Plan your spooky season: Pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating & fall festivals for families in South Florida

It doesn’t feel like fall until you’ve visited a pumpkin patch, right?

There’s just something cozy about seeing a sea of orange orbs with their twisty stems set out in rows on a church lawn or in a city park. It’s the perfect spot for a photo op and a place to make lasting holiday memories with the family.

And this year, there’s an extra-special twist: In true South Florida style, you can also enjoy floating pumpkin patches — a splashy spin on this autumn activity — with kids suiting up and diving into community pools to pick out the perfect one for carving or decorating.

So make room on the calendar for trick-or-treating, hayrides, festivals, movies, Day of the Dead celebrations and other seasonal activities. It’s all here in our city-by-city guide to fall family and not-so-scary-Halloween events in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Note: Our roundup includes events that are open to everyone. Check your city’s website and social media accounts for activities that are for residents-only.

BROWARD COUNTY

Cooper City 

The BOO-PER City Halloween Extravaganza will feature a trunk-or-treat from local businesses and organizations, along with classic Halloween music and other activities from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 17 at Memorial Park, 9001 SW 51st St. Free. Visit coopercityfl.org.

BrightStar Credit Union’s Trunk-or-Treat takes place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, at its headquarters, 3400 N. University Drive. Enjoy trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks and join a costume contest. Free. Visit eventbrite.com.

The city’s Trick or Treat Shop to Shop invites you to stroll through Countryside Shops, 5524 S. Flamingo Road, for goodies and dress up for costume contests on Oct. 25.  Contests are set for 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m., and participants should arrive no later than 10 minutes priori. Each contest is for all age groups. Free. Visit Facebook.com.

Coral Springs

The Thrills & Chills indoor carnival offers two sessions on Oct. 18 — from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. —  at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Activities include carnival games, a mega slide, maze and bounce house, DJ and a spooky walk-through attraction. A Calm Corner will available for those with sensory needs. Costumes are encouraged. Candy bags will be handed out at the exit, while supplies last. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission for guests age 2 and older is $5 in advance (by Oct. 17) or $8 at the door, if space allows. Visit  coralsprings.gov/halloween.

Deerfield Beach

Pick out the perfect pumpkin during the city’s Fall Festival from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave. Other activities will include a kids’ zone, Artisan Vendor Lane, food trucks, The Biergarten, and music from the Shane Duncan Band. Free admission. Visit deerfield-beach.com.

Swim around a Floating Pumpkin Patch and pick your favorite on Oct. 11 at the Peggy Noland Aquatics Complex, 501 SE Sixth Ave. Choose from one of three 45-minute time slots: 9, 10 or 11 a.m. Registration is $3 in advance. Visit deerfield-beach.com.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department kicks off its Movies in the Park series with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 17 at Villages of Hillsboro Park, 4111 NW Sixth St. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. Popcorn will be provided. Free. Visit deerfield-beach.com/1296/Movies-in-the-Park.

Fort Lauderdale 

Howl-at-the-Moon Halloween Festival at the Humane Society of Broward County, 2070 Griffin Road, lets attendees trick or treat with the animals from 4:30-7 p.m. Oct. 17. There will also be carnival games, a scavenger hunt and photo booth, with food and drinks available for purchase. All-access bracelets cost $20 (includes unlimited activities and games). Separate tickets for each activity will be sold during the event. Visit humanebroward.com.

Pumpkin painting and bowling, sand art and other games and activities are planned for the ninth annual Riverwalk Fall Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St. Other highlights: Fall-related science demonstrations by the Museum of Discovery & Science, food trucks and arts and crafts. A Riverwalk Bar tent will serve fall-inspired beverages for guests age 21 and older. Free admission. Visit goriverwalk.com.

Visit trick-or-treat stations at LauderBOO from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Snyder Park, 3299 SW Fourth Ave. The free event will also feature carnival games, arts and crafts, bounce houses, contests and prizes, music and a Native Village animal exhibition. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.

