Summer is slowly making its exit and the air will not be getting crisper nor will the leaves turn brown, but that doesn’t mean we cannot still get into the spirit of the most basic season of them all — fall! Soon, hurricane season will come to an end giving way to endless sunny days, spooky vibes and the smell of everything pumpkin spice wafting in the air. So like we did with summer, we’re rounding up the must-dos of the season all the way from pumpkin patches to the spookiest of places.
1. Test your bravery at The Horrorland
This one-of-a-kind Halloween attraction is a blood curling takeover of Jungle Island! You’ll explore five haunted houses, eight terrifying outdoor zones and dare to play bloody carnival games. For a tamer experience, you can opt for a “Do Not Scare” necklace, which will be provided to younger guests and those who do not want performers to come close to them. Get tickets to The Horrorland, South Florida’s two-time consecutive winner for Best Halloween Attraction — if you dare!
2-5. Enjoy eerily enchanting Candlelight Concerts
This fall, Candlelight will host some gorgeous Halloween-themed concerts in Miami’s most stunning venues, made more enchanting by flickering candles. Enjoy classic songs from your favorite spooky films, including Beetlejuice, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Psycho and so much more.
Tickets:
- October 20: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Berry Farm
- October 27: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
- October 28: Candlelight Orchestra: Halloween Special
- November 2: Candlelight Open Air: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos
6. Enjoy a pint at Wynwood’s annual Octoberfest
This epic fall festival is back and better than ever. Returning to Wynwood Marketplace on September 29th to October 1st, celebrate the season with all things Bavarian bites and seasonal beers, live music, games, leiderhoses and more. Read more here.
7. Embark on an adventure in The Little Prince World
Discover the magical story of the Little Prince in this immersive experience coming to Miami this October. Inspired by the book written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, step into drawings, meet enchanting characters and witness the tale of the Little Prince unfold before your eyes inside a 137 ft-diameter and 45ft-high dome. Don’t miss out on this wondrous adventure and get your tickets here!
8. Make the most of the spooky season with these Halloween events
Would it really be fall without Halloween? To fully immerse yourself in the spookiest nights of October, check out bone-chilling haunted experiences, spooky movie marathons, supernatural burlesque, corn maze fun, doggie costume contests and more from our list of activities to enjoy this Halloween in Miami.
9. Stock up on pumpkins at these pumpkin patches
If you need a break from all the frights you’re bound to stumble upon this fall, then you can make your way to one of these nearby pumpkin patches. Whether gathering pumpkins for pie or house decor, pick yourself a perfect gourd to carve for the season, pet farm animals and more. Check out some recommendations below or click here for the full round-up.
- Tinez Farms
- The Berry Farms
- Pinto’s Farm
- The Little Farm Fall Festival
10. Venture into the world and mind of Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360º digital art exhibition that invites you to step into the world of the beloved Dutch artist, Van Gogh. This immersive exhibit engulfs you in his artwork by showcasing it all around you with ceiling-to-floor screens — experiencing his art in a whole new way. Grab your tickets here!
11. Attend the South Beach Seafood Festival
If you’re a huge lover of seafood, you’ll want to head to the South Beach Seafood Festival. The massive four-day culinary showcase is back for its 11th year and features the most appetizing bites we’ve seen in a while. From private dinners to wine pairings to Chef Showdown Competitions and the Main Festival Day, sample the best of the best on Wednesday, October 18 through Saturday, October 21. Read all about it here.
12. Go on a stunning fall hike
It’s the perfect time to get out and about. Following a brutal summer — although the heat is still not letting up — it’ll do you well to get a breath of fresh air and take a little adventure. Explore the great outdoors at these Miami hiking trails, perfect for all levels. And don’t forget to bring your camera with you because these gorgeous trails serve some equally gorgeous views! Check out the full list here.
10-15. Delight in fall-flavored drinks and bites
There’s no denying that the fall season brings some of the best flavors on the calendar, like pumpkin spice. Restaurants across South Florida are drawing inspiration from the season to churn up a lineup of fall-inspired menu items. Check them out:
- Pura Vida’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin (available at all locations)
- Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread at Salt & Straw (Lincoln Road)
- Honeynut Squash and Pumpkin Spice Latte at MaryGold’s
- Mamey’s Autumn Farro and Squash Salad
- Pork and Apple Sausage, Turmeric-spiced Halibut, and Whole Grilled Branzino at Orno
- Basic Witch taco at Velvet Taco (Fort Lauderdale)
16. Party it up at III Points
Year after year, III Points Music Festival brings more than 100 musical performers and a local art showcase to Mana Wynwood. Its tenth edition is this year, October 20-21, and artists on the lineup include Fred Again, Iggy Pop, Skrillex, Grimes and Black Coffee, among others.
17. Spend a luminous night at the NightGarden
This dazzling light show is taking over Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens this November and transforming it into a wonderland of lights featuring technicolor flowers, rainbow colored pathways, motion sensing technology and outdoor holograms! Join the waitlist today!
18. Check out spooky movies under the stars
Make your way to Rooftop Cinema Club for autumnal nights full of films, food and more. In addition to its lineup of cult thrillers like Scream and The Shining, the venue is featuring all kinds of flicks including When Harry Met Sally, Everything Everywhere All at Once, La La Land, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more.
19. Book your ticket to the Miami Book Fair
Find the perfect fall reading at the 40th annual Miami Book Fair, taking over downtown Miami from November 12-19 with a wide variety of authors. This 8-day festival includes featured panels and conversations, musical performances, workshops and their massively popular Street Fair.
20. Saunter through South Florida’s picturesque gardens and parks
From the Vizcaya Museum to Morikami Japanese Gardens, beautiful gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll, but they’re especially lovely in the fall. Check out some of South Florida’s splendid gardens and parks below or click here for a full list!
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
- Pinecrest Gardens
- Morikami Japanese Gardens
- McKee Botanical Gardens
21. Celebrate stone crab season with some fresh claws
October 15 designates the official start of stone crab season in Miami which means its time to roll up your sleeves and dig into some extra fresh, hearty claws. To help you find the freshest claws in town we’ve put together a list of the best places in which to enjoy stone crabs in the 305. Find them here.