Escambia, Santa Rosa County fall activity guide: 30+ fun activities and events this season

When the kids are back in school and Target is selling pumpkin spice coffee creamer, you know it’s time to start daydreaming of the fall days filled with apple ciders, corn mazes and hayrides.

Although the first day of fall is not technically until Sept. 23, it’s never too early to start planning out the festivities.

Here are a few spots to add to your fall to-do list across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Save this page for future reference, as we will update this list throughout the season as more information is released.

All events are listed in chronological order.

After Dark: Seville Quarter Ghosts, Murder, Mayhem and Mystery Tour and Dinner

• What: Paranormal investigation, dinner

• When: Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting Aug. 20

• Where: Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St.

• Details: You know an event is serious when the event description clarifies that “actual ghost-hunting equipment” is provided. The tour guide will be your designated storyteller for all things ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities and Pensacola history. Following the tour, guests will sit-down for an award-winning dinner. “We are not just another ghost tour. We are experienced ghost hunters and professional paranormal investigators.” Tickets are $50 per person. All ages are welcome. Reservations are required.

Bands on the Blackwater Fall Concert Series

• What: Free outdoor concert with vendors

• When: Fridays from 7-9 p.m. starting Sept. 1 and ranging through Oct. 27

• Where: Jernigan’s landing, 5158 Willing Street, Milton

• Details: Bands on the Blackwater is a free outdoor concert series located in downtown Milton at Jernigan’s Landing. Each weekend has a different act. For more information visit www.facebook.com/BandsOnTheBlackwater or call the City of Milton at 850-983-5400.

This season’s schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 1: The Flavors

• Sept. 8: Casey Kearney

• Sept. 15: Whitesands Pandhandle Band

• Sept. 22: Karli Ryan

• Sept. 29: The Six Piece Suits

• Oct. 6: The Midnight Shepherds

• Oct. 13: Jarred McConnell & The High Aces

• Oct. 20: Nobius

• Oct. 27: The Modern Eldorados

Pensacola Beach Cinemas in the Sand

• What: Free outdoor family films

• When: Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Sept. 29, Oct. 13

• Where: Gulfside Pavillion stage on Pensacola Beach

• Details: Cozy up in your beach chair or blanket for Friday nights at Pensacola Beach’s Cinemas in the Sand series. The free movie nights start at sunset on a giant inflatable screen, weather permitting. For weather updates, go to Facebook.com/visitpensacolabeach or call the SRIA at 850-932-2257.

The movie schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 1: “The Greatest Showman”- This 2017 biographical musical drama is based on the story and life of P.T. Barnum, a famous showman and entertainer, and his creation of the Barnum & Baily Circus and its star attractions.

• Sept. 15: “Wall-E”- This 2008 computer-animated science fiction film by Pixar follows a solitary robot left to clean up garbage on an uninhabitable, deserted Earth in 2805.

• Sept. 29: “Night at the Museum”- This 2006 fantasy comedy film stars Ben Stiller and tells the story of a divorced father who applies for a job as a night watchman at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and subsequently discovers that the exhibits, animated by a magical Egyptian artifact called the tablet of Akhmenrah, come to life at night.

• Oct. 13: “Halloweentown” - Halloweentown is a 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie centers on Marnie, who on her 13th Halloween, learns she’s a witch, discovers a secret portal, and is transported to Halloweentown — a magical place where ghosts and ghouls, witches and werewolves live apart from the human world.

Greater Pensacola Auburn Club watch parties

• What: Food, drinks, football

• When: 2023 Auburn Tigers football season (Sept. 2-Nov. 25)

• Where: O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown, 321 S. Palafox St.

• Details: Football season is in the air, and O’Riley’s is the official stop for all things War Eagles. Auburn football fans are invited to head upstairs in O’Riley’s downtown location for every game. Food and drinks are available to purchase with some drink specials during game nights. The Greater Pensacola Auburn Club helps the Auburn University Family to meet other alumni and fans in the greater Pensacola area, raise money for local scholarships funds and watch the football team play. Raffle tickets and T-shirts will be available during the first half of the game through cash, PayPal and Venmo. All earnings go toward the Greater Pensacola Auburn Club Scholarship Fund for local students and events.

