Fall fun for families at South Florida pumpkin patches, festivals and not-so-scary bashes

Kari Barnett, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·21 min read

The change of season looks and feels a little different here in South Florida. Forget falling leaves and cooler temps. We know fall has arrived when the sun sets earlier, Spirit Halloween stores move into vacant storefronts, animals at the Palm Beach Zoo get pumpkins to play with, and retailers pile bags of candy onto store shelves (no shortage this year).

There are plenty of ways to celebrate fall traditions — and spooky season — in our own way. First, there’s the all-important costume choice. (If you need ideas this Halloween, online fashion company Boohoo has named Barbie, Wednesday Addams, Princess Peach, Harley Quinn, Cruella de Vil, Wonder Woman, as well as more traditional getups like skeletons and ghosts, among the top Google-searched costumes in America.)

Then it’s time to make party plans!

Revelers looking for a swashbuckling good time are in luck: After a year hiatus, Boynton Beach Pirate Fest is back to walk the plank in the city’s downtown on Oct. 28 and 29. Organized by the City of Boynton Beach instead of the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency this year, the event will feature a new artisan market.

“Visitors can expect a free family friendly event that will feature a variety of unique vendors, pirate encampments and the captivating allure of live mermaids,” city spokeswoman Chelsea Sanabia said. “In addition, attendees will be dazzled by stunt shows, cannons and live music.”

As for young buccaneers, they “will also have their own share of adventure with captivating kids’ activities and a thrilling treasure hunt,” she said.

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At Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie, there are pumpkins aplenty with the garden center selling more than 45,000 of the golden gourds during its annual Fall Festival, which opened in September and runs through Nov. 5.

Owner Jim Dezell said said he was inspired by a 2009 trip to his parents’ summer home in the mountains of Georgia.

“When I arrived, I was greeted by a fall display on their outdoor patio, which consisted of hay bales, cornstalks, gourds, pumpkins, two scarecrows and several colorful mums in wood baskets,” he said. “My wife, Lisa, and I immediately felt a connection to this warm family oriented fall display and brainstormed about the possibility of selling pumpkins, fall decor and offering hayrides at the garden center.”

Since then, the festival has expanded to a 5-acre site behind the nursery offering hayrides, plus five wooden pergolas and four tiki huts, three tents for pumpkin-painting crafts, food vendors and, new for its 15th year, a family friendly maze with fall photo opportunities.

“It has become a family tradition, and we now have adults bringing their children who first came as children themselves,” Dezell said. “It is truly rewarding to hear families share prior-year experiences and proudly tell us about family portraits being taken at our fall-decorated Grandma’s Garden each and every year, documenting the evolution of their families.

“My team and I are humbled to hear these stories and grateful to be a part of so many lives.”

Here’s our guide to hometown festivals, pumpkin patches and other seasonal events in South Florida. Check back for more listings throughout October.

BROWARD COUNTY

Flamingo Road Nursery’s Fall Harvest Festival

Pick out a pumpkin at the patch, go on a tractor-pulled hayride through a 900-foot valley and canopy of mature live oak trees, check out eight Shriner Parade vehicles, grab a brush for the paint-a-pumpkin craft, and shop for fresh produce at the farmers market. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 5 at Flamingo Road Nursery, 1655 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. Admission is $15 and free for guests age 1 and younger. A $20 upgrade is also available. Visit flamingoroadnursery.com.

Deerfield Beach Fall Festival

The ninth annual event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave., Deerfield Beach. Find music bands, a pumpkin patch, a new biergarten featuring Cove Brewery, food trucks, arts and crafts, an artisan market, archery and hayrides. Free. Visit deerfield-beach.com/1407/Fall-Festival.

Pumpkins & Palm Trees Fall Fest

The LOOP on Fort Lauderdale beach will have three days of fall-themed activities from Oct. 20 to 22. Vendors, live music, an inflatable corn maze, children’s arts and crafts, photo stations, a Pumpkin House and pumpkin patch (available for purchases on Saturday and Sunday), movie night and the third annual Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale Competition will be part of the festivities at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd. Visit theloopflb.com/events/fallfest2023 for a full schedule.

