Family-Friendly Fall Events & Activities in Sarasota

Planning a family-friendly Halloween weekend in the Sarasota area? Fall in Sarasota means trick-or-treating events for kids, spooky haunted trails, pumpkin patches, carnivals, costume parades and Halloween celebrations for the whole family. There are loads of ways to keep the kiddos happy and ensure the adults also have a wicked good time. 

Fall Festivals for the Family

Fruitville Grove Annual Pumpkin Festival, Fruitville Grove

Every weekend in October, Sarasota's Fruitville Grove Farm transforms into a pumpkin palace and haunted house. Packed full of spooktacular entertainment and activities, the annual Pumpkin Festival features a children’s costume contest every Saturday, a craft show, kids’ fun zone, pony rides and hayrides, live music and daily performances by the Torres Family Circus and Extreme Riders. New this year are mermaid encounters, a dog show, Bunny Village and bubble booth. 

Hunsader Farms Annual Pumpkin Festival, Hunsader Farms

Head to Hunsader Farms in Bradenton on Oct. 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25 for the 34th Annual Pumpkin Festival. Peruse a local craft show, listen to live music, participate in pumpkin games and savor homemade ice cream, roasted sweet corn, pumpkin pie and more. Little ones will love the face painting, children’s train ride and petting zoo and adults can get in on the action in the corn maze or on a big train ride. 

Fall Carnival, University Town Center

Head to the shopping and dining district of University Town Center for the Sarasota Fall Carnival, Oct. 29 – Nov. 2, at The Mall at UTC. Enjoy a festive weekend of classic carnival rides and games, tasty fair food like funnel cakes and fried Oreos, community performances and free trunk-or-treating. 

Family-Fun Halloween Happenings

Lights at Spooky Point

The gardens at Selby’s Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey transform into an eerie yet enchanting glow-in-the-dark spectacle each October. This Halloween walk-through light show runs for most of the month, offering family-friendly frights and haunting sights. Get your tickets and come early to explore the enchanting grounds by daylight, then stay after dark to see the gardens in a whole new light.

Boo! at The Bay, The Bay Park

On Saturday, Oct. 17, The Bay Park celebrates Boo! at The Bay on its waterfront lawn right outside downtown Sarasota. Come early—and in costume—to receive a pumpkin, then explore the decorated trick-or-treat trail. Grab dinner from local food trucks like the Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company and Harvest & Heart and settle in and sing along to a showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” sure to thrill and delight every member of the family. 

Boofest on Main Street, Lakewood Ranch

Photo courtesy of Lakewood Ranch

There’s no chance for boredom at Boofest on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. On Friday, Oct. 30, kids of all ages will enjoy face painting, balloon twisting and fun inflatables, trick-or-treating throughout boo-tifully decorated streets, live music, an interactive science show by the Mad Scientist and a captivating magic show. Arrive early to grab a free trick-or-treat pumpkin tote! 

Spooktacular, Selby Gardens

If you're staying close to Downtown Sarasota, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Spooktacular is an easy, family-fun daytime event to attend on Saturday, Oct. 25. This local favorite is back for Halloween fun, including trick-or-treating, arts and crafts and educational activities. There will also be some frightening (but not too scary) options for the older kiddos. Costumes are highly encouraged, and trick-or-treat bags are welcome for collecting goodies. 

Wellen Park Spooktacular, North Port

Head to Downtown Wellen Park for the fang-tastic Wellen Park Spooktacular on Oct. 30. Among the many restaurants, shops, the amphitheater hosting live music, kids' playground and splash pad, families can enjoy trick-or-treating, costumes and spooky good vibes beside Grand Lake.

Downtown Halloween Strut, Venice

On Halloween, Downtown Venice will host its annual Halloween Strut. Partake in a trunk-or-treat while grooving to a kid-friendly DJ, shopping the merchants of downtown and showing off the costume you've created, dug up or purchased. From little ones to seniors, all are invited to show off their holiday 'fits and mingle with the locals. 

Pumpkin Patches & Splashes in Sarasota

With fantastic fall weather warm enough for a swim, locals and visitors soak up these unexpectedly autumnal pumpkin traditions!

Pumpkin Plunge, North Port

At North Port Aquatic Center, the annual Pumpkin Plunge delights kids of all ages to wade and swim in the pool for the perfect floating pumpkin. After choosing a pumpkin, kids can head to a poolside art station to make it their own. Pumpkins and decorating materials are included. Families can stick around for themed games, music, dancing and a photo station for family pics. 

Pumpkin SPLASH!, Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

You've probably been to a pumpkin patch, but have you ever been to a pumpkin splash? On Oct. 24, kids can jump in the pool and pick out a floating pumpkin at Pumpkin SPLASH! Floating Pumpkin Patch at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex. 

