10 Fall Adventures in Northeast Florida for Families (2026)

Illustration of a family walking toward a Florida farm maze and pumpkins

O.N.E. FLORIDA GROUP · THE 2026 FALL FIELD GUIDE

10 fall adventures
in Northeast Florida

Local favorites, fall festivals and weekends worth planning.

Find your next weekend ↓

SEPTEMBER → THANKSGIVING 2026

Your fall plans,
sorted.

Amy Howell

A pumpkin maze one weekend, the Blue Angels the next, and a waterfront festival somewhere in between. Fall in Northeast Florida gives you plenty of reasons to get out and explore—even when it still feels like summer.

This guide brings together ten different kinds of fun near Jacksonville, followed by Orlando weekends and a few longer day trips. Whether you just moved here or want a fresh plan, the dates, costs, map and practical tips are all below.

A little planning goes a long way. All times are Eastern. Drive times are rough estimates from downtown Jacksonville, before event traffic. Dates and prices were checked against organizer pages; follow the official links before buying or leaving home.

MAKE THE GROUP CHAT USEFUL

What kind of weekend do you need?

The season at a glance
Dates to bookmark · Fall 2026
WhenYour plan
SeptemberSing Out Loud local shows · Boneyard Beach · Orlando festivals
Sept. 17 / Sept. 26Free bat talk / Wesley Wells Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 2Starlight Stomp · Amazing Grace season opens
Oct. 3St. Marys Seafood Festival · Sykes season opens
Oct. 10–31, select nightsSpooktacular; sensory-friendly Oct. 11
Oct. 17–18NAS Jacksonville Air Show
Oct. 23–24 / Oct. 24Creatures of the Night / Florida Bat Festival
Oct. 29–31ESTUSCARY Haunted Trail
Oct. 31–Nov. 1Micanopy Fall Festival
Nov. 5–15Jacksonville Fair
Nov. 7 / Nov. 7–8PorchFest / Right Whale Festival
Nov. 11Treats for Troops packing party · Inquire for time and location
Nov. 21Nights of Lights begins · EPCOT festival ends
Nov. 26Thanksgiving Distance Classic · Kennedy Space Center closed
Your saved stops 0

GET YOUR BEARINGS

A season worth exploring.

Start nearby, then zoom out. Tap a numbered pin or a place below to fly closer and open directions.

Loading your fall map. Every destination also has directions below.

Pins show destination areas, not guaranteed parking spaces. Use the named destination in your maps app and follow event signs. PorchFest’s final route is still to come. The packing-party location will be shared by our team.

PART ONE · LOCAL FAVORITES

Ten kinds of fall fun.
Plenty of room for your kind of family.

Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Amelia Island and a short hop across the Georgia line. These are categories you can mix across the season—not ten versions of the same pumpkin patch.

Showing all 10 local adventures.

Illustration of a family walking toward a Florida farm maze and pumpkins
01 Pumpkins + a maze

Sykes Family Farms

Elkton · About 1 hour from downtown Jax

If your first Florida fall needs a pumpkin moment, start here. A crop maze, farm animals, hayrides and play areas give the day more range than a quick pumpkin photo. Pick a maze challenge for the older kids and leave time for the younger ones to enjoy the play areas.

When
Oct. 3–Nov. 1, 2026
Hours
Fri. 6–10 p.m. · Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. · Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Budget
$16.99 ages 3+; under 3 free. Taxes and fees extra.
Where
5995 Brough Road, Elkton, FL 32033

Family fit: A full afternoon for mixed ages

What I’d know before going

Wear shoes you can get dusty. Last admission is one hour before closing; leave more time if the maze is your main reason for going. Pumpkins and extras can add to the bill.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of a parent and child wearing hearing protection at a Blue Angels air show
02 An air show

NAS Jacksonville Air Show

Jacksonville · About 20–35 minutes from downtown Jax

This is one of the biggest wow moments on the list: jets overhead, aircraft on the ground and a day that connects naturally with the area's military community. It's an exciting introduction to Jacksonville, especially if you're new to the area.

When
Oct. 17–18, 2026
Hours
Gates 9 a.m. · Show 11 a.m. · Blue Angels finale 3 p.m.
Budget
Free admission and parking.
Where
6801 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32212

Family fit: Big spectacle; prepare for loud noise

What I’d know before going

Bring hearing protection, sun protection and patience for traffic. Adults 18+ need physical photo ID. Follow the official gate instructions and event staff; the Friday practice is not a general-public day.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of neighbors listening to a band on a Springfield-style front porch
03 Music in the neighborhood

Jacksonville PorchFest

Historic Springfield · About 10 minutes from downtown Jax

Front porches become stages, and a few blocks become a very good reason to get out of the car. PorchFest is the kind of afternoon I'd point a new neighbor toward: live music, local makers and room to discover a neighborhood at walking speed.

