Your SWFL Fall Festivities Guide!

It may still be 80 degrees in Southwest Florida, but October marks the beginning of fall for us! The weather is slightly cooler, pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere, and our personal favorite activity is finally open! That’s right; you know exactly what we’re referring to: pumpkin patches.

Yes, SWFL has plenty of fall festivals to get you in the spirit of the seasons changing (and to secure that perfect #fall themed Instagram pic)! We’ve rounded them up for you below; we know you’ll have a gourd time! 

Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival

October 16 – 18 

With their farmer’s market and beautiful agriculture park, you could say Southern Fresh Farms is Southwest Florida’s freshest attraction. They are kicking off their fall festivities this weekend with live music, hayrides, pumpkin picking, food from Southern Fresh Kitchen, and brews by Crazy Dingo Brewing Co. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even try your hand at axe-throwing!

31 Produce & Mining Co. 6th Annual Pumpkin Patch

October 17 – 18, 24 – 25

For the 6th year in a row,  31 Produce & Mining Co. is hosting their Annual Pumpkin Patch. If you head over to Alva, you’ll find all your favorite fall festival activities including live music, tractor rides, food trucks, and a petting zoo. The real jewel of this event though is the gem panning! You might find precious gems, fossils, and even shark teeth! 

Chew on that!

Downtown Fort Myers Fall

October 17 – 25

Looking to celebrate fall in the city? Thanks to the Fort Myers River District Alliance, you can have everything you want out of fall festivities without having to go far! This year, the Downtown area of Fort Myers will be home to several large pumpkin sculptures by local artists. We’re certain these will put you in the fall spirit and provide all kinds of photo ops! There will also be a pumpkin patch across from the Florida Repertory Theatre, where you will be able to take photos and purchase pumpkins. There will even be “Selfie Stations” with Halloween and fall scenes!

Lakes Park Scarecrows In The Park

October 24 – 31

This fall festival at Lakes Park is the perfect place to take your family and walk through the park decorated with the handmade scarecrows created by local businesses, non-profits, and youth groups. They also have fall faves like hayrides and a pumpkin patch with a photo op area. A little spooky, a little artsy, a lot of fall. It’s a no-brainer!

Fleamasters’ Fleamarket Punkin’ Palooza

October 11 – 20

If you’re looking for some fun animal interactions and live entertainment to go with your pumpkin picking, Fleamasters’ Fleamarket Punkin’ Palooza in Fort Myers is a great way to go. You’ll be able to pick out a pumpkin from the Great Pumpkin Patch to decorate and take home. But you’ll also find pony rides, the Fur and Paws Petting Zoo, and special performances by the Hafenkapella German Festival Band and many local dance groups. Sounds like punkin’ special to us.

Farmer Mike’s U-Pick Fall Festival

October 9 – 31

Head south to Bonita Springs to find Farmer Mike’s U-Pick. This local pick-it-yourself farm offers fresh veggies year-round, but during October they host their annual fall festival. It’s jam-packed with family-friendly activities like a corn maze, hay maze, tunnel slides, a pumpkin patch, and even a beautiful sunflower field! Their featured attractions this year are the Haunted Corn Maze & Zombie Paintball. We’re already shaking in our boots.

We hope that this serves as a great start to all of your fall festivities with your friends and family. Share all your favorite memories with us by using the hashtag #VisitSWFlorida for a chance to be featured on our social channels! And don’t forget to check back often to see what other fun we’ll cook up and share on our blog! See ya at the pumpkin patch!