I love October in Florida. The parks are quiet. The weather is pleasant – still warm, but less humid – and tropical storms become more unlikely than at their August peak.

Plus, there are so many wonderful Fall and Halloween themed events to choose from.

Here’s my pick of the month.

October 2015

Epcot Food and Wine Festival: all month. Epcot is an amazing place; one of my favourite parks. And The Food and Wine Festival is definitely my favourite event that any of the parks host. Try delicious food and drinks from all around the world and this year enjoy some great music too with the festival’s ‘Eat to the Beat’ events.

Celebration Art and Wine Stroll: 10 October. This free events promises a sedate Saturday afternoon of live music and art, strolling the attractive brick-lined streets of Celebration town centre.

The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival: 10 October. Art lovers are spoilt for choice on the second weekend in October. This community-oriented sidewalk show presents quality visual art, live entertainment, children’s activities and more. The festival is held in beautiful Central Park located along historic Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

Come Out with Pride Orlando: 10, 11 October. With a parade, a marketplace and culminating with fireworks over Lake Eola this, the 11th Come Out with Pride event in Orlando, promises to be the brightest and best yet.

Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach: 15, 16, 17, and 18 October. Each year, nearly 125,000 motorcyclists roll into the Daytona Beach area for this extended weekend of motorcycle shows and rallies, live music, and racing at Daytona International Speedway.

Green Meadows Farm: 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 and 25 October. Those that read my blog regularly will know I am a great fan of this petting zoo and my kids love getting back to nature during some down days between days at the parks. This year enjoy the Trail of Jack’o’Lanterns on selected evenings (starting at 7pm) for just $10. Why not explore their pumpkin patch and take home one to carve yourself too?

Legoland Florida’s Brick or Treat: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31 October. One for the littlies! Featuring a nightly fireworks display, the world’s Largest LEGO Pumpkin, a Brick or Treat Trail and the Everything is Awesome Costume Contest.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 October. On these dates, the Magic Kingdom is hosting special Halloween-themed activities for younger kids. Get your costumes on, pick up a trick or treat map, and head over for some not-so-scary fun!

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31st October. This year SeaWorld is promising silly, spooky fun in an underwater fanta-sea. Another great choice if you have little children in your party. Kids can follow the special Halloween Spooktacular pathways through many different stations filled with a wide array of sweets and treats as fun loving sea creatures greet and mingle with guests.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, and 25 October. For older kids (recommended over 13 years old) who don’t fancy dressing up but want some Halloween scares, Universal’s late night show features no less than eight haunted houses and five scare zones. Not for the faint-hearted, it runs 6.30pm til 2am on selected nights through October. There are bundle deals for Halloween Horror Night admission with park admission or with express-pass services, if you’d like to know more, Ellis Exclusive Villas can help you make sense of your options.

Busch Garden’s Howl-O-Scream: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31 October. Tickets will give you access to the park from 5pm which is a great time to see the animals and then the event starts from 7.30pm. Expect scares a plenty with six haunted houses, a fiends show and scary creatures roaming the park. You have been warned!

A Petrified Forest, Altamonte Springs: 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and 31 October This year, the lost souls of The Abyss are waiting for you at A Petrified Forest. This PG-13 event opens at 7.30pm on selected dates and prices start from $15 for a single trail or $25 for both trails. How brave are you feeling? A spooky alternative to the parks and some real scares!

Orlando Halloween Zombie Ball: 24 October. For some over-21 Halloween-themed costumes and dancing, look no further!

19th Annual Kissimmee Fall Festival: 31 October. Festivities begin at noon and run until 4 pm at Lakefront Park Civic Lawn. The festivities include family fun for all ages, music, interactive games, face painting, costume contests, raffles, arts and crafts, bounce houses and more. Admission is free and registration for the costume contest will take place the day of the festival.

If any of these events take your fancy, please feel free to call me for more information or to book tickets.