When
Nov. 7, 2026
Hours
Noon–8 p.m.
Budget
Free. Bring a food-and-drink budget.
Where
Historic Springfield, Jacksonville, FL

Family fit: Come and go around naps and energy levels

What I’d know before going

The organizer's 2026 porch map and lineup will settle your starting point; our pin marks the neighborhood. For a September music fix, Sing Out Loud's free Local Artist Showcases continue Sept. 11–13 and 18–20 in St. Augustine. Check each venue's set times and age rules.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of a costumed child and parents on a pumpkin-lit zoo walkway
04 A Halloween night out

Spooktacular at Jacksonville Zoo

North Jacksonville · About 20 minutes from downtown Jax

Costumes, trick-or-treating and a glowing trail make this an easy Halloween anchor. I appreciate having a spooky outing with choices: take the little ones for the atmosphere, and let the braver members of the family decide about the optional scare zone.

When
Select nights Oct. 10–31, 2026
Hours
6–10 p.m.; choose an entry window when booking.
Budget
Advance: $25 members / $35 nonmembers. Day-of: $30 / $40. Ages 2 and under free.
Where
370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218

Family fit: Costumes and treats, with an optional scare zone

What I’d know before going

2026 nights: Oct. 10, 15–18, 22–25 and 29–31; Oct. 11 is sensory-friendly. Entry windows are 6–7:30 or 7:30–9 p.m. Read costume rules before dressing up, and don't plan on a regular daytime animal-viewing visit.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Illustration of a casual seafood plate at a coastal festival beside the St. Marys waterfront
05 A waterfront food festival

St. Marys Seafood Festival

St. Marys, Georgia · About 50–65 minutes from downtown Jax

A tiny hop into Georgia gets you a waterfront festival with a parade, seafood, vendors and music. This is my pick for the family that likes to graze and wander. Make the parade your anchor, then leave a little room in both the schedule and the snack budget.

When
Oct. 3, 2026
Hours
9 a.m.–6 p.m. · Parade 10 a.m. · Concert 2–5 p.m.
Budget
Free entry; food and purchases extra.
Where
Osborne Street at the waterfront, St. Marys, GA 31558

Family fit: Parade fans, snack lovers and waterfront wanderers

What I’d know before going

Start in historic downtown and follow festival parking signs. If seafood isn't everyone's thing, check the vendor options before committing lunch for the whole crew.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of children exploring a whale education model at a seaside conservation festival
06 Ocean discovery

Right Whale Festival

Fernandina Beach · About 45–60 minutes from downtown Jax

This is a beach day with a purpose: hands-on ocean education, conservation groups, music and local makers. It gives kids something new to notice about the coast they're growing up beside. I'd pair a short festival visit with a walk and an unhurried lunch in Fernandina.

When
Nov. 7–8, 2026
Hours
Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Budget
Free entry.
Where
Main Beach Park, 32 N. Fletcher Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Family fit: Curious kids and ocean-loving teens

What I’d know before going

This is a conservation festival, not a whale-watching excursion; don't promise the kids a sighting. It shares Saturday with PorchFest, so choose one or save the whales for Sunday.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of an adult and child walking beside realistically proportioned fallen trees at Boneyard Beach
07 A wild-coast walk

Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island

Timucuan coast · About 35–50 minutes from downtown Jax

Bleached fallen trees, a quiet shoreline and a very different side of Jacksonville: this is the outing I'd save for a day when nobody wants another ticketed event. Give the older kids the camera and let the little ones set a slower pace. Florida fall has its own scenery.

When
Any fall day, 2026
Hours
Park open 8 a.m.–sunset.
Budget
$3 per vehicle.
Where
Big Talbot Island State Park, Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL

Family fit: A low-cost nature break between big events

What I’d know before going

Use the Bluffs access and check tides; lower water generally leaves more walking room. Sand, roots and uneven access suit a carrier better than a stroller. Leave driftwood in place, pack water and treat this as a walking outing rather than a swimming beach.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of families strolling a fair midway with a Ferris wheel at dusk
08 Midway lights + rides

Jacksonville Fair

West Jacksonville · new location · About 30–45 minutes from downtown Jax

Ferris-wheel lights and a shared fair treat are a whole category of fall fun. The detail even longtime locals need this year: the fair has moved to Normandy Boulevard. Put the new address into your phone before you start driving.

