As the fall season rolls around this year, top destinations in Florida are hosting lively festivities for locals and visitors alike to get together and enjoy. From the Florida Panhandle to the Conch Republic, guests can experience costume parties, beer festivals, boat shows and premium tasting events this autumn. Here is a list of the best fall festivals in Florida for everyone to revel in.
Key West Fantasy Fest
Every fall the streets of Key West are filled with costumes, parades, and parties to celebrate the annual Fantasy Fest, a 10 day celebration that commences on Friday, October 21 with fun-filled activities from pool parties, body painting, karaoke and more. This year, book a stay at The Marker Key West Harbor Resort, ideally located on the Historic Key West Harbor at 200 William Street and just steps from lively Duval Street and Mallory Square where all the Fantasy Fest fun takes place. While on property, guests can partake in the Red Elvises Pool Party on Friday, October 28 with a performance by Igor & Red Elvises where they will bring the funk. Guests can reserve their spot HERE. Finally, after a long week of partying, rehab is a must and what better way to unwind and recuperate than by the pool with Reggae Lou & The Kind Budz. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 30 The Marker will be offering plenty of food and drinks specials, live Reggae vibes, and free Booze Bandages for the first 50 guests. This free event will combat your hangover and bring you back to life after a Fantasy Fest filled with partying fun. To reserve your space HERE.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Throw on your best boating shoes and head over to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show taking place on October 26 - 30 to celebrate 63 years of the high-end trade show. As the “Yachting Capital of the World,” Fort Lauderdale has over 300 miles of inland waterways making it the perfect destination to showcase the best of the best in the boating industry. At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, guests can awe in the latest technologies and models of boats and yachts of all sizes as well as browse the newest marine products and accessories. While in town for the boat show, book a stay at Hillsboro Beach Resort located on the exclusive Hillsboro Mile, known colloquially as “Millionaire’s Mile” for the numerous oceanfront mansions and luxury yachts lining the town’s street. The luxury resort boasts 72 well-appointed guest rooms, studios and suites, including rooms with views of the beach perfect to relax after a long day at the trade show.
Baytowne Beer Festival on Florida’s Emerald Coast
Baytowne Beer Festival is back this October 7-8 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The event includes exclusive beer tastings, brewery showcases and live music. Throughout this event local breweries will feature their products for an intimate night of learning about craft beer culture while restaurants in The Village showcase their best dishes to combine unique bites with complimentary brews. Enjoy music from Jarred McConnell and The High Aces. Tickets are limited. The main event will feature more than 50 breweries and 200 domestic and international craft beers for sampling. Brewery representatives will be available to discuss the different types of lagers and ales, teaching about the variety of styles. All ticket holders will be provided a Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest tasting glass for sampling. Enjoy live music from Trest Richerson Band. Accommodation is available at Hotel Effie and Osprey Pointe at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
Sunday’s at the Ranch, Launching in Miami Oct. 2022
Four-time James Beard award nominee Chef Niven Patel is the embodiment of farm-to-table dining, residing on his two-acre farm aptly dubbed Rancho Patel, where he grows produce for all his restaurants in South Florida. In a series of tasting events called Sundays at the Ranch, Chef Niven invites you into his home for an intimate culinary and educational experience. The appetizing afternoon begins at 3p.m. with a welcome cocktail. Then, chef Niven brigns attendees around the Rancho for a tour of the harvest, allowing attendees to pull a carrot from the ground, pick off an herb to garnish a cocktail or sample snap peas right from the vine. Guests will then take a seat at the table to enjoy a wholesome 3-course meal, served family style and paired with delicious wines - all set to the rustic natural backdrop of the farm. This educational experience is open to the public and offered to travelers visiting THesis Hotel, where he has Orno and Mamey restaurants. This series is an active program in fall/winter in South Florida and will relaunch in October 2022. See video HERE.
House of Horror Haunted Carnival (HOH)
HOH has been scaring the living daylights out of the so-called unafraid. With four new haunted house experiences, a midway filled with unlimited carnival rides, food, and games, caretakers also vow to spook unsuspecting victims with every turn on their new Fireball Rollercoaster.
Beginning September 29 at 6PM, people can take their chances working their way through four terrifyingly, haunted experiences inside an abandoned department store at Miami International Mall. The following haunted experiences have been completely re-done to maximize their scare factor:
For 20 years, Miami International Mall has served as the ideal spot for this spooky, month-long adventure. Those fun-filled nights only get better on the HOH midway where a ticket to the haunted experiences also gives family and friends access to unlimited carnival rides and games. It’s also where overindulgence is highly encouraged given the large assortment of treats and carnival foods. Just be sure to rally enough courage to ride The Fireball Rollercoaster, which is a first this year.
Tickets are currently on sale for House of Horror Haunted Carnival at Miami International Mall. Doors open on September 29 and remain open every Tuesday through Sunday, all the way to Monday, October 31. HOH plans to incorporate special themed nights, including an adult Costume Contest on Halloween night, so be sure to follow them on social media for those drop dates!
