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.
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.
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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, from mid September through mid November. 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.
Indoor Inflatable Corn Maze
Get ready for something A-MAZE-ING at the Florida Children’s Museum. Beat the Florida heat and have a midwestern corn maze experience in the Black Box Theatre.
The indoor Corn Maze runs from October 10 – November 26. It is included in general admission and memberships, registration is not required.
Visit the Pumpkin Patch
Here in Central Florida, we’ve discovered the term “Pumpkin Patch” means different things to people. 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 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
OR
◈ 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!!!!
While 2024 was the final year for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Haunted Jail Tour, there are multiple other places to get SCARED and check out haunted houses and ghostly attractions right here in Polk County. Black Water Grave, Ominous Descent, Haunted House at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, and The Haunting of River Ranch are all local.
Looking to go a little further from home? Find more info on the scary attractions mentioned above and other haunted houses in Central Florida.
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.
Many events are hosted at local breweries, but if you’re looking for something in the community, Bartowberfest is Bartow’s monthly Friday Fest happening October 17 from 6-9pm. It is family friendly!
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!
◈ 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 11.
◈ 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 11
◈ The annual Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run is Saturday, October 25 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.
◈ Wings ‘n Things – This annual event at the Aerospace Center for Excellence is a “must-do” for family members of all ages. Experience the wonders of aerospace through a full day of free hands-on activities that range from a scavenger hunt with prizes to solar observations in a planetarium to constructing and launching rockets. This event is free. Saturday, November 1 from 10am-2pm.
See a live performance
Both Theatre Winter Haven and Lakeland Community Theatre have family friendly shows in October!
◈ Disney’s Frozen the Musical at Theatre Winter Haven – Select Dates Sept. 25 – Oct. 26, 2025
◈ Junie B’s Essential Guide to School Jr at Lakeland Community Theatre – Oct 10-12, 2025
Check out the events in Downtown Lakeland
Head to Downtown Lakeland this month for family-friendly fun!
◈ Friday, October 3 is First Friday – there will be a cookie contest!!
◈ Saturday, October 11 is a Plant Pop-Up
◈ Saturday, October 25 is the Fall Night Market with hundreds of vendors
◈ Plus the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market every Saturday morning
After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art
After School Art at the Polk Museum of Art runs from September 23 – October 28. 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 11
◈ Fall Festival + Craft Fair at Presbyterian Church in the Highlands Lakeland – October 25 {they also have a huge pumpkin patch!}
◈ Downtown Lakeland will be filled with vendors on Saturday, October 25 for the annual Fall Night Market
You can find a full list of fall themed fun in our 2025 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.