When
Nov. 5–15, 2026
Hours
Opening times vary: noon, 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. by date.
Budget
Advance admission: $10 adult, $5 ages 6–12/seniors; 5 and under free. Rides extra.
Where
13601 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32221

Family fit: Older-kid rides and classic fair treats

What I’d know before going

Gates open at 5 p.m. Nov. 5, 9, 10 and 12; 3 p.m. Nov. 6 and 13; noon Nov. 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15. Check daily closing times. The early $25 MegaPass covers admission and most rides for one day; some rides are excluded. JAX Amp concerts require their own ticket.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of a family walking beneath warm white holiday lights in historic St. Augustine
09 Holiday lights before Thanksgiving

St. Augustine Nights of Lights

Historic St. Augustine · About 50–65 minutes from downtown Jax

Yes, you can fit the lights into your fall plans. The 2026 season starts the Saturday before Thanksgiving, turning an ordinary evening walk into something special. I'd keep the plan simple: an early meal, a loop through the plaza and one treat everyone can agree on.

When
Begins Nov. 21, 2026
Hours
After dark; continues through Jan. 18, 2027.
Budget
Public light displays are free. Parking, tours and treats extra.
Where
Plaza de la Constitución, 22 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Family fit: A festive walk with visiting family

What I’d know before going

Opening weekend gets busy. Consider a weeknight, arrive before dark and check the current parking/shuttle plan. A paid trolley or boat tour is optional; you can enjoy the public display on foot.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of families in turkey hats at a neighborhood Thanksgiving morning fun run
10 A Thanksgiving tradition

Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic

Mandarin · About 20–30 minutes from downtown Jax

For the family that likes an early start, make Thanksgiving morning its own memory before the cooking begins. A mile, a 5K and a half marathon give you different levels of commitment. Cheering counts, too; everyone doesn't need the same race number to be part of the morning.

When
Thanksgiving · Nov. 26, 2026
Hours
5K and mile 6:50 a.m. · Half marathon 7 a.m.
Budget
Through Oct. 31: mile $21, 5K $41, half $61; fees extra. Later rates increase.
Where
Pickwick Plaza, 9850 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32257

Family fit: Pick a distance—or cheer from the sidelines

What I’d know before going

Register for the distance that fits each person and confirm age/stroller rules with the organizer. Plan packet pickup ahead and arrive early for parking; this one begins well before a leisurely breakfast.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

SAVE THESE FOR THE “WHAT ELSE?” WEEKENDS

A few less-obvious fall finds.

A night around a bonfire, a candlelit look at old St. Augustine, a coastal trail after dark. These are the little detours I’d keep handy when you’re ready for something different.

MAP 20 · Green Cove Springs

A free bat talk at Camp Chowenwaw

Sept. 17, 2026 · 6–7 p.m.

A small, different September plan: learn about Northeast Florida’s nighttime wildlife with Florida Bat Conservancy educators. It’s an easy hour for curious kids, and a reason to discover a county park you may not know yet.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Budget: Free.

Where: Kiwita Meeting Building, Camp Chowenwaw Park, 1517 Ball Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
About 35–50 minutes from downtown Jacksonville.

Find the Kiwita Meeting Building beside Big Cabin, near the pool. This is an educational talk; the listing does not promise live-animal encounters.

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Official details ↗

MAP 21 · Aviles Street, St. Augustine

Mortality & Mourning: Women in Black

Friday & Saturday evenings in October, 2026 · Tours at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.; reserve a specific departure.

For the teen who loves history, this candlelit house tour is a good change from another haunted house. It explores the women, mourning customs and spiritualism of old St. Augustine. The museum specifically says there are no jump scares.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Budget: Check the museum’s booking calendar for your date and ticket price.

Where: Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
About 50–65 minutes from downtown Jacksonville.

My pick for older kids comfortable with discussions of death and grief. Dim lighting, uneven floors and stairs to upper levels matter when planning access; check the museum’s advisory before booking.

Tickets & more planning details ↗

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Official details ↗

MAP 22 · GTM Research Reserve / Ponte Vedra Beach

ESTUSCARY Haunted Trail at Guana

Oct. 29, 30 & 31, 2026 · 7–9:30 p.m.

