October will soon arrive and life in the city will return to its usual sunny self, which means it’s time to leave those raincoats behind and start enjoying everything fall — at least our version — has to offer here in Miami. So without further ado let us share with you some of the coolest activities to do this spooky month, all the way from pumpkin picking and spooky road trips to glorious afternoons on sun-drenched rooftops!
1. Pick the perfect pumpkin
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly carved jack-o-lantern or getting the perfect fall photos to get you in the mood for the season. Throughout the month, several farms offer up pumpkin picking opportunities, from The Berry Farms to Tinez Farms. Some even have special fall festivities like the Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival, where you can enjoy carnival rides, go through an inflatable cornstalk maze and more. See our list of perfect pumpkin patches to pick yourself a perfect gourd here.
If you don’t want to stray too far, we’ve also gathered a list of pumpkin patches in Miami, so you can get your autumn fix without leaving the city!
2. Hunt down Halloween thrills
October culminates in the spookiest holiday of the year – Halloween! And in a city as bustling as Miami, there are all sorts of Halloween activities, from haunted houses to trick-or-treating opportunities. Check out some of the best Halloween events you shouldn’t miss below and click here for a full list!
🎧 Hocus Pocus festival
🐶 Pet-friendly Howl-O-Ween
🎉 HalloWYN Block Party in Wynwood
🦁 Zoo Miami’s Zoo Boo
3. Check out these spellbinding performances arriving in Wynwood
You’re in for a treat at this captivating new show coming to Wynwood this October! The new high-energy production, known as Blush, will take over The Moon Miami’s pink paradise. Filled with dazzling burlesque performances, acrobatics and live singing, you’re in for an evening you won’t forget! Get tickets to Blush at The Moon here.
4. Don’t be afraid of the dark in this one-of-a-kind foodie experience
Less of a spooky experience and more like a memorable adventure, Dining in the Dark invites foodies to enjoy a secret 12-piece “omakase” while sitting blindfolded with friends, family or a special someone. Head to Sushi By Bou Salt 7 in Fort Lauderdale and engage your taste buds to their maximum with each ingredient. Grab tickets to this unique tasting experience.
5. Feast at the South Beach Seafood Festival
The scrumptious South Beach Seafood Festival is hitting the sand for its 12th year on October 23-26, for a mega culinary showcase. From private dinners to Chef Showdown Competitions and the Main Festival Day, read all about it here.
6. Be captivated by spooky (and non-spooky) Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re after a peaceful night with melodic sounds or a romantic date idea, Miami’s Candlelight Concert series provides an absolutely unbeatable ambiance. Check out these incredible performances taking place throughout October:
Candlelight: Hip-Hop Classics on Piano
Candlelight: A Tribute to Whitney Houston on Strings
Candlelight Open Air: Tribute to Luis Miguel
Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole
7. Catch a free movie at SoundScape Park
Spend your Wednesday nights at SoundScape Park because Miami Beach’s SoundScape Cinema Series is back! They’ll be screening a range of films on the 7,000-square-foot projection wall outside the New World Center. See the full movie lineup for this season here.
8. See the best art the city has to offer without breaking the bank
There are so many incredible museum exhibitions throughout the city, but one of the best parts is that some of them don’t make you pay for entry! Several museums offer free admission every day or once a month so you can immerse yourself in art and education at no cost. Check out which museums offer free admission here.
9. Catch the highly anticipated Billboard Latin Music Week
The ultimate celebration of Latin music and entertainment — Billboard Latin Music Week — returns to Miami this month with five days of music workshops, conferences, performances and appearances from Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, J Balvin, Peso Pluma, Alejandro Sanz and more. It’ll take place from October 14-18 at The Fillmore Miami Beach.
10. Kick back on a rooftop
If there’s something Miami certainly knows how to do is rooftop dining. From wonderful waterfront enclaves to lush gardens, these restaurants and bars come with dazzling city views and there’s certainly no shortage of them to check out. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite rooftops in the city.
11. See Taylor Swift take the stage for her much anticipated Eras Tour
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Swifties, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Following her hiatus, Taylor Swift is bringing her epic Eras Tour to the Hard Rock Stadium for three consecutive nights this month. From October 18 to 20, get ready for dazzling performances, surprise songs, the most amazing outfits and unforgettable memories.