Coastal County Brewing Company Oktoberfest

• What: Fun competitions, authentic eats, face-painting, specialty brews

• When: Sept. 9, Festivities from 1-5 p.m. with live music from 6-10 p.m.

• Where: Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road

• Details: The annual Coastal County Oktoberfest celebrates German brews, brats, music and games with a variety of fun competitions. Some of the planned events include the women’s stein hoist, men’s keg hoist, keg toss, costume contest, sausage toss and wiener swing. First place winners will receive a $25 CCBC gift card. The brewery will also be whipping up a variety of specialty beers to enjoy including Oktoberfest, Kellerbier, German Leichtbier, Helles Lager, Hefe-Weizen, Kolsch, Gose, Berliner Weiss, European Amber Lager and Czech-Style Pilsner.

Pensacola Lighthouse ghost hunts

• What: Lighthouse ghost hunt

• When: Sept. 16 and Oct. 7 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

• Where: Pensacola Lighthouse

• Details: Pensacola Lighthouse has a reputation for being one of the most haunted lighthouses in America, but it is up to you to find out for yourself. Even the Ghost Hunters have detected paranormal activity. Guests can sneak a peek inside of the 1869 Keeper’s Quarters during the two-hour tour. Guests must be at least 15 years old to attend and tickets are $30 a person.

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Oktoberfest at Emerald Republic Brewing

• What: Stein hoisting competition, pretzel eating contests, stein racing competition, beer releases, traditional German-style food

• When: Sept. 16, noon to 11:45 p.m.

• Where: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St.

• Details: Get you lederhosen untangled and ready to party for Oktoberfest at Emerald Republic Brewing. In addition to the free admission and contest participation, the brewery will be selling specialty beers, the real-deal German food and custom German-style glass mugs with Emerald Republic graphics. The purchase of a mug also scores you a discount when you fill it up with delicious German beer. “When we run out, we are out, so get here early,” the event said of the glassware’s limited availability. This event is limited to adults 21 or over.

Holland Farms

• What: Hayride, pumpkin patch, hill tube slide, corn maze, horse tire swings, pedal tractor cart racing

• When: Sept. 23 through Nov. 4

• Where: 2055 Homer Holland Road, Milton

• Details: As one of the closest places you’ll find in the area for the fall fun on the farm experience, Holland Farms offers you more than just a pumpkin to drive home with, but lots of memories. Especially when bringing kids along for the ride, you could easily spend hours on the property if you choose to. Make sure you leave enough time to take a ride on the swing, pick a giant sunflower or find your way out of the corn maze.

Oddtoberfest at Odd Colony Brewing Co.

• What: Lager slugging, pretzel eating, stein hoisting

• When: Sept. 23, noon to 8 p.m.

• Where: Odd Colony Brewing Co., 67702 Colina Drive

• Details: Things always get a little weird at Odd Colony — in a good way. So, it is only fitting that they host their own spin on a German Oktoberfest they are calling an “Oddtoberfest” to kick off the season. You can count on there being quality beers, giant pretzels and German mugs for throwing. More updates will be posted on the brewery's Facebook page.

Sweet Season Farms

• What: Corn maze, pumpkin picking, hayride, children’s playground, Sunflower Speedway, hop-along-rodeo

• When: Sept. 30 through Nov. 5 weekends only, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Last tickets are sold at 4 p.m. The farm will also be open for two Friday nights out of the season on Oct. 20 and Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 9 p.m.

• Where: 2260 Horn Road, Milton

• Details: Sweet Season Farms is another one of the area’s largest pumpkin patches and farms. The farm was founded in 2008 and partnered with the MAIZE Company out of Utah just a year later. The idea was to create an 8-acre corn maze and agricultural experience for the surrounding community. Snack on some sweet roasted corn, boiled peanuts or treats from the bakery. Activities include pumpkins, pony rides, corn maze, hayride, children’s playground, corn popper, Sunflower Speedway, hop-a-long rodeo, country carousel and a whole host of other things. Ticket prices for the season are not available just yet, but the Sweet Season Farms website will be updated when they become available.