A haunted trail beside a coastal reserve is a very different Halloween setting. If the older kids want actual scares, this is a local night to consider before committing to an Orlando hotel and theme-park budget.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Budget: $20 online; $30 at the trail.

Where: South Beach Access Parking Lot, 2200 S. Ponte Vedra Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
About 45–65 minutes from downtown Jacksonville.

Recommended by the organizer for ages 10+. Wear closed-toe shoes. Follow the event’s South Beach Access instructions; its venue widget shows a conflicting street number, so confirm the meeting point on your ticket.

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Official details ↗

MAP 17 · WESLEY WELLS FARMS

BBQ, bonfires & a little boot scootin’.

Starlight Stomp · Oct. 2, 2026 · 6–9 p.m.

This is the farm’s evening plan: BBQ dinner, line dancing with an instructor and time by the fire. You don’t need a family full of dancers—just a willingness to try something different together.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Adult admission is $40 plus fees; students under 18 are $25 plus fees. Dinner, a nonalcoholic drink, dessert and dancing are included. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

2680 Ada Arnold Road, St. Augustine. Use the Wesley Wells map pin, and book the Starlight Stomp ticket rather than the pumpkin-festival ticket.

Official tickets ↗
O.N.E. Florida Group's real Treats for Troops care-package delivery from a previous drive
From a previous O.N.E. Florida Group Treats for Troops drive. Real project photo.

OUR COMMUNITY TRADITION · NOVEMBER 11

Save some sweets.
Send a little love from home.

A care package can make a long way from home feel a little closer. That’s the idea behind Treats for Troops.

This fall, O.N.E. Florida Group is bringing our community together again to collect donations and pack care packages for deployed service members. Our packing party is on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Have a business that could host a donation box? Want to help sort, write notes or pack? Tell us below. Our team will reach out with the location, time and the details you need.

See the story behind the project ↗

01 / GATHER

Share a few treats

Set aside factory-sealed candy or snacks, and let the kids add thank-you notes or drawings. Ask us for this year’s wish list and collection/drop-off timing.

02 / HOST

Bring a box to your business

Make it easy for customers, coworkers and neighbors to contribute. Send your business contact details and we’ll coordinate the next steps.

03 / PACK

Make Veterans Day meaningful

Volunteer for sorting, note-writing or packing. Families, workplace teams and community groups can ask us about roles that fit their crew.

I’d like a donation box at my business +

Share your business and contact information. We’ll reach out to coordinate box placement and collection details.

Prefer email? Ask us to place a box ↗

I’d like to volunteer on Veterans Day +

Email us your name, phone number, group size and children’s ages if they’re joining you. Our team will follow up with the November 11 time, location and suitable volunteer roles.

Email to volunteer ↗

Opens your email app with a note ready to complete. Send it to [email protected], or call 808-258-1945.

Questions? [email protected] · 808-258-1945. Inquiries go to O.N.E. Florida Group.

PART TWO · HONORABLE MENTIONS FOR NEW FLORIDIANS

Orlando, with room to stay awhile.

If you’re new to Florida, these are the bigger outings that belong on your radar. Plan ahead for tickets, lodging and the extras you want to include. For late Halloween nights, a hotel or Airbnb can turn a long return drive into a much easier weekend.

Illustration of fall pumpkin decorations on Main Street at Magic Kingdom
11 For the costume-loving crew

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Magic Kingdom · About 2½–3½ hours from downtown Jax

For a first Florida Halloween, this is the big costume-and-candy splurge. I'd compare the full six-person total before choosing a date, then decide whether a nearby hotel or Airbnb makes the late finish easier. Check the cancellation terms and the drive back from the park, not just the nightly rate.

When
Select nights through Oct. 31, 2026
Hours
7 p.m.–midnight; event ticket allows entry from 4 p.m.
Budget
$119–$229 per ticket, plus tax, depending on date. Separate event ticket.
Where
Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World, FL

Family fit: A gentler Halloween choice; still a late night

What I’d know before going

Tickets can sell out. Choose your exact night before booking lodging, and build in a rest break for younger children. Our map points drivers to the Transportation and Ticket Center area.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Illustration of adults approaching a red-lit Universal-style park entrance at night
12 For older teens + adults

Universal Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Studios Florida · About 2½–3 hours from downtown Jax

This is the older-teen-and-adult option, and I would plan it as a separate outing from the little-kid Halloween night. Haunted houses and scare zones are the draw. A nearby overnight stay can be a much better fit than a tired drive home after a very late finish.

