Some of Central Florida’s best fall days happen on farms, at community gatherings, and beside the river. Orlando fall festivals begin in September and continue through November, bringing pumpkin patches, corn mazes, flower fields, food, and outdoor activities to communities throughout the region.
In 2026, families can choose from full-day farm festivals, free community events, and a riverside Big Green Egg celebration. This guide covers the dates, costs, and highlights to help you find the right fit. Not sure where to begin? Pick a farm festival for pumpkins and all-day activities, a free community event for a shorter outing, or Fall EggFest for food by the river. You can also mix and match a few favorites across the season. With events running from September through November, there is plenty of time to try something new.
Why Fall Is One of the Best Seasons for Outdoor Events Near Orlando
Fall in Central Florida brings sunshine, outdoor fun, and a packed event calendar. September and much of October are warm, especially in the afternoon, while mornings and late-fall weekends are often comfortable for farms, gardens, and riverfront outings.
One weekend might call for a corn maze and pumpkin photos. Another might be perfect for learning about gardening in Florida or tasting food by the Wekiva River. Many festivals include several activities with admission, so it is easy to make a day of it.
Local families can enjoy a different kind of outing each weekend. Farm festivals bring pumpkins, mazes, and outdoor play. Community events feature local vendors and hands-on activities. Food festivals add tastings and cooking demos. Start with the experience your group wants, then choose the event.
Visiting Orlando? Farms northwest of the city pair well with a stop in Mount Dora, Eustis, or Tavares. Events in Orlando and Longwood are easy to add to plans closer to the metro area. Pick one main event and leave time to enjoy it.
A quick check of the organizer’s website before leaving home will help you plan for the day’s weather and current event schedule. For weather alerts and forecasts, the National Weather Service Melbourne office covers much of east-central Florida, including the Orlando area.
The Best Pumpkin Patches Near Orlando This Fall
Two farms stand out for visitors looking for a pumpkin patch near Orlando with enough activities to fill several hours: Amber Brooke Farms in Eustis and Great Scott Farms in Mount Dora. Both are northwest of Orlando and pair pumpkins with family attractions, food and seasonal photo settings. Amber Brooke Farms has the biggest mix of flowers, animals and children’s activities in this guide. Great Scott Farms is the pick for a classic corn maze, slides and farm play. Both make an easy fall day trip from Orlando, and both have plenty to do beyond choosing a pumpkin.
Amber Brooke Farms Fall Festival
Amber Brooke Farms will hold its sixth annual Central Florida Fall Festival from September 19, 2026, through November 22, 2026, in Eustis. The farm schedules value and peak dates throughout the season, with hours varying by day. Visitors select an arrival time when buying tickets, but they may stay until the farm closes.
Admission costs $19.95 online or $22.95 at the gate on value dates. Peak-date admission is $21.95 online or $24.95 at the gate. Children aged 2 and younger enter free. The venue is cashless, and buying online helps secure your preferred arrival time.
The pumpkin barn is only one part of the day. Admission includes access to sunflower and zinnia fields, a petting zoo, tractor rides, a sunn hemp maze, photo areas and more than 18 children’s activities. Live music is scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays, and food and seasonal treats are sold separately. Service animals are welcome, while other pets can enjoy the day at home.
Families choose an arrival window but can stay until the farm closes. Morning times work well for younger children and flower-field photos. Later visits are a good fit for live music, seasonal food and a relaxed afternoon.
Value pricing is available on select days in September, October and November, while busier weekends use peak pricing. Pumpkins, specialty food and some experiences may cost extra, so check what is included before you go.
Best for: Families that want a full farm-festival experience with pumpkins, flowers, animals and plenty of activities for children.
Great Scott Farms Fall Festival
Great Scott Farms will host its 2026 Fall Festival on Saturdays and Sundays from September 26, 2026 through November 15, 2026. Festival hours are 10 AM—5 PM. The farm is in Mount Dora.
The event combines a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, jumping pillow, 60-foot slide, castle playground, tractor-driven farm tours, corn pit, photo opportunities, gem mining, food vendors and a farm market. Some attractions have their own participation rules, including a socks requirement for the jumping pillow.