Perfect Plain’s 6th Annual Perfect Oktoberfest

• What: Traditional German food, Leiderhosen & Drindel competition, stein hoisting competition, DJ

• When: Sept. 30, noon to midnight

• Where: Perfect Plain Brewery, 50 E. Garden St.

• Details: The party doesn’t stop at Perfect Plain Brewing in their version of a “Perfect” Oktoberfest. Events will be staggered throughout the day, including the opening of Simply Brats German Food Truck at noon, stein hoisting competition at 6 p.m., leiderhosen and drindel contest at 8 p.m. and a DJ from 9 p.m. to midnight. Whether you’re participating or spectating, it’s going to be fun for everyone.

Gary’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration

• What: Live music, games, food, beer

• When: Sept. 30 starting at 2 p.m.

• Where: Gary’s Brewery & Biergarten, 208 Newman Ave.

• Details: Pensacola first German Biergarten, a microbrewery and taproom on 2.5 acres of land, is ready to party Oktoberfest style. The Simply Brats German food truck will be serving authentic German food in the biergarten starting at 3 p.m. There will be other food options including American fare from the Brewpub Kitchen from noon to 9 p.m., and Emerald Coast Kettle Corn and The Trolley Stop Ice Cream Shop serving sweets from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. All games are free to play and are including in the ticket price, including Hammerschlagen, sack races, stein hoisting and the keg toss. There will also be live music from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hofbrau, Weihenstephaner and Ayinger German beers will be included for the event with Gary's Oktoberfest, Schwarzbier and Roggenbier will be on tap. Entry tickets are $10, or you can buy the package of admission, a half-liter stein and two beer fills for $30. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com or at the brewery itself. Last day to purchase advanced tickets is Sept. 19 at 10 p.m. unless they are sold out before.

First City Art Center Pumpkin Patch

• What: Glass pumpkin sale

• When: First Pick Preview Party: Oct. 6, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Children under age 12 do not need a First Pick ticket), General admission pumpkin patch sale: Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Where: 1060 N. Guillemard Street

• Details: The 17th annual pumpkin patch offer thousands of hand-blown glass and handcrafted ceramic pumpkins to purchase created by artists at First City Art Center. Prices begin at $20 per pumpkin, which vary in shape, color and size. The pumpkin purchases support over 40 local artists across Pensacola, so feel free to roam around and pick your favorite one.

Ballet Pensacola Dracula

• What: Bone-chilling ballet performance

• Where: The Center, 400 S. Jefferson St.

• When: Oct. 6-8 and Oct.13-15

• Details: Ballet Pensacola will be putting on a theatrical rendition of Bram Stoker’s nail-biting gothic horror novel, Dracula, in a way that you’ve never seen it before. The performance follows the life of characters Mina Murray, Lucy Whitby and Jonathon Harker through their chilling encounters with Dracula and beautiful ballet. Tickets will be available for purchase soon on The Center website.

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Navarre Fishing Rodeo

• What: Fishing competition, prizes

• When: Oct. 7-8

• Where:  1451 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre BeachDetails: The Navarre Fishing Rodeo is a fishing tournament competition that offers shore, boat, kayak and pier divisions. The competition is no joke, as $35,000 was given away in cash and prizes last year. Scales open at 1 p.m. and close promptly at 4 p.m. both days. Junior anglers (12 and under) can compete in the Junior Division for free with a registered adult angler. There can be up to two junior anglers per adult. Junior anglers do not receive a T-shirt. Weigh-in is on the beach at Juana's, close to Santa Rosa County Boat Ramp and parking. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Navarre Beach Area Chamber Foundation. For more information visit www.navarrefishingrodeo.com, call 850-939-1900 or email [email protected].

Fall Festival at the West Florida Railroad Museum

• What: Museum tours, historic presentations, model train displays, food vendors

• When: Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Where: 5003 Henry St., Milton

• Details: Pack up the kids and visit the West Florida Railroad Museum to check out all the site has to offer including kid train rides, model train displays, food and snow cones for sale.

