Visit one...or all...of these fun fall local events.
Happy Fall, y’all! Summer is officially in our rearview mirror, and as morning dew points begin to drop down into the sixties (brrr), it’s time to get outside and enjoy some popular fall festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the area. There is no shortage of fun family events for adults and children of all ages. Below is just a small sampling of not-to-be missed events to add to your calendars.
Fall Harvest Days at Keel Farms + Corky’s Corn Maze
Location: 5210 Thonotosassa Rd.
Dates & Times: Saturdays (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) in October
Admission: Free
Join us for Fall fun that the whole family will love! We have activities for all ages including Hay Rides, Corky’s Corn Maze, Camel Rides, Pumpkin Patch, 30 Craft + Food Vendors, Pumpkin Painting, Kid Zone by Rockin’ Bouncies, and Special Releases of Fall Wines, Ales, and Ciders!
Admission and parking are both FREE for this event! For more information visit keelfarms.com.
Lum’s Fall Festival
Address: 4898 James L. Redman Pkwy
Dates: Oct. 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person or $15 for a family pack
Plenty of fall fun abounds at this family-friendly festival, including games, inflatables, vendors, food, pumpkin carving, and feed the farm animals and more. A night-time event will be held on the 28th where kids can dress up and go trick-or-treating with all the farm animals.
Fox Squirrel Corn Maze
Location: 6151 Varn Rd., Plant City
Dates & Times: Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 7 to Nov. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: $12 (including tax), children three and under are free
Fall into a world of autumn enchantment at the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze where weekends come alive. This event is like a one-stop-shop with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, large jump pad, hayrides, u-pick flowers and tons of games and goodies. For more information visit foxsquirrelcornmaze.com.
32nd Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Patch Festival
Location: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton
Dates & Times: Saturdays and Sundays between Oct. 14 – 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: $15 for ages 11 and up, children 10 and under are free. $5 parking (cash only)
Every day of this long-running festival consists of a craft show, live music and shows, pumpkins, games, hayrides, a corn maze, pony rides, scarecrow displays, a petting zoo and food galore. For more information visit hunsaderfarms.com.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens
Location: 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa
Dates & Times: Select Nights until Oct. 31, 7 p.m. to close
Admission: prices starting at $44.99
Howl-O-Scream returns in full force, taking over the entire theme park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more. This event is intended for mature audiences. For more information or tickets visit buschgardens.com.
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail and Ominous Descent
Location: 2837 S. Frontage Rd., Plant City
Dates & Times: Weekends until Nov. 4
Admission: From $27 per person
Celebrating its tenth season, this outdoor immersive attraction features horror trails, escape games, laser tag and a haunted hayride. This season, tickets must be purchased online in advance so grab them before they sell out.
Shimmering Lights Fall Festival
Location: 2302 N. Dover Rd., Dover
Dates & Times: select nights Oct. 5 – 29, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Admission: $8 for ages 3 and up in advance and $9 at the gate
Sunkissed Acres has teamed up with Sunshine Illumination to create a family-friendly 1/3 mile walking trail with hundreds of themed lighted displays, pixel animated props, outdoor movies, a light maze, scavenger hunt, games and face painting. Check out the calendar for FOAM nights. For more information visit showpass.com/shimmering-lights-fall-2023/.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour
Location: 455 N. Broadway, Bartow
Dates & Times: Fri. & Sat., Oct. 20 – 21 and Oct. 27 28, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Admission: $15 donation per adult to United Way of Central Florida, children under 10 can tour for $5
Back by popular demand, for two weekends only, is this family-friendly event, in addition to a spooky haunted jail tour, features a street carnival with arts and crafts booths, a dunk tank, bounce houses and more. The Newman BBQ food truck will be on hand selling refreshments. Tickets are sold in-person at the event until the 10 p.m. cutoff. For more information visit polksheriff.org.
Raprager Family Farms Fall Fall Pumpkin Festival Haunted Farm
Location: 16907 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa
Dates & Times: Various dates and times
Cost: $16.95 per person online, $19.95 per person at the gate, 2 years and under are free
From pumpkins to hayrides, a petting zoo to a haunted maze, there’s plenty to do at this fall favorite. Newly added attractions include a vendor market, feeding the cows, axe throwing, pumpkin painting, an inflatable maze and more. For more information or tickets visit rapragerfamilyfarms.com.
Garden Street Market
Location: 1405 N. Wheeler St.
Dates & Times: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: free to enter, pumpkins for purchase
Pop in to pick out your perfect pumpkin or pose for a photo opportunity.
Turkey Creek Middle School First Annual Gobbler Trunk or Treat
Location: 5005 Turkey Creek Rd., Plant City
Dates & Times: Oct. 23, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
This community celebration will feature a food truck rally and pumpkin patch (for purchase), trunk or treat and games and activities.
Plant City Parks & Recreation Presents Monster Mash
Location: Plant City Stadium, 1810 E. Park Rd.
Dates & Times: Fri., Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: $5 cash parking- free admission
This annual event is sure to be a kid-pleaser with a trunk or treat, scare zone, games, free activities and food vendors (additional cost).
Riverwalk Halloween Lighted Boat Parade
Location: Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa
Dates & Times: Sat., Oct 28, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Friends of the Riverwalk and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation for a Halloween boat parade along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa.
Heart to Hart Harvest Brunch
Location: The Cellar, 303 S. Collins St., Plant City
Dates & Times: Sat., Nov. 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person
Indulge in a sweet and savory brunch experience at this event, hosted by the Janice Hart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a community of caregivers, which also includes a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and vendors. For more information or tickets visit givebutter.com/Heart2Hart.