Fort Lauderdale’s popular Day of the Dead celebration will return Nov. 1 at Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St., with the block party planned in the 1000 block of Southwest First Avenue. Festivities begin at the park at 3 p.m. with music, dance and folklorico performances, face painting, mask making, Latin food and artist booths. The Skeleton Processional (everyone can participate) will begin at 6 p.m., with costumed participants winding through the Himmarshee District. The parade will culminate a couple of blocks away at a street party outside Revolution Live and Backyard with food and drink, music and photo opportunities. Free admission. Visit goriverwalk.com/dotd.

Hallandale Beach

Stroll the Halloween Trail of Treats from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 at OB Johnson Park, 1000 NW Eighth Ave., for carnival-style games, music, photo stations, haunted mazes, entertainment, and, of course, treats. Food trucks will have items for sale. Free admission. Visit hallandalebeachfl.gov.

Hollywood

Boo Bash — set for 5-10 p.m. Oct. 24 at ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 N. Young Circle — will offer music and kids’ activities, followed by a costume fashion show at 7 p.m. and movie night at 8 p.m. Free admission, with food available for purchase. Visit hollywoodfl.org.

Lauderdale Lakes 

The Halloween Spooktacular and Spooktacular Pumpkin Patch 2025 will offer a family friendly night out at Vincent Torres Memorial Park, 4331 NW 36th St., from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31. Mechanical rides, large inflatables, food trucks, music, a pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating are on the schedule. Free admission. Visit lauderdalelakes.org.

Lauderhill 

Have fun and get tips during the Lauderhill Night Out Against Crime Halloween Safety Day from 5-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Sadkin Community Center, 1176 NW 42nd Way. There will be a haunted house, prizes, food, games, police and fire demonstrations, goodie bags and candy. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov.

Margate

The city will celebrate its Fall Festival from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Margate Sports Complex, 1695 Banks Road, complete with costume contests, pony rides, haunted house, pre-carved pumpkin contest and food vendors. Materials will be provided to make your own scarecrow. Free admission. Visit margatefl.com.

The Margate Police Department’s Trunk or Treat will be set up from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Margate City Hall parking lot, 5790 Margate Blvd. City staffers will hand out candy. Free admission. Visit Facebook.com/MargateFLPolice.

Oakland Park

Get your costume ready for the contest during Halloween Bash from 6- 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave. There will also be dance competitions, inflatable houses and candy. Free admission. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.

Parkland 

Stroll through the Parkland Pumpkin Patch that’s popping up from Oct. 18-23 at the city’s Equestrian Center at Temple Park, 8350 Ranch Road, from 5-7:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. Opening weekend will include food vendors, face painting, bounce house, seasonal treats. A petting zoo and fall-themed photo zones will be on site. Each pumpkin sale helps support the Parkland 17 Memorial Foundation; cash only. Visit cityofparkland.org.

The Halloween Festival Trunk-or-Treat will have characters, stilt walkers and a performance on the main stage from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Equestrian Center, 8350 Ranch Road. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org.

Plantation 

The Pumpkin Patch returns to Plantation United Methodist Church, 1001 NW 70th Ave., from noon to 7 p.m. daily from Oct. 12-31. Events include Fall Family Night with trunk-or-treating and a costume contest from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 18 and Pets in the Pumpkin Patch from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 26, with a pet blessing and food trucks. Free admission. Visit Facebook.com/PlantationUMC.

The city’s Fall Family Festival from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 18 will bring a children’s carnival, fun zone, pony rides, petting zoo, costume contests, hayrides, haunted house and more to Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 for guests age 2 and older. Visit plantation.org.

Pompano Beach 

The city has five Halloween Happenings planned around the last week of the month, including Boo Bash Fall Edition, Horse & Hound Costume Event, HallowSCREAM Party, Trunk or Treat and Monster Mash. Admission is free to all events. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov/events for the full schedule.

Sunrise 

A “Ghostbusters” Interactive Movie Experience is coming to the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 12. Take part in character meet-and-greets, photo ops and a DIY slime lab for kids before the movie. Cost is $7. Visit sunrisefl.gov.