When
Select nights through Nov. 1, 2026
Hours
Evening hours vary by date; check the ticket calendar.
Budget
Separate event admission; date-based pricing. Parking and upgrades extra.
Where
Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819

Family fit: Universal does not recommend it for children under 13

What I’d know before going

Review the event's intensity with your teens, then compare admission and any queue upgrades for your exact date. A regular daytime park ticket does not replace the event ticket.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of Spaceship Earth and modest festival tasting plates at EPCOT
13 For a taste-around-the-world day

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Walt Disney World · About 2½–3½ hours from downtown Jax

Turn the day into a family tasting challenge: everybody picks something for the table to try. Remy's scavenger hunt gives younger kids a mission while the older ones explore flavors. Eat to the Beat concerts add a music option without a separate concert admission charge.

When
Through Nov. 21, 2026
Hours
Use the date-specific EPCOT calendar for park and concert hours.
Budget
Park admission required; tasting dishes and scavenger-hunt map extra.
Where
EPCOT, 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821

Family fit: Adventurous eaters; share dishes to stretch the budget

What I’d know before going

The festival ends Nov. 21, before Thanksgiving. Concert seating is first-come unless you book a qualifying dining package; check the lineup and availability before promising a favorite act.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

PART THREE · GO A LITTLE FARTHER

Three day trips worth an early start.

Think roughly two to three hours from Jacksonville, depending on your neighborhood, traffic and stops. Silver Springs and Micanopy can be a little closer; Kennedy is the full-day commitment.

Illustration of a correctly proportioned green and white glass-bottom tour boat on Silver Springs
14 See the springs without getting wet

Silver Springs glass-bottom boats

Silver Springs / Ocala · About 1¾–2¼ hours from downtown Jax

The glass-bottom boat is such a good new-to-Florida experience: everyone gets a view into the spring without turning the day into a swimming expedition. I'd book the short tour first, then decide how much walking and exploring our crew has left in them.

When
Year-round; choose a fall day, 2026
Hours
Reserve a 30-minute tour; arrive 30 minutes before departure.
Budget
30-minute boat: adults $17, ages 3–12 and seniors 55+ $15; 2 and under free. Park entry $2/person extra.
Where
5656 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Silver Springs, FL 34488

Family fit: Little-kid-friendly length; interesting for the whole crew

What I’d know before going

Book ahead, especially for a holiday week. An accessible boat is available on specific departures; arrange the right tour with the operator. Weather can affect operations, and swimming isn't allowed here.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of shoppers browsing craft tents on a moss-draped Micanopy street
15 An Old Florida makers' weekend

Micanopy Fall Festival

Micanopy · About 1¾–2¼ hours from downtown Jax

Moss-draped oaks, little storefronts and an arts-and-crafts festival make Micanopy a lovely change of pace. This is the day I'd choose for a family that enjoys poking around shops and letting lunch happen along the way. The festival fills Cholokka Boulevard with makers and music.

When
Oct. 31–Nov. 1, 2026
Hours
Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · Sunday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Budget
Budget for food, crafts and parking; check the organizer for any admission updates.
Where
Cholokka Boulevard, Micanopy, FL 32667

Family fit: Best for browsing, snacking and a slower small-town day

What I’d know before going

Follow the festival's parking signs: private lots and school fundraising parking are part of the plan. Don't park on the US-441 shoulder. If Halloween at home matters to your kids, choose Sunday instead.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

Illustration of visitors walking among realistically scaled rockets at Kennedy Space Center's Rocket Garden
16 A full day of space exploration

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Merritt Island · About 2¼–3 hours from downtown Jax

For the kid who wants to know how everything works, this is an excellent reason to drive south. The Rocket Garden, Atlantis and the Apollo/Saturn V Center give you plenty to build a full day around. I'd start early and pick the family's must-see exhibits before arriving.

When
Choose a day through Nov. 25, 2026
Hours
9 a.m.–5 p.m. during this fall window. Closed Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.
Budget
Use the official ticket calendar for current admission, parking and optional experience prices.
Where
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953

Family fit: Space-loving kids and teens; plan a full day

What I’d know before going

The visitor complex is closed on Thanksgiving Day. The last bus tour departs 2½ hours before closing, so don't leave that part until the end. Use the visitor-complex entrance, and treat any rocket launch as a separate, changeable bonus.

