Orlando Fall Festivals 2026: Pumpkin Patches, Food Festivals & Family Events

Fall in Central Florida may still mean shorts and 80-degree afternoons, but the season is packed with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, food festivals, outdoor markets, Halloween events and family celebrations. Here’s our 2026 guide, organized geographically so you can find something close to home—or turn it into an easy weekend day trip.

Fall works a little differently in Orlando.

We may not get brilliant red maple forests or the first frost in September, but Central Florida has become surprisingly good at creating its own version of autumn.

Pumpkin farms open.

Corn mazes appear.

Downtown streets fill with craft vendors.

Oktoberfest celebrations take over neighborhood gathering places.

And by October, practically every community around Greater Orlando seems to have something happening.

For 2026, we’ve organized our fall guide geographically: Orlando, Winter Garden, Kissimmee, Lake Nona, Mount Dora/Eustis, Sanford, Clermont and Winter Haven.

We’ve also tried to distinguish between free community events and the larger ticketed farm experiences, because a family of four can easily spend well over $100 at some fall attractions before buying food or pumpkins.

Dates and prices below are based on currently published 2026 information. As always with outdoor Central Florida events, check the organizer before leaving home—weather and farm conditions can change schedules.

ORLANDO

4Roots Harvest Festival — October 24

One of this year’s more interesting Orlando fall events happens right inside the city.

The 4th Annual 4Roots Harvest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4Roots Farm in Orlando’s Packing District. (4Roots Farm)

This one hits most of the traditional fall-festival boxes without requiring a drive into rural Central Florida.

Expect a pumpkin patch, farmers market, U-pick vegetables and flowers, local food vendors, live music, crafts, photo opportunities and a children’s area with a bounce house, scavenger hunt and face painting.

There are also costume contests for children, groups and pets. (4Roots Farm)

This would be one of our better choices for families who want the farm-and-pumpkin atmosphere without dedicating an entire day to a large commercial farm festival.

Best for: Families, local food, pumpkins and younger kids.

4Roots Harvest Festival information

Fall Fiesta in the Park — November 7–8

If you prefer arts, food and downtown Orlando, save the first full weekend of November.

The 55th Annual Fall Fiesta in the Park returns to Lake Eola on Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (City of Orlando)

Admission is free.

Hundreds of artists, crafters and food vendors are expected around Lake Eola, along with live entertainment and a large children’s activity area. The event is also pet-friendly. (City of Orlando)

Fall Fiesta is less about pumpkins and more about enjoying downtown when Central Florida finally begins getting comfortable enough for a long afternoon outside.

Best for: Free family outing, art, shopping and festival food.

WINTER GARDEN

Halloween Takes Over City Hall — For Free

Downtown Winter Garden is already one of the easiest places in Central Florida to create your own fall outing.

Walk Plant Street.

Browse the shops.

Have dinner.

Then during October, head toward City Hall after dark.

The city is bringing back its Halloween Light Shows on City Hall on six evenings:

October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. (Winter Garden Official Website)

The outdoor projection show places ghosts, witches and other family-friendly Halloween characters across the City Hall façade, synchronized with music.

Most importantly:

It’s free. (Winter Garden Official Website)

For families trying to keep fall spending under control, this is an easy one.

Come downtown early, walk around, grab something to eat if you want and finish the night at the light show.

The weekly Winter Garden Farmers Market also continues Saturday mornings downtown, so families could easily build a lower-cost fall morning around the market, the West Orange Trail and Plant Street.

Best for: A free fall evening and families with younger children.

KISSIMMEE

Green Meadows Brings Back the Fall Pumpkin Tradition

Families who remember the old Green Meadows Petting Farm may be interested to know that it is operating again in Kissimmee at Lancaster Ranch Park.

And fall is one of the best times to visit.

Green Meadows Petting Farm operates a seasonal Pumpkin Zone, where every paid visitor can choose a pumpkin to take home. The farm is careful to point out that the pumpkins aren’t grown there, so this is a pumpkin-selection area rather than a true U-pick pumpkin field. (Green Meadows Petting Farm)

General admission is currently $18 per person age 2 and older, with children under 2 free. Admission also includes the farm animals, tractor-drawn wagon ride and playground, and parking is free. (Green Meadows Petting Farm)

The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday.

This might actually be a good alternative for parents who want a pumpkin outing but don’t need a giant carnival attached to it.

Best for: Younger children, animals, pumpkins and a shorter family outing.

Viva Osceola — October 11

Fall in Kissimmee also means one of Central Florida’s biggest Hispanic cultural celebrations.

Viva Osceola 2026 takes place Sunday, October 11, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Kissimmee Lakefront Park.