Sign up for the ninth annual Trick or Trot 5K and Kids’ Dash happening on Oct. 18 at the Sunrise Civic Center Amphitheater, 10770 W. Oakland Park Blvd. The 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. and Kids’ Dash at 8:15 a.m. Registration costs $30 for 5K (includes T-shirt and medal) and $10 for Kids’ Dash (age 10 and younger). Visit sunrisefl.gov.

Tamarac 

Halloween Hoopla is coming to the Tamarac Park Baseball Fields, 7501 N. University Drive, from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24. Trick-or-treating, music, food trucks and fall-themed activities are planned. Free admission. Visit tamarac.gov.

Dive into a floating pumpkin patch during The Great Pumpkin Splash from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 25 at Caporella Aquatic Center, 9300 NW 58th St. Enjoy pumpkin picking and decorating, a magic show and balloon art. Cost is $5. Register in advance at eventbrite.com.

Wilton Manors 

Enjoy a not-so-scary flick during this Spooktacular Movie Night, featuring “Hotel Transylvania” on Oct. 17 at Wilton Manors Elementary School Field, 2401 NE Third Ave. Starting at 5:30 p.m., activities include trick-or-treat stations, arts and crafts, games and concessions; the movie starts at 7 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and, of course, costumes. Free admission. Visit wiltonmanors.gov.

It’s a Kids Night Out: Costume Party with crafting, games, movies and treats from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Stafford Park, 823 NE 28th St. Cost is $25. Visit wiltonmanors.gov.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Boca Raton

The Ford Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival returns to Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, with 2,500 of the gourds, plus carnival rides, food and other fall activities. Three sessions are offered: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or 4-9 p.m. Oct. 11, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12. General admission is $32+ for guests age 3 and older (includes unlimited carnival rides, kiddie cornstalk maze, fall photo ops, a scarecrow dress-up village and giveaways). Kids younger than 3 enter free (excludes rides). All tickets must be purchased in advance at bocapumpkinpatch.com. Pumpkins, decorating kits, food, drinks will be available for purchase.

Boo-ca Boo Days offers spooky family fun throughout the month with activities such as sound and science demos, parties, movies, ghost stories, a haunted hammock stroll, escape room and pumpkin dive. Visit myboca.us/boocaboodays for a full schedule.

Cars & Coffee Palm Beach is gearing up for its 12th annual Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Spooktacular at the family friendly automotive festival, set for 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 12 at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, 4850 T-Rex Ave. Free admission. Cost is $15 to display a vehicle. Visit Facebook.com/carsandcoffeepb.

A Hoot & Howl 2025 Halloween Event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at Daggerwing Nature Center in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 11435 Park Access Road. Wear a costume, play games, make crafts and learn about nocturnal creatures such as owls, toads and spiders. Free admission. Visit Facebook.com.

The Shops at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, will host two events:

• A Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 25 will have pumpkins of all sizes, with all proceeds from sales benefiting Cason United Methodist Church’s community outreach programs. Free admission. Register in advance at bocacenterpumpkins.eventbrite.com.
• Pups-N-Pumpkins from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 will include a pet costume contest with prizes, music, food and drink and themed activities. Check-in will be in the Center Courtyard between Rocco’s Tacos and Tap 42. Tickets are $20 (all proceeds benefit Tri-County Animal Rescue). Visit bocacenterpupsnpumpkins25.eventbrite.com.

Boynton Beach

The Fall Festival at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market, 10066 Lee Road, offers a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, corn maze, sunflowers, Animal “Edventure” Park and a variety of foods for sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Cost is $19.99 on weekdays and $24.99 on weekends; free for children age 2 and younger. Visit bedners.com/events.

The city’s Fall Festival from 3-6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., will feature games, free Arts & Cultural Center classes and a pumpkin giveaway. Free admission. Visit boynton-beach.org.