Start with the maze, move on to the playground and slides, then wind down with a farm tour or market stop. The mix works well for families with children of different ages.
Because the festival runs on weekends, check tickets and weather before leaving. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring socks for the jumping pillow.
The festival is ticketed. Check the official page for current 2026 pricing before your visit.
Best for: Families with active children and anyone who wants a traditional corn maze to be the centerpiece of the day.
Fall Festivals and Harvest Events in Central Florida
Central Florida’s fall calendar also includes food, gardening and local agriculture. The next two events are free and easy to add to a weekend. These events are a nice change of pace from larger farm festivals. You can browse plants, learn something new, meet local vendors or enjoy a few hours outside. They are also budget-friendly choices for families planning several fall outings.
UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Fall Festival and Plant Sale
The UF/IFAS Extension Lake County Fall Festival and Plant Sale will take place October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026, from 9 AM—3 PM at Discovery Gardens in Tavares. Admission is free.
The two-day event includes a plant sale, garden crafts, food and activities from Discovery Gardens and Lake County 4-H. It is a relaxed choice for families who enjoy gardening, nature and learning together.
Saturday features a 4-H open house, UF/IFAS displays and talks on food, bees, native landscaping, composting, animals and shoreline restoration. Local vendors sell plants, crafts and food both days.
Kids can learn about gardening, pollinators and Florida nature while adults pick up ideas for their yards. Stop by for a talk or spend a few hours in the gardens. Admission is free. Service animals are welcome, and other pets should stay home.
Best for: Gardeners, plant shoppers and families looking for a free daytime outing.
4Roots Sprout Sprint + Harvest Festival
The 4Roots Sprout Sprint + Harvest Festival is scheduled for October 24, 2026, from 9 AM—2 PM at the 4Roots Farm Campus in Orlando. The event is free, placing a community harvest celebration within easy reach of families in and around the city.
This free event fits easily into a Saturday. Check the official listing for the latest activities and Sprout Sprint registration details.
Its Orlando location is convenient for families across the metro area. The event ends in the early afternoon, leaving time for more fall fun later in the day.
The farm setting keeps the focus on food, agriculture and community. Visit the official event page before attending for the latest schedule.
Best for: Orlando families seeking a free, close-to-home harvest event.
Central Florida Fall EggFest at Wekiva Island: Dates and What to Expect
The 12th Annual Central Florida Fall EggFest will bring cooks, food lovers and Big Green Egg fans to Wekiva Island on November 14, 2026. The rain-or-shine event runs from 9 AM—5 PM, with cooking scheduled to end at 4 p.m.
EggFest brings Big Green Egg fans, known as Eggheads, together to cook and share what the grill can do. Taster ticket holders can sample dishes, meet the cooks and enjoy the Wekiva River. Expect plenty beyond barbecue, including slow-cooked dishes and baked goods.
Cooks light the Eggs before the gates open. Once inside, tasters can move between stations, try new dishes and chat with the people making them. Cooking continues until 4 PM, followed by giveaway announcements.
New dishes come out throughout the day, so take your time, revisit favorite stations and relax by the river between samples. The result is part tasting event, part cooking showcase and a laid-back day at Wekiva Island.
Shopping for a Big Green Egg? The event also sells a limited number of demo Eggs used during the festival. Check the official website for packages and pickup details.
Taster tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Children under 10 accompanied by an adult attend free. Advance pricing is available through November 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM, and tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Giveaway tickets are sold separately.
Wekiva Island will serve as “Egg Central” for the event. Visitors should use the official Fall EggFest website for tickets, the schedule and any updates released before event day. They can also check the Wekiva Island event calendar for other happenings at the Island.
Best for: Food-focused fall outings, Big Green Egg owners and curious tasters ready to sample seasonal bites by the river.
Corn Mazes and Farm Activities Near Orlando
For a classic corn maze near Orlando, Great Scott Farms is the clearest choice in this year’s verified lineup. Its maze is part of a larger weekend festival, so groups can split their time among the maze, pumpkin patch, playgrounds and farm attractions. That flexibility helps when children in the same family have different ages or attention spans.
Give the corn maze plenty of time. Let kids choose turns, solve the route together and enjoy the challenge. Mornings are often cooler, while afternoon light is great for farm photos.