Admission is free. (Osceola Chamber)

Expect live music, cultural performances, food, children’s activities, community organizations and representation from Puerto Rican, Dominican, Colombian, Venezuelan, Peruvian, Cuban, Mexican and other Hispanic cultures. (Osceola Chamber)

For food alone, this could be one of the better festivals on this list.

Best for: Food, music, culture and a free family afternoon.

Boo! on Broadway — October 30

Historic downtown Kissimmee follows later in the month with Boo! on Broadway on Friday, October 30.

Kissimmee Main Street currently lists the event beginning at 5:30 p.m., with downtown trick-or-treating and family activities. (Kissimmee Main Street)

This is the kind of neighborhood Halloween event that works particularly well for families who want costumes and candy without a haunted-house experience.

LAKE NONA

Lake Nona Oktoberfest — September 26

Lake Nona gets an early start on fall.

The Lake Nona Oktoberfest returns to Lake Nona Town Center on Saturday, September 26, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Admission is free. (City of Orlando)

Park Pizza & Brewing Co. will serve specialty beers, while food offerings include German favorites such as schnitzel, sauerbraten and pretzels. Hollerbach’s is also participating.

There will be live music, vendors, German-themed entertainment and a stein-hoisting competition. (City of Orlando)

And while beer is obviously part of Oktoberfest, the event itself is open to the public rather than being an adults-only drinking festival.

Best for: Food, music, adults and families who want an evening event.

Art Aftr Dark Makes an Easy Fall Weekend Add-On

If you don’t want to build an entire evening around one festival, Lake Nona Town Center also hosts Art Aftr Dark every Friday and Saturday evening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Local makers, artists and food vendors take over the Town Center, and there’s no admission charge. (Lake Nona)

That makes it particularly useful as a backup fall activity when you simply want somewhere to walk around on a Friday or Saturday night.

MOUNT DORA / EUSTIS

This may be the strongest part of Central Florida for traditional fall farm experiences.

You could realistically make several separate fall day trips here.

Amber Brooke Farms Fall Festival — September 19 through November 22

Amber Brooke Farms opens its 6th Annual Fall Festival on September 19, with select dates continuing through November 22. (Amber Brooke Farms)

This is one of the bigger farm experiences.

There are pumpkins, flower fields, farm animals, food trucks, live entertainment, playgrounds, jumping areas, cow train rides, face painting and numerous farm attractions.

Admission currently starts around $19.95, and the farm says buying online saves money. Parking is free. (Amber Brooke Farms)

If your idea of fall means spending several hours on a farm rather than simply picking up a pumpkin, this belongs near the top of the list.

Best for: Full-day family farm experience.

Great Scott Farms — September 26 through November 15

A little farther west near Mount Dora, Great Scott Farms is bringing back its fall festival every Saturday and Sunday from September 26 through November 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Greatscott)

This one has one of Central Florida’s classic corn-maze experiences.

General admission includes the pumpkin patch, 7-acre corn maze, jumping pillow, playground, farm tours, super slide, corn pit, games and additional activities. (Greatscott)

Current pricing is $16 online or $20 at the gate, plus tax and fees. Children 2 and younger are free. (Greatscott)

That’s substantially less expensive than some of the larger farm festivals, making Great Scott worth considering for families primarily interested in pumpkins and the corn maze.

Best for: Corn maze, pumpkins and value.

Fall in the Field — October 3–4

If shopping is more your thing, Renninger’s in Mount Dora hosts Fall in the Field on October 3–4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free.

The event combines antiques, vintage items, collectibles and crafts with a children’s craft area and pumpkin patch. (Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce)

Mount Dora Craft Fair — October 24–25

Then comes one of Mount Dora’s biggest weekends of the year.

The 41st Annual Mount Dora Craft Fair takes over downtown October 24–25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free, and organizers expect hundreds of crafters throughout downtown. (Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce)

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to make a Mount Dora day trip, this is an easy one.

SANFORD

Rhythms of Autumn Festival — September 27

Sanford welcomes fall with the Rhythms of Autumn Festival on Sunday, September 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Centennial Park.

The city describes it as a family-friendly afternoon featuring a DJ, food and vendors. (Sanford Main)

The location also makes it easy to combine the festival with a walk through historic downtown Sanford and the waterfront.

Best for: Relaxed community festival and downtown day trip.

Oktoberfest Season Starts September 19

If you’re going to celebrate Oktoberfest somewhere in Central Florida, Sanford is an obvious candidate.

Hollerbach’s German Restaurant officially kicks off the 2026 Oktoberfest season at noon on Saturday, September 19, timed to coincide with the traditional opening in Germany. (Hollerbach’s)

Sanford also has the recurring Food Truck Fiesta. The September edition is scheduled for September 13 from 1 to 6 p.m., bringing more than 40 food trucks and tents into downtown with live music and artisan vendors. (Sanford Main)

Sanford is therefore probably our pick for anyone who wants food and beer to be the primary fall activity rather than pumpkins.