Pumpkin Patch Express, Florida Railroad Museum

Two weekends per year, visitors of all ages can climb aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express at the Florida Railroad Museum. On Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, take a relaxing train ride to a pumpkin patch, where children can pick a pumpkin, hop on a hayride, get creative with arts and crafts, and more. 

Where to Trick or Treat in Sarasota

Halloween at The Ringling

Visit The Ringling Museum of Art for trick-or-treating on the Loggia, haunting paintings, Halloween short animations and frighteningly fun decor throughout the museum throughout sundown on Oct. 31. Grab snacks and drinks from local food trucks and make your own colorful creations in the MOA circle. The best part? Halloween at The Ringling is free with a non-perishable food item for All Faiths Food Bank. 

Trick or Treat on the Lake, Nathan Benderson Park

Get into the spirit with Halloween favorites for the whole family at Nathan Benderson Park on Oct. 27. Come dressed in your spooky best for the annual Trick or Treat on the Lake, along a candy trail of more than 70 themed booths decorated by community organizations. Older kids can walk through a haunted trail and bounce houses, while the younger ones embark on a pumpkin scavenger hunt or take a hay ride. 

Fright Night on St. Armands Circle

Lido Key's premier open-air entertainment district St. Armands Circle will be transformed into a glowing, haunted extravaganza on Halloween night for the annual Fright Night. Expect decorated storefronts, wandering characters, trick-or-treating and games throughout the shopping plaza. 

More Fall-time Events in Sarasota

Sarasota ROCKtoberfest

Fall means it’s time for ROCKtoberfest at JD Hamel Park along Sarasota's Bayfront on Oct. 10. Celebrate this beloved German tradition with lively music, mouthwatering food, big pints of beer, shopping, family and fun. Admission is free, so you can rock and roll all night long. 

Sarasota Water Lantern Festival

The Water Lantern Festival lights up the lake at Nathan Benderson Park on Oct. 17, transforming the 600-acre park into a magical, illuminated evening. Personalize your lantern with a message or intention, then at sunset, release your lanterns together across the water in a powerful shared moment of thousands of lights. Grab tickets early.

Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival

This popular craft festival draws crowds to Downtown Sarasota. This year, crafters and artisans showcase handmade jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, paintings, clothing and more Oct. 17-18. The on-site Green Market is an added bonus for plant lovers, featuring orchids and other tropical plants, plus handmade soaps, gourmet spices and fresh kettle corn. 

Downtown Venice Art Festival

Hosted by the same organization that puts on Sarasota's craft festival, it’s Historic Downtown Venice’s turn to fill the streets with 100 of the nation’s most notable artists. The annual weekend festival on Oct. 31-Nov. 1 showcases handcrafted work across many mediums including photography, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mixed media and more.

Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party

On Oct. 24, Sarasota County will be bustling with rainbow colors for fall at the Gulfcoast Pride Festival in the Rosemary District of Downtown Sarasota. This vibrant, inclusive celebration of the LGBTQ community will feature more than 100 vendors with pride-themed goods and swag, performances by local and national entertainers and plenty of street food from local restaurants and artisans.

Sarasota Medieval Fair

Step into a world where history and pageantry collide at the Sarasota Medieval Fair, set amid nearly 50 acres of majestic oaks at the Woods of Mallaranny in Myakka City. Each weekend in November, the county comes alive with full-contact jousts, human chess matches, jesters, belly dancers and roaming minstrels. Indulge in turkey legs and ales, explore artisanal wares and delight the kids with rides and the Children’s Realm. With feasts, tournaments and medieval merriment on every corner, it’s a favorite fall tradition for families. 

Wellen Park Wine Festival

On Nov.14, raise your glass at the annual Wellen Park Wine Festival in Downtown Wellen Park. This lakeside celebration is anything but stuffy—featuring nearly 40 distinguished vintners, small bites from local restauranteurs, live jazz on stage at the amphitheater. The ticketed event will also have exclusive offerings like a VIP dinner, Wine Tasting 101 class and early-access tasting sessions for one weekend of stellar wine.

Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Fun on the beach isn’t just for summer. Each November, Siesta Beach draws crowds as sand sculptors from around the world create massive works of art at the annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival. This four-day event, Nov.13-16. showcases both solo artists and teams carving large-scale masterpieces. Join workshops, enjoy live music, browse and shop the Vendor Village of retail and food or compete in an amateur contest. Check out a weekend itinerary for the festival here.

Architecture Sarasota MOD Weekend

Fans of mid-century modern architecture and décor will definitely want to check out this annual celebration of this style its influence on the local landscape that takes place Nov. 14-16. Consisting of kayak, trolley and walking tours, parties and more, Sarasota Mod Weekend celebrates the contributions of renowned architects who helped foster Sarasota’s MCM design movement. Prices and locations vary by event.