Breeze-O-Ween

• What: Costume contests, music, trick-or-treat stations, food trucks, pumpkin carving, dog costume contest

• When: Oct. 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Where: Gulf Breeze Parks and Recreation, 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze

• Details: This first-annual event hosted by the city of Gulf Breeze’s Park and Recreation department is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit with a variety of activities for the whole family. There will be a costume contest with prizes for scariest costume, most creative and best group costume. There will be “spine-tingling beats” playing in the background, local vendors selling spooky items and delicious treats distributed at the various trick-or-treat stations. Participants can carve their own pumpkins and sample some of the food from different food truck vendors. Don’t forget to bring your dog along, as there will be a Facebook Dog Costume Contest. For more spooky information, contact Tara Carlsrud at 850-934-5140 or [email protected]

Camp Crystal Lake haunted house:

• What: Haunted house

• When: Various weekends in October

• Where: 800 W. Nine Mile Road, Cantonment

• Details: The Pensacola Breast Cancer Association (PBCA) is partnering with the Hadji Shrine to put on one of the biggest Haunted Houses in northwest Florida for the seventh year. Proceeds benefit PBCA whose mission is to raise money for awareness, screening and diagnosis of breast cancer among the Escambia County indigent and under-insured patient population. Ticket sales are coming soon.

A full schedule is listed as follows:

• Oct. 13-14- Haunted house, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Oct 20-21- Haunted house, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• *Oct. 22- Matinee, no actors, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Oct. 27-28- Haunted house, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Oct. 29- Trunk or Treat/ Matinee, no actors, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Oct. 31- Haunted house, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Gulf Breeze Boo at the Zoo

• What: Trick-or-treat trail, bounce house, face painting, zoo animalsWhen: Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22, Oct. 28-29 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Last admission is 4 p.m.

• Where: Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway

• Details: The Gulf Breeze Zoo is hosting its annual Boo at the Zoo bash to provide a family-friendly Halloween experience. Guests can browse vendors, see animals and get lots of candy.

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Halloween Market at Emerald Republic Brewing

• What: Local vendors, beer, food truck

• When: Oct. 15 from noon to 5 p.m.

• Where: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St.

• Details: This second-annual Halloween market will give you the opportunity to shop local for everything from oddities to paintings, to cookies and vintage clothing. A Rustyc Spoon food truck will be on-site, along with craft beer available for purchase. The event is free to attend.

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Pensacola Interstate Fair

• What: Carnival rides, entertainers, exhibits, food

• When: Oct. 20-Oct. 29

• Where: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway

• Details: Everyone’s favorite time of year is here once again for freshly squeezed lemonade, upside down carnival rides and life-sized stuffed animal prizes. The fair is one of the top 50 in the country. As the event gets closer, the fair website will list ticket prices, daily discounts, hours of operation and more information. You can follow the fair website for more information or call (850) 944-4500.

Trick-or-Treat Gallery Night

• What: Free night market

• When: Oct. 20, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Where: Palafox Street

• Details: Each year, the extra-special October Gallery Night invites children and adults alike to bring out their best costumes and explore downtown Pensacola in a new light. There will be a variety to vendors to roam and food trucks to enjoy, in addition to the regular restaurants, bars, galleries and shops that line Palafox.

Beach-O-Ween

• What: Bounce house, costume contest, games, face painting, hot dogs

• When: Oct. 20, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Where: Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, 1 Via de Luna Drive

• Details: The fifth Beach-O-Ween Halloween is a family-friendly event that highlights businesses on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk while celebrating the holiday. There will be fun activities fit for people of all ages, a bounce house for kids, costume contest, face painting, hot dogs and candy.

Batty Fang-tastic Halloween

• What: Owl-O-Ween haunted trail walk, pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, games and crafts, animal ambassadors

• When: Oct. 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Where: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, 3051 Cloptons Circle, Navarre

• Details: Pull out your best Halloween costume for the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge’s Batty Fang-tastic Halloween event. There will be plenty of games and treats for the family, as well as a haunted trail walk and pumpkin patch to take part in. Admission is $5 per person, and an unlimited game pass is $15. For more information, visit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Facebook page and website.

Ice Flyers Small Dog Fright Night

• What: Dogs racing on the ice rink in costume

• When: Oct. 28 at 7:05 p.m.

• Where: Pensacola Bay Center

• Details: Dog-owners or those who just enjoy adorable animals in costumes – this one is for you. Fans enter their small dogs to race each other in their scariest or cutest costumes. The fun isn’t just for the pets though, as fans are encouraged to wear costumes as well. Visit the Ice Flyers website to register your dog or score a ticket. Call 850-466-3111 with any questions.

