October 2026 Events in Northeast Florida: Fall Festivals, Halloween Fun, & Things to Do

October is one of the best months to get out and explore Northeast Florida. The temperatures start to ease up, fall festivals fill the weekends, and spooky season is officially underway.

From St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra to Jacksonville, Clay County, Palm Coast, and Amelia Island, October is packed with festivals, races, family events, food and cultural celebrations, Halloween fun, and a few events that are just a little creepy.

I’ve divided this guide into October and fall events first, followed by a separate Halloween and spooky season section so you can easily find what sounds fun for you.

Food, Culture & Fall Festivals

Oktoberfest Beer Tasting Cruise

Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Cost: $59 per person, ages 21+
Location: Florida Water Tours, 107 Yacht Club Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Celebrate Oktoberfest from the water with a guided tasting of six craft beers, including seasonal favorites. The cruise also includes a soft pretzel with traditional mustard while you take in views along St. Augustine's waterways.

CROCtoberfest: Brew at the Zoo

Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Cost: $75-$100
Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

This adults-only evening at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm brings together Northeast Florida breweries, restaurants, and conservation organizations. Enjoy food and drinks while exploring the zoo after regular hours.

St. Augustine Greek Fest

Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Time: Saturday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM | Sunday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2940 C.R. 214, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Enjoy authentic Greek food and wine, live music, traditional folk dancing, and plenty of Greek hospitality during this annual St. Augustine favorite.

67th Annual Cracker Day

Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Cost: Free admission | $5 cash parking
Location: St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 SR 207, Elkton, FL 32033

Cracker Day is a longtime St. Johns County tradition featuring horse games, food, barbecue, vendors, and a full day of old Florida fun.

Amelia Island Hispanic Heritage Music & Food Festival

Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 1:00-9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: 14 S. 3rd St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Celebrate Hispanic culture in downtown Fernandina Beach with live music, dancing, authentic foods, local vendors, arts, and cultural experiences.

Beaches Oktoberfest

Dates: October 16-17, 2026
Time: Friday 5:00-10:00 PM | Saturday 12:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Free general admission
Location: Seawalk Pavilion, 75 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Head to Jacksonville Beach for two days of Oktoberfest celebrations featuring live music, food, beer, and oceanfront festival fun.

Old Florida

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: $10 | Free parking
Location: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Rd., Palm Coast, FL 32137

Step back into Old Florida with living-history demonstrations, cultural storytelling, artisan vendors, and plenty of room to explore the museum grounds.

Festa Italiana 2026

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: To be announced
Cost: Free
Location: Italian American Club of Jacksonville, 2838 Westberry Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223

Celebrate Italian culture with homemade food, live music, and activities as Jacksonville's Italian American Club celebrates its 75th anniversary and the 31st year of Festa Italiana.

Races & Outdoor Events

Pink Up the Pace 5K

Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 8:00-10:30 AM
Cost: $25-$40
Location: Francis Field, 10 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084

One of St. Augustine's largest 5Ks takes runners and walkers through downtown while raising awareness and support for those affected by breast cancer.

DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass

Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:00 AM
Cost: $35-$45
Location: TPC Sawgrass, 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Walk or run through beautiful TPC Sawgrass while supporting The DONNA Foundation and its work helping families living with breast cancer.

Game On! St. Augustine Fall Triathlon

Date: October 11, 2026
Time: Race starts begin around 7:25 AM
Cost: Varies by event and registration category
Location: Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park, 2750 Anahma Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Choose from Olympic or sprint-distance triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, and relay events. The course includes an Atlantic Ocean swim, a scenic ride along A1A, and a run through Vilano Beach.

Jailbreak 5K

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 8:00-10:00 AM
Cost: $25-$45
Location: Starts at the Old Jail Museum, 167 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084

This unique one-way 5K starts at St. Augustine's historic Old Jail, crosses the Vilano Bridge, and finishes near Porpoise Point. Proceeds benefit programs supporting St. Johns County public school students.