12. Celebrate stone crab season with some fresh claws
October 15 designates the official start of stone crab season in Miami which means it’s 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.
13. Head to III Points Festival
Year after year, III Points brings dozens of genre-spanning performers and a local art showcase to Mana Wynwood. For its 11th edition is this year, October 18 and 19, artists on the lineup include Massive Attack, PinkPantheress, Kaytranada, Arca, Jungle and Bad Gyal, among others. Find the full lineup here.
14. Let your creativity shine at Neon Brush
Another fantastic experience that you can’t afford to miss this month is Neon Brush, a series of painting sessions in a luminous, retro-futuristic atmosphere. You’ll be guided through the process by an artist while you sip a delicious drink and listen to a great soundtrack. After you have your fun and snap some photos, you can bring your work of art home with you! Buy tickets for Neon Brush here.
15. Scream your lungs out at a haunted house
If you’re looking for a real thrill this October, we’ve got just the thing! There’s no better feeling than the adrenaline rush of a good scare while making your way through a dark space, and Miami has plenty of those. We’ve rounded up the best haunted houses in and around the city that’ll get your heart pumping.
16. Feel the magic of a luminous ‘We Call It Ballet’ show
This spectacular show is illuminating the city this fall! Over the course of 60 mesmerizing minutes, graceful ballerinas take to the stage to enchant the audience with their immaculate routines and spectacular costumes glittering with glow-in-the-dark lights. They twist and turn to the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s timeless compositions in Sleeping Beauty, putting a luminous twist on this 100-year-old classic. Get tickets to We Call It Ballet now.
17. Step out in your best carnival pieces for Miami Carnival
This epic event, a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, returns to the Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds on October 13. Dance to the rhythms of steel bands, satisfy those jerk and curry cravings and lose yourself in the colorful flurry of feathers and rhinestones along the Miami Carnival route. Notably, this year marks a monumental 40th anniversary!
18. Enjoy the incredible music of Frank Sinatra under the stars
Melt away “those little town blues” while you kick back with a cocktail and let stunning views surround you at Sinatra Under the Stars! This tribute concert, taking place at Marriott Biscayne Bay on Oct. 5, will transport you back to a time when Sinatra reigned supreme. Come along as a talented group of Florida’s finest talents bring his timeless music to life under the starry sky. Snag tickets here!
19. Sip a chilling cocktail at The Dead Flamingo’s Halloween celebration
Get ready for a hair-raising October at The Dead Flamingo when it transforms into “Nightmare on 8th Street,” a haunted cocktail haven. For the entire month, they’ll feature eerie twists on their Tiki-inspired menu and festivities like horror movie nights on a theater-like projector screen, a Late Night Onesie Party, Halloween-themed trivia nights, karaoke and more.
20. Learn the art of sushi making at Queen Omakase
Over at Queen’s Omakase Room, housed at the iconic Paris Theater, guests can take a new sushi making class guided by third generation sushi chef, Max Kamakura. The hour and a half experience will feature six different types of sushi rolls that can be easily recreated at home while learning about how to master key techniques like rice handling and blending professional skills with family traditions. The bi-weekly classes will commence October 10th.
21. Get wild at The Dirty Rabbit Wynwood
The Dirty Rabbit, located in the heart of Wynwood, has conquered Miami’s nightlife scene with its good vibes, unique decor and a different theme and party every single day of the week! This vibrant escape has indoor bars, plenty of outdoor space to dance, the hottest beats and an unbeatable atmosphere. Get your tickets here!
22. Skip the vineyards and go wine tasting on the CocoWalk Rooftop
First of all — yes, CocoWalk has a rooftop! And it’ll set the stage for a wine tasting this October with certified sommelier Adrian Lopez. Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, he’ll teach you how to be the perfect host for parties and share his extensive knowledge of wine. You’ll also get to enjoy and learn all about four exquisite wines hand-selected by Adrian, paired with gourmet bites, all set against the beautiful backdrop. This event was originally scheduled for October 9th, but due to weather conditions, the new date is TBD.
And these are all the best things to do in Miami this October, whether you’re thinking about attending a spooky-themed Candlelight concert, catching free outdoor movies or walking through an unsettling haunted house. Dress up and get in on all the fun around the city!