Our 13 Most Favorite Florida Events in October 2023 (That We Think You’ll Love!)
The arrival of fall is certainly worth celebrating, and there are some great Florida events in October that bring the hype to our favorite season. With live music, mouthwatering seafood, and just a sprinkle of spookiness, we’ll cover all of the must-visit fall festivals!
While we’ve got a few spooky-season celebrations in here, most of these festivals aren’t Halloween-related. If you’re looking for certified spooky events, like pumpkin patches and theme park Halloween parties, you’ll find we have separate articles for each big event. (Check out our Halloween articles here!)
For festivals that are a little more off the beaten path, these 13 Florida events in October are must-experience extravaganzas sure to bring an extra pinch of fun to your fall season!
Florida Events in October
Food, history, crafts – these festivals have it all! Hopping into the festivities is a great way to experience authentic Florida, and choosing to do so during October is a wise move, as temperatures during these outdoor events will be far more bearable than those of the past few months.
Let’s get into our first festival, shall we? I hope you’ve brought your appetite!
1. Destin Seafood Festival
October 6-8, 2023
Enjoy the best fresh-caught delicacies that Destin has to offer at the Destin Seafood Festival!
Located on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, this enormously fun event kicks off the month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo. Admission to this event is free, and you’ll find up to 100 (or more!) food and craft vendors to splurge on. From crab cakes to fried alligator, anything edible that lives in the water might just be on the menu!
This year, there will also be a festival-within-a-festival; the “Call To Chef” event is a 2-day, ticketed event that allows visitors to sample chefs’ and restaurants’ specially prepared seafood at their leisure. Additionally, the Destin Seafood Festival also hosts free live music and entertainment!
2. Tallahassee Balloon Festival
October 13-15, 2023
One of the most high-flying Florida events in October, the Tallahassee Balloon Festival will let you take to the sky in a hot air balloon!
Located at the North Florida Fairgrounds, you can indulge in the ultimate Hallmark movie moment by taking a tethered balloon ride with that special someone! (It’s also super fun for friend groups and family!) There will be plenty of food vendors so that you won’t be flying on an empty stomach, as well as live music, crafts, and a Kids Zone – complete with bounce houses! – for all of the little ones in attendance. We recommend staying until the evening; there’s a grand finale just after 8:00 pm, where brightly lit balloons and lasers dance to music in the night sky!
3. Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Cultural Expo
October 14, 2023
Want to become an international explorer for the day? Travel to Asia when you visit the Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Cultural Expo!
One of the must-see multicultural Florida events in October, the Asian Cultural Expo is free to attend and expresses Asian culture through mesmerizing exhibitions of song, dance, martial arts, and crafts! One such exhibition is the dragon boat races; watch as sleek, vibrantly-painted dragon boats skim through the water thanks to the unified effort of twenty paddlers per vessel! This 2,000-year-old tradition is a sight to behold.
4. McIntoch 1890s Festival
October 14, 2023
This year marks the 50th McIntoch 1890s Festival in McIntoch, Florida!
Travel back to McIntoch’s Victorian-era heyday as you browse the many booths, munch on delicious food, and take in the live entertainment! Nestled in the charming streets of McIntosh and lined by historic houses, this free festival is one of the most picturesque Florida events in October.
Kid Approved!
25 Roadside Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss
Looking for the ultimate guide to the best Florida roadside attractions for kids? Check out our top 25 picks! From animal encounters to historical sites, these family-friendly destinations are a must-visit for your next Florida vacation.
5. Country Thunder 2023 (Kissimmee)
October 20-22, 2023
If your radio is dialed into your local country channel at all times, then Country Thunder 2023 is the Florida music festival for you!
Jam away in Kissimmee this October with Cody Johnson, Hardy, Keith Urban, and over a dozen more fantastic country artists! With opportunities for camping and even glamping, this musical palooza can also double as the most rockin’ pajama party of your life!
6. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail (Plant City)
September 29 – November 4, 2023
Prepare yourself for one of the creepiest Florida events in October – Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail should only be braved by professional ghostbusters!
Open Friday-Sunday for the month of October, you’ll have the chance to go on a haunted hayride, scream your way through two escape games, and face the peril of three haunted trails. Oh, and there’s laser tag! Note: tickets must be purchased in advance to take part in Sir Henry’s sinister fun.
7. South Beach Seafood Festival (Miami Beach)
October 18-21, 2023
Need another seafood fix after Destin? Yeah, we do, too! Thankfully, South Beach Seafood Festival in Miami Beach is coming right up.
Unlike your typical seafood festival with various vendors, this one serves as a “best in show” for local seafood. You’ll get to enjoy culinary masterpieces from Miami’s finest restaurants and chefs. A four-day festival with 5-course dinners and chef showdowns, you can choose which events you’d like to participate in (which will reflect accordingly in your ticket price). The main event is Saturday afternoon, on the beach, with live music and a plethora of pop-up seafood cafes!
8. Hulaween (Live Oak)
October 26-29, 2023
Get ready for one of the most unique musical festivals in Florida: Hulaween!
Hulaween is an annual music and camping festival that takes place right around the culmination of the spooky season. Located at Spirit Lake, you can spend several days reveling to the beats of Hulaween’s 2023 line-up that includes The String Cheese Incident, Goose, Pretty Lights, and so many more artists!
9. Cedar Key Seafood Festival
October 21-22, 2023
Another seafood festival?! Oh, yeah!
Head on down to the Cedar Key Seafood Festival for a delicious weekend of scrumptious seafood in Cedar Key City Park. While smaller in scale, perhaps, than the festival in Miami, we love that admission to this tasty event is FREE!
10. Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
October 25-29, 2023
One of the most significant Florida events in October, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (or “FLIBS” for short), has historically drawn in 100,000 visitors and over 1,000 boats during the course of its five-day schedule.
What makes it so popular? Well, for fans of boating and watersports, it’s the Holy Grail of all things marine-related. FLIBS is the prime location for the debut of the latest and greatest boats, yachts, fishing equipment, and more! There are also educational seminars, an Aquazone where you can witness water stunts, delicious food, and even activities for the kiddos.
11. Spooky Empire (Orlando)
October 27-29, 2023
Looking for some more Halloween fun? Spooky Empire is Orlando’s premier horror convention!
One of the annual events in Florida, this get-together is for fans of all the things that go bump in the night. You’ll find a host of vendors selling spooky merch, over 50 tattoo artists, music, and celebrity guests (with meet-and-greet opportunities). There’s even a costume contest! More details will be available as the event draws near, so be sure to check out the Spooky Empire website for updates!
12. Mount Dora Craft Fair
October 28-29, 2023
An all-time favorite Florida craft festival, the Mount Dora Craft Fair brings 400 amazing exhibitors to the downtown area so you can get the best crafts from around the country! You’ll also be able to splurge on yummy festival foods, beer, and wine. Live music and special guests will help round out the fun of this artistic event.
13. Ocala Arts Festival
October 28-29, 2023
The Ocala Arts Festival will be finishing off our schedule of Florida events and festivals in October with a splash of color!
There’s a lot to love about this celebration. From the food trucks to the local performers, it’s a feast for the senses! Of course, the highlight will be the 155 artists who come to exhibit their work for your enjoyment. There will also be activities for kiddos, like face painting, too!
Are you excited about these Florida events in October? We certainly are! Going to a Florida festival is a great way to enjoy a memorable (and often budget-friendly) experience in the Sunshine State.
Which one(s) are you planning to attend? Let us know in the comments below!
More Posts About Offbeat Florida
Dear MouseEars TV readers, This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Feature photo: Gpoint Studio via Canva
