the Moon, so expect a space-themed activity. There’s also a pumpkin patch and farm animals that you and your family can interact with. You can purchase tickets in advance through the Corn Maze Orlando website. Tickets are $10-$15 for kids, adults, and students.
Family-Friendly Events
13. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Date: August 9 to October 31, 2024
If the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort is too much for your family, check out Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a fun way to celebrate spooky season. Anyone attending this event can wear Halloween costumes (even adults!). This special event requires an additional ticket that allows you to stay after hours for the event.
The event begins at 7 pm each day, starting with handing out a trick-or-treat bag to each event guest. There are 14 trick-or-treat spots throughout the park where you can get a piece of candy. There is also tasty Halloween-themed food that’s only available during this event for purchase. Other activities include not-so-scary fireworks, a parade, a show, and character meet-and-greets. This event’s ticket sells fast, so purchasing them way in advance is best.
14. SeaWorld Spooktacular
- Dates: August 31, 2024 through November 3, 2024
Instead of heading to Disney, consider attending the SeaWorld Spooktacular; it’s one of the best events in central Florida during October.
This family-friendly event features costumes, trick-or-treating, and exciting surprises, like storytime with Big Bird.
There are also meet-and-greets with mermaids along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, a pumpkin garden, and a dance party. This event is complimentary with a purchase of a ticket to SeaWorld Orlando.
15. Brick or Treat Legoland Florida
- Dates: September 13, 14, 21, 28 & Weekends in October
During select weekends, LegoLand is hosting Brick or Treat. This event offers a fun space for families to celebrate Halloween with live entertainment, a costume parade, and trick-or-treating.
During this event, you’ll be able to meet new Lego characters that haven’t been announced yet.
There’s also a 4D movie, a dance party, and a coaster featuring fun music as you ride.
Escape Rooms
Year-Round
16. The Escape Game Orlando
If you want fewer crowds, a better way to entertain the family during October is by attending an escape room.
Multiple options are available throughout Florida, each providing uniquely themed rooms that you can select based on your and your family’s interests.
For example, The Escape Game Orlando offers rooms like Mission: Mars and Prison Break. Escape rooms help your family communicate better by encouraging you to work together to solve puzzles throughout the room.
You can also check out The Great Escape Room or The Bureau as fun escape room options.
Haunted Houses
17. A Petrified Forest
- Dates: Begins on October 4, 2024
Looking for Halloween fun for teens and adults? Check out A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs, FL!
This haunted attraction includes three spooky trails that you can explore this October.
While exploring the grounds, you’ll see creepy dolls, swamp monsters, zombies, and more.
You can also purchase a backstage pass to practice your scaring skills on fellow haunted house attendees.
18. Mortem Manor Haunted Attraction
Year-Round
The exciting thing about this haunted attraction is that it’s open year-round, so you can enjoy a spooky excursion anytime!
The Mortem Manor Haunted House includes two levels of scares. You’ll travel through the manor, getting spooked by animatronics, actors, and special effects.
If the manor is a piece of cake for you, you can also try the Burial Simulator, which is not for the faint of heart!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many things to do in Orlando in October, including Halloween events.
You’ll find everything from heart-pumping haunted houses to fun, kid-friendly activities that you can enjoy.
Which activities and fun events are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
