As September comes to a close, the time for pumpkins, cider, corn mazes, and Halloween costumes comes upon us! I’ve found twelve fun fall family activities in Tampa, Florida, so you can skip straight to the good times! Everything from pumpkin patches and fall festivals to a special concert in the park and a tasting event for the foodies out there!
Hyde Park Village Pumpkin Patch
Head to the beautiful Hyde Park Village to pick out your perfect pumpkin! Proceeds from pumpkin sales benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. You’ll find the pumpkin patch by the fountain near Pottery Barn.
When: October 1st-26th, 2022
Where: 1602 W. Snow Circle, Tampa, FL 33606
Corky’s Corn Maze at Keel Farms
This fall, Keel Farms is hosting a brand new event in Tampa Bay featuring a four acre corn maze for the whole family. You’ll be on the hunt for hidden clues to solve a riddle with Corky’s rooster mascot and his pals. You can also enjoy a pumpkin patch, hayrides, kids zone, and more!
When: October and November, 2022, Weekends Only
Where: 603 Hawks Griffin Road, Plant City, FL 33565
Tampa Oktoberfest
Join the fall fun at Tampa’s 11th Annual Octoberfest! Tampa knows how to party! Oktoberfest will feature live music, Bavarian games, dirndls, lederhosen, and of course beer! Don’t miss the beard and mustache competition, Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest, tug-o-war, and more! Take in Tampa’s stunning city views at the city’s largest waterfront beer garden while having a ton of fun, too!
When: Friday, October 7th to Sunday, October 9th
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Scarecrow Festival, Dade City
Come do all things scarecrow and more! You can create your own scarecrow, enter a costume contest, and enjoy the live entertainment at this one-of-a-kind celebration! Blaise Bubble Magic (as seen on America’s Got Talent) will be keeping everyone entertained, as will Soccer Collies and the Florida Skunk Rescue— they’re actually so adorable! The carnival games and food vendors are not to be missed either!
When: Saturday October 8th, 9am-5pm
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City, FL 33523
HorsePower for Kids Fall Festival Fundraiser
The event celebrates the arrival of fall with children’s activities, including hayrides, pony rides, farm animals, bonfire, games, bounce houses, playground, music, train rides and more. HorsePower for kids is a nonprofit and all monies raised go to support their mission and vision.
When: Weekends in October, 11am- 5pm
Where: HorsePower for Kids, 8005 Race Track Road, Tampa, FL, 33635
Shimmering Lights 4th Annual Fall Event
Shimmering Lights is back again this year to put the fun back in Halloween with a fall activity for the whole family. The “not scary”, family friendly activities will include a quarter mile walking trail with hundreds of themed lighted displays, pixel animated props moving to the music, outdoor movies, maze of lights, scavenger hunt, games, and crafts. They’ve added some new surprises this year, including a FOAM play area on select nights, so be sure to bring some dry clothes!! Check the calendar for the FOAM nights. There’s something for all ages and guests can walk the trail as many times as they want! Closed on rainy days or after big storms. Please check the Facebook page or Google Maps for closures.
When: Select nights October 7th-31st, 2022, 7pm-10pm
Where: 2302 N. Dover Rd, Dover, FL 33527
Pops in the Park Free Concert by The Florida Orchestra
Come celebrate TFO’s 55th season with their biggest concert of the year! Pack a blanket and picnic for free music under the stars – a Florida Orchestra tradition for nearly 30 years. Perfect for date night or family time, featuring film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites. Chelsea Gallo conducts.
Be sure to bring your non-perishable goods for Tampa Bay Harvest’s annual food drive at all parks concerts.
When: October 2nd, 2022, 7:30pm
Where: River Tower Park, 401 E Bird St, Tampa, FL, 33604
More Info
Creatures of the Night at Zoo Tampa
Going to the zoo is always fun, but when you add a Halloween theme it’s double the excitement! Check out all the animals in their night time habitats, along with some Twisted Tales, a Pumpkin Palooza, and some new features like Sirens Song and Dinos Out of Time. It’s fun for the whole family you won’t want to miss with characters, experiences, and lots more!
When: Select nights in October, 4pm-10pm
Where: ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33604
Savor St Pete
After all the fall festivals and pumpkin patches, you might need something that just tastes good! Head over to Savor St. Pete, an annual weekend-long event showcasing the best in food, wine, craft beer, and culinary experiences! Everyone knows Tampa Bay is full of foodies and breweries, so this is the perfect weekend event to bridge the gap between Halloween and Thanksgiving! Plus, a portion of ticket sales from the event benefits the Children’s Cancer Center.
When: November 5th & 6th, 2022 VIP 12pm- 4pm and General Admission 1pm-4pm
Where: North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL
Riverwalk Halloween Lighted Boat Parade
This fall activity in Tampa is right on the water! Join Friends of the Riverwalk and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation for a Halloween boat parade along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa on Saturday, October 29th, 2022, 6:30pm-9:30pm. All registered boats will be entered for a chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place awards for “Best Decorated Boat.” The Riverwalk also has a virtual Halloween Hunt (October 15th-October 31st) you can enjoy with the family! Solve riddles, puzzles, and tasks, and try to get 1st place!
When: Saturday, October 29th, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa, FL 33602
Raprager Family Farm Fall Pumpkin Festival
This fun family farm tradition is back again this year with lots more fall fun at the farm! Axe throwing, pumpkin painting, and a 900ft inflatable maze are just some of the new attractions to check out. Be sure to check out the haunted barn along with the hay rides, petting zoo (including a new baby cow), hay chute slide, and many more favorites!
When: September 17th – November 13th, Fridays to Sundays only
Where: Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Rd, Odessa, FL, 33556
More Info
DK Festival Farm Pumpkin Patch
Go on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, cozy up on a hayride with the family, soak in all the great fall decorations, or meet some new friends at the petting zoo. Other features include pony rides, a corn beach, food vendors, photo ops, and lots more! You are sure to find fun for the whole family at this one-stop-fall-shop!
When: Weekends in October, 10am -3pm with Trick or Treat on October 30th
Where: DK Farms and Nursery, 1750 Lake Ave SE, Largo, FL 33771
There’s so much fall fun to be had…
…and I hope this list of 12 fun fall family activities in Tampa, Florida has helped you find the perfect outing for your family! Another way to soak in all the beauty and joy of fall is picking a beautiful spot and spending some time with your family documenting all the love, laughs, and good times.
If you are interested in a fall Florida family photo session in Tampa, please get in touch so we can schedule a session while I am in town October 14th -16th. I would love to help celebrate the season with you!