CLERMONT

Southern Hill Farms — September 26 through November 22

If there is one destination on this list that has turned fall into a full-scale attraction, it is Southern Hill Farms.

The 11th Annual Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival runs from September 26 through November 22 on Fridays, weekends, selected Thursdays and Monday, October 12. (Southern Hill Farms)

Admission is currently $29.94 plus tax and fees when purchased in advance, with children 2 and younger free. Tickets have to be purchased online before arrival. (Southern Hill Farms)

This isn’t merely a pumpkin patch.

Admission includes carnival-style rides, a corn maze, petting zoo, farm wagon rides, face painting, live music, playgrounds, games and access to U-pick flower fields. (Southern Hill Farms)

Pumpkins, flowers and food cost extra.

And there is plenty of food.

Southern Hill Farms serves everything from pizza, tacos and chicken to kettle corn and its popular hot apple-cider doughnuts. (Southern Hill Farms)

A family of four should therefore think of this as a major paid attraction rather than a quick pumpkin run.

But if you want an entire day of fall activities in one place, this is probably the most complete option in Greater Orlando.

Best for: Biggest all-around farm festival.

Scaremont — October 27

Clermont also gives families a completely free option.

Scaremont: Halloween on the Trail takes place Tuesday, October 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park.

The event includes trick-or-treat stations, activities, a costume contest and an outdoor showing of Hotel Transylvania beginning at 7 p.m. (Clermont, FL)

Admission is free.

That’s the kind of community event we especially like highlighting because families can participate without turning Halloween into another $100 outing.

WINTER HAVEN

Polk State FallFest — October 10

Winter Haven may have one of the best genuinely free traditional fall festivals in Central Florida.

Polk State College FallFest takes place Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Winter Haven campus. (Polk State College)

Admission and parking are free. (Polk State College)

FallFest includes a large craft show, food, live music, a Kids Zone, pumpkin patch, hands-on activities, face painting and a haunted house.

More than 10,000 people typically attend, according to Polk State. (Polk State College)

That’s impressive for an event that doesn’t charge to enter.

Best for: Best-value traditional fall festival.

LEGOLAND Brick or Treat — September 5 through October 31

For a considerably bigger—and considerably more expensive—family option, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is already running Brick or Treat on selected dates through October 31.

The Halloween activities are included with regular theme-park admission rather than requiring a separate event ticket. (LEGOLAND)

For 2026, activities include trick-or-treating, LEGO Monster characters, seasonal entertainment, interactive experiences and the new Brick or Treat Street. Selected October nights also feature the Monster Skytacular drone show. (LEGOLAND)

This is designed more for younger children than teenagers looking for something scary.

Best for: Families with children roughly ages 2–12 who were already considering LEGOLAND.

Which Orlando Fall Festival Should You Choose?

There are enough choices that the answer really depends on what you’re looking for.

For the biggest farm experience, Southern Hill Farms is hard to beat.

For a traditional corn maze at a lower admission price, Great Scott Farms looks particularly good.

For another large pumpkin-and-farm day, Amber Brooke Farms gives Eustis residents and north Orlando families an excellent option.

For free family festivals, Polk State FallFest, Fall Fiesta at Lake Eola, Winter Garden’s Halloween Light Shows, Viva Osceola and Clermont’s Scaremont all stand out.

For food and culture, look at Viva Osceola, Lake Nona Oktoberfest or Sanford.

And for a fall experience close to the center of Orlando, 4Roots Harvest Festival may be the easiest choice.

One Important Central Florida Fall Tip

Don’t dress for the calendar.

Dress for the weather.

September and October afternoons can still be hot, humid and stormy.

For farms, closed-toe shoes are a good idea because you’ll often be walking across grass, dirt and uneven fields. Bring sunscreen and water, and check the weather before committing to a long drive.

It’s also worth checking ticket policies carefully.

Several farms are cashless.

Some require advance online tickets.

And pumpkins are often an additional purchase even after you’ve paid admission.

That distinction can make a large difference in what a family actually spends.

Fall May Be One of the Best Times to Explore Central Florida

One of the things we like about fall in Greater Orlando is that it gives residents a reason to explore places outside their normal routine.

Drive to a farm in Clermont.

Spend a Saturday in Mount Dora.

Walk downtown Sanford.

Have German food in Lake Nona.

Visit Kissimmee Lakefront Park.

Take the kids to Winter Garden after dark.

Or spend an afternoon walking around Lake Eola.

You don’t need leaves changing color to know fall has arrived in Central Florida.

Sometimes a pumpkin patch, an apple-cider doughnut and the hope that the temperature finally drops below 80 degrees are enough.

And with events running from September well into November, Orlando’s 2026 fall festival season gives us plenty of chances to enjoy it.