Halloween Hoopla

This free event for all ages will include music, arts and crafts, bounce houses, face painting, carnival games, prizes and candy from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Tamarac Park, 7501 N. University Drive. The first 500 kids will receive a free bag of treats. Visit tamarac.org/231/Special-Events.

Thrills & Chills

The Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive, will transform into a carnival featuring themed spaces and activities for all ages in two sessions: 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21. Cost is $5 for age 2 and older. Costumes are encouraged. Visit coralsprings.gov/events.

Family Fall Festival

Sponsored by the city of Plantation and the Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce, this festival will feature a children’s carnival, games, inflatables, food, costume contests, a haunted house, police and fire exhibits and free Halloween bags for kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Volunteer Park, 12050 W Sunrise Blvd., Plantation. Cost is $5 per person age 2 and older. Visit plantation.org.

LauderBOO

Trick-or-treat stations with carnival games will pop up from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 throughout Snyder Park, 3299 SW Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy arts and crafts, bounce houses, candy and treats, contests and prizes, music, and the Native Village animal exhibition. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.

Halloween Spooktacular

The city of Wilton Manors is hosting an evening of Halloween fun, sponsored by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, with costume contests, trick-or-treating, music and other activities for all ages from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at Wilton Manors Elementary School, 2401 NE Third Ave. Free. Visit wiltonmanors.gov/527/Halloween-Spooktacular.

Trunk-or-Treat

With the theme “Superheroes and Storybooks,” the Jack & Jill Center and The Salvation Army of Fort Lauderdale have teamed up for a Trunk-or-Treat event, set for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Participants can dress up in costume for this free event, which will take place at The Salvation Army Fort Lauderdale, 100 SW Ninth Ave. Peanut-free treat donations may be dropped off at the Jack & Jill Center, 1315 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays before Oct. 24. Visit jackandjillcenter.org/event/trunk.

Parkland Halloween Festival

Photo booths, characters, stilt walkers and a Halloween performance are part of this event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Pine Trails Park, 10555 Trails End, Parkland. Also planned: a trunk-or-treat lane, DJ tunes, and the Parkland Pumpkin Patch. Visit cityofparkland.org/1509/Halloween-Festival.

Halloween & Fall Community Event

Have a fun time with the family at multiple Fort Lauderdale events featuring games, contests, prizes and refreshments, among other activities. Save the dates: 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at Lauderdale Manors Park, 1340 Chateau Park Drive, and 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.

Boo Bash

A haunted maze, costume contest (8 p.m.), carnival rides and games are among the activities lined up for Boo Bash, set for 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at 1801 NE Sixth St. Free. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov/events/boo-bash.

Night Out Against Crime & Halloween Safety Day

The Lauderhill Police Department will offer safety tips along with police and fire demonstrations from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at Sadkin Community Center, 1176 NW 42nd Way, Lauderhill. Take a walk through a haunted house, get free child ID cards, plus goodie bags, candy and prizes. Free. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov.

Halloween Bash

A not-so-scary evening of family friendly fun will take over from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave., Oakland Park. There will be costume contests for all ages, interactive games and activities, bounce houses, a DJ hosting dance contests and candy. Free. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.

Nightmare in the Park

Take a terrifying drive through a haunted park full of scares from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Snyder Park, 3299 SW Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The event includes flashing lights, special effects and scenes of violence, so parental discretion is advised for children younger than 13. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.

Boo Bash

The activities begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood with music, followed by a costume fashion show at 7 p.m. and movie night at 8 p.m. Free admission. Food will be available for purchase. Visit hollywoodfl.org/1479/Boo-Bash.

Fall Festival

A pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, archery, a carriage ride and more will entertain from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at C.W. Thomas Park, 100 NW Eighth Ave., Dania Beach. The city is partnering with Broward Sheriff’s Office for National Night Out. Free. Visit daniabeachfl.gov/3161/Fall-Festival.

