Fall has arrived on the Emerald Coast, and there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season with your family! From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to haunted houses and rodeos, we’ve rounded up the best autumn activities happening now through November.
Highlights include wrapping up the Destin Fishing Rodeo weigh-ins, Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch with its zipline and mega slide, and the Emerald Coast Rodeo coming to Niceville in November.
Whether you’re looking for spooky thrills or wholesome fall fun, there’s something for everyone. Here are eight fall family events that someone in every family will enjoy!
Destin Fishing Rodeo Weigh-Ins
Where: On the docks at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar in Destin, FL
When: October 1-31 from 10 AM until 7 PM
What: Be a part of the “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” annual fishing rodeo. All weigh-ins are FREE and open to the public. Every child who enters a fish in the Destin Fishing Rodeo that weighs 1 lb. or more gets a rod and reel and a certificate suitable for framing!
10th Annual Tricks & Treasures
When: October 31 from 5 PM – 8 PM
Where: The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, FL
What: The 10th Annual Tricks & Treasures is at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island this Halloween! They’ll host a fun and safe night of trick-or-treating, live entertainment, carnival games, costume contests, and more.
Festival of Fears 2025
When: October 30 – November 1
Where: Behind the Santa Rosa Mall (JC Penney’s Entrance)- 300 Mary Esther Blvd, Suite 118, Mary Esther, FL
What: The Festival of Fears is a haunted attraction for the thrill seeker in your family! It features custom characters, immersive sets, and special effects to ensure guests get an immersive experience for every show. See ticket information HERE.
Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch
Where: Holland Farms – 2055 Homer Holland Rd. Milton, FL
When: until November 2. Opens daily at 8 AM – 6 PM
What: $18 wristband per person for the pumpkin patch (includes 1 pumpkin). They do honor military discounts. Activities include a zipline, swings, mega slide, racing carts, corn maze, train rides, hayrides, and corn pits! At an additional cost they also have a lemonade stand, food trucks (weekends only), pony rides (weekends only), and a mining station! Buy admission ahead of time HERE.
Sweet Seasons Corn Maze
Where: 2260 Horn Road, Milton FL 32570
When: until November 2 open every Saturday from 9 AM – 5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM (last tickets sold at 4 PM)
What: Each year there is a new corn maze design and has been Sweet Season’s signature attraction since the beginning and is now over 8 acres of twists and turns in the 10 acre corn and sunflower field. It is divided into three sections this year, which includes the main maze, a kiddie maze and the sunflower walking trail around the maze! View pricing information HERE.
Emerald Coast Rodeo
Where: 100 E College BLVD, Niceville, FL 32578 (Rodeo Arena located behind the Emerald Coast Autism Center)
When: Friday, 11/7 – Saturday, 11/8 both nights opening at 5:30 PM until 9:30 PM
What: Put your cowboy hats and boots on, it’s rodeo time! Northwest Florida State College has partnered with Emerald Coast PCA Rodeo to bring a wholesome, family-friendly rodeo entertainment.
FALLing for the Coast Fall Festival
Where: The Island Resort – 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
When: Saturday, November 15 from 2-5 PM
What: What’s better than Fall on our sugar-white sand beaches? Time to enjoy it at the Island for their Fall Festival. Guests can enjoy live music, seasonal treats, lawn games, and a curated vendor market featuring local artisans. Kids can enjoy face painting and fall crafts, while adults can sip on themed cocktails. The event is open to the public, complimentary for resort guests, and open to locals with tickets or a day pass (starting at $25; military and family packages available).
Crop Drop
Where: Destin Methodist Church – 200 Beach Drive Destin, FL 32541
When: Saturday, November 22 from 7:30 AM – 12 PM. Volunteer check-in starts at 7:30 AM
What: Looking for a way to give back as a family? 40 Agencies from 4 counties in the Florida Panhandle come together for volunteers to load up the different agencies’ portion of produce. Agencies will then take this produce back to their facilities to give to their families that are food insecure. Families lack fresh produce and this one time per year the community can come together to support these families with fresh produce supplied by Georgia and Florida Farmers. Register to volunteer HERE.
Have you attended any of these activities before? Which one are you looking forward to visiting the most this year?