Pirate Fest — featuring two days of music, entertainment, food, costumes, children’s activities, shopping, cannons, pirates and mermaids — returns to Centennial Park Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 26. Free admission. Visit boynton-beach.org.

Delray Beach 

A Halloween-themed Art & Jazz on the Avenue encourages everyone (and their pets) to come dressed in costume from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 22. Along East Atlantic Avenue, from Swinton to Northeast Fifth avenues, you can trick-or-treat from businesses and vendors and enjoy music as well as an interactive kids’ zone, dining and dancing. Free admission. Visit downtowndelraybeach.com/artandjazz.

Downtown Delray Beach will transform into Halloween Town on Oct. 25 with five events. For details, visit downtowndelraybeach.com/events/halloween-festivities.

• The 14th annual Witches of Delray Bike Ride will cruise along Atlantic Avenue from 7 to 10 a.m. as more than 300 witches ride decorated bikes to raise money for the Achievement Centers for Children and Families. Must be 16 or older to ride. Registration costs $75 until Oct. 15 and $100 after.
• Trick-or-Treating on the Avenue will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at downtown businesses along Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove. Free.
• Wear a costume and line up for the 63rd annual Halloween Parade at 1 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue at Northeast Fifth Avenue. The parade will travel down Atlantic Avenue and end at Kidsfest at Old School Square. Free.
• The city’s Kidsfest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., will have games, bounce houses, entertainment and food. Free admission.
• The Delray Beach Historical Society will have its Fall Harvest Cookout from 5 to 9 p.m. at its campus and gardens, 3 NE First St. Enjoy a backyard barbecue, beer, wine, apple cider, bake sale, kids’ Halloween crafts, movie, music, raffles and history exhibits. Cost is $25; free for kids age 12 and younger.

The SOMething Scary Block Party & Haunted House is back with a “Renaissance Scare” theme this year from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at the corner of Space of Mind and Dada. In the parking lot, activities will include a costume contest, trunk-or-treating, bounce house, face painting, games, pumpkin patch, a stage with music from the No Big Deal band, and food and drinks for purchase. The event raises funds for the nonprofit Community Classroom Project. General admission wristbands are $5+. A haunted house entry ticket is $5+ ($15 for unlimited). Some activities will require additional tickets to be purchased. Visit eventbrite.com.

Greenacres 

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is putting on its annual Not So Scary Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at Samuel J. Ferreri Park, 2905 Jog Road. Candy, bounce houses, raffle prizes, face painting and music are on tap. Free admission. Visit greenacresfl.gov.

Jupiter

A wild time awaits during the Feathers, Fangs, Fur, & FUN Halloween event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26 at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 17855 Rocky Pines Road. Trick-or-treat along the nature trails, while supplies last, and take part in Spooky Tiny Tales Story Time at 11 a.m. and a Creepy Conservation Conversation at 12:30 p.m. Free, but donations are accepted. Visit buschwildlife.org.

Lake Worth Beach

Trunk-or-treat, games and activities are planned for Little Scream from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Bryant Park, Lake Avenue and Golfview on the Intracoastal Waterway. Attendees and their pets may participate in the costume contest. Free admission. Applications to participate in the trunk-or-treat decorating contest are open through Oct. 17. Visit eventeny.com.

The 10th annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration will take place from 3-7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Hatch 1121, 1121 Lucerne Ave., with  traditional foods, folkloric dances, a procession, cultural arts and crafts, and children’s activities. Dress in costume and walk in the El Camino parade to kick off the event. Free admission. Visit Facebook.com.

Lantana

Take a guided tour of The Haunted Nature Preserve from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 and enjoy other activities including a DJ dance party, face painters, balloon artist, costume contest, hayride, carnival games and more. The event will be at the Lantana Nature Preserve, 440 E. Ocean Ave. Free. Visit lantana.org.