Family Fun, Shopping & Entertainment

Jacksonville Home + Patio Show

Dates: October 2-4, 2026
Time: Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM | Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Cost: $10 advance | $12 at the box office | Children 13 and under free
Location: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32204

Meet home improvement, landscaping, remodeling, and design professionals while gathering inspiration for your next home or outdoor project.

Holiday Extravaganza

Date: October 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Nexus Center, 2199 Commerce Pkwy., Bunnell, FL 32110

Get an early start on holiday shopping with local vendors offering gifts, seasonal items, and other finds for the upcoming holiday season.

WasabiCon 2026

Dates: October 9-11, 2026
Time: Friday 3:00-10:00 PM | Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM | Sunday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Cost: Approximately $30-$75 depending on admission type
Location: Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32204

Jacksonville's long-running pop culture convention celebrates anime, manga, cosplay, K-pop, tabletop gaming, video games, and more.

Betty Griffin Center Quarter Auction

Date: October 11, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Cost: General admission $21.29 | VIP $77.89
Location: The Tringali Barn, 7310 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine, FL 32086

Bid on prizes and enjoy an afternoon of fundraising fun while supporting Betty Griffin Center and the services it provides to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Clay County Barkfest

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 FL-16, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Bring your four-legged family member for an afternoon of vendors, rescues, adoptable dogs, treats, food, entertainment, and pet-friendly shopping.

St. Augustine Cruisers Cruise-In

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 5:00-7:00 PM
Cost: Free for spectators
Location: Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine, FL 32086

Browse classic and collectible cars while enjoying music, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing at this gathering of local auto enthusiasts.

30th Annual 8 Flags Car Show

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: Approximately 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free for spectators
Location: Centre Street, Downtown Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Downtown Fernandina Beach fills with restored antiques, classics, customs, and special-interest vehicles during this longtime Amelia Island tradition.

Pete the Cat

Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Cost: $19 general admission
Location: Thrasher-Horne Center, 2900 Thrasher Horne Ave., Orange Park, FL 32065

Based on the popular children's character, this live musical follows Pete and Jimmy on a colorful adventure filled with friendship, creativity, and music.

Ancient City Kids Day

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Francis Field, 25 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32084

More than 40 youth organizations gather for a free afternoon of games, crafts, bounce houses, contests, entertainment, giveaways, and information about resources for local families.

Halloween & Spooky Season Events

If Halloween is your favorite part of October, Northeast Florida has plenty to choose from. There are family-friendly trick-or-treating events, haunted trails, ghost tours, spooky paddles, Halloween performances, and adults-only nights out.

Family-Friendly Halloween Fun

Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular

Dates: October 10, 15-18, 22-25, and 29-31, 2026
Sensory-Friendly Evening: October 11
Time: 6:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Advance tickets start at $25 for zoo members and $35 for non-members
Location: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Pkwy., Jacksonville, FL 32218

Walk glowing trails through the zoo, explore a 400-foot light tunnel, trick-or-treat, visit witches, dance at a skeleton disco, and enjoy plenty of seasonal photo opportunities. There is also an optional scare zone for anyone who wants a few extra chills.

Creatures of the Night

Dates: October 23-25, 2026
Time: 5:30-8:00 PM
Cost: $20 adults | $16 ages 2-11 | Member discounts available
Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL

Dress up and explore the zoo after dark with treats, eerie insects and animals, creature-themed activities, and family-friendly Halloween fun.

St. George Street Trick-or-Treating

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: St. George Street, Downtown St. Augustine

Bring the kids downtown in costume for trick-or-treating at participating St. George Street businesses, festive decorations, and a costume contest.

Trick-or-Treating & Harvest Festival at Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: 20 Aviles St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Families can enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating, games, prizes, and costumes at one of St. Augustine's historic properties.

Hastings Trunk or Treat & Movie in the Park

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 5:00-9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Al Wilke Park & Community Center, 6150 S. Main St., Hastings, FL 32145

Start the evening with trunk-or-treating and stay for an outdoor movie beginning at 7:00 PM.