For mixed-age groups, pick a meeting point before entering and tell younger children what to expect. Farms may adjust attractions based on field or weather conditions, so check the event page before leaving.
Amber Brooke Farms offers a sunn hemp maze, a distinctly Florida take on the classic seasonal attraction. Sunn hemp is a warm-season cover crop that thrives in the state’s climate. The maze sits alongside flower fields, animals and tractor rides, giving families plenty of ways to enjoy the farm alongside the maze.
Several activities may involve uneven ground, sun and long stretches outdoors. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and refillable water bottles will make the visit easier. Check each farm’s rules before packing a cooler or bringing a pet. Amber Brooke Farms asks visitors to leave outside food, drinks, coolers and pets at home; service animals are welcome.
Family-Friendly Fall Events for Kids Near Orlando
The best event is the one that fits your kids’ ages and interests. Let kids help choose. Show them a few photos or activity lists and ask what sounds fun. A child who picks the maze, tractor ride or food tasting is usually much more excited when event day arrives. For families with several children, choose a place with a mix of active and low-key options.
Active kids may head straight for slides, jumping areas and a full-size maze. Animal lovers may prefer a petting zoo and tractor rides. Young foodies can try new flavors at Fall EggFest, while budding gardeners can explore plants, insects and Florida-friendly ideas at UF/IFAS.
Think about timing, too. A farm festival can fill a morning or afternoon, while a free community event can be a shorter stop. Plan around meals, naps and the warmest part of the day.
For toddlers and preschoolers, Amber Brooke Farms offers a mix of animals, rides, flower fields and photo stops. Children aged 2 and younger also enter free. Parents should still review the attraction list and arrival-time rules before buying tickets.
For elementary-age children who want to stay active, Great Scott Farms combines its corn maze with a jumping pillow, large slide, castle playground and corn pit. Socks are needed for the jumping pillow, so add a pair to the day bag.
For kids who like plants, gardens or hands-on learning, the UF/IFAS festival in Tavares provides a quieter, free alternative to a busy farm attraction. The 4Roots event is another approachable choice for families who live closer to central Orlando.
Fall EggFest can work for families whose children enjoy trying new foods. Children under 10 attend free with an adult, and the event centers on tasting and cooking. It gives families a food-focused addition to their seasonal plans.
Halloween-Adjacent Events That Aren’t Trick-or-Treating
Families can enjoy the season through pumpkin barns, flower fields, corn mazes, and fall photo settings. These activities bring plenty of autumn atmosphere in a relaxed outdoor setting, and a few riverside events carry the fun into the evening.
Amber Brooke Farms has announced expanded hours and seasonal programming for Halloween weekend, including a costume contest and Touch-a-Truck activities, with further details to come. Great Scott Farms continues its regular fall festival through the Halloween season, giving families another daytime option centered on farm activities.
Wekiva Island keeps the season going all October with events along the Wekiva River. Black Dog Tarot offers three-card tarot readings for $15 on October 10 and October 24 from 7—10 PM, then leads a Tarot Class for Beginners under the full moon on October 26. Author and Wekiva historian Don Philpott shares ghost stories and dark tales from the river’s history on select October evenings, and beer fans can catch a fall edition of Brew Review with Southern Tier Brewing on October 14.
For a night on the water, Wekiva After Dark boat tours take guests on a one-hour ride past moonlit cypress throughout October. Groups can also reserve Cypress Coven Cove, a haunted pop-up cabana with Spanish moss, floating candles, and spell books that holds up to 25 guests from October 1 through 31. Adults can dress up for the free Halloween Costume Contest & Party on October 24 from 7—11 PM, with live music from Atlantic Alibi. On October 31, the Halloween Paddle Parade invites paddlers to head down the river in costume, with board rentals available.
These events are a fun fit for all kinds of Halloween fans. Dress in seasonal colors, take pumpkin photos, and enjoy outdoor play, food, and time together. Live music, flowers, vendors, and cooking demos give adults plenty to enjoy, too.
Check each organizer’s calendar as Halloween weekend gets closer. Special activities may run only on select days or during certain hours.