BOO-per City Halloween Extravaganza

Characters will pass out candy for trick-or-treating, and there will be a costume contest from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at Memorial Park, 9001 SW 51st St., Cooper City. All ages welcome. Free. Visit coopercity.gov.

Trick-or-Treat Shop to Shop

Do some trick-or-treating from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 28 at Countryside Shops, 5524 Flamingo Road, Cooper City. Free. Visit coopercity.gov.

Sleepy Hollow Halloween

Find themed candy stations, an alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating, with about 2,000 pounds of candy, plus music, lights and live strolling performers from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Gulfstream Park Village, 600 Silks Run, Hallandale Beach. Then at 8 p.m., an Evil Costume Contest will take place in the Gulfstream Park Walking Ring with up to $1,000 in cash up for grabs. Food trucks and bars with refreshments for purchase will be available. Free admission. Register at eventbrite.com.

Horse & Hound Costume Event

Horses and dogs are invited to compete in costume contests, and their owners can come along, too, to enjoy a hayride, grab a bite from food trucks and play in a bounce house during this event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Sand & Spurs Equestrian Park, 1600 NE Fifth Ave., Pompano Beach. There also will be a monster truck display and spiritual dance performance. Free admission. To enter your horse or dog in the contest, email Nancy Olson at nolson@coastal-title.com. Visit parks.pompanobeachfl.gov/events.

Halloween Spooktacular

On Halloween Day, come out to Lauderdale Lakes’ Willie L. Webb Sr. Park, 3601 NW 21st St., for entertainment, rides, inflatables, candy and a DJ from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. Free. Visit lauderdalelakes.org.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch

In addition to picking out your perfect pumpkin, this patch offers a photo booth, spooky maze, candy cornhole, a slide, ring toss, obstacle course and animal viewing throughout the month at 419 Lakeview Ave., West Palm Beach. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays to Sundays. Free admission. Pumpkins in all shapes and sizes are available for purchase. Visit mrjackolanternspumpkins.com.

Bedner’s Fall Festival

Celebrate fall at the farm from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission sold) daily through Oct. 30 (closed Tuesdays). Enjoy a pumpkin patch, Animal EDventure Park, tractor rides, corn maze, sunflower field, food, music and other activities. Cost is $25.99 weekends and $20.99 weekdays per person, plus tax, at the gate. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market is at 10066 Lee Road, west of Boynton Beach. Visit bedners.com/events.

Pop-Up Patch for Philanthropy

More than 1,000 pumpkins will be up for grabs at the pumpkin patch to benefit the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 to 14 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at The Royal Poinciana Plaza, 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach. Activities on Oct. 14 include free gelato, costume photo opportunities, a DJ and pumpkin painting. Visit theroyalpoincianaplaza.com/events/pop-up-patch.

Trunk or Treat

Check out classic and luxury cars while trick-or-treating from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 15 at Cars & Coffee Palm Beach at Tanger Outlets, 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach. Costumes are encouraged for all ages. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/carsandcoffeepb.

Ford Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival

Long stem, round, tall, orange or white? There are so many options when it comes to picking the best pumpkin during this three-day patch at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Choose from the following timed sessions: 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15. General admission is $27.50 for age 3 and older, and includes unlimited carnival rides, a kiddie cornstalk maze, fall photo ops, a scarecrow dress-up village and giveaways. Though admission is free for children under 3, this does not include access to carnival rides. All tickets (including free admission tickets for children under 3) must be obtained in advance at bocapumpkinpatch.com. For an additional cost, pick out the perfect pumpkin; decorate pumpkins and grab some food in the Pumpkin Food Court. For the adults, there will also be pumpkin-inspired craft cocktails or a cold brew at the Pumpkin Beer Garden.

