October is one of our readers’ favorite months (mine too!) and we love helping you find family-friendly events and activities to celebrate the fall season. Our calendar gets JAM PACKED in October with so many things to do in Lakeland – fall festivals, Trunk or Treats, and other Halloween themed events, so this is our Top 10 list to help you make sure the “can’t miss” events are on your calendar, including the ones that have nothing to do with pumpkins.
Since there is SO.MUCH.PLANNED this month, we’ve got a few more than 10 things listed below. You can always find a full list of events on our Lakeland + Polk County Calendar.
If you enjoy one of these events, be sure to let the venue know that you heard about it from Lakeland Mom.
Due to Hurricane Milton some of these events have been postponed or cancelled. The information below does not reflect this, but a link is provided for all activities.
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Fall & Halloween Activities for a full list of fun things to do this fall in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Polk County, and Central Florida including pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses, Halloween events, trunk or treats, drive-thru Halloween attractions, trick or treat details, and more.
Please check directly with event organizers for specific dates, discounts, current ticket prices, advance registration, and any last-minute changes. While we do our best to provide accurate information, we include an outside link so you can verify the details for all events and activities.
Table of Contents
Celebrate Fall at a Corn Mazes + Fall Festival
Local Corn Mazes, Farms, & weekend Fall Festivals are in full swing in October.
Harvest Holler Corn Maze is already open for the season, now through November 17 this year. If you’ve never been to Harvest Holler, it is a fall “must do.”
If you’re looking for a day trip, we also have info on all of the farms in Central Florida.
Visit the Pumpkin Patch
Here in Central Florida, we’ve discovered there is some confusion around the term “Pumpkin Patch.” While up north and in the midwest this usually means a visit to a farm to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy fall activities, pumpkin patches in Central Florida are typically just pumpkins on the front lawn of a church or at a produce stand because pumpkins aren’t traditionally grown in Florida.
Are you looking for:
🌽 A place to spend a few hours on a farm with hay rides, corn mazes, duck races, jumping pillows, live entertainment, and other fun activities where there is paid admission – click the link above for our list of Corn Mazes + Fall Festivals
🎃 A place to spend 30-45 minutes, take pumpkin photos, visit for free, buy a pumpkin – below you’ll find a list of pumpkin patches near you.
Go to Trunk or Treats and Halloween Events
‘Tis the season for Trunk or Treats and Halloween events near you! With over 70 events in the “Fall & Halloween” category on our calendar, you should be able to find the perfect event(s) for your family – whether you’re looking for something on a specific date (select a date) or a specific location (we have a list for every city), our calendar makes it easy to find family fun.
Get SCARED!!!!
The annual Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour is back by popular demand for its FINAL YEAR! For a $15 donation per adult (or $5 for kids under 10), you can scream to your heart’s delight on any of these four nights – Fri & Sat, Oct. 18 & 19, and Fri & Sat, Oct. 25 & 26 from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. There will be PCSO agency members on-hand to watch the little ones whose parents want to tour but don’t want their children tagging along. Bounce house, a “dunk your deputy” dunk tank, and food trucks – fun for the entire family!
We have a full list of haunted houses in Central Florida.
Events at the Aerospace Center for Excellence + Florida Air Museum
Celebrate Fall on the SUN ‘n FUN Campus! Events include:
◈ SUN ‘n FUN Pumpkin Dash 5K – October 12 – Join the Aerospace Center for Excellence for a Halloween themed 5K across the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus. Costumes are encouraged!
◈ Flightoberfest – October 12 – this is a brand new fall celebration with Aircraft displays, Music, Food, Craft Beer, Kids Activities and more. This event starts after the annual Pumpkin Dash 5K and runs through 9pm.
Enjoy Oktoberfest Festivities
Tis the season for Oktoberfest! Events include fun activities, delicious food, great music, stein hoisting competitions, keg rolling competitions, and of course – BEER. Check out our list of local Oktoberfest events near you.