Palm Beach

The annual Pop-Up Patch for Philanthropy is coming to The Royal Poinciana Plaza’s East Courtyard, 340 Royal Poinciana Way, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 16-19. Purchases benefit Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope. Explore the hedge maze and garden games, and check out the Wee Free Library with curated books and popsicles. Other special events on select days include family yoga and free gelato. Free admission. Visit theroyalpoincianaplaza.com/event.

Palm Beach Gardens

The city’s Fall Festival: Jurassic Safari will offer trick-or-treating, inflatables, a dance party, raptor encounter, live performances and food vendors from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at The Gardens North County District Park, 5101 117th Court N. Free admission. Visit pbgfl.gov/743/Fall-Festival.

The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., will offer four ways to celebrate the spooky season, all free of charge and located in Grand Court. Go to thegardensmall.com.

• Visit Batty Manor from Oct. 11-31. Come dressed in your favorite costume and take photos at the not-so-spooky cottage during mall hours.
• A Spook-tacular Halloween Show with Mad Science of Palm Beach will have an interactive experiment presentation at 11 a.m. and noon Oct. 18.
• Sing and dance during Boogah & Hoogah’s Haunted House Party show at 1 p.m. daily from Oct. 25-31.
• Wear a costume to the Kids’ Club Spooky Soiree starting at noon Oct. 25. A performance by Boogah and Hoogah will take place at 1 p.m.  Take a photo with them after the show.

Palm Springs

Spooky Springs — an evening of trunk-or-treating, with a “Monster House” movie screening, Glowing Goblin Disco and a costume contest — is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Village Center Complex, 226 Cypress Lane. Bring a bag to collect candy. Free. Visit vpsfl.org.

Wellington

Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows are new to the village’s Fall Festival, which will be from 3-10 p.m. Oct. 18 at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road. Other activities will include Haunted Hallways, bounce houses, costume contests, food trucks, hayrides, laser tag, petting zoo and trick-or-treating. Free admission. Wristband purchase is required for activities; cost is $7 for children, $5 for adults by Oct. 17 and $10 for children, $5 for adults at gate. Free for age 2 and younger. Visit wellingtonfl.gov/660/fall-festival.

Trick-or-treat at Mall-O-Ween throughout The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Participating retailers will pass out candy to kids in costume and there will be activities in the Grand Court, including photo ops with a giant skeleton. Free admission. Visit shopwellingtongreen.com.

West Palm Beach

Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch is open through Nov. 2 in the lot at 419 Lakeview Ave., offering gourds of all shapes and sizes for sale. Other activities include Pumpkin Bowling, Candy Corn Hole, bounce houses and slides, and a petting zoo. Free admission. For daily hours, visit mrjackolanternspumpkins.com.

An old-fashioned Halloween awaits at Spookyville on select days and times from Oct. 11-31 at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd. There will be trick-or-treating, kids’ rides, costume contests, magic shows, photo ops and pumpkin sales. New this year: a Spookyville Light Show Spectacular, Witches’ Trails and a Giant Maze. Advance discount tickets cost $13 for children age 3 and older and $8 adults. General admission at gate is $15 for children and $10 for adults. Free for guests age 2 and younger. Visit spookyvilleyyv.com.

Mounts Botanical Garden, 531 N. Military Trail, will have events on two Sundays at its 20-acre facility to celebrate the season. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, college students and military members with IDs, $13 for guests age 6-17, and free for children younger than 6. Visit mounts.org/events.

• Throw a costume on your canine companions for Howl-O-Ween Dogs’ Day in the Garden from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12. Dog admission is $5. Visit mounts.org/dogs-day.
• A Bootanical Garden Bash will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 19 with a petting zoo, kids’ activities, candy treasure hunt, face painting, pumpkin patch, photo ops, music, food vendors and a presentation air-purifying plants.

Fall Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25 at Cox Science Center and Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail N., will have entertainment, outdoor games, a mini petting zoo, fall and science-themed crafts and face painting. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase. Museum admission: $26 for adults, $24 for guests age 13-17 and seniors 60 and older, $22 for guests age 3-12, and free for kids younger than 3. Visit coxsciencecenter.org/fall-family-fun-fest.