Batty Manor

Get into the Halloween spirit at Batty Manor, which runs Oct. 13 to 31 in the Grand Court at The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. Gather around a not-so-spooky cottage and wear a costume for an interactive photo op. Halloween stilt walkers will visit Batty Manor from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends. Catch Boogah & Hoogah’s Haunted House Party “sing-along-do-along” show at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31 in the Grand Court. On Oct. 28, the Kids Club Spooky Soiree invites youngsters to wear a costume and enjoy “treats, special store offers, activities, Halloween stilt walkers” and more, starting at noon. Free. Visit thegardensmall.com.

Fall Family Fun Fest

Fall-themed crafts, live science demonstrations, outdoor entertainment, free mini golf, a petting zoo and other activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Cox Science Center & Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach. Check out Steve Gryb, the Pied Piper of Percussion, with “The Rhythm is Going to Get You!”, an interactive family friendly music show. Food is available for purchase from food trucks. The festival is included with paid admission to the science center. Visit coxsciencecenter.org/fall-family-fun-fest.

Fall Festival

The Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department will have its annual family friendly event from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Centennial Park, 120 E. Ocean Ave., in the downtown area. There will be.pony rides, a petting zoo, a DJ, face painting, games, bounce houses, a pumpkin-decorating contest and nonprofit booths. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from food trucks. Community Greening will hand out 200 trees on a first-come, first-served basis. Free admission. Visit boynton-beach.org.

Not So Scary Trunk or Treat

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, along with the city of Greenacres, is organizing a safe area for all children and adults to trick-or-treat from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Greenacres Community Center, 501 Swain Blvd. Free. Visit facebook.com/palmbeachcountysheriff.

Haunted Hallways

The Osborne Community Center, 1699 Wingfield St., Lake Worth Beach, will be transformed into a haunted house from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21. Free. Visit lakeworthbeachfl.gov/event/haunted-house.

“The Addams Family — A New Musical Comedy”

It’s time to get creepy and kooky with this Barclay Performing Arts Young Professionals Program production, which will offer performances at 7 p.m. Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Oct. 20, 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 21, and 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Tickets are $18. Visit barclayperformingarts.com/purchase-tickets.

Spookyville

At Spookyville, enjoy trick-or-treating, live entertainment and rides for children, a kiddie train, costume contest parade, games and other activities from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 23, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30. This special event will take over Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. Recommended for guests age 10 and younger. Cost: $10 per person; free for kids age 2 and younger. Visit southfloridafair.com/events.

Wellington’s Fall Festival

Trick-or-treat, join the costume contest, take a hayride, play laser tag or venture into the Haunted Hallways at Wellington’s Fall Festival, from 3 to 10 p.m. Oct. 21 at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road. The pre-sale is on for all-access unlimited activities bracelets through Oct. 20 at Village Park and at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. Bracelets for adults ($5) are only needed for the Haunted Hallways, laser tag or hayrides. Children’s bracelets are $7 in advance or $10 at the event. Kids 2 and younger are admitted for free. Other activities include bounce houses, face painting and a pie-eating contest. Visit wellingtonfl.gov/660/Fall-Festival.

Spooky Swamp

At this swamp, you can play Halloween-themed games, take a not-so-scary walk through the woods and learn about nocturnal creatures from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Riverbend Park, 9060 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter. Bring a flashlight and bug spray. The center will have animals to see and touch. Free. Visit discover.pbc.gov.

Spooktacular and Haunted Gym

Grab some candy at the Trunk-or-Treat, watch live performances and get in on the Hallow’s scavenger hunt from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 21 at Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St., Delray Beach. Free. Visit facebook.com/DelrayBeachParks.

The Mall at Wellington Green Halloween

The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., has several free events for kids to enjoy this spooky season. The Kids Club Mall-O-Ween Costume Party & Magic Show will include a magic demonstration, photo ops with the Hocus Pocus witches and candy starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at Grand Court. Costumes are encouraged. The Kids Club Mommy & Me Costume Party will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 25 in The District at Wellington Green. Kids younger than 5 can enjoy music, a costume parade, Halloween bingo and pumpkin crafts. Treats will be served. Trick-or-treat at participating mall retailers will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Visit shopwellingtongreen.com/events.