Planning Your Fall Season Near Orlando: Dates to Add to Your Calendar
Central Florida’s fall event season stretches across nearly three months. Amber Brooke Farms begins its festival on September 19, 2026, followed by Great Scott Farms on September 26, 2026. October brings the UF/IFAS Extension festival on October 10 and 11, 2026, followed by the 4Roots event on October 24, 2026. Great Scott Farms closes on November 15, 2026, Fall EggFest takes place on November 14, 2026, and Amber Brooke Farms closes on November 22, 2026.
Try choosing one farm day, one free community event and one food festival. Visit farms earlier in the season for pumpkins and photo spots, then save a November weekend for Fall EggFest.
Location can help narrow the list. Amber Brooke Farms, Great Scott Farms and the UF/IFAS event are northwest of Orlando. 4Roots is in Orlando, and Fall EggFest is at Wekiva Island in Longwood. Pick events near each other to spend less time in the car. You can also plan around the kind of day you want. Head out early for a farm visit and lunch nearby, choose a free event for a relaxed morning, or save your appetite for Fall EggFest. A little planning goes a long way, but leave room to wander, snack and enjoy the fall setting.
Before you go:
- Purchase timed or advance tickets when the organizer recommends them.
- Confirm the current event schedule when weather conditions change.
- Review pet, cooler and outside-food policies for the specific venue.
- Wear shoes suited to dirt, grass and uneven farm paths.
- Pack sunscreen, insect repellent and water.
- Check which activities are included with admission and which cost extra.
- Save the official event page so you can review last-minute updates.
Dates, prices and activities can change. We checked every event against a 2026 organizer or official source, but it is always smart to review the linked page before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Festivals Near Orlando
When do pumpkin patches near Orlando typically open?
Most pumpkin patches and fall farm festivals near Orlando open in the second half of September and continue through October or November. In 2026, Amber Brooke Farms opens on September 19, 2026, while Great Scott Farms begins its weekend festival on September 26, 2026.
September brings the first pumpkin displays and flower fields. October has the busiest calendar, while November closes the season with final farm weekends and food events.
Are fall festivals near Orlando good for toddlers?
Many are. Amber Brooke Farms includes farm animals, tractor rides, flower fields, photo areas and children’s attractions, and children aged 2 and younger enter free. Look closely at the terrain, activity rules, noise level and expected visit length before choosing an event for a toddler.
With toddlers, arrive early, find the restrooms and pick two or three must-do activities. Animals, a ride and a snack may be all you need for a great day.
Do any fall festivals near Orlando require advance tickets?
Yes. Amber Brooke Farms uses timed admission and discounts tickets purchased online. Great Scott Farms also sells tickets online. Some events may have limited capacity, so review the official ticket page before traveling. The UF/IFAS Extension and 4Roots events featured here are free.
Buying ahead confirms your date, arrival time and price. Save the ticket on your phone and review the entry instructions before leaving.
Are pets allowed at outdoor fall festivals near Orlando?
Pet policies vary. Amber Brooke Farms welcomes service animals and asks guests to leave other pets at home. Many venues set pet policies based on livestock, event layout and food service. Check the official event rules each time so you can choose the best outing for everyone in your household.
What should I bring to an outdoor fall festival in Florida?
Bring sunscreen, water, insect repellent and comfortable closed-toe shoes. A hat and a lightweight rain layer can also help with Florida’s sun and quick showers. Review the venue’s rules before bringing outside drinks, food, a stroller or a pet.
Pack the basics in a small tote or backpack. Wipes, a phone charger and extra socks can also come in handy. If you plan to buy pumpkins, save room in the car.
Is Wekiva Island’s fall event free to attend?
Fall EggFest is a ticketed event. Taster tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door for 2026. Children under 10 may attend for free when accompanied by an adult. An EggFest ticket provides event-day admission to Wekiva Island.
Build Your Fall Calendar
A good fall weekend near Orlando can be as active or relaxed as you want it to be. Take on a corn maze, spend a morning among flowers and farm animals, browse a community plant sale, or arrive hungry for a day of riverside tasting.
Start with the experience your group will enjoy most, then use the official event links to confirm the final details. For more ways to spend time by the water this season, explore the Wekiva Island event calendar and visitor information before your next trip.
