Happy November Orlando! Store are stocking shelves with Christmas favorites and turkeys are nowhere to be seen… you know what that means! It’s fall time in the City Beautiful and as with every season, this highly anticipated one was kicked off with an impressive lineup of thrilling, not-to-be-missed events. Just in case you did miss it though, we’ve got all the highlights for you!

After a 2 year absence, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party finally made a return! As well as trick and treating, a whole host of spooky specials were happening at the beloved event. Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade featured an array of spooky floats, Disney villains and characters dressed in their Halloween best and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers. The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show starred the wicked Sanderson Sisters while Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular was a can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza featuring projections, special effects, fireworks, music and Disney characters. The family-friendly event ran on select nights till October 31st.

All month long, SeaWorld Spooktacular was perfect for the entire family to have some trick and treating fun. The little ones loved SeaWorld’s underwater “fantasea” with bright and colorful whimsical creatures, trick or treating, Penelope’s Garden Party, Halloween Dance Party and Sesame Streets Countdown to Halloween. For the second year running, SeaWorld Orlando also joined in the adult scare factor. Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld saw guests make their way through Scare Zones as they tried to avoid angry haunts out to get them. There was no use in escaping by running indoors as guests would quickly find themselves in spooky haunted houses! The festivities brought much fun and horror to Orlando.

Krush Brau Park once again held their Oktoberfest event last month which featured all of the best and well-known German beers, food, and gifts. Having kicked off the fun on September 16th, the beer drinking activities continued all the way through to October 30th. Also featured were some of Central Florida’s breweries’ Oktoberfest beers. In addition, attendees were also able to experience a keg tapping ceremony along with several other contests including bier stein holding, yodeling, German limbo, German Schuplattler dance, best dressed Oktoberfest person and much more.

The Kennedy Space Center hosted it’s 2nd Taste of Space Martini Shake-Off event on October 7th. Visitors had the opportunity to visit multiple culinary stations, tasting flavors of the fall while mingling with astronauts. In addition to delicious sips and bites, participating local bars and restaurants went head-to-head in a competition, creating their idea of a “Marstini” cocktail for guests to taste and virtually vote for their favorites in the People’s Choice award. Full versions of the “Masrstini” cocktail were made available for purchase throughout the evening. Attendees could also choose to experience Gateway’s new motion-theater ride, Spaceport KSC, where guests can explore the “Red Planet.”

From October 8th-30th, our beautiful city had the opportunity to explore immersive, inflatable art like you’ve never seen before at Airplay. Presented by Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, visitors engaged in interactive, inflatable art installations, including a Luminarium from Architects of Air. Light sculptures, interactive mazes, and even more inflatable art filled Seneff Arts Plaza and the Frontyard at Dr. Phillips Center with amazing energy and proved to be a delight for the whole family. 

Orlando in October doesn’t bring the cooler weather usually associated with fall, but that doesn’t stop us from cozying up in Central Florida! Just like we have Now Snowing at Christmas, the Town of Celebration also treated us to Falling Leaves during Celebration Florida Oktoberfest. From October 21-22, leaves fell 3 times a night at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm along Market Street. Visitors also enjoyed a traditional German experience featuring live music and an interactive show with everything from yodeling and hayrides to pumpkins and crowd sing-a-long fun.

Ranked #4 in 2019 and #2 in 2020 by Sunshine Artist Magazine in their annual ranking of the Best Classic/Contemporary Craft Festivals in America, the Mount Dora Craft Festival was proud to earn the #1 spot in their 50th anniversary special ranking of ALL Time Favorite events in 2021. Held on the streets of historic downtown Mount Dora from October 22-23, the downtown streets came alive with more than 400 of the best exhibitors in the country ready to show and sell their fine and fun crafts at the 36th annual event. Festival food, music, beer and wine tasting for adults and a free kid zone for the kids rounded out the fabulous event.

On October 29th, Clermont Harvest Festival took over Historic Downtown Clermont for a good old fashioned family harvest festival full of fun and festive spirit. There was a pumpkin patch and photos plus a kidzone, offering train rides, rock climbing, wall bounce house, face painting and a costume contest. There were over 175 vendors showcasing homemade and handmade goods, one of a kind collectables and gifts. Food trucks were also available for snacks and the Downtown restaurants were all open and decorated to the nines!