In case you missed that it’s fall because it’s still 80 degrees outside…it’s fall! Here’s a crisp, pumpkin spice-smelling roundup of events to celebrate the 90-day season throughout North Central Florida.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Mayhem Ranch Fall Festival
Where: 17830 SE 40th St., Morriston
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 8
This year’s festival includes attractions like a u-pick pumpkin patch and flowers, a kangaroo walk-through, petting zoo, safari hayrides, live music, crop maze and pig races. Tickets are $17 and free for 2 and under.
High Springs Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival
Where: Farmers Market Pavilion, 23517 NW 185th Rd., High Springs
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday
Featuring vendors, a kids corral, food and activities. Free.
Bryer Patch Sunflower Festival
Where: 5700 SW 250th St., Newberry
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s “Fall on the Farm” season with family activities, live music and vendors. Admission includes u-pick flower fields, crop maze, hayride, farm animals and more. Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and ages 2 and under are free.
Saturday, Oct. 3
Crossroads Farm and Apiary Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Where: 3831 NW 156th Ave., Gainesville
When: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 1
Join for food, fun, and games, including a pumpkin patch, corn maze, bounce pad, hayride, animals, train ride, u-pick flowers and paintball target practice. Festival entry is $12 for ages 3 and up and ages 2 and under are free.
Red House Ranch Fall Festival
Where: 22480 N HWY 441, Micanopy
When: TK through Nov. 8
Tickets are $15 with 25 activities included with admission, including a crop maze, pony rides, hayride, putt-putt, obstacle course, antique farm equipment and goat feeding.
Thornebrook Fall Arts Festival
Where: Thornebrook Village, 2441 NW 43rd St., Gainesville
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
A weekend of art and fun as Thornebrook’s Fall Arts Festival returns for its 41st year. Many of your favorite artists will be returning with art on display, including painting, sculpture, photography, glassworks, fiber arts, wood carvings, pottery, jewelry and more.
Central Florida Peanut Festival
Where: Heritage Park, 116 N Main St., Williston
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our 37th annual Peanut Festival. Free activities include a Peanut King and Queen pageant, cash giveaway, train rides, petting zoo, craft vendors, food and peanuts.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Bryer Patch Pumpkin Festival
Where: 5700 SW 250th St., Newberry
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sunday
It’s “Fall on the Farm” season with family activities, live music and vendors. Admission includes u-pick flower fields, crop maze, hayride, farm animals and more. Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and ages 2 and under are free.
Saturday Shoppes: Fall Food Truck Festival
Where: The Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd., Gainesville
When: Noon to 8 p.m.
Expect warm fall vibes, great music, and Gainesville’s favorite food trucks serving everything from BBQ and tacos to sweets, fusion, and comfort food. Shop dozens of local vendors with crafts, apparel, art and accessories.
Thursday, Oct. 15
GCM Fall Food Festival
Where: Alachua County Sports and Events Center, 4870 Celebration Pointe Ave., Gainesville
When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Purchase $3 food tickets through the GCM App and spend the evening sampling your way through over 40 Gainesville restaurants, including Piesanos, Cold Stone Creamery, Culver’s, Jalisco Town, Bolay and more.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Town of Lacrosse Fall Festival
Where: Lacrosse Fire Station, 20421 N SR 121, Lacrosse
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bringing the community together for a day packed with family fun, local shopping, food, and fall festivities, including bounce houses, water slides, Touch-a-Firetruck, vendors and more.
City of Gainesville: The Great Pumpkin Bash
Where: Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave.
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Celebrate the arrival of fall right in the heart of downtown Gainesville. Enjoy a variety of festive activities including a corn maze, games, pumpkin patch, food, face painting, photo booth and more.
Frog Song Organics Roselle Festival
Where: 4317 US 301, Hawthorne
When: 1 to 5:30 p.m.
An afternoon filled with community, creativity and the vibrant beauty of roselle hibiscus. Wander the fields for u‑pick roselle, enjoy farm-fresh food and live music, explore hands‑on workshops, meet local makers and experience the heart of Frog Song Organics through guided tours and family‑friendly activities.
Humane Society of North Central Florida Fall Festival
Where: 4205 NW 6th St., Gainesville
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A fun-filled day featuring pet adoptions, food trucks, vendors, a spooky trail, plant and thrift sales and more. Bring the whole family and celebrate fall while supporting homeless pets in the community.
Open House & Fall Plant Sale
Where: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr., Gainesville
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open House is a means of celebrating Kanapaha’s 40th anniversary after opening in 1986. In addition to viewing the botanical gardens, vendors will be set up selling a wide variety of plants. A suggested donation of $5 is asked for entry and purchases are cash only.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Lubee Bat Conservancy Florida Bat Festival
Where: 1309 NW 192nd Ave.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A family-friendly fall festival celebrating bats, conservation and community. This annual event brings together wildlife lovers, families, educators and festival-goers, featuring encounters with some of the world’s largest bats and a beer garden. The $10 admission supports bat conservation and community education efforts.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Archer Farmers Market Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat
Where: 16994 SW 134th Ave., Archer
When: 3 to 7 p.m.
A farmers market with kid-friendly activities and trunk or treat beginning at 5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Micanopy Fall Festival
Where: Downtown Micanopy
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday
Featuring live music, local and regional artists, crafters and more at this 51st annual event.
The Great Pumpkin Festival
Where: Alachua County Farmers’ Market, 5920 NW 13th St., Gainesville
When: 8:30 a.m. to noon
A day full of fall fun, festive costumes and community spirit with live music, vendors, food trucks and three costume contests: best-dressed dog, customer and vendor.
First Baptist Church of Waldo Fall Festival
Where: 14370 Kennard St. (SR-24), Waldo
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join for food, fun, games and fellowship during a night for the whole family to enjoy.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Blooming Bliss Fall Festival
Where: Heritage Park, 116 N Main St., Williston
When: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A day full of free fall fun, local shopping, delicious food and community connection.
Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens Fall Festival
Where: 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An immersive, full-day experience featuring a curated selection of exotic, native and unique plant vendors perfect for your Florida landscape. Shop handmade goods, grab a bite from food vendors and relax to the sounds of live local music filling the air. Explore nature trails with waterfalls, quarry walls and serene koi ponds with the $12 admission.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Newberry Main Street’s Fall Festival
Where: Downtown Newberry, North & South Seaboard Dr.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s festival offers a thoughtful nod to Newberry’s early Main Street era and historic character with local vendors, food trucks and live music. Guests can enjoy classic games, local flavors and a walkable downtown experience designed for families, neighbors and visitors alike.
Sunday, Nov. 15
Harvest Festival
Where: Main Street, Alachua
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 23rd year of Main Street festivals includes over 200 vendors, live music and thousands of guests looking for that one special gift, or piece of art for home, or just a delicious treat. Proceeds go towards various scholarships provided by the Alachua Business League to local students planning on continuing their education at Santa Fe College.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Cane Boil and Fiddle Fest
Where: Morningside Nature Center, 3540 E University Ave., Gainesville
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enjoy traditional games and crafts, food, live old-time and Americana music, and sugar cane syrup production while being transported back to 1870. Ask interpreters about their lives on the 1870s farm or take a guided hike through the sandhill ecosystem amongst the pines.