Attend a special event
The events listed below are one day or one weekend only!
◈ CityFest returns in Auburndale this month! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 12 beginning at 4pm at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex. The special musical guest this year will be the Grammy-winning band Diamond Rio! In addition to lots of live music, this event includes a fun zone for families, touch-a-truck displays, craft food, vendors, and so much more.
◈ Join Florida Children’s Museum for a celebration of Hispanic heritage on October 12! This event features live performances, arts & crafts, children’s artwork on display, and more! Celebration is included with daily admission or museum membership. There is no additional cost to participate.
◈ The Scarecrow Festival at the Pioneer Florida Museum + Village in Dade City is a little bit of a drive from Lakeland but is unique fall fun on October 12.
◈ The Lakeland Cardboard Boat Challenge + Lakes Festival is fun for everyone! Register a team to build a cardboard boat (either pre-build or build on-site) OR simply come out to watch the festivities and explore the activities. Environmental Exhibitors will provide children’s activities, information on ways to protect our lakes, water ways and other environmental fun facts. Saturday, October 12
◈ The annual Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run is Saturday, October 26 around picturesque Lake Mirror. It’s a fun family event and parents may run with their child in the family heats. This 1k race is FREE for K-8 students (t-shirt included!) and only $5 for parents.
See a live performance
Both Theatre Winter Haven and Lakeland Community Theatre have family friendly shows in October!
◈ Clue the Musical at Theatre Winter Haven – October 3 – 27
◈ Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Lakeland Community Theatre – October 4 – 6
Check out the events in Downtown Lakeland
Head to Downtown Lakeland this month for family-friendly fun!
◈ Friday, October 4 is First Friday – there will be a cookie contest!!
◈ Thursday, October 10 is the monthly Food Truck Rally
◈ Saturday, October 26 is the Fall Night Market with hundreds of vendors
◈ Friday, November 1 is First Friday
After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art
After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art runs from September 24 – October 29. This is a program designed for children (ages 5 & up) and their parent to learn together. Lessons vary in medium and are designed to be adapted for use at home. Each class is an independent lesson. Registration is not required. Held on Tuesdays from 4:30pm – 5:30pm (doors open at 4:20pm). FREE for Members, $5 Non-Members per child per visit.
Celebrate a Birthday
Do you celebrate any birthdays in October? I do! This is the #1 reason I love October – my birthday is on the 9th.
Our Birthday Party Guide and our list of Local Birthday Freebies in Lakeland & Polk County will get an update and refresh in October in honor of my big day and to help all of you moms looking to make your own birthday party plans with your family.
Get a jump start on Christmas Shopping at a Vendor Market
◈ Polk State Fall Fest – October 12
◈ Fall Festival + Craft Fair at Presbyterian Church in the Highlands Lakeland – October 26 {they also have a huge pumpkin patch!}
◈ Downtown Lakeland will be filled with vendors on Saturday, October 26 for the annual Fall Night Market
You can find a full list of fall themed fun in our 2024 Fall + Halloween Guide.
More Things to do near you in October
Play Indoors – While we wait for cooler weather to arrive, we still love our air-conditioned spaces! We’ve got lots of indoor things to do in Lakeland + Polk County including laser tag, arcade games, roller skating, ice skating, bowling, indoor trampoline parks, museums and more. Perfect for a rainy day, a hot day, or just any day you’re looking for something to do as a family.
Go on an Outdoor Adventure – Hiking, water sports, biking, mini-golf, animal adventures, playgrounds – we’ve got it all right here close to home. If you want to spend more time outside in September, we can help you find things to do outdoors in Lakeland and Polk County.
Find Things to do with Kids – Check out the ULTIMATE list of Things to Do with Kids in Lakeland and Polk County.
Happy October!
100+ Things to Do with Kids
Check out our Ultimate List of Things to Do with Kids in Lakeland + Polk County to find indoor fun, outdoor fun, free things to do, seasonal activities, and more.