Pensacola Beach Halloween Pub Crawl

• What: Dress up in costume and visit a dozen different Pensacola Beach businesses

• When: Oct. 28, 2 p.m. until closing

• Where: Pensacola Beach

• Details: For the first year ever, the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a pub crawl across the island. Participants will be welcome to dress up in costume and make your way across each beach bar, restaurant and hotel on the list. A special 2023 Halloween Pub Crawl 20 oz. tumbler will be available for $25 at each participating location. Visit PensacolaBeachChamber.com or call 850-932-1500 for more information.

AWA Farms Fall Festival

• What: Hayrides, trick-or-treating, bounce house, games, animal encounters, shopping, food trucks

• When: Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Where: 8781 State Road 89, Milton

• Details: This family-friendly event allows people of all ages to come out and explore the farm. There will be plenty of fall activities to take part in, such as hayrides, games and trick-or-treating, along with live animals on-site. There will be food trucks parked on the farm as well, so plan to stay a while.

Pensacola Official Halloween Bar Crawl

• What:  Spooky drink specials, live DJs, Halloween costume contest, admission into top-rated bars

• When: Oct. 29, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Where: Downtown Pensacola

• Details: Pub Crawlers hosts pub crawls all over the country, and Pensacola has landed a spot on the list. This crawl will take you all over the city to explore the best bars Pensacola has to offer. Those who participate will receive a digital bar crawl map and various food and drink specials. There will also be a costume contest. Ticket information is available on Eventbrite here.

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival

• What: Art displays, live music, food vendors

• When: Nov. 3-4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 5: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Where: Downtown Pensacola’s Historic Seville Square

• Details:  The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is one of the most popular arts festivals in the United States. The festival features more 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists. There is also an assortment of live musicians and performers and regional food and beverages to choose from. Local students are also featured in the Student Art Show showcasing over 2,000 pieces of art from elementary, middle and high school students across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. More details and information can be found on the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival.

Foo Foo Fest

• What: Music, art, lectures, culture

• When: Nov. 2-13

• Where: Throughout Pensacola

• Details:  Foo Foo Fest is a 12-day fall festival focusing on all things artistic, eclectic and creative. Events vary by day, and a full list of events can be found on the Foo Foo Fest website. But some standouts include the Magic Carpet 2023 art display made of 48,000 translucent rectangles resembling a mosaic over Museum Plaza in downtown Pensacola, Night Moves Music Fest, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, Stamped Film Festival and the Night on the Tracks Block Party. Find full information on the Foo Foo Fest website.

Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show

• What: Air show

• When: Nov. 3-4

• Where: Naval Air Station Pensacola

• Details: The NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on November 3-4, 2023, with the theme of "Celebrating Women In Aviation." The show is one of Pensacola's largest events, attracting between 150,000-180,000 spectators during this two-day event. This event is free and open to the public. Gates open at 8 a.m. and the show begins at 9:30 a.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own seating or paid seating is available for purchase on the NAS Pensacola Air Show Ticketing tab.

Pensacola EggFest 2023

• What: Barbecue competition, tasting

• When: Nov. 12, VIP Admission: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., General Admission: noon until 3 p.m.

• Where: Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St.

• Details: Pensacola Big Green Egg Fest is a barbecue event that supports local charities and hosts teams and backyard cooks from all over the U.S. to cook up delicious barbecue. Hosted at the Blue Wahoos Stadium, attendees can sample bites from all competing teams. Craft beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are available, too. General admission tickets are $35 until Sept. 25 and move to $45 starting on Sept. 26.

2023 Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival

• What: local art, wine tastings

• When: Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Where: Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Road

• Details: On Nov. 12, the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk will turn into an artist and wine lover’s paradise for the Pensacola Beach Art & Wine Festival. Put on by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, patrons can spend Sunday afternoon sampling wines while checking out art from Gulf Coast artists. All in all, there will be about 20 local artists and 30 selections of wines to sample.

Don't see your fall event listed? Brittany Misencik can be reached at [email protected].

Brandon Girod contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Where to find fall activities in the Pensacola area for 2023