Halloween in the Garden

Outdoor crafts, games and photo ops with Luna the sea turtle are part of the Halloween fun happening Oct. 22 at Boca Raton’s Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd. Wear a costume; swords or pointy props are not allowed. Two time slots (one hour each) are available: 4:30 or 7 p.m. For guests age 2 to 6. Cost is $10 for city residents and Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards members and $13 for all others. Adult entry is free with paid child admission. Advanced reservations are required. Go to myboca.us/Calendar.

Halloween Fall Fest

The Delray Beach Historical Society and The Rotary Club of Delray will have an outdoor movie, costume contest, craft pumpkin patch, history exhibit, vintage games, ghost stories, food and a bake sale from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the DBHS Campus, 3 NE First St., downtown Delray Beach. Free admission for DBHS members and guests younger than 3; nonmembers pay $10. Visit delraybeachhistory.org/events.

Halloween Week

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority has a variety of Halloween-themed activities on Oct. 28:

  • Trick-or-treating downtown along Atlantic Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Halloween Parade at 1 p.m. along Southeast/Northeast Fifth avenues to Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave.

  • Kidsfest from noon to 4 p.m. at The Park at Old School Square. Put on by the city of Delray Beach Parks and Recreation Department, this free event will feature food, vendors, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

Visit delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events.

Trick or Treat

Kids age 10 and younger in costumes can trick-or-treat from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Delray Marketplace, 14851 Lyons Road. Kids can make crafts and get a free pumpkin and a balloon character. Free. Visit delraymarket.com.

Halloween Hoot & Howl

Bring the kids in costume from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Daggerwing Nature Center in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 11435 Park Access Road, Boca Raton. You’ll find Halloween games and crafts and learn about nocturnal creatures. Bring a flashlight and bug spray to continue the adventure outside along the boardwalk at night. Activities will promote awareness of environmental protection and earth conservation. Free. Visit discover.pbc.gov/parks/Pages/Daggerwing.aspx.

The Haunted Nature Preserve

Visit The Haunted Nature Preserve on Oct. 27 for guided trail tours, a DJ dance party, face painters, a costume contest, hayride, carnival games, vendors and prizes. This free event is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Nature Preserve, 440 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana. Visit lantana.org/calendar.

Boynton Beach Pirate Fest

Sail over to Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, to say ahoy to the return of this popular family festival. set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29. There will be bands performing throughout the day, as well as vendors offering culinary creations and wares for sale. Free. Visit bbpiratefest.com.

Monster Mash

Come in a costume, bring a swimsuit — or both— because activities will take place in and out of the water from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Swim Center, 21618 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton. There will be trick-or-treating, a haunted house and other activities for guests age 6 and older. Visit myboca.us/2073/Boca-Boo-Days.

Fall Festival

Music by Brothers of Others, food vendors, a candy lane and hayrides will be the highlights at this village of Palm Springs event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Village Center Complex, 226 Cypress Lane. Free. Visit facebook.com/villageofpalmsprings.

Halloween Trick or Treat

There will be trick-or-treating from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 28 around The Square, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, as well as music, games and a pumpkin patch on the lawn. Red Sneakers for Oakley, the local organization dedicated to educating and advocating for food allergy awareness, will “pop up along the festivities and guide inclusive offerings for the holiday, including allergen-safe treats for all children to enjoy marked by teal pumpkins at each participating storefront,” according to The Square’s website. Free. Visit thesquarewestpalm.com/trick-or-treat-23.

Haunted Hammock

A guide will lead you through the hammock forest along the boardwalk to learn about the nocturnal critters “that creep and crawl when no one else is around” from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 28 at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Sign up for one of the 30-minute night walks at 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9 or 9:30 p.m. Note: The program is meant to be a little scary, with some frights along the way, according to the city’s website. The program is designed for adults and kids age 7 and older (those younger than 18 must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian). Cost is $12 for city residents and Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards members, and $15 for all others. Advance reservations are required. Visit myboca.us/Calendar.