Haunted Trails, Ghosts & Spooky Adventures

Creepy Crawl Haunted Pub Tour

Dates: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout October
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $25
Location: Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, 4 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Explore some of St. Augustine's haunted history while visiting local pubs, hearing ghost stories, and using EMF readers along the way.

Nightmare Oaks

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays throughout October beginning October 2
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Tickets start at $30
Location: 7980 County Line Rd., Melrose, FL 32666

This outdoor haunted attraction is geared toward serious scare seekers with dark woods, abandoned structures, live actors, themed environments, and cinematic sets. It is recommended for ages 16 and older.

Salt Run Ghost Paddle

Dates: October 10 and October 24, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM
Cost: $50 with kayak rental | $40 with your own boat
Location: Anastasia State Park, 300 Anastasia Park Rd., St. Augustine, FL 32080

Paddle Salt Run after dark while hearing local history, ghost legends, and eerie tales, then head back to shore for s'mores and one last ghost story.

Ghosts of Green Cove's Past

Date: October 29, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Cost: $25
Location: Village Improvement Association, 17 Palmetto Ave., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Learn about Green Cove Springs history through stories of residents from the community's past, with just enough ghostly atmosphere to fit the season.

EstuSCARY Haunted Trail

Dates: October 29-31, 2026
Time: 7:00-9:30 PM
Cost: $20 in advance | $30 at the trail
Location: GTM Research Reserve South Beach Access, 2200 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

The South Beach Hammock Trail transforms after dark into a haunted outdoor experience filled with spooky surprises and unexpected scares.

Hall of Terror: Universal Monsters

Dates: October 30-31, 2026
Time: Low-sensory hour 6:00-7:00 PM | Full experience 7:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Palm Coast Fire Station 21, 9 Corporate Dr., Palm Coast, FL

Palm Coast Fire Department's annual Hall of Terror returns with a Universal Monsters theme inspired by classic horror characters. A low-sensory hour is available before the full haunted experience each night.

Spooky Shows & Performances

Dracula: The Ballet

Date: October 11, 2026
Time: 3:00-4:30 PM
Cost: $15-$35
Location: Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Saint Augustine Ballet brings Bram Stoker's classic tale to the stage through dramatic choreography, theatrical storytelling, and a perfectly timed dose of October atmosphere.

The Vampire Circus

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: Varies by seat
Location: Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville, FL 32202

Part circus, part cabaret, and part theatrical horror show, The Vampire Circus combines acrobatics, contortion, dance, gymnastics, comedy, and a dark vampire-inspired atmosphere.

Halloween Nights Out

Beetlejuice Pub Crawl

Dates: Select Fridays and Saturdays throughout October
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Cost: $40, drinks purchased separately
Location: The Tasting Tours, 5 Palm Row, Suite D, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Follow a Beetlejuice-inspired host through four downtown bars for an adults-only evening of themed entertainment, cocktails, and spooky surprises. Costumes are encouraged.

10th Annual Headless Bangers Costume Ball

Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 8:00-11:30 PM
Cost: $50
Location: World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, 500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092

Dress up for an adults-only Halloween party featuring live music, dancing, desserts, elaborate decorations, and a costume contest with cash prizes.

Boos, Brews & Ocean Views

Date: October 30, 2026
Time: 4:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Free admission
Location: 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop, 619 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Celebrate Halloween overlooking the ocean with festive cocktails, live music, and a costume contest at 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop.

Looking for Even More Things to Do?

October has plenty happening beyond these one-time events. Northeast Florida also has recurring farmers markets, artisan markets, live music, and other weekend activities throughout the month.

Check out my guides to Northeast Florida Farmers Markets and Local Live Music Venues for even more ideas.

Whether you're looking for a fall festival with the family, an Oktoberfest celebration, a race, a haunted trail, or an excuse to dress up for Halloween, there is plenty happening around Northeast Florida this October.

Save this guide and check back before heading out since event dates, times, ticket availability, and weather-related plans can change.