Official details ↗
Directions & planning links

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

More planning details ↗

TWO MORE REASONS TO TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

Real bats. Old Florida. A very different day out.

MAP 23 · North of Gainesville

Florida Bat Festival at Lubee

Oct. 24, 2026 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; last entry 4:30 p.m.

Real fruit bats, conservation exhibits and a kids’ activity area: this might be the most unexpected Halloween-season outing in the guide. Lubee’s annual festival lets families see its resident bats and turn a spooky-season fascination into something much more interesting.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Budget: Ages 13+ $10; ages 5–12 $5; 4 and under free in the admission table. Parking free.

Where: 1309 NW 192nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32609
About 1½–2 hours from downtown Jacksonville.

You can watch the bats, but cannot touch, hold or pet them. Expect grassy, uneven fields. Save directions before arriving; mobile reception can be limited.

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Official details ↗

MAP 24 · Barberville / West Volusia

Barberville’s 50th Fall Country Jamboree

Nov. 7–8, 2026 · Check the final daily hours and music schedule before going.

Blacksmithing, cane grinding, folk music and a barn dance give this weekend a completely different feel. I’d pick it for a family that likes watching people make things—and for anyone who wants a little Old Florida with their fall festival.

Budget, location & a useful tip

Budget: 2026 admission details were not posted on the organizer page when checked.

Where: Barberville Pioneer Settlement, 1776 Lightfoot Lane, Barberville, FL 32105
About 1¾–2¼ hours from downtown Jacksonville.

The organizer confirms November 7–8 and its 50th anniversary; the music timetable is still coming. It shares a weekend with PorchFest and Right Whale Festival, so choose your favorite rather than trying to squeeze in all three.

Tickets & more planning details ↗

Apple Maps ↗ · Google Maps ↗

Official details ↗

YOUR FAMILY’S SHORTLIST

A few good plans beat an overfull calendar.

Tap “Save stop” on the adventures you like. Your selections stay in this browser when storage is available.

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A FEW THINGS NEW FLORIDIANS ASK

Before you pack the car.

What are the best free fall activities near Jacksonville?

Start with the NAS Jacksonville Air Show, PorchFest, Right Whale Festival, St. Marys Seafood Festival and the public Nights of Lights display. Free entry doesn’t always cover food, parking or optional tours, so check each card’s budget notes.

What works when the kids are very different ages?

I’d mix one big spectacle with one easy outing: the farm maze and play areas, a short glass-bottom boat tour, or a festival you can leave when the little ones are done. Save Horror Nights for older teens and adults; Universal does not recommend it for children under 13.

Will it feel like fall?

Sometimes—and sometimes you’ll be picking pumpkins in shorts. Dress for the actual forecast, bring water and sun protection, and keep a light layer for evenings. Outdoor plans need a weather backup.

What can we do during Thanksgiving week?

Nights of Lights is underway from Nov. 21, and the Thanksgiving Distance Classic is Nov. 26. Boneyard Beach and Silver Springs are options to check for your chosen day. EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival ends Nov. 21, and Kennedy Space Center is closed Thanksgiving Day.

GOOD PLANS TRAVEL BY WORD OF MOUTH

Know something we should add?

Hosting a fall festival, a neighborhood Halloween night, a concert or a small-town tradition we missed? I’d love to hear about it.

Send the dates, location and an official link if you have one. Our team will review the details and may reach out before adding it to the guide.

Suggestions go to [email protected]. Sending an event does not guarantee inclusion.

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Sources & updates

Planning information checked September 12, 2026. Each adventure links directly to its organizer or official destination. Hours, prices, availability, routes and weather plans may change. Family-fit suggestions and driving estimates are Amy’s editorial planning guidance.

The 2026 Veterans Day date and team follow-up process are provided by O.N.E. Florida Group. The linked project story describes an earlier drive; its old totals, collection dates and registration links are not a 2026 schedule.

Attraction names and marks identify the places discussed; this guide is independently produced by O.N.E. Florida Group.

Spotted a change? Send Amy an update.

Image note: Some images in this guide are AI-generated illustrations inspired by the destinations; actual event scenes may vary. Amy’s headshot and the Treats for Troops photo are real photographs.

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Agricola Green Cove Springs, FL: Plans & Buyer Updates

Agricola Green Cove Springs, FL: Plans & Buyer Updates

Explore Agricola in Green Cove Springs, Florida: official conceptual plans and renderings, developer projections, and what buyers should verify about builders, prices and timing. Request…

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